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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 299"
COURSE NAME: "Pinhole Photography: On-site Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Serafino Amato
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: M12:30 PM 3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is a studio course focusing on ancient and modern image-making with particular attention to pinhole photography. The purpose of the course is to provide students with a background in photography in general and in the relationship between image technologies through the centuries. Through exercises and experiments, students will acquire competence with traditional black and white photo techniques, from making their own cameras to developing and making prints in the dark room. 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The first photographs emerge in the middle of the 19th century, but pinhole technology dates back a few thousand years. The knowledge of light being compressed, inverted, and projected goes as far back as the 5th century BCE. Pinhole imaging has been used widely in art and science since the 13th century and  throughout the Renaissance until the first photographic images were printed around 1850.

This course focuses on the earliest techniques of image-making, bringing them in touch with the most recent technologies. Students will build their own cameras and use them as a vehicle across the history of photography.  We will cover exposure in terms of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO; developing and printing various supports (film and paper);  the progress of photographic technology through the decades; and aesthetic issues in photography and in art in general.  Starting with the most basic principle of light, students of this course will learn to capture, record, manipulate, convert, share and understand the process of making meaningful images.

Besides classroom and darkroom lectures, the course involves slideshows, on site shooting assignments, and gallery visits, with particular attention to the city of Rome as subject matter. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This course aims to provide students with the skills necessary to produce a coherent body of photographic work, and the means to analyze, understand, and interpret images.

                

 

Key skills taught:

 Use and understanding of pinhole cameras, film cameras and digital cameras, and manipulation of medium to create meaningful images, traditional dark room technique and digital manipulation.

 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 Grading is based on a student’s physical, mental, and verbal participation in class, comprehension of assigned reading, and a body of photographs, as follows: Attendance and participation. (20%) Any missed classes will be penalized. Discussion and critiques are the most important part of this class and will be evaluated by the professor to determine a part of the final grade. Midterm exam.(20%). Consisting of short answers on the technical aspects of photography . Final Project: (60%) A body of photographic work pertaining to Rome and accompanied by an oral thesis to be presented to the class. This should be an accumulation and culmination of a semester of making and thinking about images.  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Attendence is mandatory.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1:

1.       Intro to course. Principles of photography, Kinds of cameras and how they work, making cameras and capturing images. Photograms. Camera scura.

HW: pinhole research, found photos

2.       Basic pinhole camera construction and first experiments with light. Set up class blog.

HW: found materials for first camera

Week Two:

1.       Supports, film and paper sensitivity, ISO, shutter speed, aperture, depth of field. On site shooting.

HW: shooting assignment 1

2.       Intro to darkroom chemicals and procedures. Paper negative and positive processing. Digital processing, scanners.

Hw: shooting assignment 2. negative and positive prints

Week Three:

1.       Midterm exam. Pinhole in the world of photography. Gallery/Museum visit  TBA.

HW: shooting assignment 3, and prints

2.       Old and new technology: Holga and DYI pinholes, stereoscopy, lomography, film cameras, digital applications. Dark room effects.

HW: shooting assignment 4, and prints

Week Four:

1.       Mac lab. Pinhole, analog, digital. Combining technologies, scanning, etc. Discuss final projects.

HW: Shooting assignment 5, final project

2.       Presenting work. Final project presentations.