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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DJRN 199"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Photojournalism: On Location in Rome"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Rosamaria Mancini
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: M3:30 PM 6:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a course in basic photojournalism on location. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area, as well as visits to photographic exhibitions. Students will gain an understanding of the basic concepts of photography and photojournalism; how cameras and lenses work; image composition; lighting conditions and techniques; shooting on location; techniques for working as a photographer; editing and producing photographs; and building a portfolio of images. Class sessions will cover learning use of a camera, lights, composition, color, documentary and candid photographic techniques, photographic software such as Adobe Photoshop, and critiques. Classes on location include practical fieldwork.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This is a course in basic photojournalism on location. There will be both classroom sessions and classes off campus, held on location in Rome and the surrounding area. The classes on location include practical fieldwork where students will apply what they have learned in the classroom, shooting individually and as a group on specific assignments and topics including people, portraits, travel, fashion, architecture, food, landscape, nature, etc. The classroom sessions will include lectures on history of photography, composition and design, ethics and photojournalism in the digital age.

Taking photographs, and improving your picture-taking skills, are an integral part of this course. This means you'll need a camera. A 35mm DSLR camera. Phone cameras won't work.  If you don’t have a 35mm DSLR camera you CAN’T take this course. You need to bring the camera to EVERY class.

You also have to be trooper. You have to willing to walk places, you have to be willing work on your own, you have to be willing to improvise and change course at a moments notice. The news business requires flexibility and I require that of you as well.

You will also be assigned to cover a JCU event for The Matthew newspaper.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.          Telling news stories with photographs and appropriate captions;

2.      Understand the basics of a DSLR camera

3.          Increase sensitivity to ethics of making visual images;

4.          Develop creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills;

5.          Produce a final photostory that includes multiple images.  

 

 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
LIFE Guide to Digital Photography: Everything You Need to Shoot Like the Pros, Joe McNallyLife 1603201270     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final Project 15 percent
Attendance/Class Participation  20 percent
Research Paper 15 percent
Photographic Assignments 40 percent
Final Exam 10 percent

-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 th
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:

Attendance is a must. Students are to come to class on time with materials and equipment needed. They are expected to actively participate in class and with imagination and creativity. They should also feel free to ask questions. If absent for any reason, the student is responsible for obtaining notes on information covered during the time missed and making up any assignments.
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

Course introduction. What is photojournalism, how do you do the job, what makes something news worthy...

Week 2 
Getting to know the camera. Taking photographs, where/how to start.  Photo selection and caption writing. Field work.

Week 3
Photo criticism/interpretation. Lenses. Field work.

Week 4
Lighting. Hard news photography. Field work.

Week 5
Soft (feature) news photography.  Field work. 

Week 6
Ethics. Research Paper Assignment.

Week 7
Color. Food photography. Field work.

Week 8
History of photojournalism Part 1

Week 9 
History of photojournalism Part 2

Week 10
Macro photography. Field work.

Week 11
Abstract photography. Individual field work.

Week 12
Nature/biodiversity photography. Field work.

Week 13
 Portraits. Field work.

Week 14
Future of photojournalism. Final project. Review for final exam.