Fundamentals of Photography I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

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N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTS-2356-004 Fundamentals of Photography I

Prerequisites

Course Description

Introduction to the basics of photography. Includes camera operation, techniques, knowledge of chemistry and presentation skills. Emphasis on design, history and contemporary trends as a means of developing an understanding of photographic esthetics.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

 A Short Course in Photography, 9^th Edition Barbara London & Jim Stone,

Supplies

For this course you will need: 

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• A digital camera with a minimum resolution of 6 megapixels or more.
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• A camera storage card for the camera
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• A storage device to hold your semester work like a USB thumb

  Student Performance

  Exemplary Educational Objectives                                               

  Exemplary Educational Objectives (ACGM)

  1. To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

  2. To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within an historical and social context.

  3. To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

  4. To engage in the creative process or interpretive performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artist.

  5. To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

  6. To develop an appreciation for the aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts.

  7. To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of literature, philosophy, and/or the arts on intercultural experiences.

   

  Specific Course Outcomes:

  1. Students will demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the Visual Arts and Social Responsibility.

  3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic digital camera operation.

  4. Students will utilize aperture and shutter to control motion and depth of field.

  5. Students will manually control camera exposure for shooting in various lighting conditions.

  6. Students will manage digital image files.

  7. Students will learn basic darkroom procedures.

  8. Students will utilize compositional design elements to create communicative photographic images.

  9. Students will discuss their photographs in verbal and/or written form.

  10. Students will present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor.

  11. Students will participate meaningfully in critique.

  12. Students will maintain a professional and respectful attitude.

  13. Students will maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies.

  Students Rights and Responsibilities

  Student Rights and Responsibilities

  Log in using the AC Connect Portal

  In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

  If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

  Expected Student Behavior

  \  For your benefit please read and comply with the Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook as posted on the AC website at:
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  \ http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=329

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  \ Conversation:
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  \ All conversation should be related to the discussion at hand and comments should not be directed toward specific individuals. Please refrain from private conversations or other activities that might distract other learners.
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  \ Phones, laptops, and other technology:
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  \  I want all students to be successful. Cell phones detract from the learning environment. For this reason, they should be turned off and put out of view upon entering the classroom. If you need to carry a cell phone for emergency purposes please see me in advance. If you bring a laptop or similar device to class it should not be used for any purposes other than taking notes in class.
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  \ Plagiarism:
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  \ Using someone else’s words, ideas, or images without giving them credit is plagiarism, a very serious Students Rights and Responsibilities offense. It is very important to understand how to prevent committing plagiarism when using material from a source. If you wish to quote verbatim, you must use the exact words and punctuation just as the passage appears in the original and must use quotation marks and page numbers in your citation. If you want to paraphrase or summarize ideas from a source, you must put the ideas into your own words, and you must cite the source, using the APA or MLA format. The exception to

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  \ this rule is information termed general knowledge—information that is widely known and stated in a number of sources. Determining what is general knowledge can be complicated, so the wise course is, “When in doubt, cite.”

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  \ Be especially careful when using the Internet for research. Not all Internet sources are equally reliable; some are just plain wrong. Also, since you can download text, it becomes very easy to inadvertently plagiarize. If you use

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  \ an Internet source, you must cite the exact URL in your paper and include with it the last date that you successfully accessed the site.

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  \ Current Semester Work:

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  \ With the exception of the photomontage assignment, all assignment photographs and portfolio work must be new work from this current semester intended for this class. 

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  Grading Criteria

   Grading Criteria/Grade Scale:
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  Keep in mind grades are not given. Grades are earned based on student performance.
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  Course is graded on a 100-pt scale broken down as follows:
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  Course is graded on a 100-pt scale broken down as follows:

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  \ Weekly Assignments                        40%
  \ Assessments                                   10%
  \ Final Portfolio and                             30%
  \ Final exam                                               
  \ Quizzes and                                     20%
  \ Midterm Project                                            \

  TOTAL 100%

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  Remember each absence over 2 will deduct 5 points from your final grade.
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  Perfect attendance will earn an extra 5 points on your final grade!
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  \ If you have a legitimate circumstance that requires you miss a test day, let me know IN ADVANCE so we can make an alternative arrangements. If you miss a test due to an emergency, let me know ASAP so arrangements can be made. All quizzes must be made up within a week or you will be given a 0 for the grade.
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  All assignments are due on the date specified. All assignments turned in late will have 10 points deducted from the grade. Assignments will not be accepted after one week.Two quizzes will be given during the semester to ensure the students understand the material covered.

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  Attendance

   I understand it is sometimes impossible to come to class (due to illness, etc.), but because so much of the course occurs in the classroom, you should not take this class if you have other commitments or issues that will require you to be absent. I want you to be successful and your attendance is critical to your success.

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  In order to be fair, there is no distinction between an excused and an unexcused absence.  You may miss 2 classes without penalty. Please remember you will miss a considerable amount of material, and to be fair, material covered or in-class exercises cannot be made up. Each absence beyond 2 will lower your final grade by 5 points.

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  It is YOUR responsibility to obtain the information missed if you are absent. I will not repeat lectures or demos. You must get notes from classmates, read the given material, do research to learn the material you missed.

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  Tardiness:

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  Habitual lateness is detrimental to your success in this class and disruptive to others. I will note attendance in the first 5 minutes of class. If you are not present, you will be considered absent for that day. Latecomers will need to check with me to ensure you are marked as tardy rather than absent.

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  3 lates = 1 unexcused absence.

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  Additional lab time:

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  This course will require more time than allotted to complete class assignments. Open lab times will be available for those who are unable to complete assignments in normal lab hours. Consider this part of your homework time, a requirement for the class. Not having enough time to complete assignments is not a valid excuse!

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  Drop dates:

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  Failure to officially withdraw before the final deadline will result in the appropriate grade being assigned to the student.

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  Calendar

  Tentative Course Outline:

  This outline is subject to change throughout the semester at my direction.

  Week 1

  Lecture:Orientation, get to know everyone. Class syllabus and policies, supply list, etc. AC Online. Discuss Midterm group project and Final Portfolio. Discussion of photography. Discussion of photogram, History of photography

  Lab: Lab tour, rules for the lab, Purchase supplies, bring digital camera and manual if available next time

  Week 2 - Labor Day

  Lecture: The camera.Composition, Looking at Photographs. Select Midterm project groups

  Lab:Working with cameras

  Assignment: Assignment 1: Photogram in lab. Assignment #2: Subject Composition

   

  Week 3

  Lecture:  Digital Foundations. Group topics selected

  Lab:Intro to Macs, transferring files, prepare Assignment 2

  Assignment: Visit web bookmark sites

   

  Week 4

  Lecture:Exposure, f/stops and depth of field, camera modes, scene modes

  Critique Assignment 2. Camera lenses

  Lab:In-lab depth of field experiment. Intro to Bridge, Assignment 2 due

  Assignment:Assignment 3: Depth of Field

  
  Week 5

  Lecture: Quiz 1

  Shutter speed and motion

  Lab:In-lab motion experiment, Intro to Photoshop. Assignment 3 Due

  Assignment: Assignment 4: Motion and Action

   

  Week 6

  Lecture: Critique Assignment 3. White balance, image size. Discuss progress on Midterm Project

  Lab: Tools, layers, Assignment 4 due

   

  Week 7

  Lecture: Use of lighting, Critique preparation

  Lab: composition and cropping, printing

  Assignment: Work on Midterm Project

   

  Week 8

  Lecture:  Midterm Project due, give presentations

  Lab: photographing people

  Assignment: Assignment 5: Photographing People

   

  Week 9

  Lecture: Darkroom techniques, Discuss Final Portfolio

  Lab: #5 due, Selection and masking tools

  Assignment:

   

  Week 10

  Lecture : B&W film photo, Self portrait

  Lab: Taking film images

  Assignment:Assignment 6: Film

   

  Week 11

  Lecture:B&W printing. Writing artist statement for Final Portfolio

  Lab: Printing

  Assignment:Assignment #6 due. Review for Quiz 2

   

  Week 12

  Lecture: Quiz 2. Photomontage

  Lab:Selection and masking tools

  Assignment: Assignment 7: Photomontage

   

  Week 13

  Lecture: Night Photography

  Lab:  Field Trip to 6^th street

  Assignment: Assignment 8 – Night Photography

   

  Week 14-Thanksgiving

  Lecture: Documentary Photography

  Lab: Final Portfolio prep

  Assignment: Assignment 7 Due

   

  Week 15

  Lecture: Review for final exam

  Lab: Final Portfolio presentations

  Assignment: Assignment #8 due

   

  Week 16

  Final Exam

  Additional Information

  Disability Statement: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Disability Services (SSC 119, Phone: 371-5436) as soon as possible.

  Program Manager: Victoria Taylor-Gore, Office Phone: 806-371-5982

  Department Secretary: Donna Salter Office Phone: 806-371-5290

  Office Location:

  Parc 313D

  Phone:

  806-371-5272

  E-Mail:

  blcavanaugh38@amarillocollege.com or through the AC Connect email

  Instructor Website: www.actx.edu/photography

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM