Expressive Photography 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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Course

PHTC-1343-001 Expressive Photography

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ARTS 2356 or instructor consent

Course Description

A study of formal, professional and individual uses of photography by applying photographic technology to personalized needs. Emphasis on creative visual thinking and problem solving and the exploration of personal vision.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Required Common Reader Blue Hole Back Home, by Joy Jordan-Lake (AC will provide copies)

Students will build a technical notebook that serves as their lab book for these processes. Upon completion, the technical notebook will include formulas, instructions, research notes, and personal examples for future use.

Recommended Textbooks: Available in AC's Lynn Library

The Book of Alternative Photographic Processesby Christopher James

Pinhole Photography, Fourth Edition: From Historic Technique to Digital Applicationby Eric Renner

Photographic Possibilities, Third Edition: The Expressive Use of Equipment, Ideas, Materials, and Processesby Robert Hirsch

Supplies

Supply List

Supplies will vary for each student depending on project needs, technical issues, and obsessions. Supplies are provided for demos and labs; however, students should expect to buy their own supplies for proj

Student Performance

\ Course Description:  A study of formal, professional, and individual uses of photography by applying photographic technology to personalized needs. Emphasis on creative visual thinking and problem solving and the exploration of personal vision. (WECM)

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\ End-of-Course Outcomes:  Exhibit creative visual thinking; perform and execute photographic practices that include traditional and nontraditional procedures; and interpret various types of photographic imagery. (WECM)

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\ Specific Course Outcomes:

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\ Students will

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• \ Demonstrate knowledge of traditional and nontraditional darkroom procedures
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• \ Experiment with alternative methods of making and/or presenting photographic images
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• \ Analyze images for proper exposure and/or development
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• \ Develop concepts and strategies for expressing visual ideas through photographic techniques
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• \ Develop a personal style or theme of expressive photography
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• \ Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
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• \ Participate meaningfully in critique
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• \ Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
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• \ Maintain classroom facilities and shared supplies
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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

Course & Conduct

Blackboard Online

The syllabus, assignment sheets, modules, and other documents are located on the Blackboard web page for this course. Students should contact AskAC with questions regarding log in. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed. Lecture comprehension and participation is greatly improved by reading the assigned material and reviewing assignment sheets before each lecture. There is a module associated with the section; students are required to read assigned materials, watch videos, finish activities, and take the quizzes, etc. in each module. Grades are posted on a regular basis and should be reviewed by the student. There are also games, suppliers, magazines, and other photo-related sites on the Instructor's personal website: www.renewest.net/links.

Attendance Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in demonstrations, discussions, and other activities scheduled each day. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. Material covered in class cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and exercises related to topics discussed on missed days. It is recommended that students get class notes from other students for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission.

Critique Policy

In order to provide each person with a thoughtful critique of their work, all other activities must stop once a critique begins, and students need to engage in the critique process. So that everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas about images, students need to listen to each other and respect varying viewpoints. To ensure students are able to hear all comments about their work, refrain from private conversations and direct all comments to the group discussion. Student projects not completed by the start of critique are late. (Refer to “Late Work Policy” for details) In fairness to those who completed their projects on time, please set aside incomplete projects so as not to distract from the critique. Unfortunately, the course schedule does not allow time to provide late projects with a group critique; the instructor will assess late work on the appropriate grading rubric.

Email Policy

All students are assigned an email account by Amarillo College that can be accessed through Gmail. For correspondence with the instructor, please use rwest@actx.edu. For open conversation with the class, use the Coffee Shop. Both are located on the left column, under Communication, on the class webpage in Blackboard. The instructor, and Amarillo College, will use Gmail and AC Online for correspondence. For this reason, students are responsible for checking both on a regular basis.

Participation Policy

Students are expected to participate effectively in class discussions, labs, critiques, and activities during each class. Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. Students are allowed two absences without penalty. Three absences will result in a full letter grade deduction on the final grade for the course (an "A" becomes a "B"), at five absences there is a two letter grade deduction (an "A" becomes a "C"), and after 6 absences the student earns a failing grade in the course. Arriving late or leaving early (during lectures, demonstrations, and critiques) will count as one absence every third time.

Technology

Cell phones and unrelated computer use detract from the learning environment. For this reason, inappropriate use of technology such as checking email, texting, Facebook, headphones, working on projects unrelated to class, etc. during lectures, demonstrations, and critiques will result in a five point deduction from the next portfolio grade, per event.

College

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.

Drop Policy It is the responsibility of the student to drop a course.

Coursework & Exams

Exam Policy The final exam will cover material from the textbook, lectures, slide presentations, and demonstrations. Each module has a quiz over material covered in that section. Quizzes are available at the end of the module on MyAC.. Students may take each quiz or exam twice and the lowest score is dropped. On-line Modules for each section of the course open at 8 am on the Monday before the start date. Refer to the class calendar for quiz and exam due dates, students will have until 11pm that day to take the test.

Homework Policy Although some open lab time is scheduled during class, successful completion of this course will require work outside of class. To receive full credit for projects students must have exercises and portfolios completed at the start of class on the scheduled due date.

Late Work Policy Projects considered on time will be ready for presentation at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. In fairness to students who finish projects on time there are penalties for late projects. Late projects submitted within one week of the critique date receive a 20-point deduction off the project grade, and for projects submitted within two weeks there is a 30-point deduction. Projects not submitted within two weeks will not be accepted, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book for this assignment. The Self-Orchestrated Portfolio (last assignment) must be submitted on time: no late projects are accepted. Students that do not submit this project will fail the course.

Make-up Exam Policy Quizzes and Exams are available online throughout the duration of each module, which is several weeks. In order to be fair to students who take the tests as scheduled, failure to take tests as scheduled will result in a zero for that test score. Since there are two opportunities to take the test during each module, there are no other dates scheduled.

Department

Photography Policy Throughout the study of photography, students must make new photographs for each assignment; this ensures that students are using their cameras on a regular basis and refining their visual thinking and technical skills. Submitting old photographs or photographs used as an assignment in another class will earn a zero for the project. Appropriation of images, regardless of the source, is plagiarism (refer to Plagiarism Policy).

Plagiarism Policy It is crucial for students not to pass off the ideas or words of another as their own, to do so is considered theft and will be treated accordingly. When paraphrasing or quoting another source always use parenthetical citation to credit the source, and include all websites and/or books reviewed in the bibliography. In fairness to other students who worked hard on their essays and photographic projects, students caught plagiarizing will earn a zero for the project and may be subject to additional disciplinary actions by Amarillo College.

 

 

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria/Grade Scale

The course is graded on a 100 point scale and the percentages are as follows:

1^st Portfolio 15%                                         

2^nd Portfolio 15%

3^rd Portfolio 20%

Technical Notebook (10% each critique) 30%

Quizzes and Exams 10%

In-Class Participation 10%

Refer to handouts for the requirements on each assignment and the portfolios.

Grading Format / A-F 100-0 points

A = Excellent (100-90)

B = Good (89-80)

C = Average (79-70)

D = Weak (69-60)

F = Unacceptable (59-0)

Grading Policy

Assessment of projects will be based on the following:

Visual expression

• Individual interpretation of assignment
• Intentional compositional design
• Explores the concept of photography as visual art

Technical Skills

• Demonstrates knowledge of darkroom and camera operation
• Presents technically well-crafted photographic in a professional manner
• Demonstrates a willingness to experiment with new concepts
• Displays an understanding of the concepts and techniques assigned

Professional Practices

• Attends lectures, labs, and demonstrations
• Participates in in-class activities, discussions, and critiques
• Shows work in progress
• Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress
• Comes prepared for class, stays on task, and brings appropriate materials
• Presents projects on time and meets the requirements of each assignment

Attendance

Attendance Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in exercises, discussions, and other activities scheduled each day. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. Material covered in class cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and exercises related to topics discussed on missed days. It is recommended that students get class notes from other students for any missed classes. In order to be fair to students that do attend classes, the instructor cannot provide private tutoring sessions to individual students who miss class. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ Additional course material is available through AC Online