Portfolio Development Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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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Course

PHTC-2343-001 Portfolio Development

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 21 hours of Photography courses

Course Description

A culmination experience for the evaluation of the student’s photographic competencies. Includes association with a professional photographic organization, skills in resume creation, review of portfolio, professional self- presentation, comprehensive testing and seminars in areas of photographic interest.

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

No textbooks available

Supplies

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• USB thumb drive or external hard drive
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• Quality portfolio case with zipper (with acetate sleeves)
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• 20 - 40 sheets Epson Premium Semigloss paper
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• 2 ink cartridges for the Epson R2880 printer (

  Student Performance

  Course Description:  A culmination experience for the evaluation of the student’s photographic competencies. Includes association with a professional photographic organization, skills in resume creation, completion of portfolio, professional self-presentation, comprehensive exam, and seminars in areas of photographic interest. (WECM)

  End-of-Course Outcomes:  Develop a portfolio or photographic work reflecting the student’s strength and abilities; write a resume which communicates personal attributes and photographic strengths and abilities; identify personal traits, mannerisms, dress, work performance, and human interaction for the primary purpose of obtaining and advancing in gainful employment; and examine opportunities in the professional community. (WECM)

  Specific Student Outcomes:

  Students will

  • Students produce a professional portfolio in the area of photography they wish to pursue.
  • Students produce a resume, business cards, and other materials related to a job search.
  • Students network by joining a professional organization.
  • Discuss their photographs in verbal and/or written form
  • Present work for grading in a professional manner, as directed by the instructor
  • Participate meaningfully in critique
  • Maintain a professional and respectful attitude
  • 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

   

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  Classroom Environment:

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  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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  Headphones may not be used during class time unless it is open lab.

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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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  Grading Criteria

   

  Grading Criteria/Grade Scale:

  Keep in mind grades are not given. Grades are earned based on student attendance, attitude in class, work ethics, and industry standard quality of assignments. These industry standards are:

  • Good concept
  • Good design
  • Creativity
  • Good execution
  • Meet deadlines
  • Professionalism

  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)

  Course is graded on a 100-pt scale broken down as follows:

  Assignments, business card, resume, paper          25%

  Range of skill and final professional portfolios       40%

  Attendance and Active Participation                      20%

  Exams                                                                15%

  TOTAL 100%

  Makeup Policy:

  This is a professional development class. 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.

  Required Examinations:

  Two comprehensive exams will be given to ensure the students understand the material covered.

  Attendance

   

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  This course is based on 2 hours of lecture and 4 hours of lab time. For the first of the semester we will meet for longer periods of time for lecture in order to cover the content. At times in the semester you will have additional time available for lab or portfolio work.

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  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 cannot miss more than 1 class and pass this course. Please remember you will miss a considerable amount of material, and to be fair, material covered or in-class exercises cannot be made up.

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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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  On occasion, I will delay the start of class due to college meetings I must attend on Fridays. We will continue to have lecture and lab time in these cases.

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  On occasion, we will have guest speakers to enhance your knowledge.

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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. Consider this part of your homework time, a requirement for the class. 

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

  Calendar

  Tentative Course Outline:

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

  Week 1  1/23

  Discuss the purpose of the course

  Take Prequiz

  Assignment:

  1. Write a 3-5 page paper about the style of photography you most hope to be working in, and make reference to at least three working photographers that you think are related to that style. Be sure to include bibliographic references. Due week 5.
  2. Join as a student member or member of one of the professional organizations listed. Complete this by week 3.
  3. Preparation of range of skills portfolio, due week 5
  4. Portfolio areas of specialization and weekly image reviews
  5. Discuss final portfolio and Showcase

  Week 2 1/30

  1. Resume/vita and business cards, design elements, preparation of first drafts due next week
  2. Career Services – Myplan.com-complete personality test and interest inventory
  3. Discuss membership in a professional photography organization. Join a professional organization by next week. Print out benefits of your membership to share with class.

  Week 3 2/6

  1. First draft of resume and business card due for class review.
  2. Discuss benefits of memberships.
  3. Portfolio review

  Week 4 2/13

  1. Weekly image review
  2. Discuss paper and photographers

  Week 5 2/20

  1. Paper is due
  2. Range of skills portfolio due, View range of skills portfolios

  Week 6  2/27

  1. Weekly image review
  2. Discussion of self-promotion.

  Week 7 3/6

  1. Continue to view range of skills portfolios
  2. Weekly image review

  Week 8 3/13

  1. Weekly image review
  2. Final resume/vita and business card due

  Spring Break

  Week 9 3/27

  1. Weekly image review
  2. Final portfolio review

  Week 10 4/3

  Easter Break – Good Friday

  Week 11 4/10

  1. Weekly image review
  2. Guest lecturer
  3. Web portfolios and using the web, marketing, social media
  4. Final portfolio preparation

  Week 12 4/17

  1. Web development
  2. Final portfolio preparation
  3. Rehearse interview/portfolio presentation

  Week 13 4/24

  1. Comprehensive exam
  2. Final portfolio preparation

  Week 14 5/1

  1. Practice interviews
  2. Finished web presence due

  Week 15 5/8

  Portfolio Showcase Presentations May 8

  Additional Information

  Portfolios

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  Your first portfolio will be a demonstration of your range of skills. This portfolio of 15-20 images (or projects) should demonstrate

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  technical proficiency

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  creativity and ability to communicate

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  familiarity with digital camera techniques

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  familiarity with film and darkroom techniques

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  versatility of approach (studio, editorial, journalistic)

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  You must speak on how your images support these topics.

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  The final professional portfolio and presentation at Showcase on the last day of class will be considered the capstone project for the course. The portfolio will contain a minimum of 20 of your best images in the line of photography your wish to pursue. They may be split into no more than 3 categories.

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  You will be evaluated in a one-on-one interview with a working professional on this day. Their input will contribute to the grading of your final portfolio and will provide feedback to you.

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  Student Assignments Retained: Some random student assignments or projects will be retained by the department for the purpose of academic assessment as it relates to student learning outcomes. In every such case, the student’s name and all identifying information about the student will be removed from the assignment or project.

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  Requirement to Join Professional Organization:

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  All students will be required to become a student member of an appropriate professional photographic organization (or graphic design organization) such as ASMP, NPPA, EPIC, Editorial Photographers, SPE, UPAA, PMA, PPA, SWPPA, TPPA, South Plains PPA, SPS

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM