Fundamentals of Photography I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

ARTS-2356-005 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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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

Supplies

Hardware, Software and Supplies:

• Digital camera (10 megapixel or higher preferred), DSLR with interchangeable lens capabilities preferred
• To succeed in this class you MUST HAVE access to a computer with a relia

  Student Performance

  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 aesthetics.  (Cross-listed, with journalism emphasis, as COMM 1318) (ACGM)

   (3 sem hrs; Online)

  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.

   

  Instructor Objectives for Course:

  The goal of the course is to help you learn the mechanics of creating a photograph and to begin to understand composition and esthetic aspects of photography. The class is designed for the serious photographer interested in developing skills in camera usage, experience darkroom work, and digital photography.

  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

  Classroom Environment:

  For your benefit please read and comply with the Amarillo College Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook as posted on the AC website at:

  http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=329

  Plagiarism:

  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

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

  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

  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.

  Current Semester Work:

  All assignment photographs and portfolio work must be new work from this current semester intended for this class.

  About Blackboard and AC Connect

  • Blackboard is the online course delivery system that you will use to turn in all written work, to participate in weekly discussion forums, to take exams and to monitor your grades.  You may access Blackboard from any computer with an Internet connection.
  • To access Blackboard, you must log into AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu/students/Pages/default.aspx.  You can also access AC Connect by clicking on the AC Connect link on the AC Website home page: www.actx.edu.  If this is the first time you have used AC Connect, click on the “First Time Users” link at the bottom of the page and follow the instructions to activate your electronic accounts.
  • You should get into the habit of logging into AC Connect every day to check email and
announcements.  The college and your individual instructors will use AC Connect to send important messages.  Once you log into AC Connect, you will see your Blackboard classes listed in the center of the page.
  • For assistance using AC Connect and Blackboard, visit AC Connect Student Resources at http://www.actx.edu/ctl/index.php?module=article&id=222.  If you have further questions, you can contact  the Center for Teaching and Learning Student Help Center.  The purpose of the Student Help Center is to introduce and/or instruct students in the proper procedures to interact confidently with Blackboard and AC Connect components or other software required for course assignments.  The services below are available to students who are currently enrolled in academic or continuing education courses on a walk-in/appointment basis or by phone:
    • · Logging-in to AC Connect, WebAdvisor, myACcount and Google Apps
    • · Password resets
    • · How to use AC Connect and Blackboard
    • · Microsoft Office
    • · General computer/software questions
    • Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone:(806) 371-5992 or (806) 371-5932
Location: Washington Street Campus, Library, Room 111

  Grading Criteria

  Grading Criteria/Grade Scale:

  Keep in mind grades are not given. Grades are earned based on student performance.

  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:

  Weekly Assignments                                                          30%

  Participation in blog, comments and critiques                    10%

  Final Portfolio and                                                               30%

  Final exam                                       

  Assessments                                                                        30%

                                                 

  TOTAL 100%

   

  Makeup Policy:

  All assignments are due on the date specified. All assignments turned in late will have 10 points deducted from the grade. Late assignments will not be accepted after 3 weeks from the due date.

  Required Examinations and Group Project:

  Assessments will be given over the material covered in the class.  

  You will also have a group project during the semester. Information on this will be covered in class.

  Final Examination and Portfolio:

  The final will be comprehensive, covering lecture and lab.

  You will also have a Final Portfolio of 6 images due the last week of classes.

  Attendance

  This is an online class with a new module for each week of the semester. It is important for you not to get behind in the course as the lessons are in sequence and build on each other.

  You will be required to interact with your classmates in a group assignment as well when commenting on images. You will need a free Yahoo account to be able to post images for the assignments. I will send you an invitation to the class group by school email.

  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
  Introductory Module
  Module 01- History of Photography

  Week 2
  Module 02 – the Camera

  Week 3
  Module 03 – Shutter Speeds and Apertures

  Week 4
  Module 04 - Exposure

  Week 5
  Module 05 – The Lens

  Week 6
  Module 06 – Composition

  Week 7-8
  Module 07 – Lighting
  Group Presentation Project

  Week 9-10
  Module 8 – Digital Darkroom

  Week 11
  Module 09 - Film and the Darkroom

  Week 12-14
  Module 10 – Photography: Document, Art, and Social Change

  Week 15-16
  Final Portfolio

  Additional Information

  No additional information available

  Syllabus Created on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM

  Last Edited on:

  11/30/-1 12:00 AM