Fundamentals of Photography I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

ARTS-2356-003 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

London & Stone, A Short Course in Photography, 8^th or 9^th Edition

Supplies

Supply List

2 flash drives at least 16 gig each

2 ink cartridges for the Epson printers (buy one of each: Vivid Light Magenta T096620 and Cyan T096220)

20 sheet package 8 ½ x 11” Epson Premium Semi-gloss (Glossy paper is not recommended)

Cameras and Software

Students will need at minimum a 10 mega pixels camera with a manual mode (memory and batteries, etc.). All photo majors are required to have a DSLR; A list of suggested cameras is on the Photography web page: http://www.actx.edu/photography/index.php?module=article&id=13.

The digital imaging software is Adobe Photoshop CC. Digital labs are available in Parcells Hall for students to work on projects (hours and information are posted in Blackboard in Course Info). Students working on projects off campus are required to use Adobe Photoshop CS6 or CC. Other photo editing software will not meet course objectives. Students can purchase a subscription to Photoshop CC through the Adobe website: http://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html  (This link is for photography only, and is cheaper than the full CC, which has a lot of other programs that you may or may not need. Make sure that you are getting the student pricing.)

Students utilizing Financial Aid may purchase cameras, computers, and other supplies through the AC Bookstore during the first week of school: funds are withdrawn from the student's account just like books and other supplies.

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)

Exemplary Educational Objectives  

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

Course & Conduct

AC Connect (Blackboard)

The syllabus, assignment sheets, quizzes, 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 (look at the BE PREPARED section on the syllabus/calendar each week for how to prep for class). Every other week there is a new module associated with the lectures; 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.

Attendance & Participation Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in the daily activities. In-class activities earn points towards the overall course grade, when students miss a class they oftentimes miss the opportunity to earn the points associated with the activity. To earn all points possible for an activity, students must attend the entire class. Material covered during class, and in-class activities cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and assignments related to topics discussed on missed days. It is the student's responsibility to get class notes from another student 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. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission. Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. When a student has missed six classes, the student earns a failing grade in the course.

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. The link is located on the left column, under Communication, on the class website in AC Connect (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.

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, activities, and critiques may result in loss of points.

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. The last date to drop is Nov 22.

Coursework & Exams

Quizzes & Exam Policy The final exam will cover material from the textbook, lectures, slide presentations, and demonstrations. Most modules have a short quiz over material covered in that section. Quizzes are available in the module on AC Connect (Blackboard). Students may take each quiz or exam twice and the lowest score is dropped. On-line Modules for the course open at 8 am on Monday mornings, and close at 11pm on Sunday evenings. Each module is open 14 days. All exams and quizzes adhere to this schedule, except the final exam (due at the end of class on the first day of final's week).

Homework Policy Although some open lab time is scheduled during class, successful completion of this course will require work outside of class. To earn 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% deduction in total points for the assignment, and for projects submitted within two weeks there is a 30% deduction in points. Projects not submitted within two weeks are not accepted. Arriving late or leaving early on a day when in-class activities are scheduled will result in a 20% or more deduction in the overall points possible. The Self-Orchestrated Portfolio (last photography 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 Each quiz is available online for two weeks. In order to be fair to students who take the quiz as scheduled, failure to take tests by 11 pm on the last day of the module will result in a zero for that quiz score. (Quizzes have a 24-hour grace period, if submitted during this period there is a 20% deduction on the score.) The final exam is online and open for 2 weeks. Students must take the final exam by the end of class, on the first day of final's week, no exceptions.

 

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).

Lab Policy Only students currently enrolled in photography classes are allowed to use photography labs. Do not invite friends and family into the labs. The computer labs, darkrooms, and studios require students be enrolled in a course, or have taken specific courses, before using those areas.

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

There are 1000-points possible for the course, which breakdown as follows:

 

Types of Assignments		Total points possible	By percentage
Activities & Participation	(-25 points per absence)	200	20%
5 Photography exercises	(50 points each)	250	25%
3 Presentations	(50 points each)	150	15%
Documentary Photographs		100	10%
Self-Orchestrated Portfolio		150	15%
5 Quizzes	(20 points each)	100	10%
Final Exam		50	5%
Overall points possible for the semester		1000	100%

 

Refer to handouts for the requirements on each assignment.

Grading Format / A-F 1000-0 points

A = Excellent (1000-900)

B = Good (899-800)

C = Adequate (799-700)

D = Weak (699-600)

F = Unacceptable (599-0)

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 digital camera operation, Photoshop, and archival pigment printing

Presents technically well-crafted photographic in a professional manner

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 & Participation Policy

In order for students to complete this course successfully, it is necessary to attend the class and participate in the daily activities. In-class activities earn points towards the overall course grade, when students miss a class they oftentimes miss the opportunity to earn the points associated with the activity. To earn all points possible for an activity, students must attend the entire class. Material covered during class, and in-class activities cannot be “made-up” and students should expect to do poorly on test questions and assignments related to topics discussed on missed days. It is the student's responsibility to get class notes from another student 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. Because the instructor cannot possibly know the reason why a student missed class, there is no distinction between excused and unexcused absences. It is not necessary to contact the instructor regarding absences, or to ask permission. Because student engagement plays a crucial role in learning, all students must attend every scheduled class. When a student has missed six classes, the student earns a failing grade in the course.

Calendar

Additional Information

The course is paperless, all materials are in Blackboard.