Fundamentals of Photography I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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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

Occupational License Disclaimer

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 will need access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection.
• The ability to access your camera images on your computer either by USB cord or by camera card reader
• Image editing software - Photoshop CC is available from www.adobe.com as a monthly license of $9.99 a month. This will be required to be able to edit images for assignments.

Student Performance

Exemplary Educational Objectives                                                   ACGM pg 234

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:

Students will

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

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

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 is general knowledge 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. 

Grading Criteria

All assignments and assessments are due on the date specified. All assignments and assessments completed late will have 10 points deducted from the grade. Assignments will not be accepted after one week.

Attendance

This online class will require you to work on the modules within a certain period of time. Assignments and assessments will be due in a specific time frame to ensure all students are able to comment on each others' work. Please see the time line for the semester to keep up with the content.

Participation is part of the grading criteria. This is composed of the comments in the blogs for other students and their work, involvement in the group activity, and other participation.

You will also be posting images to a free Yahoo group set up for this class to submit photo assignments. I will send you an invitation by email to this group. Further instructions will be given in the class.

Calendar

Additional Information

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
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Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm 
Phone: (806) 371-5992 or (806) 371-5932
 Location: Washington Street Campus