Fundamentals of Photography I Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Course

ARTS-2356-001 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

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

Supplies

For this course you will need: 

• A digital camera with a minimum resolution of 10 megapixels or more.
• A camera storage card for the camera
• A storage device to hold your semester work like a USB thumb drive or external hard drive

If you are a photo major you will need a digital SLR camera ( capable of interchangeable lenses) for all your other photo courses. You may want to consider beginning this class with one.

Optional equipment not required but can be helpful include:

• Tripod
• Remote Release
• Additional camera cards

Supplies for the course include:

• 1 package Epson Ultra Premium Semigloss paper
• 2 Epson brand ink cartridges for the Epson R2880 printer (colors to be named)

These supplies are available at the college Bookstore. Some cameras are available at the Bookstore as well, and they will work with you if you have financial aid.

Supplies are due 1 week after the start of the semester and need to be supplied to complete assignments.

Student Performance

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.

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:

With the exception of the photomontage assignment, all assignment photographs and portfolio work must be new work from this current semester intended for this class. 

Grading Criteria

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.Two quizzes will be given during the semester to ensure the students understand the material covered.

Attendance

 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.

In order to be fair, there is no distinction between an excused and an unexcused absence.  You may miss 2 classes without penalty. Please remember you will miss a considerable amount of material, and to be fair, material covered or in-class exercises cannot be made up. Each absence beyond 2 will lower your final grade by 5 points.

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.

Tardiness:

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.

3 lates = 1 unexcused absence.

Additional lab time:

This course will require more time than allotted to complete class assignments. Open lab times will be available for those who are unable to complete assignments in normal lab hours. Consider this part of your homework time, a requirement for the class. Not having enough time to complete assignments is not a valid excuse!

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

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