Photography I (fine arts emphasis) Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Office Location

<p>Parcells Hall 313B</p>

Office Hours

TH 315-415, or by appointment

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTS-2356-001 Photography I (fine arts emphasis)

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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 2 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Recommended, A Short Course in Photography by London & Stone, 10th edition or earlier version.

Supplies

1 flash drive at least 1 TB or larger (this can be used for all of your classes)
Digital camera, min. 10 mega pixels, (photo majors should have a DSLR)
Adobe Photoshop CC 2020 software

Technology

Learning Remotely
This course will be taught on online and will meet at the scheduled times throughout the semester. We will use the video conferencing software Zoom (zoom.us). The software is free. To prepare for taking a tech-supported class students will need the following equipment at home:

  • Laptop or desktop computer (PC or MAC)
  • Computers will need to meet the minimum requirements for Adobe Photoshop CC 2020
  • Microphone – this may be built into your laptop or computer, or you may use an external device such as a USB microphone or headset.
  • Webcam – a camera may already be built into your laptop, but you can also use an external USB camera for video conferencing.
  • Internet – either commercially provided (ex. AT&T, Suddenlink), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile phone.

Camera: Students will need at minimum a 10 mega pixels camera with a manual mode (memory cards and batteries, etc.). All photo majors are required to have a DSLR; A list of suggested cameras is on the Photography web page: https://www.actx.edu/photography/fundamentals-of-photography-i

Adobe Photoshop CC: 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 students may or may not need. Make sure to get the student pricing.)

AC Digital Labs: Students who do not have computers, Wifi, and/or Photoshop at home may work on campus - Parcells Hall 220 should be available during class time. There are 4 Mac Labs (Rooms 220, 306, 308, and 312) available in Parcells Hall for students to work on projects (available hours are posted outside each lab). The Underground also has PC available with Photoshop (basement of Ware Student Commons 371-5429 / underground@actx.edu).

Technical Help: During the first week of school, students are responsible for resolving software and hardware issues so that coursework is easy to accomplish.

For Parcells Hall computer and software issues: Seth White, PARC 310, 371-5094, sethwhite@actx.edu

For questions related to personal equipment, passwords, and Blackboard: Ask AC (806) 371-5000 / www.actx.edu/contact

Financial Aid: Students 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

Objectives

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.

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, screencasts, videos, quizzes, and other documents are located on the AC Connect web page for this course (also referred to as Blackboard). Students should contact AskAC with questions regarding log in. Students are responsible for downloading and printing documents as needed.
Attendance & Participation Policy
Due to Covid-19 it may not be possible to attend class or to meet in person. Therefore there is no attendance policy for the course. Materials will be available online to successfully complete the course. There are field trips scheduled throughout the semester to help student with technical objectives; students are responsible for their own transportation to these events. All in-person activities are optional. Students are required to participate online with the materials and discussion boards, show work in progress throughout the semester, and submit projects by the due date.
Zoom Participation: During Zoom class meetings students are expected to have their cameras on during class discussions, lectures, breakout sessions, and work in progress critiques. Students may use a background image if they do not want their location visible. Cameras may be turned off during videos and screencasts. Students should be available to respond at anytime, and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment.
Communication
The preferred method of correspondence is email: rwest@actx.edu.

Announcements: This will be used for big events such as schedule changes, class cancellations, and extra credit opportunities.
Calendar: All relevant course information will be listed on the calendar. Students should check the calendar for the lectures, activities, due dates and other important information. The calendar will be updated to reflect changes to the schedule.
Email: I check email in the morning and then later in the day. Students should expect a response within 24 hours. I do not regularly check email on the weekends but will respond as soon as possible.
Grading : Generally speaking, students can expect project grades to be posted with one week of the due date. Grades are released when all student projects have been graded and some take longer than others.
Phone Calls:  To speak by phone, please schedule an appointment.
Office Hours:  My Zoom account will be available. After the first person, a waiting room will be enabled so that students are not interrupted. Zoom meetings may also be scheduled for questions, discussions, and tutoring. (Please see top of page for more details.)

 

Copyright Notice
Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials on this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Email Policy
The preferred method of correspondence with the instructor is email. Please use rwest@actx.edu. When sending email to the instructor, please include the name of the course in the subject line. The instructor and Amarillo College will use student’s Gmail account and AC Online for correspondence. For this reason, students are responsible for checking both on a regular basis. Students cannot submit photography assignments as email attachments; the image file size is too large. Please use WeTransfer (wetransfer.com) to send large files.

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
Should the need arise; the student is responsible for dropping a course. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and the course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. 

Coursework & Exams

Exam Policy There are two exams and no quizzes. The midterm exam covers material from the lectures and class content on AC Connect, slide presentations, and demonstrations learned in the first eight weeks of the semester. The final exam is comprehensive. Both exams are available on AC Connect and are open for at least a week prior to the due date. Students may take exams twice and the lowest score is dropped. The midterm exam is due on the Sunday evening before the midterm break at 11 pm. The final exam is due by 11 pm on the first class day of final's week.
Make-up Exam Policy Both exams are available online for a week. In order to be fair to students who take exams as scheduled, failure to take tests by 11 pm on the last scheduled date will result in a zero for that exam score. Exams are available online; this provides students with flexibility to work it into their schedule. There are no make-up exams.
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.
Field Trip and Class Activities Policy During the semester there are opportunities for students to make photographs as a part of hands-on lectures that review camera operation and techniques. Images created during a field trip or in-class activities are considered working with supervision. To earn full credit students must make photographs outside of class and push from learning the techniques to improving composition and exploring ideas.

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 created for 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 or images 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

Percentages/Points for assignments breakdown as follows:

4 Photo Projects: 60%

                (Light, Shutter, Aperture, Color, - 15% each)

6 Discussion Boards 10%

                (Camera Obscura, Describe, Analyze, Interpretation, Color, Action Plan)

Staging a Narrative Final Portfolio (20%)       

Midterm and Final Exam: 10% (5% each)

Refer to modules for the requirements on each assignment.

Grading Format / A-F (100-0%)

A = Excellent 100-90%
B = Good 89-80%
C = Adequate 79-70%
D = Weak 69-60%
F = Unacceptable 59-0%

Grading Policy

Assessment of projects will be based on the following:

Visual Expression
Individual interpretation of assignment
Intentional compositional design
Technical Skills
Demonstrates skills with digital camera operation and Photoshop
Presents technically well crafted images
Selects and identifies assigned techniques
Professional Practices
Participates in activities, discussions, and critiques
Discusses ideas and asks questions while projects are in progress
Presents projects on time and meets requirements for each assignment

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 10% deduction in total points for the assignment, and projects submitted within two weeks there is a 20% deduction in points. Projects not submitted within two weeks are not accepted.

Attendance

Due to Covid-19 it may not be possible to attend class or to meet in person. Therefore there is no attendance policy for the course. Materials will be available online to successfully complete the course. There are field trips scheduled throughout the semester to help student with technical objectives; students are responsible for their own transportation to these events. All in-person activities are optional. Students are required to participate online with the materials and discussion boards, show work in progress throughout the semester, and submit projects by the due date.
Zoom Participation: During Zoom class meetings students are expected to have their cameras on during class discussions, lectures, breakout sessions, and work in progress critiques. Students may use a background image if they do not want their location visible. Cameras may be turned off during videos and screencasts. Students should be available to respond at anytime, and should post a comment in the chat room if they need to leave for a moment.

Calendar

Week

Scheduled Activities

1

Introductions / AC Connect / Syllabus Quiz / Zoom

Meet on Zoom / Module One: Fundamentals of Photography / Fab Four / Camera Obscura / Reading Photographs Discussion Board

2

Meet on Zoom / Types of Cameras Lecture
Module 2: Capturing Light / Drawing with Light Lecture
Reading Photographs Discussion Board Due by end of day

Meet on Zoom / Three Controllers of Light Lecture / Q&A / Activities

3

Labor Day (no class)

Meet at the clock tower on Washington street campus:  Camera help: Bring camera and manual (fully charged battery & memory card) Bring signed field trip form.
Discussion Board: Camera Obscura Due by end of day

4

Meet on Zoom / Design Theory in Photography Lecture
Analyzing Composition Discussion Board
Photoshop & Bridge – Basic B/W editing: Have some images ready to edit

Meet on Zoom / Module 3: Controllers of Light - Shutter / Metering Lecture / ISO / camera settings / have cameras ready
Analyzing Composition Discussion Board Due

5

Meet on Zoom / Light Assignment Due
Send photos by WeTransfer.com to rwest@actx.edu
There will be time at the start to help people, please have images edited in Photoshop and ready to transfer.

FIELD TRIP! Meet at the pavilion in Memorial Park (just south of Washington street campus at 26th and Jackson): Bring Camera (fully charged battery & memory card) Bring props, LARPing, basketballs, etc. We will be doing movement studies.

6

Meet on Zoom / Photoshop new techniques lecture / have some images ready to edit / Interpreting Photographs Discussion Board

Meet on Zoom / B/W lab (work in progress)
Interpreting Photographs Discussion Board Due

7

Meet on Zoom / Shutter Assignment Due
Send photos before the start of class WeTransfer.com to rwest@actx.edu

Meet on Zoom / Module 4: Controllers of Light – Aperture / Focal Length and Lenses Lecture / Calculating Exposure Review
Do not take the quiz until after these lectures.

AC Connect: MIDTERM EXAM Opens - Due by Sunday

8

FIELD TRIP! Meet on 6th street outside of Bracero’s - 2822 SW 6th Ave:
Bring Camera (fully charged battery & memory card)
MIDTERM EXAM DUE by Sunday 10/24 at 11pm

Meet on Zoom / Point of View Lecture / (work in progress)

9

Spring break – no classes this week

10

Zoom Critique: Aperture Assignment Due Send photos before the start of class WeTransfer.com to rwest@actx.edu

AC Connect: Module 5: Seeing in Color Lecture
Meet on Zoom

11

FIELD TRIP! Meet at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave at the band stand.
Bring Camera (fully charged battery & memory card) Bring color: red, cyan, blue, yellow, green, and magenta.

Meet on Zoom / Digital Technology Lecture / Photoshop editing color, layers, and masks / Have images to edit

12

Photoshop Review / Communicating in Color Discussion Board due

 Meet on Zoom / (work in progress)

13

Meet on Zoom / (work in progress)

Meet on Zoom / Seeing in Color Due / Send photos before the start of class WeTransfer.com to rwest@actx.edu

14

Meet on Zoom / Module 6: Staging a Narrative Lecture
Tues., Nov 23 is the last day to withdraw from 16 week classes.

Work Day

15

Meet on Zoom / Action Plan Discussion Board Due

Meet on Zoom / work in progress critique

16

Meet on Zoom / work in progress critique

Meet on Zoom / Staging a Narrative Due: Send photos before the start of class WeTransfer.com to rwest@actx.edu

17

DUE: FINAL EXAM (by 11 pm)

Additional Information

No additional information available

Syllabus Created on:

08/22/21 12:27 PM

Last Edited on:

08/22/21 12:37 PM