DC 125 Digital Still Photography for Non-Majors
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Summary
This course is an introduction to the history and aesthetics of still photography and to the concept of photography as a descriptive and interpretive artistic medium. Students studying photographs in this context will discover relationships between individual photographers choices and their own understanding of meaning. The role these artistic choices play in conveying meaning in still photography. Discussions of the photos' cultural contexts and meanings will deepen their understanding of the role of still photography as a conduit for cultural values. Students will learn the fundamental concepts necessary to shoot, edit, manipulate, and print digital still photographs. Also, students will acquire the knowledge needed to analyze and critique existing work. Students will be required to use their own digital still cameras for this course. You will not be allowed to use cell phones except for the first assignment. Students will be required to use their own flash drive.
Texts
Required: Light and Lens: Photography in the Digital Age by Robert Hirsch,
Publisher: Focal Press (September 14, 2007)
ISBN-10: 024080855X
ISBN-13: 978-0240808550
Adobe Photoshop CS5: one-on-one by Deke McClelland
Publisher: Deke Press/O?Reilly ISBN 9780596807979
Grading
Weekly Photography Assignments & Presentations 50%
Final Reflective Essay (articulating your visual aesthetic as embodied in your portfolio) & Photographic Portfolio 50%.
Class Participation is required. Failure to participate in discussions negatively impacts your grade.
Grading scale:
A, B, C, D, F ? increments of 10
ABSOLUTELY NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. STUDENTS WHO HAVE THREE OR MORE EXCUSED OR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES ARE SUBJECT TO FAILURE FOR THE COURSE.
School Policies
Online Teaching Evaluation
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
Email
Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at CampusConnect is correct.
Academic Integrity Policy
This course will be subject to the academic integrity policy passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/
Plagiarism
The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.
Incomplete
An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.
Resources for Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Student Center, LPC, Suite #370
Phone number: (773)325.1677
Fax: (773)325.3720
TTY: (773)325.7296
DROP DATES
The last day to drop classes with no penalty is 9-24-13. The last day to drop classes is 10-29-13.
FINAL EXAM
8:45 am-11:00 am on Tuesday November 26, 2013
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to analyze the visual components of still images that combine to create an image?s emotional affect and artistic power or resonance (thus entering into a conversation with photography?s historical lineage).
Students will cultivate a critical language to articulate their experience of photography as an art form.
Students will define their own aesthetic credos and learn to consistently create aesthetic work that communicates powerfully to the audience.
Students will produce a portfolio of work that encapsulates their understanding of the photographic principles they have learned and put into practice.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DETAILED ON D2L OR IN YOUR TEXTBOOK.
Introduction, Orientation, Syllabus
Reading: Preface plus Chapters 1 & 2
Assignment: Introductions
Line, Depth of Field
Reading: Chapter 3
Assignment: Deep Space
Flat Space
Reading: Chapter 4
Assignment: Shallow Focus
Light & Shadow/Day & Night
Reading: Chapter 5
Assignment: Full Spectrum
Balance
Reading: Chapter 6
Assignment: Still Lifes
Color
Reading: Chapter 7
Assignment: Saturation
Black & White
Reading: Chapter 8
Assignment: Noir
Narrative
Reading: Chapter 10
Assignment: Photo-roman
Portraits
Reading: Chapter 11
Assignment: Prithika Project
Sequencing
Reading: Chapter 12
Assignment: Album Cover
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course
content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The
evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely
separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.
Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.
This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you
have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.
All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.
All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that
you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296