SJ4010 - Photojournalism: theory (2021/22)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2021/22 | ||||||||||||
| Module status | DELETED (This module is no longer running) | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Photojournalism: theory | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2021/22(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This year long module provides a comprehensive introduction to the theories and history of photojournalism. The module positions contemporary photojournalistic practices within the contexts of the historical development of photojournalism and documentary photography, and provides students with an introduction to some of the key theories and debates relevant to visual communication and meaning. Field trips and guest speakers will enhance the students’ understanding of contemporary photojournalistic practice, and the links between practice, historical context and critical thinking.
Students will be assessed by way of an in-class presentation and by way of an essay that requires students to critically consider key works of photojournalism and/or documentary photography. The intellectual and critical skills gained through this module are all transferrable and highly relevant to future employment
Syllabus
A comprehensive programme of lectures and seminars will introduce students to the work of key figures in the history of photojournalism and documentary photography. Students will be encouraged to consider their own practice as photographers in relation to the context of this history. LO 1,2
Lectures and seminars will also be used to introduce students to different theoretical perspectives on the visual image and the production of meaning through visual forms. In this way students will begin to develop critical tools for considering their own work and that of other photographers. Students’ development of these critical tools will be enhanced by visits to relevant exhibitions and by guest speakers. LO 2,3
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
In class teaching and activities:
90 hours, 3 hours a week for 30 weeks (27 taught weeks plus 3 enhancement/news weeks)
Guided Independent Study
160 hours
Preparation of material for assessment (including photography and final preparation for presentation)
50 hours
Students will be encouraged to make full use of online resources, to engage with the tutor via electronic communication methods such as skype. Students are expected to maintain a reflective, critical approach to their work.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students who actively engage with the reading, practical and theoretical exercises will be able to:
1. Explain the historical development of photojournalism and documentary photography in Europe and North America, as well as globally, with Thomson Reuters Foundation and Magnum photographers.
2. Employ a range of theoretical frameworks to analyse visual material
3. Critically evaluate documentary photography from various historical and theoretical perspectives
Assessment strategy
Formative and summative assessment will be through in class presentations by students, in which each student leads a discussion of the work of a notable photojournalist or documentary photographer. Students will be given immediate oral feedback which will they will be able to discuss with the tutor in class and which will be consolidated by written feedback given to students electronically. This feedback, insofar as it is formative, will specifically address areas that students can work on in preparing for the final summative assessments.
Summative assessment will be by way of an essay addressing key questions relevant to the theory and/or history of photojournalism and documentary photography.
A marking scheme will be included in the module handbook to ensure students are familiar with the criteria by which their work will be assessed
Bibliography
Identify core and additional reading
Liaise with Library Services to confirm availability of on-line licenses in academic year
Where possible, the most current version of reading materials is used during the delivery of this module. Comprehensive reading lists are provided to students in their handbooks. Reading Lists will be updated annually.
Textbooks:
Core Text:
Wells, L. ed. (2009) Photography: A Critical Introduction. London: Routledge
Other Texts:
Faris Belt, A. (2012) The Elements of Photography: Understanding and Creating Sophisticated Images. 2nd Edn. London: Focal Press.
Modrak R., with Anthes, B. (2011) Reframing Photography: Theory and Practice. London: Routledge.
Journals:
Photography and Culture. London: Routledge
Websites:
Magnum
https://www.magnumphotos.com
Photographers’ Gallery
https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk
British Association of Journalists (apply for student membership)
http://bajunion.org.uk/index.php/students/
UK Press Card Authority
http://www.presscard.uk.com
Martin Parr Foundation
http://www.martinparrfoundation.org
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund
http://smithfund.org
Royal Photographic Society
http://www.rps.org
British Journal of Photography
http://www.bjp-online.com
Self Publish Be Happy
http://selfpublishbehappy.com
TJ Boulting Gallery
http://www.tjboulting.com/home
Trolley Books
http://www.trolleybooks.com
Getty Images
http://www.gettyimages.co.uk
Alamy (stock agency)
http://www.alamy.com
Shutterstock
https://www.shutterstock.com/home
iStockphoto
http://www.istockphoto.com/gb