Course Title: Applied Photographic Discourse 1A

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Applied Photographic Discourse 1A

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
VART1590	City Campus	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011
VART2046	Hong Kong Arts Centre	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Offsh 1 09, Offsh 1 10, Offsh 1 11, Offsh1 12

Course Coordinator: Kellyann Geurts

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5236

Course Coordinator Email:kellyann.geurts@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: B7, L4, Rm32

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This is an intermediate course in Fine Art Photography. It is expected that students have a detailed understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary photography. 

Course Description

This course is designed to connect photographic theory with photographic practice and processes. This course will provide the opportunity for you to navigate the meaning of images through an introduction to the role of critical thinking and contemporary theory, spanning the experimental beginnings in photography to contemporary debates and discussions. Theme, style and context will be explored to identify photography’s place in recent art history and it’s position as a medium for representation. The course places emphasis on giving form to an idea by integrating a rich understanding of visual culture with an appreciation of creative processes for the act of producing images.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course will provide the opportunity for you to:

• explore key areas of theoretical debates in visual culture and develop an appreciation for the social significance of photography
• understand and analyse contemporary texts dealing with the development of photography as an art form
• develop a vocabulary and theoretical tools to critical evaluate and identify your own image making practice in a visual art context
• explore production options for digital image making and appreciate the cultural, historical, formal and conceptual attributes of photography
• develop research skills in relation to art practice
• develop an understanding of photographic installation practices

Overview of Learning Activities

Formal lectures in this course cover a range of photomedia based theories and their relationship to practice.  Lectures and workshops will be divided between slide lectures, film/documentary viewing, discussions (related to readings) and group tutorials and practice. Group tutorials aim to provide a supportive environment to engage in discussion, articulate thoughts and explore visual concepts.

Overview of Learning Resources

The Studio provides access to advanced digital imaging production facilities. Resources include Apple Mac G5 and MacPro computers with Apple 30" Displays and Eizo Calibrated screens. All machines run Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended™ and complimentary software. State of the art scanners and late model digital cameras are available for use. Output facilities include Epson 2800 Printers.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is conducted through a class project and a series of reviews. The class project assesses your progress in relation to specific material presented in the class.

Reviews are linked to the Fine Art Photography studio area, and will provide you with the opportunity to publicly present your work for critical discussion and feedback.

Reviews are conducted collectively within the studio area, and whilst you are only expected to exhibit for one review per session, all students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they can, as each review will be unique.