Course Title: Applied Photographic Discourse 1b

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Applied Photographic Discourse 1b

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
VART1591	City Campus	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011

Course Coordinator: Kellyann Geurts

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 5236

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

Course Coordinator Location: Bld 7.4.32

Course Coordinator Availability: Via Appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course is for Fine Art Studnets from BP201 only.
This course requires knowledge of photographic theories and concepts. It is recommended that students complete Photomedia Processes 1a prior to attempting this course.

Course Description

Through a series of lectures and workshops, students will learn to navigate the meaning of pictures by an introduction to the role of critical thinking, spanning from the experimental beginnings in photography to contemporary debates. 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. This 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. Within this investigation is a critical analysis of the extensive range of software and hardware available for the production of contemporary fine art photomedia based image production. Students will also investigate options
for image distribution, including online web galleries, publications, text and layout and blogging.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Capability Development

Upon completion of this course you will have developed the capabilities to address conceptual, perceptual, formal and aesthetic concerns of the fine art photographic image in a contemporary context.  You will also engage in autonomous and continued learning, apply new theories of practice and embrace new developments in cultural/artistic production

Learning Outcomes
1. Apply skills gained from Photomedia Processes 1a to inform image production and analysis
2. Further explore key areas of theoretical debates in visual culture and develop an appreciation for the social significance of photography
3. Understand and analyse contemporary texts dealing with development of photography as an art form
4. Develop a vocabulary and theoretical tools to critical evaluate and identify your own image making practice in a visual art context
5. Explore production options for digital photographic image making and appreciate the cultural, historical, formal and conceptual attributes
6. Develop research skills in relation to art practice
7. Develop skills in alternative image distribution formats such as publications, art books and online web galleries..

Overview of Learning Activities

Class time will be divided between slide lectures, project presentations, film/documentary viewing, discussions (related to readings and documentaries), group tutorials and studio practice. Group tutorials aim to provide a supportive environment to engage in discussion, to articulate thoughts and visual concepts related to photographic practice.

Overview of Learning Resources

Students have access to advanced digital imaging production facilities.  Resources include Apple Mac G5 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, as well as large and medium format analogue cameras, are available for use.  Output facilities include Epson 2400  and Epson R2800 Printers.  All production facilities for this course are digital.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is conducted through a class project and a series of reviews.   
 The class project assesses a student’s progress in relation to specific material presented in the class.   
 
Reviews are linked to the Fine Art Photography studio area, and provide students with the opportunity to publicly present their work for critical discussion and feedback.  Reviews are conducted collectively within the studio area, and whilst students 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.