Course Title: Documentary and Editorial Practice 201

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Documentary and Editorial Practice 201

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

VART2982

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Greg Humphries

Course Coordinator Phone: 9925-5239

Course Coordinator Email:greg.humphries@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 36 level 2 room 5

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will investigate photojournalism / documentary approaches to photography, designed for the working photographer both in Australia and internationally. The course encompasses both professional press photography and captioning through to development of broadly researched documentary work. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Identify and demonstrate aesthetic and communication skills associated with visual storytelling
  • Produce photojournalistic and documentary images with a high degree of visual literacy
  • Discuss how global politics and cultural practices impact on photojournalism and documentary images
  • Evaluate and critically discuss the ethics involved in your work and documentary photography in general


Overview of Learning Activities

  • A weekly 3 hour class consisting of a lecture and tutorial discussion
  • Guest lectures
  • Fieldwork 
  • Assignment work
  • Development of an online project space on ABC POOL My Tribe
  • Lecturer & peers critique of your work


Overview of Learning Resources

The RMIT Library, magazines, daily national & local newspapers, international newspaper and periodicals, quality online resources.

You are encouraged to undertake individual research of which online research forms one part.

You are able to use RMIT department labs and Library computers.

You are expected to provide your own camera equipment (digital SLR) and portable flash. 

You are able to use department lighting from the equipment loan store.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.

Assessment will include three photographic assessment tasks as well as engagement with the online site developed for the course.  Peer assessment will also be part of the assessment process.  You will be required to submit an original written article / story to accompany your Documentary Project assignment due at the end of the semester.

If you have a long term medical condition and / or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods.  You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.