Course Syllabus

Course Communication

Contact your instructor via the course CANVAS site anytime.

Please allow 48 hours for a response. There will be no responses on Sunday.

Office hours are offered via Zoom and by appointment.

Course Purpose and Description

The purpose of this course is to develop the basic skills necessary to understand and create engaging photographs. To these ends, through a series of lectures and critical readings, you will learn the history, theory, and methodologies of photography, examining the unique role that photography plays in reflecting, critiquing, and occasionally structuring the society we live in.

The history of photography in America is the history of our modern era. And as such, to understand the way that photography functions in our society today, we have to look at the way that the photographers who came before us have solved the visual questions inherent to the medium. At the same time though, photography as a practice is one of the many things in life that you can only learn by doing, and then reflecting on the way you did it.

So, in addition to lectures, readings, and quizzes, we will use your own photographs as the starting points for bi-weekly discussions about how to improve your camera work, how photography functions visually, what effect it has on you, and how it affects the society around us.

Course Objectives

By the end of the semester, you will be able to:

1. Identify key elements, images, and information from the history of photography.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the themes, genres, principles, and terminology of the discipline of photography.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and methodologies used within the practice of photography, enabling students to identify and analyze the key elements, biases, and influences that shape thought and practice.
4. Produce your own photographs and analyze, critique, and discuss your work, along with the work of others students in relation to examples from the history of photography.
5. Compose landscape photographs that translate elements of the natural world into formally interesting and engaging images.
6. Apply what has been referred to as the camera's "inherent objectivity" to form honest documents of our society and moment in history.
7. Develop fictional images that exploit the "inherent objectivity" provided by the camera as part of an artistic, or creative practice.
8. Create and discuss photographs that display the formal qualities of composition and design, including light/shadow, repetition, echo, etc.
9. Compose portraits/self-portraits that express characteristics and qualities specific to the subject of the portrait.
10. Develop a thematically consistent photographic series.

Required Textbook

American Photography (Oxford History of Art) by Miles Orvell ISBN 0-19-284271-4; Kindle version recommended  

Additional Required Resources

You will also need the following:

1. You will need to own or have consistent access to a device that takes digital photographs. This course was designed under the philosophy that the best camera is always the one you have with you, even if that is the camera built into your phone. You do NOT need an expensive dedicated camera, DSLR, or mirrorless camera for this course, although if you have one, by all means, feel free to use it. We will discuss ways to get the most out of whatever camera you are working with this semester.
2. You need dependable access to a computer, the Chrome browser (Canvas works best with Chrome), and the internet.  
3. You will need to set up a Flickr account.

This course is also subject to the College of the Arts Distance Learning Fee (DLF).

Materials and Supply Fees

Material, supply, and equipment use fee information is available from the academic departments or from the schedule of courses (Florida Statutes 1009.24). 

This course is also subject to the College of the Arts Distance Learning Fee (DLF).

The total course fee for each course is listed on the UF Schedule of Courses (https://registrar.ufl.edu/soc/). 

Course Prerequisites

None

Overview

This course, delivered 100% online, is broken up into seven content modules.

Each content module is designed to be completed over two weeks.

The first week of each module will include an online lecture and a reading selection followed by a quiz due on Friday at 11:55 pm.

During the second week of each module, you will upload your completed photography project (Tuesdays) and participate in a graded, small-group critique and discussion about your own projects, as well as those of several of your peers. Discussions run until the Sunday following the project upload day, closing at 11:59 pm.

Semester Weekly Schedule 

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Module	Lectures	Readings	Activities
Week 1: Orientation	Orientation Videos		Orientation Quiz
Week 2: Module 1	The Photographer's Eye, Parts 1 & 2	Orvell Text, Preface & Introduction	The Photographer's Eye Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday The Photographer's Eye Project
Week 3: Module 1			The Photographer's Eye Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The Photographer's Eye Project small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 4: Module 2	The Portrait, Parts 1, 2 & 3	Chapter 2: Presenting the Self Chapter 7: Versions of the Self	The Portrait Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday The Portrait Project
Week 5: Module 2			The Portrait Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The Portrait small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 6: Module 3	The American Landscape, Parts 1 & 2	Chapter 3: Viewing the Landscape	American Landscape Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday The American Landscape Project
Week 7: Module 3			The American Landscape Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The American Landscape small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 8: Module 4	Photography as Art, Parts 1, 2 & 3	Chapter 5: A Photographic Art	Photography as Art Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday Photography As Art Project
Week 9: Module 4			The Photography as Art Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The Photography as Art small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 10: Module 5	The Social Document, Parts 1, 2 & 3	Chapter 4: Seeing & Believing Chapter 6: Photography & Society	The Social Document Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday The Social Document Project
Week 11: Module 5			The Social Document Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The Social Document small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 12: Module 6	Photography as Fiction, Parts 1, 2 & 3	Chapter 8: Photographing Fictions	Photography as Fiction Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday Photography as Fiction Project
Week 13: Module 6			The Photography as Fiction Project: should be uploaded on Tuesday The Photography as Fiction small-group discussions: throughout the week, closing on Sunday
Week 14: Module 7	The Photographic Series, Parts 1, 2 & 3	Chapter 9: Photography & the Image World Chapter 10: Conclusion: Post-Photography	The Photographic Series Quiz: opens on Wednesday and closes Friday The Photographic Series Project
Week 15: Module 7			Upload the Final Photographic Series Project

Overview

Your grade for this course will be determined by your effort in three areas: Quizzes, Participation, and a Graded Final Photographic Series Project.

Expect your work to be graded within the week of submission. 

BREAKDOWN OF GRADES BY ASSIGNMENT TYPE

Assignment Type	% of Grade
Quizzes (seven total)	40%
Project Participation Quantity of Project Photographs (10% of Project Participation) Small-Group Project Discussions (35% of Project Participation)	45%
Graded Final Photographic Series Project	15%

 

Assignment Types

QUIZZES

There will be one timed (15 minutes) multiple-choice quiz for each module. The questions that make up the quiz will be derived directly from the module lectures and the textbook readings. The questions will be randomly pulled from a question bank developed for each module. You will be responsible for all material included in all textbook readings and online lectures.

Here is a hint or suggestion for taking these quizzes: While you won't need to know exact dates, you will often have to identify the work of specific artists, particular photographic movements and modes, time periods, early photographic processes, and theories of understanding photography discussed in the readings and lectures. I strongly recommend you jot down key terms, along with all names and titles mentioned in the textbook and lectures and brief descriptions of the work of each photographer discussed. Since these are 15-minute quizzes, you will not have enough time to comb through the text and lectures in order to retrieve names and terms, so your notes will prove invaluable to you if used in concert with a thorough review before each quiz.

PROJECT PARTICIPATION

Each project requires you to post three things to the project discussion board:

1. The link to your Flickr photo album for your project showing all the images you produced for the project (both good and not so good). Aim for thirty images.
2. Your best photograph. Choose your most interesting, engaging solution to the inherent problems of each project. You can add this image directly to the discussion board for your group-mates to discuss.
3. Your concise artist statement. The artist statement should be one or two paragraphs describing your ideas, intentions, choice of composition, and/or decision-making process for each project. Keep the statement brief and straightforward, thinking of it as a way to quickly orient first-time viewers to your work, as well as a way to clarify your own thoughts on the project.

If you are missing ANY of these three things, you will not get credit for participating in the project.

Your participation grade for each project will be comprised of two parts: a graded quantity of photographs and a graded small-group project discussion.

Quantity of Project Photographs

As mentioned in the introduction to this course, Henri Cartier-Bresson was quoted as saying “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." For this reason, part of your participation grade (10%) for this course will be based on the quantity of your photographic output.

Generally, you will need to take many images for each project in order to arrive at your most perfect photograph. For this course, you will need to create an account with a photo-sharing site chosen by the instructor (this semester we’ll be using Flickr) and for each project, you will need to create an album of the images you take for that project. You must create a new album for each project and post a link to it in the project discussion, along with your final chosen image and brief artist's statement.

The grading for this part of your participation is strictly quantitative: post thirty images or more for each project and you get an "A" for this part of your participation grade (25=B+, 20=B, 15=C+, 10=C, 5=D+). If you’re the sort of photographer who is most comfortable shooting a great many images and then editing down, feel free to post a representative sample of at least thirty images.

As noted above, please make a distinct photo set for each project. A photographer's instincts are important and the only way to develop those instincts is to take many pictures and allow yourself to make many mistakes.

Small-Group Project Discussion Participation

The second and most important part of your participation grade (35%) comes from your participation in the group discussions for each project. You will need to actively involve yourself in conversations about the work of everyone in your discussion group, analyzing their artist's statements, assessing their intentions, responding to their photographs in thoughtful, constructive ways. You will also respond to their questions, comments, critiques, and criticisms of your work.

All participation in module group discussions will be graded by the professor, with grades posted to the online course grade book throughout the semester.

Small-Group Project Discussion Assessment

Discussion Participation Grades will be assessed using the following discussion participation rubric:

PROJECT PARTICIPATION RUBRIC

Criteria	High Score	Average Score	Low Score	Points
Project Post Includes your chosen project image, artist statement, and link to your project album	2.5 to > 2 pts The artist statement clearly articulates your vision for this project, providing insight into your concept, decision-making process, and aesthetic choices. Your statement clearly situates your chosen photograph in the context of the module’s themes and quickly orients your audience to your work. Your chosen photograph and album link are posted and available.	2 to > 1 pts The artist statement adequately frames your project’s chosen photograph in the context of the module’s theme and provides insight into your decision-making process or concept for the project. Your chosen photograph and album link are posted and available.	1 to > 0 pts The artist's statement is underdeveloped, unclear, or otherwise difficult to understand in relation to the chosen photograph or module theme. The artist statement, chosen photograph, or album link is missing or unavailable.	2.5 points
Participation in small group discussion	6.5 to > 4.5 pts A "high" grade for this part of your project participation will take the form of consistent, vibrant, and sustained discussions about the work of all members of your group; prompt, thoughtful responses to the critiques and comments made about your photography; a clear dedication to trying to improve your own work and the work of your group mates.	4.5 to > 2.5 pts To get an average score, you must actively address and critique the work of all participants in your group and respond to comments made about your work, occasionally developing insightful discussions about other group member's work	2.5 to > 0 pts Discussion responses demonstrate little effort toward developing conversations, engaging in critical assessments, or reflecting on other group members' critical commentary. Posting last-minute makes complete discussion essentially impossible and falls under this category	6.5 points
Quantity of photos	1 to > 0.8 pts 30 or more images	0.8 to > 0.5 pts 20-29 images	0.5 to > 0 pts 0-19 images	1 point

Notes:

1. Projects must be posted by the second Tuesday of each module, then you should begin candid and open discussions immediately.
2. The earlier you begin your group discussions/responses, the more likely it is that you will develop the sort of sustained, fruitful conversations that will eventually lead to better photography (not to mention a better participation grade). Waiting until the last moment to comment on everyone’s work essentially salts the soil of conversation, making it impossible for any sort of real discussion to crop up – don’t be that person – start commenting and asking questions early and come back often to respond.
3. Also, saying simply I like this, or I don't like that (or any variation of same) does NOT count as a real response. You must try to figure out why you do or do not like something in an image and articulate that reaction to your group.
4. If you don't know where to start, each project sheet will come with suggested discussion topics for you to think about.
5. Also, you will find some of the most fruitful areas of discussion will come out of close readings of your group member's artist statements.

Final Photographic Series Project

Being graded on your photographic work is a nerve-wracking experience for most everyone who takes a photography course. It is one of the intentions of this course that you, as a non-photo major, spend most of your semester experimenting and producing large numbers of photographs, free to make mistakes, missteps, and false starts, while trying to root out solutions to your problems through active discussions of your work.

For this reason, a large portion of your grade is dedicated to your participation in group discussions. But, by the end of the semester, you will know what you like and you will know what constitutes a good photograph and, if you work very hard, you will know how to control your images. Your Final Photographic Series Project, a revisiting and expansion of an approach from earlier in the semester, will be submitted in the usual manner, but this time it will be graded. Special instructions for the Final Photographic Series Project will be posted two weeks before the beginning of the final module.

Grading for the Final Photographic Series Project will follow this rubric:

Discussion Participation Grades will be assessed using the discussion participation rubric below. 

FINAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SERIES PROJECT RUBRIC

Criteria	High Score	Average Score	Low Score	Points
Concept	35 to > 23.0 pts The project has a robust central concept clearly articulated in the series and the Artist Statement images. The project displays an evident investment made by the student in originating and refining a main idea for the ambitious, inventive, and concise series.	23 to > 11.0 pts The project has a strong central concept that is not as clearly articulated in the images of the series or Artist Statement as it could have been. Project displays an investment made by the student in originating and refining a central idea for the series, but one that is not as ambitious, inventive, or concise as it could have been.	11 to > 0 pts The project has a vague central concept, poorly articulated in either the images of the series or in the accompanying Artist Statement. It is difficult to infer a unifying concept by looking at the images from the series. The project displays little investment made by the student in originating and refining a central idea for the ambitious, inventive, or concise series.	35 points
Execution	35 to > 23.0 pts All images in this series are well-composed, with explicit consideration given to the placement of objects or figures within the frame. The images show an understanding of how a viewer's attention moves throughout an image. Lighting and focus are considered and executed in a way that supports the project as a whole, both formally and conceptually.	23 to > 11.0 pts Images in this series are generally well-composed, considering the placement of objects or figures within the frame. Still, occasional elements within some compositions make the photographer’s intentions/interests/focus less clear. The images show some understanding of how the viewer's attention moves throughout an image. Lighting and focus are considered but executed in a way that doesn’t always support the project formally or conceptually.	11 to > 0 pts Images are poorly composed, showing little consideration given to the placement of objects or figures within the frame. The images show little understanding of how a viewer's attention moves throughout an image. Lighting and focus are not considered or executed in a way that supports the project either formally or conceptually. Images appear random, haphazard, or snapshot-like in a way that does not help the series’s idea or concept.	35 points
Series	30 to > 20.0 pts The series has strong visual, thematic, and conceptual cohesion throughout. Images within the series support each other, advancing aspects of the project's concept and formal language without being repetitive. While some images within the series are individually more robust than others, the series as a whole is better for having all five images included and would be weakened by the exclusion of any of its constituent photographs.	20 to > 9.0 pts The series has decent visual, thematic, and conceptual cohesion throughout, with one or two slightly incongruous images. Images within the series often support each other, advancing aspects of the project's concept and formal language, but some images are repetitive or unclear regarding the project. While most of the images are strong, the series as a whole might be better with the exclusion of one or more of the images not relating to the concept.	9 to > 0 pts The series has some or little visual, thematic, and conceptual cohesion throughout. Images within the series do not support each other and do little to advance the project's concept. Images are repetitive, adding little to the series as a whole, or bare little relation to each other, making it difficult to read the images as a cohesive series. Some or even all of the images may be individually strong, but they do not work together as a series.	30 points

Grading Scale

COURSE GRADING SCALE

Letter Grade	% Equivalency	GPA Equivalency
A	94 – 100%	4.0
A-	90 – 93%	3.67
B+	87 – 89%	3.33
B	84 – 86%	3.00
B-	80 – 83%	2.67
C+	77 – 79%	2.33
C	74 – 76%	2.00
C-	70 – 73%	1.67
D+	67 – 69%	1.33
D	64 – 66%	1.00
D-	60 – 63%	.67
E, I, NG, S-U, WF	0 – 59%	0.00

More information on grades and grading policies can be found on the  UF Grades and Grading Policies webpage (https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/grades-grading-policies/).

Course Policies

Participation Policy, Class Expectations, and Make-Up Policy 

The instructor is responsible for communicating the specific details of what percentage of your grade (if any) will be assigned to participation, and how class participation will be measured and graded. Interaction with your peers and the instructor will empower you to greater achievement.

Requirements for class participation, make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found on the UF Attendance Policies page (https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/academic-regulations/attendance-policies/).

Course Technology

The students are required to have access to and use a personal computer with access to the Internet. 

The University of Florida requires that students have access to and ongoing use of a laptop/mobile computer for courses in order to be able to function in the current learning environment.

Technology occasionally fails. Please try to complete all work ahead of time. 

Course Communications

Students can communicate directly with the instructor regarding the course material through the course management system (Canvas) using “Canvas Mail.”

Respect and Diversity in This Virtual Classroom

Support and respect in all phases of this course are imperative. Students in this class are encouraged to speak up and participate during class meetings. Because the class will represent a diversity of individual beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences, every member of this class must show respect for every other member of this class.

I am firmly committed to diversity and equality in all areas of campus life, and in this class, I will work to promote an anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels safe and welcome. I recognize that discrimination can be direct or indirect and take place at both institutional and personal levels. I believe that such discrimination is unacceptable and I am committed to providing equality of opportunity for all by eliminating any and all harassment, bullying, or victimization. The success of this policy relies on the support and understanding of everyone in this class. We all have a responsibility not to participate in, or condone harassment or discrimination of any kind.

Regarding Course Content

This course may deal with material that may conflict with your core beliefs. It is my judgment that this material is relevant to the discipline I am teaching and has a reasonable relationship to my pedagogical goals. If you do not feel you can continue in this course, please drop it within the designated time frame to do so without penalty.

University Policies

University Honesty Policy

UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states, “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Honor Code (https://www.dso.ufl.edu/sccr/process/student-conduct-honor-code/) specifies the number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. Furthermore, you are obligated to report any condition that facilitates academic misconduct to appropriate personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Students Requiring Accommodations

Students with disabilities requesting accommodations should first register with the Disability Resource Center (352-392-8565, https://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc) by providing appropriate documentation. Once registered, students will receive an accommodation letter which must be presented to the instructor when requesting accommodation. Students with disabilities should follow this procedure as early as possible in the semester.

Netiquette Communication Courtesy  

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions, and chats. Please refer to the Netiquette Guide for Online Courses (https://www.cise.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CISE_Netiquette_Guide.pdf).

Software Use

All faculty, staff, and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use.  Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator.  Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.  We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to uphold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.

Student Privacy

There are federal laws protecting your privacy with regards to grades earned in courses and on individual assignments.  For more information, please read the Notification to Students of FERPA Rights (https://archive.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog0910//policies/regulationferpa.html).

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner is available at https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/students/. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via https://ufl.bluera.com/ufl/. Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students at GatorEvals (https://gatorevals.aa.ufl.edu/public-results/).

Privacy and Accessibility Policies

For information about the privacy policies of the tools used in this course, see the links below: 

Instructure (Canvas)

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

Zoom

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

YouTube (Google)

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

Microsoft

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

Adobe

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

Flickr

• Privacy Policy
• Accessibility

Sonic Foundry (Mediasite Streaming Video Player)

• Privacy Policy (Links to an external site.)
• Accessibility (Links to an external site.)

Course Technology Support

For issues with technical difficulties for E-learning in Canvas, please contact the UF Help Desk at:

• helpdesk@ufl.edu
• (352) 392-HELP - select option 2
• https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help.shtml

For support related to account services, technical consulting, mobile device services, software services, administrative support, application support center, and learning support services, please contact the UF Computing Help Desk available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 352-392-4357 or helpdesk@ufl.edu. 

Any requests for make-ups due to technical issues MUST be accompanied by the ticket number received from LSS when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You MUST e-mail your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-up. Other resources are available at: http://www.distance.ufl.edu/getting-help.

Student Services

U Matter, We Care: If you or someone you know is in distress, please contact umatter@ufl.edu, 352-392-1575, or visit U Matter, We Care website (https://umatter.ufl.edu/) to refer or report a concern and a team member will reach out to the student in distress.

Counseling and Wellness Center: Visit the Counseling and Wellness Center website (https://counseling.ufl.edu/) or call 352-392-1575 for information on crisis services as well as non-crisis services.

Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS). Call the Student Health Care Center at 352-392-1161.

Student Health Care Center: Call 352-392-1161 for 24/7 information to help you find the care you need, or visit the Student Health Care Center website (https://shcc.ufl.edu/).

University Police Department: Visit UF Police Department website (https://police.ufl.edu/) or call 352-392-1111 (or 9-1-1 for emergencies).

UF Health Shands Emergency Room / Trauma Center: For immediate medical care call 352-733-0111 or go to the emergency room at 1515 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608; Visit the UF Health Emergency Room and Trauma Center website (https://ufhealth.org/emergency-room-trauma-center).

E-learning technical support: Contact the UF Computing Help Desk  (https://helpdesk.ufl.edu/) at 352-392-4357 or via e-mail at helpdesk@ufl.edu.

Career Connections Center (https://career.ufl.edu/): Reitz Union Suite 1300, 352-392-1601. Career assistance and counseling services.

Library Support (https://uflib.ufl.edu/find/ask/): Various ways to receive assistance with respect to using the libraries or finding resources.

Teaching Center (https://teachingcenter.ufl.edu/): Broward Hall, 352-392-2010 or to make an appointment 352- 392-6420. General study skills and tutoring.

Writing Studio: 2215 Turlington Hall, 352-846-1138. Help brainstorming, formatting, and writing papers.

Student Complaints On-Campus: View the Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code (https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-%20code-student-conduct-code/) for more information. 

Online Students Complaints: View the Distance Learning Student Complaint Process (https://distance.ufl.edu/getting-help/student-complaint-process/).