2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3840 Themes in Contemporary Photography

20 creditsClass Size: 48

Module manager: Simon Popple
Email: s.e.popple@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will examine key current debates in relation to photographic practices and is aimed at developing a reflective approach to the production and consumption of photographic images. The module will consist of a series of lectures covering key themes and debates as well as an introduction to digital image production. This will be delivered through a separate workshop. As a result of this module students will be encouraged to develop a critically reflective approach to image production and engage in current, cutting edge debates concerning issues such as documentary photography, realism and image manipulation gender and racial representation, advertising and image historiography. The module will combine the formal critical study of contemporary photographic practice with digital image production and students will produce a series of works which reflect and critique current practice.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- engage critically with current debates in relation to contemporary photographic practice;
- evidence this through a piece of academic writing;
- develop a range of primary skills in relation to the production, editing and printing of digital photographic images;
- produce a series of images which explore a key area of contemporary debate;
- critically reflect on these images through a practice journal.

Learning outcomes
The key knowledge outcomes are the ability to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge of current debates in contemporary photography and relate these to changing practices.
2. Demonstrate the ability to produce and edit digital images to an intermediate /advanced standard.
3. Demonstrate the ability to contextualise and situate current practice within broader photographic traditions and cultural discourses.
4. Write critically about photographic practice and contemporary debates in photography.

Skills outcomes
- Critical and visual analysis skills;
- Reflective thinking on aspects of current photographic practice;
- Intermediate/high digital image production and editing skills;
- Image research skills.

Syllabus

Week 1 - (Re) Thinking Photography
Week 2 - The Analogue Anterior
Week 3 - Self Publishing
Week 4 - Cinematographies
Week 5 - Photo Activism and New Documentary
Week 6 - Issues in Representation
Week 7 - Brief and shoot
Week 8 - Portfolio sessions Week 9 - Artist's Talk 1
Week 10 - Artist's Talk 2
Week 11 - Final Portfolios sessions

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	11	2.00	22.00
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			156.00
Total Contact hours			44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Throughout the course of this module students will be engaged in guided reading and
practice based exercises leading to two summative pieces of work. The period of private study will be a combination of critical and historical reading and the development of digital photographic practice towards the submission of their portfolio images.
Research / Reading 31 hours; Practice 75 hours; Editing 50 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored via the formative and summative assessment process, receiving feedback at each stage. They will also be monitored via the tutorial and practical sessions as they develop their submissions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000 - 2,500 word critical essay	40.00
Reflective log	800 - 1,000 word reflective journal and five images	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2016

Disclaimer

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