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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN3585 Camera Lucida: Theory, Practice and Writing of Photography

20 creditsClass Size: 12

Module manager: Dr Andrew Stafford
Email: A.J.Stafford@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of level 2 French or an equivalent level of competence.

This module is mutually exclusive with

FREN3580Camera Lucida: Theory, Practice and Writing of Photography

Module replaces

FREN3582 Camera Lucida

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

An exploration of photographers, of the theory of the photograph, and of writings about photography, in French and Francophone culture, this course is open to all Level 3 students in French Studies. It considers Photography as a contradictory form - both art and (re-?) presentation of reality -, from its origins to the present day. In order for French photography's full historical and cultural significance to be understood, it will be studied within all three of the following paradigms: window, mirror and immediated reality. The course also introduces techniques of reading photographs (including semiology, aesthetics, phenomenology, etc.).

Objectives

Students will:
- become familiar with the history of French photography
- consider the aesthetic, political, and technological aspects of the photographic process
- relate 'texts' to written comment and context
- relate the 'photographic' to a range of critical theoretical debates

Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
- relate 'texts' to historical, political and cultural moments
- identify a particular photographic 'style'
- write critical appreciations in French (eg journalistic, personal) of a range of photographs, exhibitions, etc.

Skills outcomes
Students will be able to:
- analyze a photograph for its plurality of uses and meanings
- manipulate computer-generated photographs
- comment, discursively in French, on photography


Syllabus

Set texts:
Raymond Depardon, Errance (Seuil 2000)
Gisèle Freund, Photographie et société (Seuil 1974)
Patrick Modiano, Chien de printemps (Seuil 1992)

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar102.0020.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Since this is a 20-credit module, it is expected that the students read and know other material outside of the set texts, usually given as photocopy, and that they use this material in their answers in the exam. This change is reflected in the fact that the assessment involves now a 3-hour exam, requiring 2 answers.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students write a non-assessed essay (chosen from any previous exam paper, including writing a photo-essay if they wish), across the Easter vacation. Feedback given in final, 'exam and essay technique' seminar just before the exams.

Methods of assessment


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)3 hr 00 mins100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)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: 02/03/2018 17:22:50

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