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2007/08 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN3580 Camera Lucida: Theory, Practice and Writing of Photography

20 creditsClass Size: 23

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

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2007/08

Pre-requisite qualifications

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

Module replaces

FREN3582 Camera Lucida

This module is approved as an Elective

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 type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	5	1.00	5.00
Tutorial	2	0.50	1.00
Private study hours			187.00
Total Contact hours			13.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The idea for the dissertation is to incorporate a learning diary (or 'reflective log'), written in French, which reflects upon the difficulties, trials and tribulations of researching and writing the dissertation. It should contain the 'scaffolding' of the dissertation proper (thoughts, theories, hesitancies etc). This diary is then to be submitted with the dissertation, and is assessed as part of the dissertation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress in the second semester will be monitored by individual tutorials, results of which are written up by the student and submitted to the course tutor in writing (compulsory, but no credits). The diary (or 'reflective log') is also to be used as a formative tool in this respect.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Reflective log	1000 words in French	10.00
Essay	4,000 words	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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: 23/04/2008

Disclaimer

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