2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3840 Themes in Contemporary Photography

20 creditsClass Size: 48

Module manager: Mick Schofield
Email: M.P.Schofield@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

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 further developing 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 ontology, realism, 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 and allows them to think reflectively about their own practice and how to contextualise and present it for public audiences.

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 advanced standard.

3. Demonstrate the ability to contextualise and situate current practice within broader photographic traditions and cultural discourses.

4. Write critically about their own photographic practice and relate it to contemporary debates in photography.

5. Contextualise and present their own practice for public audiences.

Syllabus

Indicative syllabus subject to change: (Re) Thinking Photography, The Analogue Anterior, Self Publishing, Cinematographies, Photo Activism and New Documentary, Issues in Representation, Brief and shoot, Exhibition planning

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.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be monitored via the 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
Portfolio	5 images	60.00
Assignment	Exhibition plan, research notes and publicity materials.	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit arrangements: In each case a repeat/re-submission of the outlined task will be requested.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/06/2024 10:40:42

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