Course Syllabus

 

All course information, including assignments, discussions and grades will be on Canvas, which can be accessed thru the Grossmont College Website and is also available for Apple iOS  or  Android/Google Play.

 

 

If you need any assistance, you can contact Canvas Support by phone at 1-844-600-4953, clicking on Canvas Help and/or Canvas Live Chat

 

Canvas Help

 

Canvas Live Chat

 

 

 

 

Approximate Curriculum and Module Review Times

Module	Minimum Review Time
Syllabus	21 Minute Read
Introduction & Orientation	44 Minute Read
Module 1 | Beyond the Surface	46 Minute Read
Module 2 | Why People Photograph	43 Minute Read
Module 3 | Looking at a Photograph	35 Minute Read
Module 4 | The Camera and The Lens	52 Minute Read
Module 5 | Art and Interactions of Color and Grayscale	48 Minute Read
Module 6 | The Camera as Diary	76 Minute Read
Module 7 | Looking At It Differently	46 Minute Read
Module 8 | The Photographic Scene	45 Minute Read
Module 9 | The Photograph in Contemporary Art	80 Minute Read
Module 10 | Looking at a Photographer	28 Minute Read
Module 11 | The Photographic Portfolio	29 Minute Read

 

   Minimum Total Review Time = approximately 11 hours*

(* if each Module Page is reviewed once)

 

   Recommended Total Review Time = approximately a minimum of 22+ hours**

(** beneficial and recommended to review Module Pages more than once to fully understand concepts and assignment prompts)

 

It has been my experience that students who are spending time reviewing the material on Canvas have generally earned higher overall course grades.

 

 

 

 

ZTC - Zero Textbook Cost

This course does not require purchase of a textbook and may use free Open Educational Resources (OER) or free textbook alternatives.

 

The lecture and reading materials on Canvas provide the necessary information to learn the course content to successfully complete the course objectives and student learning outcomes.

 

 

Online Participation Requirements

Instructors are obligated, at the beginning of the semester/academic session, to announce to their students their policy regarding online engagement and participation. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss anticipated circumstances with engaging and/or completing assigned coursework with the instructor. Extenuating circumstances will be discussed with you on how to best complete the assigned course curriculum.

In accordance with Grossmont College policies, students are expected demonstrate active, engaged and substantive learning with the online curriculum modules in Canvas and each of the assignments for Distance Education / 100% Online courses

 

NOTE: You may be dropped from the class for non-participation and/or not completing and submitting assignments.

Non-participation includes not logging-in to the Course Canvas Shell on a regular basis.

 

Substantive and Active Participation with Curriculum

Course rosters are a State and Title 5 legal requirement, and as such, I'm required to maintain the official course roster with active-only students. Per this policy, all inactive students will be dropped from class rosters so that the College can provide accurate enrollment counts to the State.

An Active Student

An active student for an asynchronous class (100% online), such as this one, is a student who is doing the following:

• Logging-In to the Course Canvas on a regular basis
• and Participates in the course by Submitting to Discussions, Assignments and other Instructional/Curriculum Activities,
• and Actively Engages with the Instructor.

An Inactive Student 

An inactive student for an asynchronous class (100% online) is a student that has not done the following:

• Not Logging-In to the Course Canvas on a regular basis
• and/or Does Not Participate in the course by Submitting to Discussions, Assignments and other Instructional/Curriculum Activities,
• and/or Does Not Actively Communicate and/or Follow-Up with the Instructor.

 

Add | Drop Policy

Students may add courses only during the official “Add” period using an “add code” issued by the instructor and submitting the completed “Change of Program Card” to the Admission and Records Office.

It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop courses they are no longer attending and/or participating in. The instructor may drop a student who has excessive absences and/or is not participating and completing the curriculum assignments.

If a course is not officially dropped, you may receive an “F” for the course.

 

The last day to drop a course without a “W” appearing on your record is:

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

The last day to drop a course and receive a “W” on your record is:

Friday, September 27, 2024

 

 

During the course, you will be actively engaged in various curriculum activities, including the following:

 

Critical Issue Discussions and Responses

The Critical Issue Discussions and Responses will cover various critical issues and thoughts about photography and the photographic image and visual culture within both historical and contemporary contexts. Topics will explore various issues regarding photography, the history of photography, on being a photographer, as well as the sociological, psychological and cultural implications of the photographic image. 1 – 3 paragraph (approximately 60 – 100 words per paragraph) written responses will be required to be submitted. Assignments include:

How Have You Learned About Photography Thus Far? includes reflections on what may have been your "defining moment" and source of inspiration for you to learn more about photography, what your interests are and what are you hoping to learn in the class.

One Picture - Image Analysis and Interpretation includes an assessment of an image from its visual sensibilities along with your interpretation and evaluation.

Looking at a Photographer includes writing about a photographer that makes/made work that you are drawn to as a source of inspiration / influence as well as suggests possibilities for your own photographic/artistic practice, whether it be subject matter and/or conceptual ideas being explored and/or how those ideas are explored.

 

Quizzes

Quizzes will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The quizzes will be shorter in length, covering specific topics related to Canvas Modules. It is expected that you complete the required review of the material in the Canvas Module.

You will have 2 attempts to successfully complete the quiz with the highest score recorded. Quizzes include:

Beneath the Surface - Thinking and Seeing Photographs considers the aesthetic principles and considerations about photography.

The Camera and The Lens includes technical considerations about photographic cameras and lenses.

Photography's Materials & Processes | Grayscale and Color includes considerations about the uses and approaches of grayscale and/or color.

 

Image-Making Assignments

The primary curriculum for the course will be the Image-Making Assignments in which you’ll be asked to make photographic images that explore various aesthetic and technical considerations within the contexts of conceptual possibilities that are open to your individual interests.

There is one (1) Image-Making Assignment, including The Photographic Portfolio, for each week of the course (Weeks 2 - 6).

The assignments will focus on historical and contemporary approaches, the use and function of a photographic sensibility and visual language. Upon the completion of each assignment, you will be asked to submit your photographs as they reflect the assignment goals and prompts as well as write reflective discussion so as to initiate a dialog with me your thoughts and ideas about your photographic work. Image-Making Assignments may include:

The List includes photographing specific ideas and subject matter to explore the use of photography's aesthetic considerations and visual sensibilities.

Proof of Existence includes considering the use of a camera and photography as a visual diary of daily experience with the exploration and use of color photography approaches.

Grayscale and Looking At Things Differently includes the consideration, exploration and use of grayscale approaches.

The Photographic Scene includes explorations in the four genres of photography, including portraiture, landscape, street/documentary and the still life.

 An Intervention in Photography will consider various conceptual considerations and historical/contemporary photographic approaches, including

• • Multiple-Image Sequence
  • Typology
  • Collage
  • Use of Text with Photographs

 

Final Photographic Project/Photographic Portfolio

The Final Photographic Project/Photographic Portfolio will consist of a portfolio of photographs processed within the context of various presentation strategies that reflects the cohesive development of your conceptual concerns, photographic vision, aesthetic sensibilities and technical execution.

 

 

 

 

NOTE: Image-Making Assignments and the Final Project/Photographic Portfolio will be submitted on both Instagram (Images) and Canvas (Reflective Discussion about the Assignment).

 

The Curriculum Calendar and Assignment Dates, including Critical Responses, Quizzes and Image-Making Assignments will be facilitated through the Grossmont College Canvas platform.

 

 

 

We'll be using Instagram to facilitate the submission and discussion of your photographic work completed for the Image-Making Assignments.

You will need to set-up either a public account or a private account specifically for this class.

 

 

 

For guidance and technical assistance to set-up an account, please go to Signing Up and Getting Started on Instagram

 

Please use this template to insure this is the account where all of your Image-Making assignment work will be uploaded to.

@last name_class number (use an underscore between name and class number)

Example: @turounet_phot150

Please do not use any other type of account name or handle.

 

Once you've set-up your account, please follow the Course Account, @a_phototeacher so that I can follow your account and see your photographic work made during the class.

 

Follow Course Instagram

 

 

 

 

It is expected that all assignments are executed and turned-in for evaluation on the assigned date.

In consideration of extenuating circumstances (i.e. extreme emergency situations, including illness, personal/family care and bereavement matters), assignment due dates and/or other arrangements can be made provided there has been timely communication with the instructor before the assignment due date.

 

NOTE: Assignments completed late after the assigned evaluation date will be evaluated with a 10% reduction for each day the assignment is late.

NOTE: Any missing assignment will automatically be evaluated as not completed, resulting in no points earned.

 

 

 

The evaluation of your photographic efforts will be based on your effort in understanding and demonstrating the conceptual, aesthetic and technical principles discussed throughout the Canvas Modules in the development of your ideas in relationship to your sense of photographic vision. While it will be important to develop and exercise proficient technical execution with your camera, it will be equally important for you to demonstrate engagement with your ideas as they relate to photography’s conceptual and aesthetic possibilities.

 

Assignment Grade are earned and will be determined by a culmination of points earned with each Assignment Rubric criteria based on your completion and demonstrated understanding with the curriculum assignments. If you have questions regarding your assignment grades, you're encouraged to please contact me at the time of the assignment and not wait until the end of the course to inquire.

 

Critical Issue Discussions and Responses Criteria

The Critical Issue Discussions and Responses will be evaluated based on the following:

• Original writing demonstrates attentiveness and depth of discussion to assignment prompt(s).
• Spelling and grammar usage.

 

Image-Making Assignment Criteria

The Image-Making Assignments and the Final Project/Photographic Portfolio will be evaluated based on the following Assignment Rubric Criteria:

• Understanding and execution of ideas and concepts presented in course module(s) and with assignment prompts, including timely review of assigned module(s) prior to submitting assignment.
• Development of your vision, conceptual engagement and approach of photographic approach with submitted photographs that address assignment prompts.
• Considered and purposeful use of photography's visual sensibilities and aesthetic considerations, including use of photographic frame, vantage point, moments of exposure, the use and nature of lighting circumstances as well as the use of grayscale and/or color.
• Written Reflective Statement demonstrates attentiveness and depth of discussion to assignment prompt(s), including a Reflective Self-Assessment of the Assignment and Student-to-Student Assignment Review and Discussion.

 

Assignment Ratings

With each of the above curriculum activities, there will a Grading Rubric that outlines the Criteria, Ratings and Total Points Earned. In addition, reflective comments may be provided to further clarify the evaluation of the assignment as well as provide guidance on how to address future assignments.

The Point Totals earned for each course curriculum activity are based on an average of the points/percentage earned of the total points possible for each Rubric Criteria and Rating.

• 100% of points – Well-executed performance, effort and accomplishment in demonstrating and understanding of concepts and considerations presented in course module(s) and assignment prompts.
• 75% of points – Minimum requirements completed and/or additional attention beneficial with performance, effort and accomplishment in demonstrating and understanding of concepts and considerations presented in course module(s) and assignment prompts.
• 60% of points – Less-than minimum requirements completed and/or additional attention necessary with performance, effort and accomplishment in demonstrating and understanding of concepts and considerations presented in course module(s) and assignment prompts.
• 0% of points – Assignment not completed.

 

Assignment Feedback and Comments

Please review the Rubric for each Graded Assignment, including Criteria and Ratings.

Feedback will be provided in the Comments section on the Assignment SpeedGrader below the Rubric for your review.

To view Comments, you will need to click on Grades, locate the Assignment, and then click on Comments. Additional guidance on navigating Comments can be found in the Canvas Guides section in each Graded Assignment.

 

NOTE: It is recommended that you set your Notifications for Submission Comment and Grading for Daily or Immediately.

In consideration of the type of feedback and recommendations suggested, you may want to review the Module for future reference and/or email me through Canvas.

 

Graded Assignments will be evaluated within one to two days of the Due Date submission.

 

 

Your Final Overall Course Grade is earned as determined by a culmination of your performance with all of the curriculum assignments.

 

Extra Credit in lieu of any Missing/Incomplete Assignments or to Improve your Overall Grade is Not Available.

 

Course Final Grade Rubric

Grade	Percentage Range
A	100% - 93%
A-	92% - 90%
B+	89% - 87%
B	86% - 83%
B-	82% - 80%
C+	79% - 77%
C	76% - 70%
D	69% - 60%
F	59% - 0%

 

NOTE: The Final Overall Percentage may be Rounded-Up to the next highest grade, including those Overall Percentages that are at 0.5 or higher so that you may earn an improved grade.

 

Incomplete Grades

An Incomplete (I) grade may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor when all the following conditions exist: 

• The student has contacted the instructor of the course and both have agreed to the provisions established in the Incomplete Grade Contract.
• The student has had an unforeseen emergency that prevents them from completing the remaining course work. Evidence to verify the emergency may be requested/required.
• The student has completed a minimum of 50% of the required course work, as specified in the course syllabus, with regular attendance, and there is still the possibility of earning a passing grade.

The student is responsible for acknowledging the following:

• Completing the coursework as outlined in the Incomplete Grade Contract. Upon satisfactory completion, the instructor will replace the “I” with a grade.
• The “I” is not used in calculating GPA or units.
• The “I” cannot be cleared by re-enrolling in the course.
• The grade earned on the portion of work completed for the course (as specified in the course syllabus) must be used to calculate the final grade for the course.
• A signed Incomplete Grade Contract in which the student agrees to complete remaining coursework, must be filed by the instructor. In the case of an extreme emergency where the student is unable to meet with the instructor, the instructor may initiate and file the Incomplete Grade Contract, sending a copy to the student for signature.
• The contract is invalid without both instructor and student signatures. Without the student’s signature, the I will revert to the default grade at the end of the following semester.
• Class time and/or assignments outlined in the Incomplete Grade Contract must be completed by the end of the 16-week semester following the date on the contract. If not, the “I” will revert to the default grade assigned on the Incomplete Grade Contract.
• An extension of time for removal of the “I” must be petitioned by the student. The petition must include evidence of approval from the instructor.
• In the event that the original instructor of record on the Incomplete Grade Contract is unavailable, the student must see the appropriate department chair or dean for alternate arrangements.