ARTS 2361 – Foundations of Photography I Texas State University Spring 2017 Lecturer: Laura Turner Office: SABN 116 Office Hours: by appointment M-TH between 10-11 AM Email: (please CC both- please do not use TRACS for email) lbturnerphoto@gmail.com, lturner70@txstate.edu

Course Description: This course introduces basic concepts in photography through lecture, readings and studio practice in traditional and digital processes. Prerequisites: ARTF 1301 and 1302. Objectives: Through historical and multicultural-based readings and lectures, student-driven dialogue, and photographic practice, students will develop: (1) an understanding of photography as a unique representational form that has impacted art and society in complex ways (2) an understanding of photography’s global and multicultural context, including its problematic racial and gendered history (3)proficiency in basic skills of traditional and digital photographic processes (4) an ability to read, write, and speak critically of photographs (5) a critical consciousness of contemporary visual culture (6) an awareness of an artist’s role as knowledge creator and sociopolitical critic.

Required Texts: Shore, Stephen. The Nature of Photographs . New York: Phaidon Press, 2010. (it is the paperback version) Suggested: Horenstein, Henry. Digital Photography: A Basic Manual . New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2011. The photograph as Contemporary Art, Charlotte Cotton. Required Supplies: ORDER SUPPLIES EARLY. Failure to order supplies in time for a project will not be an excuse for a late project.

- Fully manual digital camera with lens (Manual settings must be possible for focus, aperture, and shutter speed; Ability to shoot in RAW format is essential; Examples include Canon Rebel, Nikon D cameras, Fuji XE1, etc). Mirrorless Cameras are fine provided they meet the above requirements.

- Battery Charger - Multiple SD or CF cards - Card reader - UV filter and/or lens cap - USB portable hard drive of at least 250 gigabytes (NOT a thumb drive - you will need a regular external

drive) - 5x7 inch Sun print paper for Cyanotypes - available from Amazon, Freestyle, etc - 25 Sheets of Epson Ultra Premium Luster Inkjet Photo Paper, 8.5x11” (they sell in 50 sheet packs

unfortunately- you may want to split with a classmate) - Notebook for notes and for in-class writing assignments - Standard folder for turning in assignments - Recommended but not required: - Personal computer with Adobe Lightroom software - Small tripod (optional) - Cable release or remote Local Stores: In Austin: Precision Camera- student discount Address: 2438 W Anderson Ln, Austin, TX 78757 Phone:(512) 467-7676 Holland Photo (10% student discount) 1700 South Lamar Blvd. Suite 327 512.442.4274 San Antonio: The Camera Exchange

You can buy your camera/supplies from B&H Photo (www.bhphoto.com), Amazon, TX State Bookstore, University of Texas Co-Op, Precision Camera in Austin, or Colloquium. (ask about student discounts wherever you go) Course Requirements: - Exhibition of hard work and improvement throughout semester - technical mastery of the camera - Willingness to challenge yourself and be open to critique from others - Completion of all assignments as specified - Regular attendance - In-class participation - Respect for all members of the class and their opinions, even when different from your own Course Evaluation: Upon completion of the above requirements with good effort and quality you will earn a B in this course. You can earn an A only if you produce exceptional work and demonstrate outstanding participation, on top of meeting the requirements. You can likewise earn a C and below by producing poor quality work, not meeting the requirements, and/or by having an attitude that is detrimental to the class.

The photography assignments will be due on critique day and graded based on technical (negative and print quality) and conceptual accomplishment (sophistication of idea, creativity, intelligence, thoroughness, and ability to represent an idea). Hard work, self-critique, and determination most often result in high quality work. Participation is a significant component of any visual arts class as it will be in this class. One of the best ways to learn about your work, directly or in relation to the work of others, is to have critical dialogue. I expect participation in all aspects of the class. This includes but is not limited to: spoken and or written participation during critique, paying attention during critique and lectures (not being on your phone or working on the computer during lecture, crit, or discussion), showing up for individual meetings, and utilizing open lab days. Please note that your participation grade will also be based on your following of the Lab Rules and general attitude in the classroom. If you don’t respect the lab and/or your peers, your grade will suffer. Your photographs alongside your written assignments, and participation will result in your final course grade, with a breakdown as follows: Photography Assignments (1 – 10%, 2 – 15%, 3 – 20%, Final – 35%) Participation: work in progress meetings, quizzes, attendance, critique participation, reading discussion (15%) Written Assignments (10%) Grade Guide: A Excellent work that is cohesive in vision and quality, technically mastered, and conceptually driven as well as outstanding participation. B Very good work that is technically sound and conceptually stimulating, but needs refinement of one or

more areas to reach excellence (great technically, but conceptually dull or vice versa) and good participation. C Average work that has both technical and conceptual flaws, but is well intentioned (usually the result of laziness/absence from class) and average participation. D Poor work that has very little or no thought put into it and is technically dismal (the result of apathy). F Terrible work with no effort put forth or more often no work at all. Also the result of turning work in late. Late Work: Any work turned in after the specified due date will automatically receive an F, no exceptions. Attendance: Attendance in this class is absolutely necessary and will be recorded each class period, including lab days. You will be allowed three excused absences . Four absences is a letter grade reduction, five is an additional letter grade reduction, and six or more is an automatic F.

Students with Special Needs: Any student who needs to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability should contact the Office of Disability Services in the LBJ Student Center, Suite 5-5.1 or by phone at 512-245-3451 (voice/TTY). Statement on Academic Honesty: Cheating in any way will result in a severe penalty and possible course failure. If you have the slightest inclination to cheat please come talk to me and we can resolve the root cause in an appropriate manner. • Code of Student Conduct - http://www.dos.txstate.edu/handbook/rules/cosc.html • The Honor Code - http://www.txstate.edu/honorcodecouncil/Academic-Integrity.html Texas State University Mission and Goals: Our Mission Texas State University is a public, student-centered, Emerging Research University dedicated to excellence in serving the educational needs of the diverse population of Texas and the world beyond. Our Shared Values In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values. Specifically, we value: • An exceptional undergraduate experience as the heart of what we do. • Graduate education as a means of intellectual growth and professional development. • A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life. • The cultivation of character and the modeling of honesty, integrity, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior, both in the classroom and beyond. • Engaged teaching and learning based on dialogue, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas. • Research, scholarship, and creative activity as fundamental sources of new knowledge and as expressions of the human spirit. • A commitment to public service as a resource for personal, educational, cultural, and economic development. • Thoughtful reflection, collaboration, planning, and evaluation as essential for meeting the changing needs of those we serve. Overview of Important Course due dates (This outline is a living document, and is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class and/or via TRACS. I will post a day by day schedule on TRACS as well, you are responsible for checking this document for updates regularly, as well as checking your TX state email for updates).

Please see TRACS for dates under “Class Schedule - check regularly”