Students
MMCS261 – Photographic Cultures
2014 – S1 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jane Simon
Contact via jane.simon@mq.edu.au
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit examines the practice of photography across diverse cultural contexts and media platforms. It will introduce critical debates about the practice of photography and a number of key themes in the history of photography. The unit will consider a range of genres, texts and practices including snapshots and online photo sharing, family albums, fashion photography, photography as art and photojournalism. The unit will include the following topics: street photography and ethics; the photograph as evidence and instrument of organisation; domestic photography and amateurism; photography and otherness; and the place of photography in contemporary digital media cultures.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Research independently in the discipline, including identifying and using appropriate articles in academic journals.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
- Communicate ideas verbally, and facilitate and participate in group discussion.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | 15% | Ongoing, Week 1-13 |
| In class responses | 15% | Before Wk5 + during semester |
| Photo essay and reflection | 30% | 4pm Wednesday 9th April |
| Final Essay | 40% | 5pm Friday 13th June |
Class Participation
Due: Ongoing, Week 1-13
Weighting: 15%
Students are expected to attend, be punctual for and participate in at least 80% of all lectures and tutorials to pass the unit. You must notify your tutor as soon as possible if you believe you may be absent at any stage and you should provide your tutor with evidence of a medical or personal emergency.
Your participation mark will be based on attendance, level of preparedness for class and the quality of your contributions to class activities throughout the semester, including your contribution to the photo essay reflection sessions during semester.
During the semester all students are required to visit a photographic exhibition. A list of current local photographic exhibitions will be posted on ilearn. Each student will be asked to post a short response to the exhibition they have seen on the iLearn Forum. You must submit this post to iLearn before Monday 12th May and you are asked to read and give feedback on reviews written by your peers via the iLearn Forum. 5% of your participation mark will be based on this forum activity.
Marking Criteria
- Preparation for class and active participation (by contributing to large and small group discussions and participating in tutorial activities, including the photo esay reflections and the online review forum)
- Ability to engage with key concepts and themes covered in readings and lectures
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Communicate ideas verbally, and facilitate and participate in group discussion.
In class responses
Due: Before Wk5 + during semester
Weighting: 15%
Three times during the semester you will spend 15mins during tutorials responding to a series of short discussion questions. The questions will be directly related to the lecture material and the weekly readings. The actual weeks for this assessment will be decided randomly by your tutor. Each response is worth 5%. Your responses should demonstrate your familiarity with the unit content. This is a closed-book assessment.
If you miss an in-class response you must provide a medical certificate (or similar) in order to complete a response in lieu. If you miss an in-class response without adequate documentation you will receive no marks.
At least one of the in class responses will be scheduled before Week 5 as an early assessment item to allow for feedback early in the semester.
Marking Criteria
- Understanding of key concepts
- Ability to distinguish between various positions
- Clarity of communication in written form
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
Photo essay and reflection
Due: 4pm Wednesday 9th April
Weighting: 30%
The photo essay assignment gives you the opportunity to make connections between the theory and practice of photography. You will not be assessed on your technical photographic skills but rather on your understanding of the genre of the photo essay, you ability to communicate a clear narrative in the photo essay, the creativity of your response and the clarity of the accompanying writing. Tutorial time will be dedicated to displaying your photo essay to your classmates and you will be asked to provide a brief oral reflection on the process of producing your photo essay.
The photo essay should be submitted in hardcopy and have numbered pages. The accompanying writing can either be integrated amongst the images or be placed before or after the photographs. We will be looking at lots of examples of the photo essay genre in lectures and tutorials so you will have ample opportunity to familiarise yourself with the genre in advance of the assessment.
Marking Criteria
- Understanding of the photo essay genre
- Communication of a narrative through images and text
- Ability to connect theme of photo essay to concepts covered in the unit
- Creativty of response to chosen topic
- Clarity of communication in written component
- Accurate and appropriate referencing where appropriate
- Ability to reflect on process of producing the photo essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
Final Essay
Due: 5pm Friday 13th June
Weighting: 40%
2000 word research essay. Essay topics and detailed instructions will be distributed in class and posted on iLearn.
Marking Criteria
- Understanding and critical engagement with key readings in the unit
- Comparison and analysis of key concepts in the unit
- Critical analysis of relevant photographs
- Independent research within the discipline
- Use of research and reading to support the argument
- Organisation of argument including clear addressing of the question
- Clarity of communication
- Accurate and appropriate referencing
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Research independently in the discipline, including identifying and using appropriate articles in academic journals.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
Delivery and Resources
CLASSES
Lectures: Friday 10-11am W5A T2
Tutorials: For tutorial times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: https://timetables.mq.edu.au/2014/. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations.
Please note, you must attend the tutorial you are enrolled in. If you wish to change your tutorial time you can do so via e-student. Your tutor/lecturer will not be able to change your tutorial enrolment.
Tutorials begin in Week Two.
ATTENDANCE
Students are required to attend a one hour lecture and a one hour tutorial every week. Echo360 recordings should be used as an additional tool, not as a replacement for lecture attendance. Lectures will include a variety of visual material which won’t be available online and attending lectures provides you with the opportunity to ask questions and engage with guest lecturers!
Students are required to prepare for tutorials by having attended the lecture and having done the week’s readings and prepared questions and notes. It is expected that students dedicate some of their study time to attending photographic exhibitions, looking at photographic collections in libraries, archives and online galleries.
REQUIRED READING
The Reader for MMCS261 is available at the Co-Op Bookshop.
RECOMMENDED READING
There is a list of further recommended reading for each topic - please refer to iLearn.
TECHNOLOGIES USED AND REQUIRED
Lectures will be recorded and available on iLearn. Details on readings, assessments and screenings will be available on ilearn. Students are expected to regularly check iLearn and their MQ email addresses for announcements.
ASSESSMENTS
You must complete all components of this course in order to pass the unit. Work submitted late without extension and/or proof of illness or serious misadventure (this does not include having to work) will incur a 5% penalty for each day after the due date.
Submission: the photo essay assignment
The photo essay assignment must be submitted as a hardcopy through the Arts Student Centre (via the appropriate assignment box) on Level 1, W6A. Students must print and attach a completed coversheet to all submitted work. A personalised assignment coversheet is generated from the student section of the Faculty of Arts website at:
http://www.arts.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/admin_central/coversheet.
Submission: the final essay
The final essay must be submitted to turnitin, via the link on ilearn. You do not need to submit a hardcopy of the final essay. .
Special Consideration Policy
http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy.html
Applying for Special Consideration
Students applying for Special Consideration circumstances of three (3) consecutive days duration, within a study period, and/or prevent completion of a formal examination must submit an on-line application with the Faculty of Arts. For an application to be valid, it must include a completed Application for Special Consideration form and all supporting documentation.
To submit a Special Consideration request, you will need to:
1. Log in at ask.mq 2. Click 'Special Consideration' from the 'Submit' menu on the left 3. Fill in the required fields as prompted. Once you have completed filling out the information, please click on 'Submit'.
Unit Schedule
Please see iLearn for detailed information about topics, readings, relevant exhibitions and further reading suggestions.
Week One: Photographs, practices, contexts: Introducing Photographic Cultures
Week Two: Photographic Seeing
Week Three: Photography, identity & the self portrait
Week Four: The Photo Essay
Week Five: Street photography & documentary ethics
Week Six: Australian Photography: Sadness
SEMESTER BREAK
Week Seven: Photographic art
Week Eight: Reviewing exhibitions
Week Nine: Photography, landscape, place
Week Ten: Crime Photography
Week Eleven: Family photography & amateurism
Week Twelve: Photography, children & moral panics
Week Thirteeen: Final Essay consultations
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Communicate ideas verbally, and facilitate and participate in group discussion.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Photo essay and reflection
- Final Essay
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Research independently in the discipline, including identifying and using appropriate articles in academic journals.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Photo essay and reflection
- Final Essay
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Research independently in the discipline, including identifying and using appropriate articles in academic journals.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Photo essay and reflection
- Final Essay
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Research independently in the discipline, including identifying and using appropriate articles in academic journals.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Final Essay
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Photo essay and reflection
- Final Essay
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- Analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- Communicate ideas in a range of genres including photo essays and research essays.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the photo essay form and develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between text and image.
- Communicate ideas verbally, and facilitate and participate in group discussion.
Assessment tasks
- Class Participation
- In class responses
- Photo essay and reflection
- Final Essay