Students
MMCC2061 – Photo Media
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Jane Simon
Contact via Email
10HA 165K
Please see ilearn
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
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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. |
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:
- ULO1: identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- ULO2: distinguish between and critically evaluate theoretical positions on photographic practices and texts.
- ULO3: analyse and critically evaluate photographs according to themes, genres, and forms.
- ULO4: communicate narratives and ideas through the combination of photographs and text
- ULO5: evidence engagement with and reflection on contemporary photographic media.
General Assessment Information
Late submission / Special Consideration
Special Consideration: If you have experienced an unavoidable and serious disruption and are unable to complete a task by the due date, please request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.
Late Submission: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Grades: In line with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, grades align with the descriptors available here.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online quizzes | 35% | No | Week 5 and Week 12 See ilearn for more detail. |
| Photo essay and reflection | 45% | No | Week 9 see ilearn for more details |
| Online reflections | 20% | No | Week 2-13 see ilearn for more details |
Online quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 5 and Week 12 See ilearn for more detail.
Weighting: 35%
During semester there will be two quizzes that will be accessed via iLearn. The quizzes will require students to answer a series of questions relating to the key readings, lecture content and photographic examples from the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
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.
- evidence engagement with and reflection on contemporary photographic media.
Photo essay and reflection
Assessment Type 1: Creative work
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 9 see ilearn for more details
Weighting: 45%
The photo essay assignment gives you the opportunity to make connections between the theory and practice of photography. Students will not be assessed on technical photographic skills but rather on their understanding of the genre of the photo essay, their ability to communicate a clear narrative in the photo essay, the creativity of their response and the clarity of the accompanying writing. Students will also provide a reflection on the process of producing a photo essay. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify key themes, ideas and concepts in theories of photography.
- communicate narratives and ideas through the combination of photographs and text
- evidence engagement with and reflection on contemporary photographic media.
Online reflections
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 2-13 see ilearn for more details
Weighting: 20%
Each week students will be asked to write a short reflection responding to a prompt/question related to the weekly topic and readings, and post it to ilearn ahead of the online tutorial. At the end of the semester students will write a final reflection outlining how their understanding of photography has been developed or shaped by readings, photographs or photographers discussed in the unit. Refer to iLearn for further information.
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.
- evidence engagement with and reflection on contemporary photographic media.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Delivery
Lectures begin in Week 1, tutorials begin in Week 2.
Please see timetable and ilearn for further details about delivery.
Resources
Required and recommended readings are available via the Leganto link on ilearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.