Students

MMCC2061 – Photo Media

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Jane Simon
jane.simon@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
10HA 165K
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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, 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

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to written reports and recordings only. Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Online reflections 25% No Week 2-12 Mondays 23:55 Final reflection 23:55 01/06/2023
Online quizzes 25% No Quiz 1: 23:55 26/03/2023 Quiz 2: 23:55 28/05/2023
Photo essay and reflection 50% No 23:55 28/04/2023

Online reflections

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 2-12 Mondays 23:55 Final reflection 23:55 01/06/2023
Weighting: 25%

 

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 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.

Online quizzes

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Quiz 1: 23:55 26/03/2023 Quiz 2: 23:55 28/05/2023
Weighting: 25%

 

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: 23:55 28/04/2023
Weighting: 50%

 

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.

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

Lectures begin in Week 1. Lectures are online only. They will be recorded and posted on iLearn weekly.  Lectures must be viewed before the weekly tutorial.

Tutorials begin in Week 2. 

Required readings are available via the Leganto link on iLearn. 

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook