VDES70009
Photography, Theory and History		 Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.
Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 36.0
Credit Value: 2.5
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Winter 2019
Prerequisites: (VDES70006 VDES70029)
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Digital Photography
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20190107_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: This course is offered in a classroom version and an online version. In the classroom version, there are three hours per week of classroom instruction. The online version is a web-based course offered entirely online through Sheridan and hosted by Sheridan College. Students taking this course will need reliable access to the internet, and should have a basic level of comfort using computers as well as the self- discipline to study online. Students can expect to spend an additional three hours per week for online activities such as postings, discussions, and homework.
 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
The discoveries and inventions that made photography possible as both an art and a science will be discussed. Examine real surviving examples of vintage photographs and create a photogram using the Cyanotype vintage chemical process. Videos and hundreds of vintage and contemporary images will illustrate the evolution of photography from the 1830's to present day. The work of important documentary, portrait, fashion and art photographers will be examined and discussed. Basic camera operations will be reviewed and the importance of balancing both techniques and creativity will be stressed.

Program Context

 
Digital Photography Program Coordinator(s): N/A
N/A


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to discuss key concepts of the evolution of photography from its history to present day and create photographic images to illustrate these concepts.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Discuss the evolution of photography over the course of the medium's 180-year history.
  2. Differentiate between key movements, photographers, and technologies in the mediums history.
  3. Participate in discussions of historic and current photographic practices and trends.
  4. Analyze key texts in photography theory.
  5. Explain the impact of modern and historic photography on current practices.
  6. Evaluate the artistic work of current and historic photographers.
  7. Show technical knowledge and aesthetic knowledge when operating a camera.
  8. Create a series of images that integrate knowledge of the medium's history, knowledge of aesthetic trends, and knowledge of basic technical skills.
  9. Write an artist statement explaining the rational and concept behind their photographic images.
  10. Critique the aesthetics of the photographic image in terms of form, content, and design.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: ONLINE
 Online Group Discussions50.0%
 Photo Assignment: The Portrait15.0%
 Essay15.0%
 Photo Assignment: Wikipedia Article / History Book20.0%
Total100.0%

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:

 

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar

  • Not Eligible for PLAR
 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: Online
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s):
 TypeDescription
RequiredTextbookThe Photography Reader: Theory and History, Liz Wells, 2nd, ISBN 9780415749183

Applicable student group(s): Continuing Education Students
Course Details:

Orientation: Welcome 

  • Introduction
  • Topics/Main Idea: Introduction to the content and structure of the course
  • Learning Activity and Assessment: group discussions


Module 1: 19th Century (Weeks 1-4)

  • Topics/Main Idea: The birth of photography and the early social, artistic, and technological advancements.
  • Social movements discussed:
    • Carte de Visit
    • Daguerrotype-mania
    • Uses of photography in the sciences
    • Early war photography
    • Resistance to photography as an artistic medium      
  • Technology discussed:
    • Heliography
    • Calotype
    • Daguerrotype
    • Ambrotype
    • Motion picture studies
    • Kodak
  • Artists discussed:
    • Niecpe
    • Daguerre
    • Talbot
    • Nadar
    • Fenton
    • Brady
    • Muybridge
    • Riis
    • Hine
    • Cameron.


Module 2: Early to mid 20th Century & Modernism (Weeks 5 - 8)

  • Topics/Main Idea: The evolution of photography as an artistic medium, a medium for advertising, a medium for journalism, and its evolution in personal life.
  • Movements discussed:
    • Pictorialism
    • Photo-Secessionists
    • Straight photography
    • Documentary photography
    • Photojournalism
    • Portraiture
    • FSA
    • Magnum photography
    • Life magazine
    • Vogue magazine
    • Fashion photography
    • The Americans
    • Surrealism
    • Dada
    • Colour photography,
    • Photography as fine art
    • The Family of Man,
  • Artists discussed:
    • Steiglitz
    • Weston
    • Adams
    • Man Ray
    • Moholy-Nagy
    • Portraiture
    • Atget
    • Van Der Zee
    • Cartier-Bresson
    • White
    • Frank
    • Steichen
    • Cunningham
    • Weegee
    • Karsh
    • Callahan
    • Avedon
    • Penn.

Module 3: Late 20th Century & Post-Modernism (Week 9 - 12)

  • Topics/Main Idea: Photography in the age of postmodernism as it relates to fine art, journalism, and commercial photography.
  • Movements discussed:
    • Post modernism
    • Appropriation art
    • Anti-aesthetics
    • Digital photography
    • Feminism
    • The emerging status of colour photography in fine art  
    • Subjective journalism
    • Conceptual art
    • Performance art
    • The body
    • Fabrication
  • Artist discussed:
    • Parr
    • Winogrand
    • Warhol
    • Arbus
    • Bourdin
    • Michals
    • Owens
    • Eggleston
    • Shore
    • Nauman
    • Sherman
    • Levine
    • Goldin
    • Witkin
    • Wall
    • Hockney
    • Serrano
    • Mann
    • Mapplethorpe
    • Burtynsky
    • Gursky
    • Salgado
    • Mark.

Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.
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