Beginning Photography
Art 20743
Instructor:
Dick Lane Office:
013N Moudy (Photo Lab)
Email: r.lane@tcu.edu Phone:
(817) 257-2879
Office
Hours: By Appointment
Statement
of Purpose
& Policy
This
is a basic class in photography. No prior knowledge or Prerequisites
are necessary. In this class you will have an opportunity to learn
the basics of the art and craft of photography
The
three main objectives of this course are as follows:
(1) To
learn to use the medium of photography as a means of personal artistic
endeavor.
(2) To begin
developing an aesthetic stance and an appreciation of photography.
(3) To
develop the basic technical skills necessary to achieve the previous
two objectives.
To
accomplish these goals demonstrations, lectures, readings, discussions,
papers, and critiques may be used to instruct you in technical and
aesthetic matters. You
are also encouraged to seek aid during the supervised lab period for
any problems encountered concerning photography.
Important
Policies
Grades -
During
the course of the semester your progress will be ascertained by various
projects, tests and assignments. There will be 3 Portfolios. You will
receive a grade each time you turn in a portfolio so that you may assess
your progress. Each portfolio grade will supercede the previous one.
You will also receive grades for class participation and exams. The
final portfolio is the most important grade. The final portfolio will
contain 12-15 of your best works from the projects and outside work.
As the semester proceeds, I will identify, through discussions and
critiques of projects the criteria used to evaluate your photographs.
Evaluation for your Final
Grade will be based on the following:
(1) Your
ability to deal visually with the world through photography and the
evident growth in that ability.
(2) Your ability
to control the materials and processes of photography.
(3) Your attendance
and participation at all scheduled class functions.
Additionally:
To
receive a “C” in this course, you must produce well-printed,
well-crafted photographs that show you’ve learned how to use
your camera and how to present photographs.
To
receive a “B” in this course, you must do all of the requirements
for a “C”
plus you must produce photographs that are inspired a lot of the time.
To
receive an “A” in this course, you must do all of the above
plus you must produce excellent, inspired photographs most of the time.
The
Final Portfolio will count 60% of your Final Grade. Participation
(attendance in class and participation in critiques) will count 10%.
The Mid Term Exam will count 20%. The Slide presentation will count
10%.
Expectations
I
expect you to shoot at least 72 images per project.
To learn photography, it is essential to shoot a lot of pictures.
Readings
In
addition to classroom instruction, the assigned readings in the book
will be very helpful in understanding the principles and procedures.
Please read them carefully.
Attendance -
The
university attendance policy states that regular and punctual class attendance is essential and that no assigned
work is excused because of absence, no matter what the cause. Records
of class attendance are kept by faculty. Missed demonstrations will
not be repeated. Missed critiques will lower the final grade.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
for failure to progress academically regardless of previous grades the student might have received.
Due
Dates -
Unless
otherwise stated, all Projects are due at the beginning of the class period during which
it was scheduled to be turned in. This is very important so that we
may proceed with class instead of having to wait on someone to complete
a project, which they have already had ample time to finish. A word
to the wise would be that deadlines are a reality for all of us. Budget
your time carefully and you will have no trouble completing the assignments
in this class.
Additional
Important Information -
Due
to the constraints of mass-education I give out the information which
I feel will do the most good for the greatest number of you. However, I am aware that some of you may have special interests
which are not being addressed by the normal classroom information. If
this is so, then you must make me aware of these interests. I can't read your mind, so I must rely upon you to come in
and talk to me. This is
part of what I get paid for and certainly must be part of your reason
for taking a class as opposed to learning photography out of a book
- take advantage of this opportunity.
Objectionable
Material
For
sound pedagogical reasons, there will be times in this course when
it will be necessary to use course materials that some students may
find objectionable. This could include classroom discussions and from
time to time the showing of slides containing images of the unclothed
human form.
Anti-Discrimination and Title IX Information
Statement on TCU’s Discrimination Policy
TCU prohibits discrimination and harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin, disability, predisposing genetic information, covered veteran status, and any other basis protected by law, except as permitted by law. TCU also prohibits unlawful sexual and gender-based harassment and violence, sexual assault, incest, statutory rape, sexual exploitation, intimate partner violence, bullying, stalking, and retaliation. We understand that discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence can undermine students’ academic success and we encourage students who have experienced any of these issues to talk to someone about their experience, so they can get the support they need. Review TCU’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Conduct or to file a complaint: https://titleix.tcu.edu/title-ix/.
Statement on Title IX at TCU
As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. It is my goal that you feel able to share information related to your life experiences in classroom discussions, in your written work, and in our one-on-one meetings. I will seek to keep any information your share private to the greatest extent possible. However, I have a mandatory reporting responsibility under TCU policy and federal law and I am required to share any information I receive regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, and related conduct with TCU’s Title IX Coordinator. Students can receive confidential support and academic advocacy by contacting TCU’s Confidential Advocate in the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education office at (817) 257-5225 or the Counseling & Mental Health Center at https://counseling.tcu.edu/ or by calling (817) 257-7863. Alleged violations can be reported to the Title IX Office at https://titleix.tcu.edu/student-toolkit/ or by calling (817) 257-8228. Should you wish to make a confidential report, the Title IX Office will seek to maintain your privacy to the greatest extent possible, but cannot guarantee confidentiality. Reports to law enforcement can be made to the Fort Worth Police Department at 911 for an emergency and (817) 335-4222 for non-emergency or TCU Police at (817) 257-7777.
Statement of Disability Services at TCU
Disabilities Statement: Texas Christian University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 regarding students with disabilities. Eligible students seeking accommodations should contact the Coordinator of Student Disabilities Services in the Center for Academic Services located in Sadler Hall, room 1010 or http://www.acs.tcu.edu/disability_services.asp. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations.
Further information can be obtained from the Center for Academic Services, TCU Box 297710, Fort Worth, TX 76129, or at (817) 257-6567.
Adequate time must be allowed to arrange accommodations and accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students should contact the Coordinator as soon as possible in the academic term for which they are seeking accommodations. Each eligible student is responsible for presenting relevant, verifiable, professional documentation and/or assessment reports to the Coordinator. Guidelines for documentation may be found at http://www.acs.tcu.edu/disability_documentation.asp.
Students with emergency medical information or needing special arrangements in case a building must be evacuated should discuss this information with their instructor/professor as soon as possible.
Netiquette:
Communication Courtesy Code. All members
of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in
all email messages, threaded discussions and chats. If
I deem any of them to be inappropriate or offensive, I will forward
the message to the Chair of the department and the online administrators
and appropriate action will be taken, not excluding expulsion from
the course.
TCU
Campus Resources for Students: Many resources
exist on the TCU campus that may be helpful to students: Mary Couts
Burnet Library (257-7117); Center for Academic Services (257-7486,
Sadler Hall. 11); the William L. Adams Writing Center (257-7221,
Rickel Bldg. 244); Student Development Services (257-7855, Student
Center Rm. 220); and University Ministries (257-7830, Student Center
Rm. 111).
Email
Notification:
Only the official TCU student email address will be used for all
course notification. It is your responsibility to check your TCU
email on a regular basis.
