Course Syllabus
Photojournalism B |
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| Semester & Location: |
Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen |
| Type & Credits: |
Elective Course - 3 credits |
| Major Disciplines: |
Communication, Journalism, Media Studies |
| Prerequisite(s): |
None |
| Faculty Member: |
Lærke Posselt, (current students please use the Canvas Inbox) |
| Time & Place: |
Tuesdays 13:15-16:05 Classroom: Fi6-Metro 105 |
Course Description
Photographer Diane Arbus describes the camera as a license into people's lives. This class requires that you take full advantage of your Danish setting and immerse yourself in the lives of those around you. Working as a photojournalist is a challenging endeavor and yields growth in personal leadership. The class is centered around your production of a picture story with different assignments leading up to it. The focus is highly intercultural and anthropological in that you will be spending a significant portion of the course outside of the classroom independently interacting with and reporting on the life of a self-selected subject, in the attempt to capture the essence of this person in a picture story.
Combined with fieldwork, the course offers critical perspectives on cultural categories, stereotypes and prejudices through in-class analysis and discussion of the works of well-known photojournalists. The course concludes with producing a photography booklet to demonstrate your ability to skilfully communicate with images in a reporting context.
You will be challenged, so bring your creativity, courage, and lots of curiosity.
Learning Objectives
Through practical assignments, this class provides you with hands-on-experiences in photojournalism. Lectures, field studies, guest lectures, student presentations and group work will help you develop the analytical basis and insight to reflect upon and assess the impact of photographs on our ideas of the world.
Faculty
Lærke Posselt. Part time faculty at DIS and freelance photographer working for Danish and International media, represented by VU Agency. Graduated as a Photojournalist in 2013 from the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX). Recipient of numerous awards, including World Press Photo, Pictures of the Year international, PDN Photo Annual and the Danish Crown Prince Couple's Rising Star Award. With DIS since 2015.
Expectations of the Students:
Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory. Two unexcused absences will warrant a reduced letter grade. Three unexcused absences will result in failure.
To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work. Late assignments result in a reduced grade.
The use of distracting devices (smartphones, laptops, etc.) is prohibited during class. Failure to comply will adversely affect participation grades. Only when needed for specific in-class activities, you should use these.
If you have difficulties with an assignment please consult your instructor - in proper time - before your deadline, either in class, after class or through the Canvas inbox. This does not mean that you will get a pass, but that you will get advice on how to solve the issue.
All digital communication should happen through the Canvas inbox. The instructor might not reply to emails during weekends or public holidays.
NOTE: Students are recommended to bring their own camera, preferably a camera with the option of manual settings (e.g. a DSLR or mirrorless camera).
Grade Components
Presentations 10%
Class attendance, participation & critique sessions: 10%
Portrait assignment: 15 %
Photo story, version 1 & 2: 25%
Final Project: Photography book with pictures & intro text: 20%
Written assignment for final project: 20%
Student Evaluation
The primary criteria for strong grades are: Active and enthusiastic participation in classes; ability to read and discuss material in class; active participation during workshops and critique sessions; ability to situate your own work in the larger tradition of photojournalism and to reflect critically on your own work; completion of assignments by the deadlines. The technical and aesthetic mastery of the photos is regarded as less vital for the purpose of this course. Perfection has less priority compared to the learning process of trial and error. Your grades will be uploaded to the Grade Center on Canvas.
About assignments and Evaluations:
Presentation in class
You will be given one photographer that you are to research and talk about to the class.
Critique
- Be prepared for your critique. Have your printed photos ready and to place on the tables when we start class.
- Talk about the work and the meaning of it.
- Participate in your fellow classmates critiques. Ask them relevant questions about their work and give them your honest opinion and help them find their direction.
Participation
- Read the literature. Relate to it in class discussions
- Engage in class discussions.
- Be active and present in class.
- Engage during field studies.
Readings:
- Gerry Badger. Face to face from The Genious of Photography. Quadrille Publishing Ltd. 2007.
- Gerry Badger. A tale of two portraits from The pleasures of good photographs. Aperture. 2010
- Roland Barthes, selection from Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography. Hill and Wang. 1981.
- Stephen Shore, The Nature of Photographs. Phaidon. 2007
- Abigail Solomon-Godeau. Who Is Speaking Thus: Some Questions about Documentary Photography. In Photography at the Dock. University of Minnesota Press. 1991.
- Henri Cartier-Bresson. The Decisive Moment from The Mind’s Eye. Aperture. 1999.
- Susan Sontag. In Platos Cave from On photography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 1977.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org
Course Summary:
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