What matters most is staying up with reading and viewing assignments and participating actively in class. In addition, you will be responsible for the following.
Mini-Essays/Reports (PDF)
(1¼-2 pages, ongoing)
Three short essays, 1¼ to 2 pages, to be spaced out over the semester, on photography in life and literature. Some will be presented and discussed in class.
- On photography as it appears in a film, novel, or short story
- On photography as it plays a role in life
Vernacular Photographs
(4 pages, due Week #8)
A brief study of an example of vernacular photography, either from one’s own family albums or some other source.
Practice and Impact
(5 pages, due Week #10)
An essay on photographic practice and its impact. Either some aspect of depression-era photography, or colonial photographs of non-western peoples.
Critical Discussion of Claims/Theories/Interpretations
(2 pages, due Week #11)
Brief critical discussion of one point in theories/claims/interpretations of photography.
Interpretation of Pictures
(3 pages, due Week #12)
Discussion and analysis of one set of photographs (a photo-essay, a book, one photographer’s work).
Calendar
| WEEK # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | |
| 2 | The power and ambiguity of photography | |
| 3 | Looking at faces | |
| 4 | Snaps/albums/postcards/itinerants, everyday photography and people’s lives | First mini essay/report due |
| 5 | Truth and deception | |
| 6 | Advertising photography and gender | |
| 7 | Photographing the Great Depression | Second mini essay/report due |
| 8 | Imperialism and photography | Brief study on vernacular photography |
| 9 | Muck-raking, advocacy, and propaganda | Third mini essay/report due |
| 10 | Photographing people’s lives: photo-essays and photo-ethnography | Essay on photographic practice and impact due |
| 11 | Looking at pictures, thinking about photography | Critical discussion of claims/theories/interpretations |
| 12 | War and suffering in the picture | Interpretation of pictures |
