Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | ART-1310-VO02 - Digital Photography I

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Virginia Jaquish
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students will explore the mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography as well as the basic tools of image manipulation. The course also includes the study of design, composition, and aesthetics of digital images. Basic computer skills are required.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify and describe the basic functions and components of a digital camera.
2. Review the differences and similarities between digital and traditional photography.
3. Explain mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography.
4. Discuss and give examples of principles of composition, design, lighting, and aesthetics in photographic images.
5. Describe and demonstrate the use of various tools of electronic image manipulation, such as selection tools, dodge-and-burn tools, brightness and contrast controls, filters, paint tools, cloning tools, sharpen and blur tools, and the smudge tool.
6. Create, transfer, and store digital images while demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between file size and image quality.
7. Examine, discuss, and critique artwork, including references to diverse art historical, social, and cultural contexts.
8. Critically examine socio-cultural biases and influences represented in major and minor trends in photography.
9. Investigate the messages and meanings of photographic expressions as a vehicle to positively impact social change and explore aesthetic traditions.
10. Design and complete individual projects.
11. Create a portfolio of digital images and display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

This course requires that students have access to a digital camera and a computer. There are no camera requirements, other than it has to be able to take a digital image, the camera could be a smart phone, a digital SLR, or a point and shoot camera. While students are encouraged to use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom, for the altering and storing of images, it is not required. The class will go over some alternative applications that can be used in place of the adobe software.

• Small-group and class-wide discussion forums.
• Completion of creative projects and development of personal portfolio.
• Written and creative assignments.
• Reading and writing responses.
• Individual activities, such as watching film clips and reviewing PowerPoint presentations.
• Weekly multiple choice and short answer assessments.

Evaluation Criteria

Grade Distribution:

25% Theory/ Critique Discussions

25% Weekly Photography Assignments

15% Weekly Assessment Checks

10% Research Project

25% Final Portfolio

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Attendance is mandatory; this is an online course and regular participation on the Canvas site, andcommunication with the instructor and other students is crucial to success. Online classes run from12:00 a. m. Tuesday morning through 11:59 p. m. Monday night. Attendance will be trackedthrough the weekly discussion forum.

To earn attendance for the week, you must make your first discussion post by 11:59 p.m. each Thursday night. You should have a minimum of three discussionposts during any given week, one larger significant contribution, and two additional responses toother student’s posts. It is expected that you participate in the Canvas discussion forum throughoutthe week, not just once; beginning the discussion forum early in the week will help to create a morerobust analysis or critique on the topic.

Three or more marked absences throughout the semester may result in a failing grade for the course.

It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor, and to keep the instructor informed on anysituation that could affect a student’s ability to attend and participate in any class forums oractivities. In those situations, it is best to e-mail the instructor through canvas.

Missing & Late Work Policy

Late assignments will only be accepted in extenuating circumstances. If a student anticipantsneed extra time on an assignment, it is their responsibility to contact the instructor and request anextension.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity