2009 Fall DOCST 180S-01
Bulletin Course Description Documentary field work course. Students create four distinct photographic essays, studying the ways other photographers have created photographic essays aimed at wide audiences. Students create, choose, sequence, and pace their images while studying classic and contemporary masters of photography. Instructor: Harris
(Instructor named in bulletin description above may not be current. For current instructor, see listing below.)
Title THE PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY Department DOCST Course Number 2009 Fall 180S Section Number 01 Primary Instructor Harris,Alex Prerequisites
Synopsis of course content
A documentary field work course in which students create four distinct
photographic essays during the semester and study the ways other
photographers have created photographic essays that communicate to a wide
audience. Students learn to create, choose, sequence, and pace their images
while studying some of the classic and contemporary masters of
photography. Consent of instructor required.
Assignments
Students will produce three distinct photographic essays over the course of the
semester in response to assignments from the professor. One final essay edited
using images from these three essays is required at the end of the semester.
Grade to be based on
Class attendance and participation are non-negotiable and critical to a
positive evaluation. You are expected to come to every class and to come
class on time. There will be a scheduled mid-term individual meeting with
each student to discuss your projects. Final grade will be determined by: the
strength of your three individual essays and edited final project 60%; by your
level of class participation 20%, and by your individual development as a
documentary practitioner during the course of the semester 20%.
Additional Information
Class time each week will be divided into two parts. The first part of class will
be devoted to discussing the classic and contemporary photographic essays
as indicated on the syllabus. The second half of class will be devoted to a
discussion of student documentary work in essay form. Student work shown
in class must always be edited and sequenced. After the first class session,
students are expected to show work at least every other week. The second
part of class each week will be devoted to learning and mastering the use of
the digital lab and to discussing the works of masters of the photographic
essay.
Lab fee: Students will be required to pay a $65 lab fee to cover partially the
costs of inks for the class. Checks should be made out to Duke University.
