San Antonio College -- 1300 San Pedro Ave. -- San Antonio, TX, 78212-4299

Credit Hours: 3-3-1

Instructor: See Faculty for instructors teaching the course.

Office: Loftin 218   Phone Number: (210) 733-2873  FAX: (210) 733-2868

Email: email to fwhitecotton@accd.edu Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/j-p/Whitecotton.html

I. Catalog Description: Photography 1 (3-3-1) Prerequisite: None
This is a one-semester course for those interested in either a career or serious hobby. Recording, processing, printing, retouching and print presentation are emphasized. The course is an introduction to the use of photographic materials, equipment and electronic processing. Design and creativity are addressed through analysis of the work of master photographers, contemporary photographs and evaluation of student assignments. Selected shooting assignments with different subjects, lighting conditions and environments are required. .

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements: None

III. Text: Photography by London and Upton

IV. Instruction will consist of: :
€ Learning the use and care of cameras and photo equipment. You will need a film camera that has manual focus. It should also have manual settings such as for metering and adjustments for both aperture (the numbers usually found on the lens 4, 5.6, 8, 11 etc) and the shutter speeds (on the camera). You will need a lens, either the standard 50mm lens that comes with the older cameras or the short zoom lens that comes on newer cameras. The camera need not be an expensive or new 'state of the art' camera, in fact most of the older models will do fine. Most (but not all) new cameras can also be used if they have a manual or 'creative' setting.

If in doubt call (210) 733-2279 with your camera's make and model. Later on in the course you may benefit from a separate flashgun, again these are fully explained during the course so you need not get one until you need it.

€ Correctly exposing, developing and printing black and white film
€ Finishing and mounting prints
€ Having an understanding and working knowledge of basic photographic terms

V. Course Content: The purpose of this course is to increase the student's understanding of basic black and white photography, its cameras and its usage. The course is designed for those with little or no experience desiring a thorough introduction to adjustable camera operation. Usage of films, shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, lenses, and filters will be explored through lecture, homework and class assignments. Emphasis is placed upon technical, aesthetic and historical perspectives of this medium. Camera and black and white darkroom procedures are explored. Adjustable camera required; limited number of loaner cameras available.

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students' mastery of those outcomes.

Learning Outcome 1:Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the function of 35 mm. film cameras with manual focus and settings, enlargers, black and white film, developing and printing, finishing and mounting of prints.

Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge by turning in mounted prints for their assignments with written critiques for instructor evaluation and grading and by written examinations of the techniques involved.

Learning Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic rules of composition and llight, e.g., direction, available light outdoors and indoors, degree of diffusion and the use of light meters in measuring lifht for exposure of film.

Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective

1. Students will turn in mounted samples of work for instructor evaluation and demonstrate knowledge by completing written examinations and demonstrating knowledge in presentations to the instructor in the class and lab.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of lighting techniques by class demonstrations and participation in instructor demonstrations.

Learning Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate their understanding of shutter speeds, apertures, exposure, depth of field and focusing lenses.

Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective

1. Students will turn in mounted prints of their work for instructor evaluation and demonstrate knowledge by completing written examinations and writing detailed description of the processes used.
2. Students will participate in class and lab demonstrations of these principles and interact with the instructor and the lab technician on their knowledge.

Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective

1. Students will demonstrate their understanding of camera formats by completing written exams and by participating in class discussions and demonstrations.
2. Students will compile a portfolio of their work to be evaluated at the end of the semester along with course evaluations and review of information learned.

VII. Course requirements and grade computation: The requirements for this course are simple:

(1) You must come to class. You must attend both lectures and labs. Roll will be checked at the beginning of lecture and again at the beginning of lab. The instructor can drop a student for excessive absences and or tardiness. One class absence in this night class equates to three absences in a daytime class. If you miss two weeks of class and or lab, you qualify for dismissal according to the college catalog. Talk to the instructor if you have a legitimate reason for being tardy or absent.
(2) Turn your assignments in on time. Assignments turned in one week late will have 10 points deducted from that project grade. Projects in progress will receive a working grade. Any assignment may be redone. Assignments 14 days late will have 20 points deducted from that project. Assignments more than 14 days late will not be accepted.
(3) Do your own work. All assignments must be photographed by you. All assignments must be shot this semester. Do not turn in projects or photographs that were not shot for this class. No old work. Assignments turned in that were not shot specifically for this class will receive a grade of zero.

A. College Requirements: A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded "F." Postponed examinations result in a grade of "I." The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an "F." (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B. Departmental Requirement: A student wishing to withdraw from this class during the semester must process a formal withdrawal through the Office of Admissions and Records. Failure to withdraw formally will result in the assignment of a failing grade (F) for the  course.  You may drop by going to the Office of Admissions and Records, or you may send an e-mail requesting that the instructor drop you from the class. If you do the latter, please be sure to type your full name at the bottom of your request. You also may go by Room 204 of Loftin Student Center to pick up a drop slip.

The college bulletin allows absences for the equivalent of two weeks of class, but you will be dropped after that number.

C. Instructor Requirements:

According to current medical information, some physicians are recommending that pregnant women avoid contact with photographic chemicals. Anyone who is pregnant or suspects pregnancy should immediately consult the instructor. As a pregnancy measure, you will be restricted from exposure to photographic chemicals. To finish the semester, the student will be given alternative assignments by the instructor.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C. ADA Statement: "As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the "Student Code of Conduct" in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.

Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of "W' (withdraw). It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911
ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099
ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)