Department: Journalism-Photography Revision Date:
Fall 2009
Course Number and Title: COMM 1317, News Photography II
Credit Hours: 3-2-3
Instructor: Dr. Yuk-kwong Edmund Lo
Office: Loftin Student Center 210. Phone Number: Telephone: (210) 486-1769 Fax: (210) 733-2880
E-mail: ylo@mail.accd.edu Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/j-p/Lo.html
I. Catalog Description: COMM 1317, News Photography II (3-2-3)
This course aims to train
students to be an entry-level photojournalist. Building on the basic knowledge
students learned in COMM 1316, News Photography I, this course will aim to
teach student up-to-date knowledge and skills newspapers and magazines require
their photo staff to know and perform. Therefore, in addition to learning how
to shoot quality still news photos, this course will also include learning how
to shoot video and creating multimedia slideshows.
Learning methods of this
course include lectures, homework tryouts and presentation critiques. Students
will also have the opportunity to acquire real world working experience from shooting
for The Ranger newspaper and The Ranger Online.
II. Pre-requisites,
co-requisites and other requirements:
Comm 1316 News Photo I
III. Text:
1. (Required) Photojournalism: The ProfessionalÕs Approach, by
Kenneth Kobre, 6th Ed.,
Focal Press, 2008 ($42)
2. (Optional) Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism, 2nd
Edition, By Brain Horton, McGraw Hill
2001($14)
3. (Optional) Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism, By Howard Chapnick, University of Missouri ($27)
4. (Remedial) National Geographic Photography Field Guide: Secrets to Making Great Pictures, 2nd Ed., By Peter Burian and Bob Caputo ($25)
IV. Instruction will
consist of: Much of the learning in
this course depends on practice photo taking, reading and critiquing course
materials. We will survey the course information through class discussions and
lab experiences. Learning to meet deadlines and developing the ability to
manage time also are part of the course.
V. Course Content: This course emphasizes journalistic communication
through photographs. Students will be taught with knowledge and skills in areas
such as shooting news, people, sports, features, photo illustrations; using small
portable electronic flashes, shooting still photo stories, video reporting and
creating multimedia projects. Students will be trained to learn the basics of
serious photojournalism and at the same time be introduced to the world of
photojournalism by reviewing photographs taken from professional
photojournalists locally and from all over the world. Students will also learn
the principles and techniques of producing news photographs by working for the student
newspaper and magazine as staff photographers. Students will be trained to work
under deadline pressure in a variety of basic photojournalistic situations.
After taking this course, students should be able to build a portfolio and have
a basic ability to critique and produce news photography in a professional
manner. Methods of teaching include reading discussions, videos and slide
presentations, demonstrations, photo critiques and guest lectures.
VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with
their methods of measurement as used to determine the studentsÕ mastery of
those outcomes.
Learning Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate understanding of the
development of photojournalism and its impact on society.
1. Students will demonstrate
basic understanding of concepts, skills and history of photographic
communication by researching and presenting important photographers in
photojournalism history.
2. Students will demonstrate understanding of how to communicate with
photography by analyzing and discussing works from current and historical
photojournalists.
Learning Outcome 2:
The student will develop the conceptual and technical skills of those who
pursue a professional career in photojournalism.
1. The student will
demonstrate an understanding of the importance of combining words and images by
producing storytelling news photos for the college newspaper.
2. The student will demonstrate the ability to take photos in various
categories of photojournalism by successfully completing class exercises and
college newspaper assignments.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to interact with subjects and play
the responsible role of a photojournalist by completing exercises and photo
assignments for the college newspaper, writing self-critiques, and writing
reflection reports on photojournalism issues.
Learning Outcome 3: Students will be able to know the basic skill standard of entry-level photojournalists
and build a quality portfolio to demonstrate their ability by the end of the
semester.
1. Students will demonstrate
the ability to understand and explain what constitutes a good journalistic photo
by turning in critiques and clippings on works of successful photojournalists.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to produce professional portfolio of
their works by reviewing award-winning photojournalistsÕ portfolios and turn in
their own portfolio as an assignment at the end of the semester.
VII. Course requirements and grade computation:
Course objectives:
News Photography emphasizes communication through photographs. This course
presents the practices and problems of photography for news publications. We
will focus on taking, editing and processing still photographs for media use.
Students will cover campus and off-campus events for the college newspaper, The
Ranger. We have entered the digital age; all work will be shot and produced
digitally. Students are required to own a basic digital camera (preferably
Single Lens Reflex Ð SLR) to take this class. However, in the beginning of the
semester, a very limited number of digital cameras can be checked out to
students on an hourly, temporary basis. The department will provide students
with more advanced photo equipment for special reporting occasions.
Tests
and Grading:
|
Quizzes |
10% |
Portfolio |
5% |
|
Class
assignments |
45% |
Attendance
& class participation |
5% |
|
Mid-term
Exam. |
5% |
Ranger
photo assignments |
25% |
|
Final
Exam. |
5% |
Bonus |
5% |
Description on grading
Ranger photo assignments:
You will need to sign up 5
hours each week to work for The Ranger. You will be graded on your performance
each week, which includes the quality of the photos you took, your work ethics
and work attitude.
1.
Still photos: 5
2.
Picture stories: 1
3.
Video stories: 1
4.
Photo slideshow or
multi-media report: 1
A. College Requirements:
A written, comprehensive
final examination, not to exceed three 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 me an e-mail requesting that I 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 drop by Room 204-a 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. After the drop date, each absence over six will take three
(3) points off your final grade.
C. Instructor
Requirements:
Students should prepare to
learn to use digital camera and digital photo processing equipments. Student
should also prepare to learn basic interview and information-gathering
techniques as well as communicate with people as a journalist. Students should
also pay extra attention to what a deadline means to a news publication.
VIII. College
Policies:
A. San Antonio College does not discriminate
on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability
with respect to access, employment programs or services.
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)
J. Students must also abide by the policies,
procedures, and rules set forth in the "Student Code of Conduct" and
all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin.