Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

New Course OR Existing Course

Instructor(s)/Author(s): C. Corlew

Subject Area/Course No.: Journalism 160, ART-075 Units: 3 Course Name/Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept.) and Documentary photography (Art Dept.) Discipline(s): Journalism, Art; Graphic Arts,

Pre-Requisite(s): None Co-Requisite(s): None

Advisories: Art 72 or Art 74 or concurrent enrollment or completion of any other journalism class

Catalog Description:

This course deals with the photographer as a journalist, focusing on theory and practice in press and publications photography, with emphasis on using the camera as a reporting and communications tool. Covered are news and feature photography and photographic essays, including composition, impact, and creativity, for newspapers, magazines, Internet and other mass communications media. The course includes a background in the history, ethics and aesthetics of the documentary still photograph. Students will complete successive and cumulative exercises and projects based on current industry standards and expectations, including photographic assignments, exercises, quizes as well as participate in class discussions and critiques.

Schedule Description:

Become a photojournalist and a documentary photographer. Using your digital camera and LMCs digital darkroom, learn how to tell effective photographic stories. We’ll cover feature, news photography, the photo essay, and sports photography. We’ll learn how those who have gone before documented — and changed — the world.

Hours/Mode of Instruction: Lecture 36 Lab 54 Composition Activity Total Hours 90 (Total for course)

Credit Credit Degree Applicable (DA) Grading Pass/No Pass (P/NP) Repeatability 0 Credit Non-Degree (NDA) Letter (LR) 1 (If Non-Credit desired, contact Dean.) Student Choice (SC) 2 3 Please apply for: LMC General Education Requirement and/or Competency & Graduation Requirement(s): (Please list the proposed area(s) this course meets, or indicate “none”) None

Transfer to: CSU UC IGETC LDTP Course is Baccalaureate Level: Yes No

Page 1 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Signatures: Department Chair Date

Librarian Date

Dean/Sr. Dean Date

Curriculum Committee Chair Date

President/Designee Date

CCCCD Approval Date (Board or Chancellor's Office) Date

For Curriculum Committee Use only:

STAND ALONE COURSE: YES NO

FOR OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION ONLY. DO NOT WRITE IN THE SECTION BELOW. Begin in Semester ______Catalog year 20____/20_____ Class Max: ______Dept. Code/Name:______T.O.P.s Code: ______Crossover course 1/ 2: ______ESL Class: ____Yes / No______DSPS Class: ____Yes / No_____ Coop Work Exp: ___Yes / No_____ Class Code A Liberal Arts & Sciences SAM Code A Apprenticeship Remediation Level B Basic Skills B Developmental Preparatory B Advanced Occupational NBS Not Basic Skills C Adult/Secondary Basic Education C Clearly Occupational D Personal Development/Survival D Possibly Occupational E For Substantially Handicapped E* Non-Occupational F Parenting/Family Support F Transfer, Non-Occupational G Community/Civic Development *Additional criteria needed H General and Cultural 1 One level below transfer I Career/Technical Education 2 Two levels below transfer J Workforce Preparation Enhanced 3 Three levels below transfer K Other non-credit enhanced Not eligible for enhanced

Course approved by Curriculum Committee as Baccalaureate Level: _Yes / No_

LMC GE or Competency Requirement Approved by the Curriculum Committee: ______

Distribution: Original: Office of Instruction Copies: Admissions Office, Department Chairperson Rev 09-17-2008

Page 2 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes

General Education SLOs (Recommended by GE Committee) At the completion of the LMC general education program, a student will: 1. read critically and communicate effectively as a writer and speaker. 2. understand connections among disciplines and apply interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. 3. think critically and creatively 4. consider the ethical implications inherent in knowledge, decision-making and action. 5. possess a worldview informed by diverse social, multicultural and global perspectives. (Each of the above student learning outcomes for the general education program has a written explanation with illustrations and examples of its application within courses, as well as specific assessment criteria. Consult the GE program information pages.)

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs) Students who have completed the Art/Digital Communications program will be able to:

A. Demonstrate appropriate studio practices in two and three dimensional media B. Present, explain and justify their design solutions using the vocabulary of design C. Research and use examples of historical and cultural products to inform their creative process

Students who have completed the Journalism Program will be able to:

A. Be academically prepared to transfer to a journalism program at a four-year university or obtain an entry level job in journalism or related field. B. Demonstrate the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for careers in journalism and related fields. C. Possess a portfolio of published work suitable for internship/job applications in journalism or related fields

Course-Level Student Learning Outcomes (CSLOs): At the end of the course students will be able to:

CSLO 1: Identify and explain the technical and aesthetic aspects of the photographic process in journalistic storytelling endeavors. (PSLO aA, jA, jB)

CSLO 2: Describe the history and development of photojournalism. (PSLO aB, jA, jB)

CSLO 3: Use appropriate news, ethical and legal judgment in planning, pursuing and creating photographic works. (PSLO aA, jA, jB)

CSLO 4: Use a computer to effectively process image files to professional standards. (PSLO aA, jA, jB)

CSLO 5: Create a print or digital stringbook/portfolio showcasing their photographic abilities. (PSLO aA, jA, jB, jC)

Assessments: Worksheets (CSLO 1,3,4)

For each technical processes or concept introduced there is a worksheet. Each worksheet and (accompanying parameters sheet) walks the student through a set of procedures that reflect the lesson and instructor demonstration. The worksheet’s step-by-step instructions allow the student to focus on specific skills. Included with the instructions are a set of 4 to 10 questions for the student to answer. The sheets are marked as “accepted” or “not accepted.” Students must successfully complete worksheets sheets in sequence. Students will attempt completion until the sheet is successfully completed.

Page 3 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Sample worksheet topics and questions: Point of view: Students are asked to compare and contrast three examples of historic photojournalism that use point of view to communicate their message.

Captioning in Photoshop: Students are asked to create an Associated Press compliant photo caption and embed it electronically in their image file. They will answer several questions on caption style and give examples.

Photographic projects (CSLO 1, 2, 3, 4)

Each photographic project presents a photo and documentary component. These projects address both technical and journalistic considerations. These projects, which, depending on the assignment may be one or a series of photos, are evaluated on the following criteria: • Deadline • Photos themselves, including technical proficiency (sharpness, exposure) • News or documentary value • Aesthetics • Meeting assignment criteria • Participation in critique • Written evaluation

Sample Projects:

Feature portrait: Students will create an interesting and surprising feature portrait of a college employee, giving special consideration to the quality of light.

Sporting event Students will photograph a college sporting event and include at least 1 action photo and one non-action photo. Students will give special attention to effective use of shutter speed.

Oral presentation (CSLO 1, 2)

Students will prepare an eight-minute oral presentation on a photojournalist or documentary photographer of their choice. They will explain the photographers approach to photography, their contribution to the field and their philosophy and esthetics. They will also cover any unusual technical considerations the photographer’s work addresses or overcomes. The presentation is accompanied by relevant examples of the photographers work.

Sample Photographer:

W. Eugene Smith: Invented the concept of the photo story for Life Magazine. Worked in B&W, primarily using 35mm cameras. Exposed mercury poisoning in the fishing village of Minamata Japan

Lewis Hine Photographed child labor in the early 1900s. Used a large-format view camera. His work was instrumental in gaining support for child labor laws.

Final Portfolio/Stringbook (CSLO 1, 2, 5)

Journalism students will create a stringbook of published photos. Documentary students will create a portfolio. In each case the result is a collection of the students work, presented in a professional manner, that will serve as valuable component of a job application, internship application, or application to a four-year university. This assignment includes a resume and a paper with an evaluation of the stringbook/portfolio creation process.

Page 4 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Method of Evaluation/Grading:

Possible points structure: Participation (embedded in photo critiques, 10 points each) Worksheets 20 points each, approx. 10 Photo assignments (includes artwork, paper and critique) 10 @100 points each Oral presentation 150 points Final Portfilio/Stringbook (includes artwork, paper and critique) 200 points Total: 1550

Grading is as follows: 90 - 100% = A 80 - 89% = B 70 - 79% = C 60 - 69% = D 0 – 59% = F

A-level student work reflects the following: Participation that demonstrates preparedness, interest, thoughtfulness and professionalism in dealing with punctuality, direction, assignments, meeting deadlines and delivery of and acceptance of criticism. Worksheets that are complete, demonstrate all aspects of the assigned problem, both technical and artistic, and are submitted as directed, meeting all deadlines. Projects that are exemplary in their creativity and technical proficiency. They demonstrate thorough understanding of, and extension of core course concepts and are submitted as directed, meeting all deadlines. Written work that is complete, well organized, presented in a clean and organized manner and free of spelling and typographical errors. In general, though the level of demonstrated proficiency increases as the semester progresses, “A” quality photojournalism/documentary projects exhibit the following qualities:  They are turned in on time.  They clearly address the assignment. For example, an assignment that asks for a portrait paying special attention to light actually does so, and does so in an interesting and effective way.  They show attention to detail. There are no messy backgrounds, no artifacts that detract from the overall image.  They are technically competent. They use the correct focus; they have a full range of necessary tones.  Photographic images have been processed in Photoshop to highlight strengths and are not merely a files from a camera, but rather a considered and thoughtful interpretation of that file, rendered to carefully – and effectively – express the photographer’s intent within the constraints of journalistic ethics.  Information provided with photos is accurate, correctly spelled and uses correct Associated Press style.  The best projects will include all the above, and will also be genuinely interesting in their own right. They have a strong easily read concept. They will provide insight to the subject. They avoid the obvious and add some nature of surprise. C-level student work reflects the following: Participation that demonstrates some preparation, modest interest, a lack of depth in thoughtfulness and behavior that indicates a lack of professionalism in dealing with punctuality, direction, assignments, meeting deadlines and delivery of and acceptance of criticism. Worksheets that are almost complete, demonstrate some aspects of the assigned problem and submitted as directed, and meeting most deadlines. Work has some technical flaws. Page 5 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Photo projects that reflect some understanding of, and extension of, core course concepts and which are submitted as directed, meeting most deadlines, but that don’t communicate as effectively as B and A student work. Written work that is nearly complete, displays an attempt at organization, and is not professionally presented. It may have some spelling and typographical errors.

CSLOs are weighted: CSLO 1 15% CSLO 2 15% CSLO 3 20% CSLO 4 20% CSLO 5 30%

Course Content: Lab and Lecture content is the same. A. Orientation and general concepts 1. Class information, syllabus 2. Lab policies 3. Expectations B. Photojournalism and Documentary photography 1. Photojournalism defined 2. Photojournalism examples 3. Documentary photography defined 4. Documentary photography examples 5. Historical examples C. What makes a good photo? 1. Technique 2. Subject 3. Emotion D Getting digital photos into the computer 1. Cards and cables 2. Bridge 3. MetaData 4. Best practices E. Camera controls 1. Setting up your camera (simple set up) 2. Automatic adjustments 3. Apature 4. Shutter speed 5. ISO 6. Focus 7. In camera menus F. Basic photo corrections in Photoshop 1. Cropping and straightening 2. Automatic adjustments 3. Tonal range adjustments 4. Removing a color cast 5. Sharpening

Page 6 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

G. Photoshop Layer basics 1. Layer concepts, uses 2. Rearranging layers 3. Adjustment layers H. Student photographer presentations 1. See above descriptions 2. Historical context I. Sports photography 1. Peak action 2. Beyond the action 3. Technical issues 4. Equipment issues J. Hard news 1. Being there 2. Police scanners 3. Dealing with confusion in sceene 4. Dealing with the police 5. Dealing with the public 6. Ethics and the law K. Feature photos 1. Techniques for finding interesting situations 2. What makes a good feature photo 3. Patch tool 4. Using layers in the process L. Portraits 1. Formal 2. Informal 3. Environmental M. Photo stories 1. Planning a long term project 2. Maintaining focus 3. Avoiding repetition 4. Editing N. Web graphics prep 1. Formats 2. Transparency 3. Animation 4. Rollovers 5. ImageReady 6. Dithering 7. Compression O. Teamwork 1. Working in a collaborative environment 2. The journalistic process as a group effort 3. The critique process

Page 7 of 8 formatted 2-25-11 Course Outline of Record Los Medanos College 2700 East Leland Road Pittsburg CA 94565 (925) 439-2181

Course Title: Photojournalism (Journalism Dept) or Documentary photography (Art department) Subject Area/Course Number: JOURN-160, ART-075

Instructional Methods: Lecture Lab Activity Problem-based Learning/Case Studies Collaborative Learning/Peer Review Demonstration/Modeling Role-Playing Discussion Computer Assisted Instruction Other (explain) ______

Textbooks:

Photojournalism, Sixth Edition: The Professionals' Approach ISBN-10: 075068593X | ISBN-13: 978-0750685931 | Edition: 6

Your camera’s manual

Page 8 of 8 formatted 2-25-11