PHI 4930-003: Philosophy of Images TR 9:30-11:00, Spring 2018 Dr. Robert Leib ([email protected]) Florida Atlantic University Office Hours: T 11-1 (and by appointment) in SO 281B or by email 3 Credits (Approx. 6 hours of homework/week) Texts: ·The Photographer’s Playbook, edited by Jason Fulford and Gregory Halpern (abbreviated ‘PP’) ·On Photography, Susan Sontag ·Visual Thinking, Rudolf Arnheim ·A Primer of Visual Literacy, Donis A. Dondis ·Camera Lucida, Roland Barthes ·Pandora’s Camera, Joan Fontcuberta ·Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Walter Benjamin ·Photography After Frank, Philip Gefter Amazon Booklist: http://a.co/hSsVrtN ($70-$80 used) You will also need: Camera (analog, digital, smartphone, etc.) and $40 to produce your own photo book at the end of the semester. Course Blog: https://philosophyofimages.wordpress.com Course Description: A camera is an extension of our memories, a powerful tool if we understand its grammar. It is also a material force that is reshaping the way we live and look at one another. And many of us have them with us at all times. We act in conversation with them. We see that a camera at the right place and the right time is potentially world altering. Given the relative newness of photography as a technological practice, but at the same time, recognizing the strength of its influence in our increasingly image-driven social worlds, this is a course on philosophy and photography that is needed. Of design, it is equal parts theoretical, visual, and actively productive. 1 This syllabus aims to produce students who are better able to think, express themselves, and understand others in images, while rigorously coming to grips with the best photographic theory philosophy has to offer thus far. This class is unique in the country, and I personally believe it is important for today’s philosopher, literary theorist, or visual artist. We are all photographers now, one could argue. Beyond the course texts, this syllabus incurs no additional expense for those with camera phones. The practical component of the syllabus is built upon The Photographer’s Playbook, edited by Jason Fulford and Gregory Halpern. Students will complete seven photo assignments throughout the semester, posted to this blog, and produce one physical photo book as their final project, to be donated to FAU’s new Lester Embree Memorial Philosophy Library at the end of the term. Course Objectives: • In readings and lecture, students will survey works on the nature of the world’s diverse religious traditions, and the philosophical arguments that arise from these, including the challenges of pluralism, the arguments for God, gods, or another impersonal ultimate reality, the nature of religious experience, and the problem of evil, among other topics. • Through class discussion, students will practice: • effectively and concisely summarizing arguments, • evaluating an argument with evidence from relevant texts, • respectful dialogue, which includes listening as well as speaking. • Through drafting and revising reflection papers and essay exams, students will refine their writing skills. Course Evaluation: (1) Preparation, attendance, and participation account for 20% of the overall grade. • Preparation and Participation are not limited to, but understood to include: 1) obtaining the texts ahead of time; 2) bringing texts to class; 3) carefully reading assigned materials such that one is able to respond accurately and thoughtfully in class discussion; 4) completing daily or weekly assignments based on reading ahead of time; 5) participating in classroom activities, working well with others, including respect for other classmates’ and professors’ effort, time, and persons; 6) turning off communication devices, and 7) staying awake. Laptops, phones, tablets, or lab computers (etc.) are not permitted unless specifically allowed by the professor, and then for specific times. • Note: I do not give permission to record classroom interactions in any form, unless required by SAS, and then only for the student’s own use pursuant of a grade in this course. Publication of recordings in any form (online or physical) without the professor’s explicit permission will be grounds for University sanction to the fullest extent possible. I believe that students’ free expression depends upon maintaining the uniqueness of the physical space in which philosophical inquiry takes place. • Students who are unprepared may be given partial credit for attendance. Students should expect two hours of preparatory work outside of class for every credit hour. For this class, you should be allotting 6 hours of time for reading/writing per week (on average). 2 • School-wide Attendance Policy Statement: Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled University classes and to satisfy all academic objectives as outlined by the instructor. The effect of absences upon grades is determined by the instructor, and the University reserves the right to deal at any time with individual cases of non-attendance. Students are responsible for arranging to make up work missed because of legitimate class absence, such as illness, family emergencies, military obligation, court-imposed legal obligations or participation in University-approved activities. Examples of University-approved reasons for absences include participating on an athletic or scholastic team, musical and theatrical performances and debate activities. It is the student’s responsibility to give the instructor notice prior to any anticipated absences and within a reasonable amount of time after an unanticipated absence, ordinarily by the next scheduled class meeting. Instructors must allow each student who is absent for a University-approved reason the opportunity to make up work missed without any reduction in the student’s final course grade as a direct result of such absence. • Class Attendance Policy: Attendance in this course is mandatory. Four unexcused absences will result in a lowering of the overall grade by five points, and five unexcused absences will lower it by ten points. If one is counted absent for six classes without an approved reason, one will not pass the course. Arriving in class more than 30 minutes late may count as absence. (2) Students will produce seven (7) photo projects, worth a total of 50% of the final grade. Projects will respond to the list of possible prompts given in the syllabus, completed in the spirit of the prompt, and submitted in a form acceptable to the professor, making use of assigned and optional texts, class notes, and the professor’s PowerPoint presentations. More information will be given at the time of the assignment(s). Late projects without an official excuse will be penalized one half a letter grade for each day they are late (including weekend days). (3) Students will produce a number of smaller, regular assignments by posting online or writing in a journal, worth 15% of the final grade. Number TBD. Smaller assignments may include 1) posting to an Instagram feed regularly in response to micro-prompts, 2) keeping a weekly physical photo journal, 3) peer critiquing classmate’s photo journals, 4) submitting original photos for, or in response to, classroom activities, and 5) essays at midterm and finals time, as necessary, to assess progress toward learning outcomes. (4) Students will complete one final photobook in physical form, worth 15% of the final grade. Photobooks will be image-text projects, at least 20 pages in length, created in Blurb’s free Book Wright publication software and uploaded to Blurb for printing. Students will be responsible for the printing cost (approx. $40) as part of the cost of required texts for the course. Books due in hand by finals period, so plan ahead. Projects may contain text that is properly cited at the end; projects may not contain any visual material for which they do not have official permissions. Participation: 20% / Photo Projects 50% / Smaller Assignments: 15% / Final Photobook: 15% 3 Grading Rubric for Projects: A Excellent. Thesis is well defined and original; insightful; solid and coherent 93-100 reasoning throughout; aware of subject’s complexities; sources used properly and effectively; excellent format and presentation; no errors in fact or formatting A- One or more minor errors among the above criteria for an A; failure to use gender 90-92 inclusive language B+ Strong. Thesis is clearly defined; valid reasoning through most of the project; 87-89 perhaps contains ambiguities; conventional or limited in originality; several minor grammatical errors or one minor error in formatting B One or more errors among the criteria for a B+; more than one minor error in 83-86 formatting and more than three minor errors in grammar B- Adequate but flawed by minor errors in grammar, major error in fact; awkward 80-82 but consistent formatting C+ Average. Thesis is somewhat clear, perhaps too general; supporting evidence can 77-79 be repetitious and unfocused; reasoning is at times vague; inconsistent formatting; irrelevance or limited scope; multiple errors in grammar C Thesis is over-general, ambiguous, or undefended with textual or photographic 73-76 evidence; argument is unfocused, trite, repetitive, or vague; multiple grammatical and syntactical errors; if you receive a C or below, please meet with me C- The criteria for a C, plus major interpretive/grammatical errors 70-72 D Central idea is confusing; supporting evidence is underdeveloped, repetitive; 60-69 reasoning is often inaccurate / flawed; poor presentation and/or interpretation, to the point of hindering the instructor’s ability to read; submission relies on non- inclusive (racist, sexist, bigoted, hateful) ideas or images; a revision toward a C may be requested by the student F Thesis is wholly unclear; supporting evidence may be absent; chaotic Below 60 organization and formatting structure; largely deficient grammar; does not answer prompt(s); or no assignment received; submission is driven by non- inclusive (racist, sexist, bigoted, hateful) ideas or images 4 Late Work, Absences, Excuses: All graded work will explicitly state the due date and time; most assignments will be submitted through Canvas.