Parsons School of Design
Parsons First Year

PHOTOGRAPHY: FACT AND FICTION
PUFY 1218 CRN 5532 Section A
Spring 2017

63 Fifth Avenue, Room L106

Shari Diamond
Diamons1@newschool.edu
Office Hours by Appointment

Course Blog: https://portfolio.newschool.edu/s17factandfiction

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course explores and questions the idea of the image as evidence, or the way seemingly objective documentation shapes public perception and the historic record. The very nature of photography is subject to manipulation and therefore raises questions in regard to our concept of “fact” and “fiction.” Once the photographer raises the viewfinder to their eye, that very act suggests control and manipulation over how the photograph will reveal what is being recorded. Students will explore framing, chance, context and time in order to open up their photographic practice, giving them the ability to respond to a wide variety of situations and circumstances.
“All photographs are accurate. None is the truth.” Richard Avedon

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and concerns of documentary photography
• Demonstrate an understanding of the nuances of the photographic image as evidence and fiction
• Demonstrate a technical understanding of digital formats needed to produce a photographic image
• Develop insights by engaging with a topic and collecting/analyzing dataCreate a cohesive, well-articulated, and well-executed self-directed project
• Develop problem-solving skills using critical and innovative approaches to project realization
• Integrate critical thinking through reading, writing and discussion within the studio practice

COURSE OUTLINE
The semester will consist of the study of key photographers, artists and relevant writings, 4 practice-based assignments, oral presentations, museum and/or gallery visits, and a final photographic project.

 

CLASS OUTLINE
The detailed schedule including what will be covered in class, homework assignments and due dates will be posted on our class blog.

 

PROJECTS / ACCESSIBLE TASKS
Projects and accessible tasks will be explained in handouts posted to our class blog throughout the semester.

Oral Presentation

Project 1: Capture

Project 2: Post: Production

Project 3: Constructed

Project 4: Text / Captions

Self-Directed Final Project

 

LEARNING PORTFOLIO
The Learning Portfolio is a tool that will create connections between all years of study. It is meant to be a place of reflection across all courses. While the portfolio is being introduced through the Integrative Studio and Seminar it is important to manifest learning in this class. Use the Learning Portfolio to act as a place for considering the path taken to get to a final idea and image. Document process and enter posts that tell the story of a project and the steps that led up to its completion. This is a place to exhibit the process that paves the way for final work.

Near the end of the Spring semester students have the opportunity to submit their portfolio to the Learning Portfolio Competition.

MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES”
SUPPLIES

• External Hard Drive (formatted correctly)
• An SD card for use with equipment from the Academic Technology center in

Arnold Hall. The SD card should be at least 16GB (This allows use of the

Canon 6D and 60D for video, and for Sound Recording and Panasonic and Sony Video Recorders.)

• Camera (DSRL, point and shoot and/or smart phone)
• Additional materials and supplies may be required during the semester and will not exceed $50.

EQUIPMENT
You have access to equipment to be checked out on the 9th floor of 55 West 13th Street. Items available include DSLR kits, audio recorders, lighting kits, etc. Access is available to all degree- or credit-seeking students, based on current term enrollment. The site for equipment information/catalog and checkout can be found here: http://www.newschool.edu/information-technology/equipment-center/

• Students may use the online checkout system, or take their chances and try for a walk in checkout.
• Walk-in checkouts of available field equipment can be made daily on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Walk-in checkouts may be made for up to 48 hours. Only one walk-in checkout can be processed at a time.
• Reservation checkouts will take priority over walk-ins.
• 24 hours notice is required to create, modify or cancel a reservation. This is so the Equipment Center staff has time to properly prepare orders.
• Reservation time is up to four days for all reservable equipment. Please note that equipment must be returned on time.
• The fines for late returns are $20/hour or $100/day fee. Your reservation access will be restricted until all outstanding fines are resolved. Please allow two business days for processing of fine payments.
• Not showing for your reservation results in $40 fee per incident.
• Your reservation access will be restricted until all outstanding fines are resolved. Please allow two business days for processing of fine payments.
  http://www.newschool.edu/parsons/academic-advising-first-year-students/

DIVISIONAL, PROGRAM AND CLASS POLICIES

RESPONSIBILITY
Students are responsible for all assignments, even if they are absent. Late assignments, failure to complete the assignments for class discussion and/or critique, and lack of preparedness for in-class discussions, presentations and/or critiques will jeopardize your successful completion of this course.

PARTICIPATION
Class participation is an essential part of class and includes: keeping up with reading, assignments, projects, contributing meaningfully to class discussions, active participation in group work, and coming to class regularly and on time.

As a member of this class I expect you to participate, especially during critique. Class critiques will provide an opportunity to develop your critical vocabulary and articulation of your ideas when viewing work. Verbal participation is imperative to your overall growth as an artist. Critiques are an essential part of the course, therefore missing critique or being tardy for critique will not be tolerated. If you are late or miss critique you will forfeit one letter grade for that assignment.

ATTENDANCE AND GENERAL CLASSROOM POLICIES
Parsons’ attendance guidelines were developed to encourage students’ success in all aspects of their academic programs. Full participation is essential to the successful completion of coursework and enhances the quality of the educational experience for all, particularly in courses where group work is integral; thus, Parsons promotes high levels of attendance. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly and in compliance with the standards stated in the course syllabus.
While attendance is just one aspect of active participation, absence from a significant portion of class time may prevent the successful attainment of course objectives. A significant portion of class time is generally defined as the equivalent of three weeks, or 20%, of class time. Lateness or early departure from class may be recorded by the instructor as one full absence. Students may be asked to withdraw from a course if habitual absenteeism or tardiness has a negative impact on the class environment. A significant portion of class time for this course is four absences. Regular lateness or early departure from class will translate into one full absence.

Members of the faculty are expected to provide syllabi in which course objectives and assessment criteria are described, in writing, at the beginning of the term. The syllabus should also articulate how attendance is assessed with respect to active participation.

At Parsons, attendance and lateness are assessed as of the first day of classes. Students who register after a class has begun are responsible for any missed assignments and coursework. Students who must miss a class session should notify the instructor and arrange to make up any missed work as soon as possible. A student who anticipates an extended absence should immediately inform the faculty and his or her program advisor. Advance approval for an extended absence is required to ensure successful completion of the course. Withdrawal from the course may be recommended if the proposed absence would compromise a student’s ability to meet course objectives.

Finally, faculty are asked to notify the student’s advisor for any student who misses two consecutive class sessions without explanation or who otherwise miss a significant portion of class time. Following two absences, students may be asked to speak with their advisor to review any impediments to their successful performance in class and, if so, to provide confirmation to the faculty member that such a conversation took place.

RELIGIOUS ABSENCES AND EQUIVALENT OPPORTUNITY
Pursuant to Section 224-a of the New York State Education Laws, any student who is absent from school because of his or her religious beliefs will be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study, or work requirements which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. The student must inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of any anticipated absences due to religious observance.

ASSIGNMENTS, EXAMS AND DEADLINES
Unless special permission is received in advance, students must be present for all regularly scheduled examinations and final reviews and must submit completed assignments when they are due. Failure to take examinations or submit work on time may result in lowered grades or failure of the course.
Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date indicated; you must also upload a digital version of your project to the specified Google Doc. Late assignments will drop one full letter grade each DAY that it is late. (For example if the assignment was due Monday and you turn it in Wednesday it is considered two days late, dropping the grade two full letter grades, for example an A would become a C.)

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Please turn off your cell phone during class. Do not put it on vibrate mode. Turn it off. No texting during lectures and/or critiques. If I see that you are texting during lectures or critiques I will ask you to leave class and count it as an absence. During class please refrain from using Facebook or any personal websites. Do not IM/Chat online during class or I will ask you to leave class and count it as an absence. All other electronic devices (tablets, laptops, cameras, etc.) are permitted when the device is being used in relation to the course’s work. All other uses are prohibited in the classroom and devices should be turned off before class starts.

CANVAS / CLASS BLOG
Canvas and/or our class blog is an important resource for this class. Students should check it regularly for assignments, readings, and announcements.

DELAYS
In rare instances, I may be delayed arriving to class. If possible I will text/email to let you know I am running late and when I expect to arrive. If I have not arrived by the time class is scheduled to start, you must wait a minimum of thirty minutes for my arrival. In the event that I will miss class entirely, a sign will be posted at the classroom indicating your assignment for the next class meeting.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
This is the university’s Statement on Academic Integrity: “Plagiarism and cheating of any kind in the course of academic work will not be tolerated. Academic honesty includes accurate use of quotations, as well as appropriate and explicit citation of sources in instances of paraphrasing and describing ideas, or reporting on research findings or any aspect of the work of others (including that of instructors and other students). These standards of academic honesty and citation of sources apply to all forms of academic work (examinations, essays, theses, computer work, art and design work, oral presentations, and other projects).”

It is the responsibility of students to learn the procedures specific to their discipline for correctly and appropriately differentiating their own work from that of others. Compromising your academic integrity may lead to serious consequences, including (but not limited to) one or more of the following: failure of the assignment, failure of the course, academic warning, disciplinary probation, suspension from the university, or dismissal from the university.

Every student at Parsons signs an Academic Integrity Statement as a part of the registration process. Thus, you are held responsible for being familiar with, understanding, adhering to and upholding the spirit and standards of academic integrity as set forth by the Parsons Student Handbook.

GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words or ideas in any academic work using books, journals, internet postings, or other student papers without proper acknowledgment. For further information on proper acknowledgment and plagiarism, including expectations for paraphrasing source material and proper forms of citation in research and writing, students should consult the Chicago Manual of Style (cf. Turabian, 6^th edition). The University Writing Center also provides useful on-line resources to help students understand and avoid plagiarism. See http://www.newschool.edu/admin/writingcenter/.

Students must receive prior permission from instructors to submit the same or substantially overlapping material for two different assignments. Submission of the same work for two assignments without the prior permission of instructors is plagiarism.

GUIDELINES FOR STUDIO ASSIGNMENTS
Work from other visual sources may be imitated or incorporated into studio work if the fact of imitation or incorporation and the identity of the original source are properly acknowledged. There must be no intent to deceive; the work must make clear that it emulates or comments on the source as a source. Referencing a style or concept in otherwise original work does not constitute plagiarism. The originality of studio work that presents itself as “in the manner of” or as playing with “variations on” a particular source should be evaluated by the individual faculty member in the context of a critique.

Incorporating ready-made materials into studio work as in a collage, synthesized photograph or paste-up is not plagiarism in the educational context. In the commercial world, however, such appropriation is prohibited by copyright laws and may result in legal consequences.

STUDENT DISABILITY SERVICES
In keeping with the University’s policy of providing equal access for students with disabilities, any student with a disability who needs academic accommodations is welcome to meet with me privately. All conversations will be kept confidential. Students requesting any accommodations will also need to meet with Jason Luchs in the office of Student Disability Services, who will conduct an intake, and if appropriate, provide an academic accommodation notification letter to you to bring to me. At that point I will review the letter with you and discuss these accommodations in relation to this course. Mr. Luchs’ office is located in 80 Fifth Avenue, Room 323 (3^rd floor). His direct line is (212) 229-5626 x3135. You may also access more information through the University’s web site at http://www.newschool.edu/studentservices/disability/.
GRADING AND EVALUATION
Your final grade will be calculated based on class participation (40% total) and projects (60% total). The following grade calculation demonstrates the need for your consistent and prompt attendance, and equally as important, your active engagement in each step of the learning process. Weekly attendance and participation will allow you to successfully complete course projects and contribute to our learning community.

Attendance and lateness are assessed as of the first day of classes. Students who register after a class has begun are responsible for any missed assignments and coursework. Students who must miss a class session should notify the instructor and arrange to make up any missed work as soon as possible. A student who anticipates an extended absence should immediately inform the faculty and his or her program advisor. Advance approval for an extended absence is required to ensure successful completion of the course. Withdrawal from the course may be recommended if the proposed absence would compromise a student’s ability to meet course objectives.

EVALUATION
Students’ ability to meet the course’s learning outcomes will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Evidence of the ability to solve problems, both creative and technical;
• Evidence of the understanding of the project assignments and course material;
• The correct use of materials and formats specified;
• Quality of work as evidenced in in-class exercises, final projects, sketchbook exploration and the learning portfolio;
• Participation in class and online;
• Improvement in technical, creative, and problem solving abilities;
• Attendance in class and the timely completion of projects.

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
Class Participation: 35%
8% Attendance
10% Work-in-progress reviews, In-class exercises and discussions
10% Oral presentation
7% Learning Portfolio engagement

Projects: 65%
10% Projects 1
10% Projects 2
10% Projects 3
10% Projects 4
25% Final project

Total: 100%

 

GRADING STANDARDS

A [4.0; 96–100%]
Work of exceptional quality, which often goes beyond the stated goals of the course

A- [3.7; 91 –95%]
Work of very high quality

B+ [3.3; 86–90%]
Work of high quality that indicates substantially higher than average abilities

B [3.0; 81–85%]
Very good work that satisfies the goals of the course

B- [2.7; 76–80%]
Good work

C+ [2.3; 71–75%]
Above-average work

C [2.0; 66–70%]
Average work that indicates an understanding of the course material; passable

Satisfactory completion of a course is considered to be a grade of C or higher.

C- [1.7; 61–65%]
Passing work but below good academic standing

D [1.0; 46–60%]
Below-average work that indicates a student does not fully understand the assignments;

Probation level though passing for credit

F [0.0; 0–45%]
Failure, no credit

 

GRADE OF W
The grade of W will be assigned by the Registrar’s Office to a student who officially withdraws from a course within the applicable deadline. There is no academic penalty, but the grade will appear on the student’s transcript.

GRADE OF Z
The grade of Z is issued by an instructor to a student who has not attended or not completed all required work in a course but did not officially withdraw before the withdrawal deadline. It differs from an “F,” which would indicate that the student technically completed requirements but that the level of work did not qualify for a passing grade.

GRADE OF INCOMPLETE
The grade of I, or temporary incomplete, may be granted to a student under unusual and extenuating circumstances, such as when the student’s academic life is interrupted by a medical or personal emergency. This mark is not given automatically but only upon the student’s request and at the discretion of the instructor. A Request for Incomplete form must be completed and signed by student and instructor. The time allowed for completion of the work and removal of the “I” mark will be set by the instructor with the following limitations:

Undergraduate students:

Work must be completed no later than the seventh week of the following fall semester for spring or summer term incompletes and no later than the seventh week of the following spring semester for fall term incompletes. Grades of “I” not revised in the prescribed time will be recorded as a final grade of “WF” by the Office of the Registrar.