SUGGESTED STUDENT OUTCOMES FOR CORE COURSES
PHOTOGRAPHY I
Prepared by
The Academic Affairs Sub-Committee, Texas Association of Schools of Art
January, 1999

A. PHOTOGRAPHY I ( TCCN 2356 )
TASA course description – Prerequisites: The freshman transfer curriculum. Photography I is an introductory studio course in basic photographic processes and techniques.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Information
CIB #50.0605.51 30 Photography I 3:3:96
Introduction to the basics of photography. Includes camera operation, techniques, knowledge of chemistry, and presentation skills. Emphasis on design, history, and contemporary trends as a means of developing an understanding of photographic aesthetics.

ARTS 2356 (fine arts emphasis, 1 st semester)

B. FOCUS, PURPOSE AND GOALS OF COURSE:

1. COURSE PURPOSE:
This is a studio course introducing the possibilities of photography as an artistic medium. Topics include a multicultural historical focus on photography as a 20 th century artistic medium, application of fundamental photographic theory, methods, materials, equipment and techniques, black and white film processing and printing, aesthetic and ethical issues and processes of digital photography and computer manipulation of photographs. Problems include organization and direction of field assignments and the use of photographs as a medium for artistic expression.

2. COURSE GOALS:
Photography I is designed to extend each students basis of visual knowledge, critical thinking skills, and working disciplines already developed in design and drawing so that by the end of the semester he or she will:
a. possess a higher level of perceptual awareness
b. have translated perceptual awareness into plastic form
c. have demonstrated confidence in and strategies toward individual creativity
d. have demonstrated sensitivity for the psycho-physiological “language” of photography
e. have demonstrated knowledge of contemporary and historic artistic models
f. have demonstrated knowledge of art as cultural information
g. have performed exercises in visualization and critical thinking
h. have performed refined, higher level technical practices

C. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES- Expected student outcomes by domain:

1. COGNITIVE: (Development of critical thinking skills, conceptual constructs, specialized vocabulary and art history.)
a. Each student will develop an understanding of the historical background of photography as a multicultural artistic medium.
b. Each student will be able to design effective photographic technical strategies
c. Each student will be able to design, shape and scale optimum formats to accommodate individualized expressive concerns for physical, social and psychological aspects of photographic form.
d. Each student is required to complete a range of projects that explore composition, advanced perceptual awareness, knowledge of contemporary formal issues and archetypes, creative synergy, and a broad range of photography effects.
e. Each student will be able to employ appropriate technical processes for expression of physical, social, and psychological aspects of photographic form.
f. The student will demonstrate interest in photography by seeking design information from a variety of sources such as books, periodicals, exhibitions, museums, etc.
g. The student will demonstrate a capacity for synthesis by making photographs which incorporate and unify disparate elements, processes, motifs and concepts.
h. Each student will be able to research historical and contemporary aspects of photographic form.
i . Each student will be able to offer an oral critique of photographic form.
j. Each student will be able to participate in group critiques.

2. PSYCHOMOTOR: (Development of manipulative, work-oriented skills; demonstration of specific process skills)
a. The student will develop technical and craftsmanship skills through hands-on work with various photographic equipment and materials.
b. Each student will have the skills necessary to produce effectively composed, correctly exposed black and white photographic images.
c. Each student will be able to expose and process black and white negatives.
d. Each student will be able to make contact prints and enlargements.
e. The student will demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by using a variety of technical and conceptual strategies in resolving photographic problems.
f. The student will demonstrate fluency by producing several different solutions to the same problem.
g. The student will be able to understand studio and darkroom technology and safety.
h. The student will be able to control form so that a finished presentation is accomplished.
i . Each student will develop the skills necessary for effective mounting and presentation of photographic works.
j. The student will be able to present or install photographic images for ideal contextual viewing (classroom critiques or gallery context).
k. The student will be able to orally critique photographic form.
l. The student will be able to create photographs which explore design concepts.
m. The student will demonstrate respect for photographic work by presenting neat, clean, well-crafted projects.

3. AFFECTIVE: (Development of behavioral skills which help the student acquire a positive attitude toward self, other students, faculty, facilities and equipment, housekeeping in the work area, and the ability to carry out directions, meet deadlines, meet attendance requirements, etc.)
a. The student will demonstrate interest in photography by regular and punctual class attendance.
b. The student will demonstrate the ability to follow assignment instructions as well as intrinsic motivation by persistence in staying on task and frequently exceeding the production requirements set by the instructor.
c. The student will demonstrate courage and tenacity by persistence in resolving photographic problems and completing assignments in a timely manner- by repeated attempts to resolve or improve upon solutions to those problems, especially in the face of risk taking and failure.
d. The student will demonstrate resistance to premature closure and openness to discovery by allowing technical and conceptual processes to evolve and by permitting and even seeking a variety of sources and processes to generate design ideas and products.
e. Each student will demonstrate the ability to focus on personal and group objectives.
f. Each student will demonstrate the ability to self-initiate tasks.
g. Each student will demonstrate the ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
h. The student will demonstrate awareness by producing photographs in which nuance is evident (nuance in form, nuance in content).
i . The student will demonstrate independence of judgment (and resistance to peer sanctions) by producing photographs which are personally unique or unusual in character.
j. The student will demonstrate confidence by his or her willingness to attempt difficult or complex photographic problems.
k. The student will demonstrate persistence in working on photographic problems in which neither the problem or the solution is clearly evident or defined.
l. The student will observe safe studio and darkroom practices.
m. The student will demonstrate an ability to analyze by verbally identifying and articulating the salient elements in particular photographs.
n. The student will demonstrate the ability to tolerate diverse views.
o. The student will demonstrate the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism.
p. The student will demonstrate the ability to participate in class discussion and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
q. The student will demonstrate interest in photography by asking relevant questions and by participating, without prompting, in group and individual critiques.
r. The student will demonstrate the ability to contribute to the studio working environment.
s. The student will demonstrate the ability to prepare adequately for examinations.