Menu

Course Resources Archive

Undergraduate Module Descriptors 2012/13

Back Home

Save As Word Doc

PJD224: A Personal View

Module Title	A Personal View
Module Code	PJD224
Module Tutor	Anthony Lam
School	Art and Design
CAT Points	15
Level of Study	5
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
Restrictions	None
Brief Description	This practical module provides the opportunity to create a body of photographic work centred around a core theme. The aim is to achieve a series of images personal to the photographer.
Indicative Syllabus	The documentary image is capable of involving viewers in an emotional engagement that has made it more than a means of factual record. The ability to communicate a particular viewpoint through images that display the style of the photographer have contributed to the crossover of documentary photography into the gallery, books and auction houses. Documentary photographs by Walker Evans, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Dorothea Lange have become iconic images growing in monetary value as their status and longevity became established. Photographers such as Martin Parr, Tom Wood, Nan Goldin, Paul Seawright, Paul Graham have a documentary style but also bring a very personal style and approach to their work. They are part of a growing body of photography where the divisions between fine art and documentary break down as their photographs are presented in a gallery context and published in monographs. This module explores documentary as a personal means of expression and through the consideration of examples a number of themes may be established to assist in the development of a practical project. Students should question what constitutes a Personal View, how to develop initial ‘personal’ ideas and consider strategies for arriving at and developing such project ideas. Students will be expected to investigate and rationalise their approaches to placing the work in the public domain. A model of mentoring that allows students space to develop their own practice will be introduced and implemented as part of this module. Students are encouraged to develop their analytical and self evaluative skills towards developing reflective practice; students are required to keep reflective ‘journals’ and consider ‘critical incidents’ towards the development of the work presented.
Learning Outcomes	i. Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: a) photographers who have worked with the documentary as a major component in their practice; b) the ways in which their own practice may be advanced ; c) issues surrounding ‘the real’, ‘truth’, and ‘manipulation’; d) ways of challenging existing photographic genres and representations; e) the power of the photograph to take on different meanings; f) the position of the viewer and their reading of the documentary image. g) an understanding of the importance of being a reflective learner in order to identify personal learning strengths and weaknesses; h) an awareness that skills should be developed in an integrated and holistic manner. ii Skills By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate skills in: a) communication, both visually and orally; b) assessing and making informed decisions over particular ethical and legal issues that arise from undertaking documentary photography; c) making appropriate and informed decisions in assessing, selecting and editing images; d) communicating sophisticated concepts through photography; e) presentation of images to achieve a particular response from the viewer f) an enhancement of appropriate subject specific skills necessary for further study and employability.
Learning and Teaching Activities	Staff/student contact: approx 20% Independent Study: approx 80% Please note – staff/student contact may vary from the norm in modules with larger or smaller student numbers
Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide)	001: 100% Coursework: Individual, portfolio: UNKNOWN
Special Assessment Requirements	None
Indicative Resources	The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.

© 2015-21 University of Gloucestershire, The Park, Cheltenham, GL50 2RH. Telephone +44 (0)844 8010001.
Company Registration Number 06023243. VAT Number GB 886 1439 87.

An error has occurred. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. Reload 🗙