PHO 1 - History of Photography

Transfer Status

CSU/UC

Unit(s)

3.00

• Lecture: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
• Total: 51.00 Contact hours/102.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)

Course Description: This course focuses on the history of photography from its origins to current day. Students will learn about the primary artistic and stylistic movements and historical trends in photography as well as gain an understanding of key photographic technical terms. Students will also learn about the unique visual language of photographs and how to evaluate the aesthetics of photographic images.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Describe the significant people and events in the history of photography.
2. Analyze how technological advances in capturing, manipulating and distributing images have influenced the art of photography.
3. Recognize the various uses that have been considered appropriate for photography.
4. Analyze the relationship between photography and contemporary events in the United States and the world.

Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic

Lecture

1. Collaborative Group Work
2. Discussion
3. Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
4. Lecture
5. Reading Assignments

1. Exams/Tests
2. Research Projects
3. Oral Presentation
4. Homework
5. Final Examination
6. Essays and research papers

Reading Assignments

1. Read "Advancing Towards Photography: The Rise of the Reproduction" in Robert Hirsch’s Seizing the Light, and be prepared to discuss the various developments that led to the first recorded photographic images.
2. Read Susan Sontag’s op-ed, "Regarding the Torture of Others", and be prepared to discuss how the images from Abu Ghraib prison influenced the inquiry into prisoner torture.

Writing Assignments

1. In at least 500 words, analyze how changing cultural values and technology have influenced how we make and view images by comparing the past and contemporary photographs dealing with similar ideas or subject matter.
2. Choose a photographic movement (i.e. Pictorialism) and write a 500-word minimum paper on its origins; social or political influences; and images created by photographers associated with the movement.

Out-of-Class Assignments

1. Research a photographic process (i.e. gum bichromate or calotype) and contribute a 250-word minimum article to a peer-edited wiki on photographic processes. Bring a copy of your contribution to share with the class.
2. Visit the online galleries at the Library of Congress, George Eastman House, Nelson-Atkins, Harry Ransom Center or the Center for Creative Photography and find a significant body work of a photographer not mentioned in class. Write a 500-word minimum paper on where you think the photographer would fit into the history of photography.

Ang, Tom. (2022). Photography: Definitive Visual History. DK, 1st. 978-0744060096.

Marien Mary Warner. (2021). Photography: A Cultural History. Pearson, 5th. 978-1786277855.

Hirsch, R. (2024). Seizing the Light. Routledge, 4th. 978-1032073309.

Other Learning Materials

Oxford Online, internet photography resource, DVD/multimedia presentations

Photography (Masters Required)