The study of art, design, and communication principles as applied and practiced in photography, a dominant visual medium in society. By primarily focusing on visual literacy, students will gain insight into the operations of photographs in our culture. Ideas are exercised through learning basic camera operations and assignments focused on techniques, as well as exploring different genres in the medium. A digital camera with an adjustable shutter and aperture is required. Sections will be offered and specified for non-art majors and art majors/minors. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

General Education Course: Fine Arts

• A Digital SLR Camera (Available for check-out SUU Library) or Mirrorless camera
• Any Camera accessories you require from tripods to memory cards
• A notebook and a pen or pencil

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Perform basic camera operations and exposure calculations 
2. Apply an analytical eye for framing and composition 
3. Assess and critique images based on aesthetics, content, and technical quality 
4. Use professional vocabulary when analyzing photographic ideas and forms 
5. Critique photography both verbally and through competently written short essays 
6. Search out and compose images using a heightened creative process of seeing and observation

As a core General Education course, this class allows students to develop skills aligned with several SUU Essential Learning Outcomes, including 2.0 Communication, 3.0 Creative Thinking, and 4.0 Critical Thinking (see SUU ELO Definitions).

Additionally, in alignment with USHE Policy R470, General Education courses should incorporate Essential Learning Outcomes from the General Education Breadth Areas for the Arts (2.1). Upon successful completion of the General Education Arts requirement, students will be able to:

• 2.1.1 Understand – Explain the creative artistic process as an iterative and recursive practice that culminates in an expression of human experience and emotion through a chosen medium.
• 2.1.2 Appreciate – Apply artistic concepts and theoretical traditions to engage with, analyze, and better understand creative works.
• 2.1.3 Connect – Examine the relationship between art and society, articulating how the arts function as historical and cultural phenomena.

This course is designed to support these outcomes, ensuring students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical engagement with artistic creation.

Course Assessment Table

Assignment Outline

Quizzes

You will have 7 quizzes in this course. Each quiz will consist of 10 multiple-choice questions. You will have 20 minutes and one attempt to complete each quiz. Quizzes must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. You may use your textbook or notes to complete the quiz.

Discussion Boards

You will have 10 Discussion Board participation activities in this course. Each Discussion Board will have its own criteria and questions. Submit an initial post(s) responding to the prompt before 11:59 pm on the designated due date within the discussion boards, and post your reflections on at least two other classmate's posts before 11:59 pm on the designated response due date.  You will not be able to see others' postings until you have posted something of your own. 6 points each

Peer Reviews

You will have 7 Peer Review activities in this course. Virtual Critique = Peer Reviews to be completed via canvas. We will simply be using the general comment or media comment to provide feedback on photographic imagery. Student peer reviews will be considered complete when students have commented at least once on the page and filled out the rubric (if provided)  for the assignment for each assigned peer. 5 points each

Assignments

You will have 4 photographic assignments; camera functions, quality of light, composition, and landscape, each will focus on specific criteria and skills learned in this course. Assignments must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. 25 points each 

Final Project

You will have 1 culminating project in this course that consists of a small body of work - 8 images uploaded to Canvas. This Final Project must be submitted no later than the assigned due date. 50 points each 

Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Instructor's Response Time & Feedback

Online classes provide unique challenges for interaction. For messages sent to me, I will respond in one business days. Feedback is an important part of learning please look for feedback on your assignments that I provided within a week of the due date. If at any point during the semester you are experiencing technical camera issues, please contact me immediately.

It is my goal to:

• Respond to student messages within 1 business day
• Provide grades and feedback within 2 - 5 days from the due date

Everything due for an assignment is listed on each individual assignment sheet along with the date when it is due. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of what is due and when it is due. 

It is wise to give yourself plenty of time in the beginning, as you learn how to properly submit and upload your work. Late assignments—any assignments posted after 11:59pm on the indicated due date will be late.  Students who submit work late receive a daily penalty of 10 percent applied to the grade achieved on the late assignment (to a maximum of 50% deduction).  Late work will not be critiqued by your instructor or classmates. I realize that emergencies do happen, however, so don’t panic. There are two extra credit assignments available to make up for missed work.

Note Taking Policy

Students are responsible for all materials covered in class and note-taking is highly encouraged. The professor is not responsible to re-teach missed or neglected material (see attendance policy), but rather will review the student’s notes with the student to clarify misconceptions.

Attendance

Success in this course is dependent on your active participation and engagement throughout the course. As such, students are required to complete all assignments by the due date, and to actively participate in class discussions.

Additionally, students are expected to:

• Log on at least three times a week – on different days in order to complete weekly assignments, assessments, discussions, and/or other weekly deliverables as directed by the professor and outlined in the syllabus;
• Participate in the weekly threaded discussions, this means that, in addition to posting a response to the thread topic presented, students are expected to respond to each other with comments or questions.

If you find that you cannot meet the class' minimum discussion requirements due to such a circumstance, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. 

Program and Course Fees

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

• For Passwords or any other computer-related technical support:
• 435-865-8200
• support@suu.edu
• IT Service Desk
• For Canvas help:
• 435-865-8555
• canvas@suu.edu
• Canvas Help Center
• How to Use Canvas

Your on camera flash is a “shortcut” way for your camera to make a good exposure. Flash light, as you’ll find, is very particular, however, and to make it look good you need extra practice. For now, we want to teach you a proper exposure using only available light.

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENTS

• All photographic assignments must be original, made by the student, and made specifically for the assignment and class where the work was prompted.
• Assignment work developed, created, or in any way contributed to by artificial intelligence (AI) is prohibited, unless you have written permission from your instructor for a specific creative assignment.
• Students may not post images made prior to the semester of the class, unless a specific assignment calls to do so, or your instructor provides their express permission.
• Students are required to shoot new and unique images for every assignment. Using the same image, or a similar image from the same photo shoot, for multiple assignments or for multiple classes is strictly not allowed.
• Submitting digital images requires that all original photo metadata remain embedded within the submitted files. Metadata information is used to identify the author, establish copyright and contact information, and describe the capture tools, settings and times and dates of creation

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS AND DISCUSSION POSTS

All written assignments must adhere to the following regulations:

• All written material must be original content, written by the student unless otherwise noted.
• Written work (including discussion posts) developed, created, or inspired by artificial intelligence (AI) is considered plagiarism and is strictly prohibited.
• All borrowed material, either directly quoted or indirectly referenced, must be properly cited.
• All direct quotes must be placed in quotation marks.
• All written assignments must be created specifically for the course during the semester in which the writing was assigned.
• Students may not use previously written materials or submit the same or similar written assignments or posts for multiple classes.

You may need to travel for photography in this course, you are responsible for your safety and your equipment. Take necessary precautions when traveling. 

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Handbook. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your well-being. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.