Chabot College
Fall 2007
Course Outline for Art History 20
HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY
(See also Photography 20)
Catalog Description:
20 - History of Photography
3 units
A broad chronological survey of photography from its invention to the present. Considers the
medium's dual role as technology and art. Addresses a multiplicity of photographic themes and
purposes. Considers the intersections of photography and technology, history, art, and everyday
life. May not receive credit if Photography 20, Photography 67 or Art 67 has been completed.
(Formerly ART/PHOT 67) 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
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demonstrate an understanding of 19th century photography as it relates to
technological, historical and artistic issues;
identify photographs by their technical process;
demonstrate an understanding of 20th century photography as it relates to
technological, historical and artistic issues;
demonstrate an understanding of photography's influence on the development of other
arts;
assess the role of photography in their own lives;
identify the major themes and purposes of photography and articulate how these relate to
photography's dual role as information technology and art;
interpret the various ways in which photographs have been used as vehicles of
expression;
demonstrate an understanding of photography's most current manifestations;
identify and discuss non-western European photographic practices.
Course Content:
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Photography and 19th century technology: invention, light sensitivity,
camera obscura, collodion
Photography and 19th century history: colonialism, modernization, war
Photography and 19th century art: pictorialism, straight photography, the Photo
Secession, photography's influence on modern painting
Photography and 19th century everyday life: cartes des visites; photo albums, police
records
Photography and 20th century technology: gelatin silver, color, digitization
Photography and 20th century history: World Wars, the Depression, photojournalism,
social reform
Photography and 20th century art: the avant garde, the landscape tradition, the "street"
tradition, composite photography
Photography and 20th century everyday life: Kodak, mug shots, wedding photography, the
family album
Non-western European photographic traditions: e.g., photo escultura in Mexico, photo
grave markers in Israel, photographers of the Harlem Renaissance
Present and future trends: postmodern photography, digitization, copyright
Chabot College
Course Outline for Art History 20, Page 2
Fall 2007
Methods of Presentation:
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Illustrated lectures utilizing slides, reproductions and original photographic prints
Viewing of exhibits of originals photographs
Large and small group discussion
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
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Typical Assignments
a.
One-page descriptive essays on designated photograph(s)
b.
Three-page interpretive essays on designated photograph(s)
c.
Five-to-seven page critical evaluation of photo exhibition or recently
published photography book
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Class discussion
b.
Examination
c.
Written assignments
d.
Oral presentations
Textbook(s) (Typical): Seizing The Light: A History of Photography. Robert Hirsch. New York: McGraw
Hill, 2000.
Special Student Materials: None
Kh: fFolder/CourseOutlines/ARTH 20
Revised: 10/20/06