ART 242- Introduction to Photographic Concepts
Introduction to photographic history and processes: aesthetics, theory and criticism. This is a nondarkroom photography course that utilizes digital media capture and twenty-first century web-based
presentation methods.
ART 312
TR 2:00-3:15 pm
Martina Shenal, Assistant Professor
Joseph Gross Gallery Bldg. 101D1
621-7571
mshenal@email.arizona.edu
Office hours: TR 1:00-2:00
Course Objectives:
 Introduction to the photographic medium through a social, economic, industrial and
technological framework from its inception to the present
 To learn fundamental theories and criticism associated with the medium over the course of
its history
 To put into perspective the impact that photography has had culturally through advertising
and news media, on-line photo archives, and its prominent role in the contemporary art
world
 To gain an understanding of the fundamental aspects of image making from a digital
perspective
Course Topics





History in Focus: Surveys and Social Facts
o Documentary Photography and Authenticity
o Photography and Social History
Public and Private: The Snapshot Aesthetic
o Beyond the Domestic
o Fiction and Fantasy
o Kodak and the Mass Market
Construction of Illusion: Photography and Commodity Culture
o The Photographic Message: Advertising Culture
o Tourism, Fashion and the “Other”
o Context and Meaning
Subject as Object: Photography and the Human Body
o Embodying Social Difference
o Objects of Desire: Objectification and Images of Women
o Class and Representations of the Body
Photography as Art
o Early Debates and Practices: The Complex Relationship Between Photography and
Art
o Late Twentieth Century Perspectives
o Reading Photographs

Photography in the Age of Electronic Imaging
o Walter Benjamin and the Precedent of the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
o Digitalization and the Question of Photographic Truth
Course Methodology
Writing- based research projects include: two short essay assignments based on print viewings from
the archive at the Center for Creative Photography, one exhibition review, midterm and final exams.
Photo-based projects include: Two assigned shooting projects will be uploaded to a shared
website for analysis during our in-class discussions.
Teaching Format
Lecture
Required Texts
Photography: A Critical Introduction. 4th Edition, Edited by Liz Wells, Routledge, 2009
Required or Special Materials
Digital Camera
Grading
500 points total
Short essay I.
Short essay II.
Exhibition Review:
Midterm Exam:
2- Digital Image Exercises:
Final Exam:
50 points
50 points
50 points
100 points
50 points each
150 points
(10%)
(10%)
(10%)
(20%)
(20%)
(30%)
The grading system is outlined in the University of Arizona catalog as follows:
A(4) = excellent, B(3) = good, C(2) = satisfactory, D(1) = poor, and E(0) = failure.
Exams:
There will be two exams during the semester, one at midterm (Week 8) and a comprehensive
final (Week 15).
Attendance Policy
In any given lecture we will have a considerable amount of material to cover. In order to
benefit from the lectures and discussions, you must be present. Please be on time. Each student
is allowed a total of three (3) absences (excused or unexcused), after that, your grade will be
lowered (.5 per absence = ½ letter grade). Three (3) or more late arrivals = one (1) unexcused
absence, and will be reflected in your final grade. Medical situations will be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis. I will accommodate the needs of students during religious holidays.
Students should inform the instructor of their plans well in advance in order to make
alternative arrangements.
Assignments/Testing Schedule/Due Dates for ART 242
*Two short essay assignments (3 pages each) based on print viewings at the Center for
Creative Photography
*One Photographic Exhibition Review (2 pages)
*Midterm and Final Exam
*Extracurricular activities: Two (2) digital capture creative assignments, two (2) print viewings in the
archive at the Center for Creative Photography, one (1) photographic exhibition review
Read Intro: pp. 3-8 +
pp. 45-64
pp. 11-22
pp. 67-87
pp. 119-146
WEEK 4
Introduction to course/Overview/D2L
Histories of Photography
Historical Debates
Surveys and Social Facts
Public and Private: The Snapshot
Aesthetic
20th Century Kodak Moments
WEEK 5
Constructions of Illusion
pp. 167-184
WEEK 6
Photography and Commodity Culture
pp. 185-214
WEEK 7
Contemporary Debates
Theory/Criticism/Practice
pp. 22-45
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 8
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
WEEK 11
pp. 146-163
Midterm Exam
The Subject as Object
Class and Representation of the Body
Photography as Art:
The Great Debate
Reading Photographs
Photography in the Digital Realm
pp. 219-228
pp. 229-247
pp. 253-276
pp. 277-298
Review pp. 27-39
pp.305-317
WEEK 12
Visual Presentation + Discussion of
Digital I. Project
pp. 318-332
WEEK 13
The Question of Photographic Truth
pp. 332-344
WEEK 14
Visual Presentation + Discussion of
Digital Project II.
Semester Review + Study Guide
WEEK 15
DUE:
Assign: Short
Essay I.
Short Essay I
Due
Assign:
Exhibition Review
Exhibition Review
Due
Assign: Short
Essay II.
Assign: Creative
project I.
Short essay II.
Due
Creative project I.
Due / Assign:
Creative project II.
Creative project II.
Due
Final Exam
Assignment Format
All essay and visual projects will be uploaded to D2L and a web-based site for discussion and
evaluation.
Code of Academic Integrity: “Integrity is expected of every student in all academic work. The
guiding principle of academic integrity is that a student’s submitted work must be the student’s
own. This principle is furthered by the student Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures
established by ABOR Policies 5-308/5-403, all provisions of which apply to University of
Arizona students.”
The Code of Academic Integrity can be found at:
http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/codeofacademicintegrity
Notification of Objectionable materials
There may be course content that is deemed offensive by some students.
Disability Resources:
Students who need special accommodation or services should contact the Disability Resources
Center, 1224 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, (520) 621-3268, FAX (520) 621-9423,
email: uadrc@email.arizona.edu, http://drc.arizona.edu/. You must register and request that the
Center or DRC send me official notification of your accommodations needs as soon as possible.
Please plan to meet with me by appointment or during office hours to discuss accommodations
and how my course requirements and activities may impact your ability to fully participate. Any
need for accommodation must be documented on file through the Disability Resource
Center/Salt Center.
Student Code of Conduct:
“The aim of education is the intellectual, personal, social, and ethical development of the
individual. The educational process is ideally conducted in an environment that encourages
reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change and respect for the
rights of individuals. Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the university
community are necessary for the fulfillment of such goals.” The Code of Conduct can be found
at: http://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/policiesandcodes/studentcodeofconduct
Confidentiality of Student Records:
http://www.registrar.arizona.edu/ferpa/default.htm
Subject to Change Statement:
Information contained in the course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policy, may be
subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.