Photojournalism Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is comprised of basic camera technique, photo composition, digital photography and Photoshop for journalistic purposes.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

1. Be in the room, in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
2. Bring your supplies daily.
3. Show respect for your teacher, your classmates, and yourself by monitoring your language and actions. This is especially true when you are representing this class and this schoolwhile on assignment outside of the classroom.
4. You must have your SCHOOL AGENDA/PASS in order leave the room. You will get two passes each six weeks.
5. Do not waste classroom supplies.
6. Follow all camera check out and computer use procedures.
7. Follow all policies and rules outlined in the student handbook and code of conduct.

• All rules and procedures are subject to change or modification at the discretion of the instructor.

DISCIPLINE PLAN:

If problems arise, the following process will be followed for minor infractions:

	1st Offense – Verbal warning from instructor
	2nd Offense – 2nd Verbal warning and student conference 
	3rd Offense – 3rd Verbal warning, student conference and contact/conference
	4th Offense – Referral to office  
        Serious infractions will result in immediate referral to the office. 

• Serious infractions will result in immediate referral to the office.

MATERIALS:

You are expected to bring the following items to class every day:

• 3-ring binder (Black, at least 1.5 inches or larger, clear cover on front).
• 5 Dividers (Syllabus; Vocabulary; Notes; Handouts; Projects/Proofs) to be checked weekly. Any work in progress will be saved on your thumb drive.
• Pencil/Pens (blue or black, no colored ink please).
• 1 Spiral for daily photo critique.
• Thumb/Flash Drive (with at least 1 GB of memory space) to save student work.
• Black Portfolio (may be a plastic folder with brads)
• 2.00 fee is required for the purchase of other materials such as: photo paper, ink (black & colored), and plastic page protectors.
• Any other materials needed for special assignments include: black card stock, adhesive (spray mount or tabs). Detailed information will be given when assignment is issued.

GRADING:

6 Week breakdown:

       Tests = 40% 
       Portfolio/Projects = 20% (counted 2 or 3 times)	
       Daily grades/assignments = 20%
       6 week test = 20%

Projects will typically require one 4x6 or 5x7 print accompanied by a caption or other written assignment. Other projects include: PowerPoint presentations, multi-photo layouts and essays. Alternative or additional projects may be added if time allows. Participation and on-task behavior make up a huge part of this class. This includes attentively watching videos, paying attention to demonstrations, working with your team, using down time wisely and keeping the computer lab clean.

Occasionally photojournalism students will be asked to cover events for the yearbook. This includes attending events that happen before school, after school and on weekends. By accepting the assignment, you are agreeing that you have your own transportation to the event and have time in your schedule to cover that event. If you find you cannot make the event, please call the instructor at home or at school so other arrangements can be made.

COMPUTER USE POLICY:

The computers in this lab are for journalism department work only. We do not have enough equipment as it is, so please do not tie up a computer, especially one that has the CS2 package, if you are not completing assignments for the class. This means no games, no music, no e-mail and no internet. If there is any down time when no one is using the computers, photojournalism students may use one AFTER RECEIVING INSTRUCTOR’S PERMISSION. Failure to follow these rules will result in loss of computer privileges and disciplinary action.

HOMEWORK/PLAGIARISM/CHEATING:

Assignments/Projects: must be turned in on the day and at the time specified by the instructor. Late assignments will be assessed a 10 point deduction for each day they are late, up to five days. After the fifth day, make-up work will be allowed only at the teacher’s discretion. Make-up work will not be accepted during the last week of the grading periods.

Cheating:

Students will not receive credit for plagiarized work. Students will receive an alternate but equal assignment. Cheating or copying the work of another is against the SHS Code of Conduct and will result in a discipline referral to the office. This includes trying to pass off someone’s photos as your own. This means you cannot turn in a photo for a grade that you are in.

EXEMPTION POLICY:

Students are eligible for final exam exemptions if they meet the following requirements:

         Pass all parts of the TAKS test
         Maintain an 80 average or better
         Have two or fewer excused absences and no unexcused absences.
         Have not been in ISS or DAEP.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS:

This course will cover traditional photography and digital photography. You will be provided with sufficient materials to complete each assignment, along with enough extra to make a few mistakes. However, if you must print a picture over and over, you will be required to pay for those supplies. You may also use the computers and printers to process personal pictures as long as they are appropriate for school and as long as you pay for supplies. Any inappropriate materials will be confiscated by the instructor and turned over to parents or the administrators.

The school has a few cameras for student use. If you want more flexibility in your shooting schedule, however, you might consider purchasing or borrowing a camera for your personal use. It should be a digital camera that has both an automatic setting and manual exposure control where you can control aperture and shutter speed.

SUPPLY COSTS:

8x10 sheet of photo paper/ink charge: $2.00.

TIMELINE RUBRIC:

1st Six Weeks:
Rules & Procedures, Legal & Ethical Standards, uses of photography, the photography transmission chain, SLR camera vs. human eye, pinhole cameras, know your SLR camera, exposure control, photographic composition, automatic photography, and yearbook coverage.

2nd Six Weeks:
The chemistry of film, available light photography, artificial light & flash photography, bracketing, print developing, test strips, proof sheets, writing captions, and yearbook coverage.

3rd Six Weeks:
The history of photography, action photography, dodging & burning, vignetting, digital photography, photo essay project, careers in photojournalism, and yearbook coverage.

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