Briar Cliff University, Department of Mass Media
Instructor: Michael Crowley, Associate Professor michael.crowley@briarcliff.edu  
Term III 2005
Office H-311 Phone 279-5459 
Lecture TH 6:00 to 9:45 PM
Office Hours

MCOM 310 Photojournalism
Syllabus

Course Description: To gain experience in advance photography in a photojournalism environment. Students will study all areas of photojournalism including master photographers, photojournalist and ethics of photojournalism. Extensive field and classroom work as well as photo assignments are included. Students will use both traditional film methods and digital photography. Some images will be scanned and submitted electronically.

Expectation of Students: Students will be expected to share their understand of both the technical skills and aesthetic appreciation of photojournalism through class and lab participation, exams, presentations and critique discussions. Students are expected to turn worn in on deadline, NO LATE PHOTOS WILL BE GRADED.

Michael Crowley's Teaching Technology Model

My teaching philosophy
I believe that each student is an individual, and learns in various ways. It is my role as a facilitator of learning to create an environment that students feel comfortable and willing to challenges themselves. I use various independent and collaborative methods and activates so that students can find what works for them. It is my hope that students become pro-active problem solving independent learners, after their traditional education ends. I believe learning is a life-long two way process, and that I become a better person form the experience.

Required Text: Photojournalism the Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre Fifth Edition,
Adobe Photoshop CS Classroom in a book

Evaluation: Students will be graded on the basis of photographic assignments, a midterm and final exam along with attendance. Students may earn extra credit points with spot news photos (max. 2 points. each, up to 6 points max.)

Students will be graded on the following:
16 Photographs=40%
     2 Environmental portrait
     3 General news photos
     3 Feature photos
     1 Portrait
     3 Sports action photos
     1 Pictorial
     1 Illustration
     2 Sports feature
2 Exams =30%
    1 Midterm exam  (15%)
    1 Final exam (15%)
1 Photo essays=15%
     1 digital photo essay designed, layout with copy (seven images)
Portfolio=10%
   Web portfolio submitted on CD
Participation = 5%

Assignment Policy: All photographic assignment must be turned in on time NO LATE ASSIGNEMNTS ARE GRADED.

Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. You lose 10 points off the end-of-term grade average for each missed class above 1. YOU are responsible for material missed during any skipped days. I do not give out my notes. A considerable amount of material is covered each day during the lectures.

E-mailing the Instructor: When you e-mail the instructor in regards to this course you must include MCOM 310 in the subject line. This will ensure that as I receive your e-mail it will get the attention it deserves.

Exam Policy: There will be a four exams for this course. A test missed because of illness may be rescheduled upon verification of illness. No make-ups will be given for skips.

Grade Scale: The grading scale for this course, as in all courses in the Department of Mass Communications, is as follows:
A = 96-100
A- = 92-95
B+ = 88-91
B = 84-87
B- = 80-83
C+ = 76-79
C = 71-75
D = 60-70
F = 0-59

Integrated Multimedia Center: Students will follow the guidelines for the use of the IML. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the privilege to use the lab. This may effect the student’s outcome in this course.

Exam Policy: There will be a midterm and final exam for this course. A test missed because of illness may be rescheduled upon verification of illness. No make-ups will be given for skips.

Classroom Behavior

I believe that learning is a group activity, and the behavior of each person in class in some way or the other affects the learning outcomes of others.

A professor is not here to give you what you want , but rather to help you obtain what you need . I promise to listen when you are talking to me and to treat you with respect. The following are suggestion for classroom behavior.

1. Class begins promptly at the beginning of the class period. You should be in your seat and ready to start participating in class at that time.
2. Always bring the required supplies (text, paper, and any other items suggested by the instructor or the syllabus) and be ready to be actively engaged in the learning process. This communicates preparedness and interest.
3. In deciding whether to attend class, please do not ask your professor if she/he is covering anything important on that day. The course is carefully planned out – every day is important.
4. Do not study material from other classes during this class. If you feel that you must spend our class time studying or doing homework, please go to the library.
5. Turn your cell phone off or to vibrate if you anticipate an essential incoming call. Please notify me at the beginning of class if this is the case. I’ll also turn mine off.
6. It is fine to bring a drink (must have a lid to avoid spills) to class, as long as it isn’t distracting. However, please remember that someone else will be coming into the room after your class is done, so PICK UP YOUR TRASH.
7. I expect to have your attention for the full class period. This means:
   a. Avoid conversations with people sitting around you. It’s a small room – even if you whisper, please realize that other people can certainly see you, and that’s distracting to them (and to me.)
   b. Do not start zipping up your backpack and rustling papers before the end of the class period. There’s sufficient time for you to get to your next class to another without disrupting the last few minutes of this class. If one person does it, it seems to trigger others to do it, and it makes the last few minutes (when announcements are often made) less than optimal for everyone.
8. If you know that you’ll need to leave before the class is over (please let me know), try to sit as close to the door as possible so as not to disrupt others. Remember leaving class early or coming to class late WILL hurt your grade
9. If you are so tired that you cannot keep your head up, you should leave. I realize that environmental factors affect this, including warm rooms, dimmed lights, and material that may not be interesting to you. However, laying your head on the desk or sleeping in class is rude, and it is distracting to others. You may be asked to leave the class. I’ll try to make class interesting, but remember that my primary goal is to teach you, not to entertain you.
10. Turn in assignments on time. Earthquake, fire, flood, and catastrophic illness are the only reasonable excuses for a late submission. You want the professor to know who you are for the right reasons.
11. The rules of the syllabus, content of the exams, content of lectures, and calculation of the grade you earned are not a starting point for negotiations. While I am always willing to work with students on an individual basis, I cannot negotiate individual terms with each student.
12. Your questions are NOT an imposition – they are welcome and one of the professional highlights of my day. Chances are, if you have a question, someone else is thinking the same thing but is too shy to ask it. Please – ask questions! You’ll learn more, it makes the class more interesting, and you are helping others learn as well. But when you have a question or comment, please raise your hand first. Blurting out a question or comment when someone else has already raised their hand is rude – it’s like jumping ahead of someone else in line.
13. If emergencies arise that require an absence from a session, be sure to get the notes and all other information that was covered in class from a student you trust. Expecting the faculty member to outline the class session in an independent message to you is not realistic as a professor typically has many students in his/her classes each term.
14. Showing up late (even 5 minutes) for a final exam will not be tolerated. The exam is scheduled to begin at the scheduled time not any time between two times. Some exams have explanations and should only be made once. If you’re late for the final the penalty will be up to the instructor and may include points off or not allowing you to take the exam.
15. The time to be concerned about your grade is in the first eight weeks of the course, not in the last two weeks.
16. You will be informed of the length of time for class breaks please return on time. If your excessive late it will affect your grade

Assignments

Environmental portrait: An environmental portrait is a photograph that includes the subject’s environment as focus of the image. A well-done environmental portrait will use the surroundings to give the viewer additional information about the individual.
General news photos: General news photos include any planned event, meeting, press conference or other event that is pre-planned.
Feature photos: An image that shows "a slice of life" it is timeless.
Portrait:The portrait is a single picture of a person face or head and shoulders.
Sports action photos: The sports action photo will summarize the game in an image. The image is an "on the field" shoot.
Pictorial: The pictorial is often a photograph for its beauty. It must include a human element.
Photo  Illustration: An editorial illustration (using Photoshop) related to a news events.
Sports feature: A sports feature is likely found off the field it is not the action but often the reaction of the game.
Digital photo essay: 5 to 7 images in a story, essay or group form, it will achieve visual coherence through the integration of words, pictures and layout.

Schedule

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Created by:  Michael Crowley
Last update 03/09/05
© 2005 Michael Crowley. All rights reserved.