Syllabus#
Instructor: Adam Simms
Teaching Assistant: Michelle Caron-Pawlowsky
Concordia University is located on unceded Indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation is recognized as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather today. Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it is home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples. We respect the continued connections with the past, present and future in our ongoing relationships with Indigenous and other peoples within the Montreal community.
This territorial acknowledgement and resources were created by Concordia University’s Indigenous Directions Leadership Group (2017).
For more information, refer to native land and whose land.
Prerequisites#
The following courses must be completed previously: PHOT 300; ARTH 359. Students must have completed 48 credits in the Major in Photography before enrolling.
Course Description#
PHOT 400 is a studio course for students in their final year of the photography program. The course is designed to help students develop their artistic skills through practical application and critical analysis, continue to develop a photographic language unique to their practice, and learn from the work of other contemporary artists.
Weekly classes will engage with contemporary photography topics in seminars, participate in group critiques, visit galleries and museums, and receive both technical and personal guidance from the instructor.
Students are required to undertake an extended black-and-white or colour photographic project in analogue or digital formats. Although there are no specific requirements for the size, format, or number of prints for the final project, the work presented at the midterm and final evaluations must clearly address the themes outlined in their project proposals and final project statements. Students are expected to produce a substantial amount of work for these critiques.
Objectives#
- Learn to focus and structure the creative process: Students will be taught to structure their creative process by breaking down the different phases of creation: research and theory, visual and material experimentation, final choices, sequencing and presentation.
- Deepen the understanding of the medium through photography theory: Through readings, students will reflect on various aspects of image making, representation, and the role of the artist/photographer as it relates to their practice.
- Expand the understanding of photography within contemporary visual arts: Class presentations, artist talks, and gallery visits will provide students with a wider sense of the photographic medium within the larger scope of visual arts.
- Create a cohesive body of work and learn to articulate conceptual ideas: Students will be assisted in the creation of a personal project using a photographic technique of their choice. Students will learn to articulate their ideas verbally and in written form.
Materials & Fees#
Photography department fee: All students must pay $160 for each 6-credit course. Please pay online via Concordia Fine Arts fees and email the receipt to the professor by Week 4. The names of students who have yet to pay by this date are given to the technicians, and students will only be able to access the labs or borrow equipment once the fees are paid.
Students must bear the cost of all photographic materials needed to complete their assignments.
Grading#
| Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Proposal | 10% |
| Mid-Term Presentation | 10% |
| Final Presentation and Critique | 20% |
| Class Participation | 10% |
| Total | 50% |
The remaining 50% of the course grade is assessed in the second term.
Evaluation Criteria#
- Assignments and portfolios show a robust artistic approach, both technically and conceptually, and coherence between artistic intention and aesthetic choices.
- Student actively produces work throughout the academic year, during scheduled working periods and outside class time.
- Students can articulate a critical discourse of contemporary photography.
- Care is taken in the presentation (critiques, portfolio, assignments, and texts).
- Punctuality, participation in critiques and workshops, and attendance.
Grading System#
A+, A, A-: Outstanding — Work surpasses expectations. Highly resolved conceptually and technically.
B+, B, B-: Very Good — Above average completion and participation.
C+, C, C-: Satisfactory — Minimal completion of assignments and projects.
D+, D, D-: Marginal Pass — Work is completed, with little effort or personal investment.
F: Poor/Failure — Work is incomplete and/or unsatisfactory.
A+ 90–100 · A 85–89 · A- 80–84
B+ 77–79 · B 73–76 · B- 70–72
C+ 67–69 · C 63–66 · C- 60–62
D+ 57–59 · D 53–56 · D- 50–52
F 0–49
Please refer to the Concordia Academic Calendar, section 16.3.3 for additional information on the grading system.
Schedule#
Time: Thursdays, 1:30–5:30 PM
Location: EV 3.645 SGW unless otherwise noted.
Week 1#
- Instructor and student introductions
- Review the course outline, schedule, assignments, and available resources
- Review research-creation project and proposal requirements
- Field trip: PHI
Week 2#
- Students present their former work and discuss their artistic intention for their yearlong project
- Proposal workshop: bring work-in-progress proposals
Week 3#
- Field trip: Jinyoung Kim at Dazibao + Geneviève Cadieux at Blouin Division
Proposal due by midnight.
Week 4#
- Instructor presents work
- Organize mid- and end-of-term critiques
Photo department fee receipt due.
Week 5#
- Lecture on contemporary art that relates and corresponds to the issues, ideas and production methods tailored to students in this class
- Review affinities presentation expectations
- Review mid-term presentation expectations
Week 6#
- Affinities presentations (students present the work of other artists with whom they have affinities)
Week 7 — Reading Week (No Class)#
Week 8#
- Mid-term presentations and critiques: Group A
Week 9#
- Mid-term presentations and critiques: Group B
Week 10#
- Individual meetings: students are required to show work-in-progress for their final projects
- Studio time
Week 11#
- Individual meetings: students are required to show work-in-progress for their final projects
- Studio time
Week 12#
- Final presentations and critiques: Group A
Week 13#
- Final presentations and critiques: Group B
Assignments#
- Proposal
- Mid-Term Presentation
- Final Presentation and Critique
- Class Participation