Syllabus Section A

PGY 2101 - Visual Literacy Spring 2015
3 credits

Section A
Instructor: Sergio Vega
Hours: Monday period 8-9 (3 to 5 PM)
Classroom: FAC 120
e-mail: veryvega@ufl.edu
Office Hours: Monday from 1 to 3 (by appointment only). Office: FAD 229 / phone: 352-273-3035

Section B
Classroom: ARCH 120Instructor: Su Ye <suye@ufl.edu> Section 4976 Friday period 5-6

Course Goals and Objectives

SAAH University of Florida

This an introductory course to photography that focuses on the critical processes by which visual imagery acquires meaning. The objective is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of the medium that will facilitate their understand of the critical issues involved in the production, distribution and reception of photographic images. In addition to think about why we make photographs, the goal is for students to learn how to make photographs by learning basic camera techniques, composition, processing film, and printing images.

Course Outline / Methods of the Course
Section A is conducted by the main instructor and consists in lectures, class discussions of the assigned readings, screenings and presentations. It is mandatory to complete the assigned readings every week. Slide lectures and screenings will feature an introduction to the work of some of the main photographers in the history of the medium. Class discussions will address the evolution of theoretical ideas that influenced the production and reception of photographs at different key historical moments. There will be a final quiz on April 25th. The content of the quiz will summarize the slide lectures, readings and content of class discussions. For this reason it is crucial to take notes during lectures and discussions on a notebook. If you miss more than two lectures you will not be able to pass the exam and probably get a failing grade.

Topical outline for section A
Since Louis Daguerre in 1838 invented the photographic process known as Daguerreotype, the multiple uses and meanings ascribed to photographic images became a field of endless contestations. Most people agreed that photographs provided objective reproductions of reality that could be used to identify people and things. Following that interpretation of the medium some sustained that its primary purpose should be to use them in the courts of law as evidence, by the police in archives of criminals (or potential criminals) and to provide proof or documentation for scientific research on a vast array of fields. Others believed it would best replace paintings at depicting large social and historical events, and portray people and their families in order to preserve their memories. Others thought it would be the ideal tool to replace painting at representing the imaginary, the world of mythology, fantasy, and past history.
The lecture series will explore various still contested interpretations of photographic images to arrive at the perspective on photography provided by semiotic studies. Semiotic interpretations of photography distinguish two simultaneous operations of signification: 1) as presence or embodied meaning (a message without a code) that derives its denotation 2) as linguistic-literary message or the manner in which society to a certain extent communicates what it thinks of it, or its connotation.

1) Introduction to nineteenth century photography 2) Photography in the Soviet Avant-garde
3) Photography during the depression
4) Surrealism
5) Photography during and after World War II: Humanism and Neorealism Case studies
a) Camera Work, a photography journal by Stieglitz
b) The photographic archive: Eugene Atget and August Sander c) The Farm Security Administration project
d) "Paris de nuit" a book by Brassaï
e) Lee Miller: from Surrealist to war correspondent.
f) Steichen's exhibition "The Family of Man"
Section B is conducted by the Teaching Assistants and is where students discuss, conceptualize and produce their assignments in close collaboration with their instructors. In this section, students will have the opportunity to flesh out their ideas, learn techniques, show their work, and receive feedback from classmates and instructors on regular basis. There will be one main assignment due on Friday April 17th. In addition, there will be several technical assignments throughout the semester.

Books
Sontag Susan, On Photography 1990 edition, Anchor Books. ISBN 0-385-26706-1 (required)
Horenstein Harry, Black and White Photography Little, Brown and Company (multiple editions) ISBN 978-0316373050
Barthes Roland, Image-Music-Text,
Hill and Wang a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York ISBN 0-374-52136-0
Barthes Roland, Camera Lucida, Reflections on Photography Hill and Wang, a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York ISBN 0-374-52134-4

Critical Dates
Quiz on Monday April 20th
Main assignment due on Friday April 17th