Specialist workshop facilities, as appropriate
Laptop and Data Projector
Library
Word-processing facilities.
Internet access
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the Module Handbook.

Austin, T. 2008. Rethinking Documentary: New Perspectives and Practices. Open University Press
Light, K. 2000. Witness in Our Time: Working Lives of Documentary Photographers. Smithsonian Books
Sontag, S. 2008. On Photography. Penguin Modern Classics
Wells, E. 2003. The Photography Reader. Routledge

This module looks at the changing nature of documentary practice. The idea of showing the everyday lives of 'ordinary' people and the where and how they lived is and was at the heart of this way of working. You will consider how documentary has evolved from the ideals of the political/social reformist movements of the twentieth century, the illustrated photo magazines and the rise of the photojournalist, to the idea of documentary as a contemporary fine art practice and how new technologies might effect this practice in the future.
Knowledge of these ideas will enable you to work with a deeper awareness and understanding of how to represent and ask questions about the 'everyday'. The fact that documentary practice requires an understanding of how particular types of text provides information and a context about that which cannot be 'seen' in the photograph will also be considered. You will be asked to photograph an aspect of contemporary life and to contextualise your approach through historical and/or contemporary methods.

1. A documentary photographic book, artwork or other media that utilises both image and text. (Learning Outcome 3)

2. Visual Development/Research Files containing evidence of practice, research and independent study in the development of your work for this module. (Learning Outcome 1,2)

Lectures.
Seminars.
Group tutorials.
Individual tutorials.
Independent practice and experimentation.
Independent reading and research.