An essay, illustrated with your own photographs and the work of others (3,000 words). 100% (LO's 1 - 3)

This module enables you to develop and explore issues and ideas around your own area of particular interest. The work for submission is an essay which contextualises your own work within an illustrated essay, completed to academic conventions and standards. This module sits alongside the Photojournalism in Context module and it is intended that the images produced for Photojournalism in Context be utilised and fully investigated within this essay.

This module will ask you to demonstrate the ability to engage in relevant research and visual analysis, as well as the ability to select works to construct a logical line of argument. The essay will also enable you to research, evaluate and contextualise your material, in order to demonstrate an understanding of the historical, cultural, ethical and theoretical issues relevant to your chosen subject.

The essay will require a demonstration of knowledge gained through research of relevant texts and other appropriate sources. It will also require you to write clearly and adopt an analytical approach to issues relevant to your chosen subject.

Lectures
Group tutorials
Individual tutorials
Independent reading and research
Group critiques
Seminars

Library - where you will find relevant textbooks, periodicals, and audio-visual materials.
Internet - where you will find numerous relevant websites.
Word-processing facilities
The Blackboard VLE will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Burnham, D. Studying Independently: Writing Better Essays, Exams and Presentations. Faculty of Arts Media & Design Booklet 2006
Clanchy, J. & Ballard, B. (1993) How to Write Essays: A Practical Guide for Students Fairbairn, G. & Winch, C. (1996) Reading, Writing and Reasoning
Periodicals: Portfolio, Source, Next Level, Eight, British Journal of Photography

Students will determine their own reading list appropriate to their work, with tutor guidance. Students are expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities available within the University, keeping abreast of current developments through appropriate books and periodicals and being aware of the work of relevant practitioners both historical and contemporary in their chosen field.

1. IDENTIFY, ANALYSE AND APPLY KEY VISUAL THEORY TO YOUR OWN PRACTICE.
[Analysis]

2. DEMONSTRATE A COMPETENT ABILITY TO ASSESS, DEBATE AND CRITICALLY EMPLOY MATERIAL FROM ACADEMIC SOURCES RELEVANT TO YOUR PRACTICE, WITHIN AN ILLUSTRATED ESSAY.
[Problem Solving; Reflection]

3. DEMONSTRATE DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR CHOSEN SUBJECT IN RELATION TO A WIDER PHOTOJOURNALISTIC CONTEXT.
[Knowledge & Understanding]

This module introduces you to the framework of the course and to the structures of `Creative' and `Critical Thinking' that underpin and will define your mode of study throughout the three-year degree programme. This course asks that besides making photographs you will be required to demonstrate an understanding of how photographs are used in many diverse ways as a form of visual communication. Successful visual communication depends upon the ability to produce understandable messages, and with the familiarity of the photographic image in everyday life appearing as something 'natural' it is important to ask particular questions about such messages. From newspapers, magazines, television, the Internet, books, the family album to the art gallery, photographs are a pervasive presence. This module asks a basic question 'what is a photograph' It further asks what exactly they do and how. It is taught through a lecture, practical workshop and seminar-based delivery. Visual and verbal presentation skills will be developed through group structured tutorials and discussion.

The practical workshops ask students to produce various 'sets' of photographs in response to a series of briefs. This will require you to apply a wide range of creative and technical skills associated with effective visual communication. The aim is to begin the process of 'thinking' about how you photograph and why, through the development of visual and conceptual skills. You will consider the diversity of photographic practices and be introduced to a methodology of 'description' and `interpretation', which provide a framework for constructive thought and criticism.

You will learn the academic conventions used at university level to organise information whether in written, verbal or visual forms and to the methods by which you can research, evaluate and communicate both the practice, history and theory of art and design, with particular focus on photography. You will learn how to use research resources in the Thompson Library and the Design Collection.