Semesters

FME103 Photo for media

Course code: 
FME103
Duration: 
2 semesters
Credits (ECTS): 
15
Level of study: 
Foundation level (bachelor’s degree level)
Teaching semester: 
2015 Autumn
2016 Spring
Assessment semester: 
2015 Autumn
2016 Spring
Language of instruction: 
English
Required prerequisite knowledge

Sufficient mastery of the English language to participate in dialogue lecturing. Admission will be based on study programs and a letter of motivation (less than one page A4) stating your background and reason for applying. Motivation letters are to be handed in to the VUC Student Support Office (Studentsørvis) by email: studentsorvis@hivolda.no. Please mark the application FME103. Students following Erasmus programs (up to 18 places) and media related study programs will be given priority. A primary admission list will be made within two weeks after the first application deadline. Students failing to attend the first lecture without valid reason will be excluded. VUC reserves non-commercial user rights to images submitted during the course.

Course content

The course focuses photography for media purposes.

Learning outcome

I samsvar med det nasjonale kvalifikasjonsrammeverket har studenten følgjande læringsutbytte etter fullført emne:

Learning outcome knowledge

The students are to acquire basic knowledge of photo technical development until recent times, and of photo journalism history.

Learning outcome skills

The students are to acquire fundamental skills in photography and picture handling based on a digital platform, as photography is practised in world media today. This includes handling of physical and electronic tools used in the production of photographic images, as well as a basic understanding of journalistic visual communication and the ethics connected to the same. 

Learning outcome qualification

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Working and learning activities

The course provides an introduction to the physical and optical laws behind photographic image production, with practical exercises designed to explore the problems and benefits connected to these facts. The course also explores; in theory and through practical exercises the fundamental rules regarding composition of visual elements and the communicative effects of photographic images. In addition the course provides lectures in the history of photography and photo journalism, as well as basic ethics and law concerning the topic.Teaching is offered in the form of lectures, individual exercises and plenum discussions around submitted studentmade images and images produced by professional photographers; based on given criteria as found in literature on visual communication.Some lectures may take place at evening time and/or during weekends.

Assessment requirements

Each student must submit a portfolio that is to include 19 individually performed exercises; each exercise designed to explore specific challenges related to the trade of professional news photography. The total amount of images needed for a complete portfolio is about 30. The portfolio must be submitted and accepted prior to each student’s individual examination.

Evaluation system

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Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with the University College’s routines for quality assurance. (http://www.hivolda.no/hivolda/om-hogskulen/kvalitetsarbeid)

Minimum number of students: 
15
Maximum number of students: 
25
Used in other programs
Assessment FormGroupingDurationGrading scaleProportionCommentSupport MaterialsScope
Oral examination
Individual
A-F, A is the best grade and E is the lowest passing grade
Each student is subject to individual oral examination on practical and theoretical issues covered by the course. The student’s assessment of the technical and communicative values of his or her own portfolio will be part of the examination, as well as questions regarding general photographic techniques, digital image handling and storage, the history of photography and photo journalism, ethics and law regarding ownership and use of photographic images.