Syllabus and Schedule

AD30701 Contemporary History of Photography

Purdue University

Spring 2018

Min Kim Park

Office hours: Wednesdays 1-3
Mon/Wed 5:30-6:45

park500@purdue.edu

Course Description/Objectives

As photography moves into the 21st century it is at the center of a discourse surrounding culture and the construction of history, memory, truth, and identity. Invented during the industrial revolution, its continues relevance in the new visual and virtual era cannot be denied. It is therefore important that as contemporary creators and consumers of images we all understand the complex history of the photograph as cultural object. Upon completion of this course, students will have capacity to more confidently engage the work they make within the broader discourse of art. This objective will be addressed through a combination of class lectures, assigned readings, in class discussions, tests and writing assignments. As stated, instruction will be centered on the photograph as cultural object and will include a historical examination of the varied functions of photography and along with how it intermix with other medium such as video, design, performance, installation art. Visual literacy, contemporary art history, and the technological development of the medium will also be addressed. 

Student Responsibility/Evaluation

Students absent on the first day of class will be dropped from this course unless they have notified the Art and Design office in advance. Reinstatement will depend upon availability of space.

•You will be evaluated upon the degree of involvement in this class. Evidence of involvement can be expressed through regular attendance/punctuality, performance on assignments and tests.

• Attendance will be taken for all classes. You are allowed three unexcused absences. Each additional unexcused absence will lower your grade. 6 unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for this course. Excused absences (medical, family emergency, etc.) must be documented and will be considered on an individual basis.

• You should complete assigned readings prior to class. Lectures/readings may change with at least one week's notice. Reading will be posted on the blog as PDF format. Test dates will not change unless an unanticipated event results in lost class time.
• Academic dishonesty (plagiarizing and cheating) will result in a failing grade and be subject to institutional policies as listed in the course schedule book and Purdue Undergraduate catalog.

• Turn off cell phones. Texting in class is rude and annoying. Don't text during the class.

Blog

PDF versions of this document, syllabus, lecture outlines, selected lecture images, test images, and links are on this blog. It is your responsibility to access these documents as there will be no further handouts in class. You should also regularly access the Announcements page (home page) for up-to-date information about this class.  So Check your Blog often!!!!! You also need to blog a feedback about movies, readings, and gallery visits in this class.

Tests

You will have two tests, Midterm and Final. Tests will cover information presented in class lectures, lecture outlines, assigned textbook readings,  and web-link readings. Tests may include any/all of the following: short written answer or commentary, identifications of photographs by artist, title, style, and pertinent comment. All possible test images will be posted on the BLOG two weeks prior to the test. Lecture Outlines and powerpoint will serve as the review sheets for tests.

Attendance Policy

You will be given three unexcused absences. After three, your grade will be lowered a full letter grade per each absence you have. If you have more than 6 absences, your will be failed from the class. If you must miss classes because of a dire situation (funeral, sickness, accident), you must provide a proof of evidence. 

Grades

Two Presentation: 10% each (20%)
Writing on Blog, response to movie, Reading Discussion and attendance:(30%)
Midterm 20%
Final Exam: 30% 

90-100/ A- to A 80-89.9/B-to B+ 70-79.9/C to C+ 60-69.9/D Below 60%/F

Presentation: 

Two presentations on contemporary photography artists. 12 minutes long. Please refer to the guideline of artists presentation. Late assignments will not be accepted. 10% each

Schedule

Jan 8: Introduction : Make a blog
Jan 10: Early History of Photography
Postmodern lecture/Movie on Cindy Sherman
Jan 15: Martin Luther King Day-No Class: Movie on Cindy Sherman finish and leave a feedback

Gallery Visit 1: Tessellated-Samantha Homes and Jackie Head
Thursday, Jan 11 at 5:30-7- opening reception 
Robert L. Ringel Gallery

Sixty Square Inches XIX
Friday, Jan 19 at 5:30-7
Fountain Gallery

Jan 17: Lecture on Conceptual 1
Jan 22: Gallery Visit
Jan 24: Finish Up Conceptual
Reading Assignment: Villem Flusser (3 chapters)
Jan 29:  Fabricated Photography
Jan 31: Watch Waste Land 

Feb 5th-9th A&D Undergraduate Exhibition Entry

Feb 5: Watch Waste Land and Discuss Villum Flusser
Feb 7: Tableau/Staged Photography
Feb 12: Movie on Tableau Photography/Tableau Staged Photography
Feb 14: Lecture on Contemporary Photography 1(New Document)
Reading on Roland Barthes (Chapter 1-10)

Feb 19: Discussion on Roland Barthes
Lecture on Contemporary Photography 2 (Post Modern Documentary Photography-New Document 2)
Feb 21: Discussion on Roland Barthes Continues
Movie on Edward Buttinsky (Postmodern Documentary Photography movie)
Final Day to decide the choice of artist for the presentation
NASAD VISIT

Feb 20- Mar 3: Patti and Rusty Rueff Gallery: Art and Design Undergraduate Exhibition

Art and Design Undergraduate Exhibit
February 26 through March 9, 2018
Ringel Gallery, Stewart Center

Join us at 5:30PM on Thursday, March 1, 2018, for the reception & awards ceremony in Ringel Gallery.

Feb 26: Student Presentation 1 (7 people will present)
Feb 28: Student Presentation 2 (8 people will present)
Mar 5: Study Day

Gallery Visit 3: Ringel Gallery
March 6-April 22: Sonja Peterson: Opening Reception: March 6th 5:30-7pm
https://cla.purdue.edu/academic/vpa/galleries/exhibitions/16-17/Sonja%20Peterson.html

Mar 7: Midterm 
Mar 12-Mar 16: Closed for Spring Break 
Mar 19: Individual meeting (Midterm Hand Out) 
Mar 21: Lecture on Post Photography-Digital Revolution 
Reading on Hito Steyearl

Gallery Visit 5: Aida Muluneh, Artist Talk and Reception, March 23rd at 5:30. Rueff Gallery
https://www.aidamuluneh.com/
https://cla.purdue.edu/academic/vpa/galleries/exhibitions/17-18/TheMemoryOfHope.html

Mar 26: NO CLASS, Instructor will be in the Texas Tech University
Watch, Remix Manifesto and leave a feedback. 

Luke O'Sullivan: Viewfinder
March 26 through May 5, 2018
Ringel Galler, Stewart Center

https://cla.purdue.edu/academic/vpa/galleries/exhibitions/17-18/Viewfinder.html
Artist Luke O’Sullivan creates architecturally inspired sculptures and prints depicting imagined places beneath cities and landscapes. Exploration and adventure are central to the work, with each piece contributing to an ongoing catalogue of a strange invented world. Early interests in Nintendo games, maps, and science fiction contribute to the playful nature of his art.
Join us at 5:30PM on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, for an opening reception featuring comments by the artist.

Mar 28: Discussion on Poor Image, by Hito 
Lecture on Post Photography
April 2:  Lecture on Post Photography-Merging with Other Media
April 4:  Lecture on Post Photography-Merging with Other Media
April 9: Lecture on Post Photography-Merging with Other Media
April 11: Lecture on Leading Contemporary Artists
April 16: Lecture on Post Photography (10 artists leading contemporary fine art photography)
April 18: Student Presentation  (7 )
April 23: Student Presentation(8)
April 25: Study Day 
April 30: Study Day 
May 2: Final Exam