COURSE SYLLABUS: HISTORICAL & SOCIAL IMPACT OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN MEXICO

Location: Oaxaca City, Mexico

Partner Institution: Universidad Autónoma de Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO)

Course Title: Historical & Social Impact of Photography in Mexico (Historía e impacto social de la fotografía en México)

Instruction in: Spanish

Contact Hours: 45

Semester credits/Quarter units: 3/4

Course Description

The class focuses on the historical and social context of photography in Mexico. It demonstrates the history of photography in Mexico and how it influenced, and influences, Mexican society today. The student will be required to write essays on the history of photography in Mexico and on assigned topics dealing with the class discussions. There is also a technical component to the course to introduce the student to the necessary techniques and knowledge to work with digital photography images in order to better understand the works studied.

Program

The course covers the following:

History & Social Impact of Photography:

• Introducion to the medium of fotography and its potencial influence on society

• Discuss the questions of objectivity, influence, and honesty.

• History of photography in Mexico

• The first photographers: their history, works, and impacts in social and technical arenas.
• The photographic boom in Mexico and its influence in the politics of Mexico and rising social movements.
• A new type of social consciousness and stereotyping in Mexico and in the way the world views Mexico.

• Contemporary Mexican photographers

• Current photographers and their impact in society and politics.
• Current international image and stereotyping of Mexico.
• Current challenges and responsibility of photographers.

• Journalistic photography and its impact on society

• How particular images have changed our social awareness and aided certain groups in their fight against injustice through journalistic photography.
• History of the manipulation and distrust of photography in journalism.
• The impact of desensitization of violence, povery, and misery in the world through photojournalism.
• The image as a social judge.

• Globalization and photography in reporting

• Summary of the past effect of photojournalism, and the question of photojournalisms place in the world today.
• How are images presented and spread in our world today? What have been their effects?

Understanding Photography:

• Technology: important technical understanding in professional photography: natural lighting, chemical processes, and sensitive materials.
• Composition: composition and frame, elements used in taking photographs.
• Illumination: light behavior from a practical point of view without forgetting aesthetics or freedom of expression.
• Publicity photography: characteristics of specific equipment. Advertising campaigns. Publicity, special effects and fashion photography.
• Digital photography: touchups. Photo books. Images. Capturing an image. Framing. PhotoShop.

Course Objective

• Learn to value the power of the image and its influences in history and society and in this case, in Mexico, specifically.
• Learn to take advantage of current photographic techniques and knowledge to take photos and to acquire a critical eye to select photos.
• Develop the creative capacity of the student and learn to express oneself through the art of photography and to discuss the historical and social context of photography in Mexico through class presentations and essays.

Evaluation

The final course grade is based on exams and the evaluation of a final project.

Homework assignments: 15%

Presentations: 10%

Essays (at least 2): 25%

Final project: 50%

Contact Information:

SOL EDUCATION ABROAD

EMAIL: info@soleducation.com

WEB: www.soleducation.com

PHONE: 512.380.1003

FAX: 512.287.4886

MAIL: 503 Oakland Ave. Austin, TX 78703