Module Identifier AH30410  
Module Title HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY 1:NINETEENTH AND TWENTIETH CENTURIES  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Mr Christopher P Webster  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Mrs Belinda J Marking  
Course delivery Lecture   Lecture/Seminars: 20hrs  
  Other   Essay preparation: 40 hrs. Exam preparation: 40 hrs  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  50%
Semester Assessment Essay: Both assessed elements must be passed. Only the failed component need be resubmitted50%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. research and compose an essay that clearly demonstrates an ability to contextualize, reflect upon, and critically appraise an aspect of art history (Aims: A, B, C, D, E, F)
2. formulate ideas and opinions in a substantiated and orderly manner (Aims: B, D, E, F)
3. analyse particular photographs in order to show an informed awareness of their possible reading (Aims: A, B, C, D, E, F)
4. critique specific approaches to the medium of photography and contextualise these approaches in relation to the work of lens-based artists (Aims: A, B, C, F)
Relation to Assessment
Outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4 are assessed through both the essay and the examination

Brief description

The History of Photography presented from its inception until circa the 1940's. This module is designed to develop the knowledge of photographic history for the art history student and as an informative essential background for practical photography students. The module investigates some of the major movements, practitioners, themes and techniques employed over its historical development. The relationship of photography to other areas of art is explored through ideas of process and image.

Aims

A. Study the development of the fine art aspects of photography from 1839 to the mid-twentieth century
B. form ideas relating to the interconnectedness of visual art disciplines
C. develop a knowledge of the major themes of photographic history
D. develop a specific program of research and a research methodology
E. undertake a systematic inquiry within a prescribed framework
F. form and test hypotheses

Content

This structure is given for guidance only:
1 Before Photography.
2 Securing the Shadow: Early Pioneers.
3 Seminar looking at images
4 Class test on processes
5 National library of Wales visit
5   Memento Mori: Conquering Mortality (Early Portraits).
6 War and travel.
7   School of Art Collections
8 The new art
9 Stieglitz and the Secession
10 Seminar select image discussion
11 The American vision.
12 Modernist Photography case study Man Ray
13 Social Realism: The Farm Security Administration.
14 Bill Brandt: From Journalism to Art.
15 Robert Frank, revelation America
16 Slide review and examination of the course.

Transferable skills

Reading Lists

Books
Ian Jeffery (1991) Photography: A Concise History London: Thames and Hudson
Susan Sontag (1979) On Photography London: Penguin
H. Gernsheim (1971) Concise History of Photography London: Thames and Hudson
Beaumont Newhall (1982) A History of Photography New York: Museum of Modern Art
Aaron Scharf (1986) Art and Photography New York: Penguin
B. Coe and M. Haworth-Booth (1983) A Guide to Early Photographic Processes London: Victoria and Albert Museum
Peter Galassi (1981) Before Photography New York: Museum of Modern Art

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6