Seminar on Theory of Photography 1

Subject guarantor:

Name of lecturer(s):

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

This seminar is aimed at a deep analysis of the theory of photography. Students are required to read and critique theoretical literature on photography (and visual culture ). The course connects photography with semiotics and intercultural disciplines.

Mode of study:

Assignments:

Students shall be asked to raed critically various texts on theory of photography and visuality and media (see lit.) Each student will present one analysis of a theoretical text per semester. It will be done in front of the other students and thus the interpretation will be subdued to their critical discussion.

Grading:

Participation in discussions: 45%

Presentation of essays in front of other students: 45%

Participation in course 10% (however not less than 60%)

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

None

Recommended optional programme components:

Course contents:

This seminar is aimed at a deep analysis of the theory of photography. Students are required to read and analyze and iterpret theoretical literature on photography (and visual culture). The course connects photography with semiotics and intercultural disciplines.

Recommended or required reading:

Literature:

Adorno Theodor: The Culture Industry, Routledge, London 2001

Barthes Roland: Camera Lucida, any edition

Barthes Roland: Image, Music Text, Hill and Wang, NY 1978

Bourdieu Pierre: Photography: A Middle-brow Art, Stanford University Press, Stanford 1990

Burgin Victor (ed.): Thinking Photography, MacMillan Press, London 1982

Burgin Victor: In/Different Spaces, University of California Press Berkley and Los Angeles 1996

Flusser Vilém: Towards a Philosophy of Photography, European Photography, Göttingen 1984

McLuhan Marshal: Understanding Media, McGraw-Hill, New York 1965

Sontag Susan: On Photography, any edition after 1977

Wells, Liz (ed.) The Photography Reader, Routledge, London 2003

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Assessment methods and criteria:

Assignments:

Students shall be asked to raed critically various texts on theory of photography and visuality and media (see lit.) Each student will present one analysis of a theoretical text per semester. It will be done in front of the other students and thus the interpretation will be subdued to their critical discussion.

Grading:

Participation in discussions: 45%

Presentation of essays in front of other students: 45%

Participation in course 10% (however not less than 60%)

Course web page:

Note:

On alternate year for 2. and 3. class (2011/12).

Further information:

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Fotografie EN - bakalář (qualification subject)
• Fotografie EN - magistr (qualification subject)