Theory of Photography 1

Subject guarantor:

Robert SILVERIO

Name of lecturer(s):

Robert SILVERIO

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

Mode of study:

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Recommended optional programme components:

Theory of Photography

First semester:

1) Introduction in the problematics

2) Berger John: Ways of Seeing

3) Walter Benjamin,: A Short History of Photography, Walter, Benjamin,: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction

4) Barthes Roland: Rethoric of the Image, Barthes Roland: Mythology

5) Sontag, Suzanne: On Photography

6) Flusser, Vilém: Towards the History of Photography

Second Semestr:

7) McLuhan, Marshall: Understanding Media

8) Sekula, Allan: On the Invention on Photographic Meaning

9) Baudrillard, Jean: various essays

10) Crimp, Douglas: Photography as Postmodern Activity

11) Solomon-Godeau, Abigail: Photography after Art Photography

12) Manovich, Lev: various essays

Basic Literature:

Barthes, Roland: Camera Lucida,

Barthes Roland: Mythology

Barthes Roland: Rethoric of the Image

Baudrillard, Jean: various essays

Berger John: Ways of Seeing

Benjamin, Walter: A Short History of Photography

Walter, Benjamin,: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproductions

Crimp, Douglas: Photography as Postmnodern Activity

Flusser, Vilém: Towards the History of Photography

Manovich, Lev: various essays

McLuhan, Marshall: Understanding Media

Sekula, Allan: On the Invention on Photographic Meaning

Solomon-Godeau, Abigail: Photography after Art Photography

Sontag, Suzanne: On Photography

Key words: philosophy, semiotics, analysis, structuralism, postructuralism, media, communication, modernist, postmodern

Course Outline:

This seminar is aimed at deep analysis of broad variety of functions and paradigms of photography as a means of social communication.

Description:

Reading theoretical texts on photography (and culture in general) and its critical judgement is demanded. It connects photography with semiotics and inter-culturual disciplines.

Assignments:

Students shall be asked to prepare papers on various texts (see lit.) and also on various exhibitions (according to the given possibilities). They will present them in front of the other students and thus subdue these essays to their critical discussion.

Each student is supposed to have at least one presentation per semesetr.

Grading:

Participation in discussions: 45%

Presentation of essays in front of other students: 45%

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

Course contents:

Recommended or required reading:

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Assessment methods and criteria:

Course web page:

Note:

On alternate year for 2. and 3. class (2010/11).

Schedule for winter semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2012/2013:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Fotografie EN - bakalář (qualification subject)