St. Edward's University: Photocommunications Program

This is an introductory course in basic photography and visual literacy with an emphasis on discovery and creativity. Students learn about film, light, and basic camera operation and are introduced to black and white processes. No prior experience is necessary. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 1319- Photography II

This course continues to develop 35mm camera and darkroom skills, including refinements in film exposure and development, metering techniques, intermediate black and white printing skills, flash, and print presentation techniques. Students work on self-directed projects and begin their portfolio work in this course. Prerequisite: PHCO 1318 or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 2320- Digital Imaging I

Through a series of creative projects and critiques emphasizing traditional fine-art aesthetic and design principles applicable to visual communication in a broad range of disciplines, this course introduces student to computer-based imaging and basic desktop publishing assembly using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign in a Macintosh environment. Prerequisite: PHCO 1318 for PHCO majors; CULF 1319 with a grade of C or higher for all non-PHCO, Art, or Graphic Design majors, or consent of the instructor. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

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PHCO 2323- Photography in the Humanities

This course explores the uses of photography in the humanities, emphasizing documentary photography and its social and historical significance. This course will also examine the relationship between words and images using classic examples of books utilizing photos and text; the ethical relationship between photographers and their subjects is also discussed. Students will produce a portfolio centered on a class project. Prerequisites: PHCO 1319 with grade of C or higher or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Fall. 3 hours.

PHCO 2324- History of Photography

This course covers the history of the photographic medium from its origins and invention in 1826 to the present. Through studying the development of photography, students will gain a basis for making and viewing contemporary images, from both technical and aesthetic viewpoints. Through lectures, readings, writings, and field trips, students will experience the discipline and artifacts generated by 150 years of photographic-imagemaking throughout the world. Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 3322- Styles and Themes

This course will focus on varied technical or stylistic topics selected by the instructor in the areas of photography and related media. Topics may include advanced black & white printing, alternative printing processes, portfolio production, editorial photography, artists' books, presentation methods, multimedia projects, and other stylistic and subject-based topics. Students will view relevant contemporary and historical work of significance, and will complete assignments and/or projects to enhance their understanding of the course topic. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: PHCO 1319 with a grade of C or higher or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

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PHCO 3331- Video Production

An introduction to theory and technical aspects of video production with emphasis on aesthetic and communicative potential of the medium. While learning basic production skills, students consider narrative structure through a series of video short assignments. This course emphasizes the development of compositional and camera skills as well as digital-video-editing skills. Prerequisite: PHCO 1318 with C or above or instructor permission. Fall. 3 hours.

PHCO 3334- Large Camera

This advanced course in black & white photography focuses on the use of the view camera, view camera optics, metering techniques, and basic Zone System techniques. Topics include portraiture, landscape, architectural and others. Students will produce a portfolio. Prerequisites: PHCO 1319 with a grade of C or higher or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 3335- Studio

This course will introduce students to the professional use of the studio, studio lighting, and studio production techniques. Emphasis will be on mastering electronic and tungsten lighting for portraiture, product photography and still life. Color and black & white materials and digital techniques will be used. Prerequisite: PHCO 1319 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission only. Spring. 3 hours.

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PHCO 3336- Professional Practices

This course is designed as a computer-based business primer for photographers. It is an introduction to basic business practices that are essential for economic survival and prosperity. Bookkeeping, “the paper trail,” marketing, client communications, portfolio design and preparation, legal issues, and other practical information will be covered. Students should have good basic computing skills and preferably have completed PHCO 3335, Studio, prior to enrollment. If possible, this course should be taken before Senior Seminar, Senior Exhibition and Portfolio, and Internship. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Fall, odd numbered years. 3 hours.

PHCO 3338- Color Photography

This course covers color negative materials. Printing from color negatives introduces the skills of determining correct color contrast and color balance, skills that enhance color work done in any medium, traditional or digital. Students shoot under a variety of lighting conditions in order to explore the unique possibilities of working in color, and they complete technical exercises and a self-directed portfolio project. Prerequisites: PHCO 1319 with a grade of C or higher and consent of instructor. Portfolio review required for transfer students. Fall, Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 3339- Multimedia

Using current electronic media technologies, this course introduces students to basic website design and development with emphasis on the intelligent and aesthetically cogent incorporation of still images, audio, video, and text into an interactive media-rich and easily navigable web site of strong contemporary visual design. Working in a Macintosh environment, students will use software that may include Macromedia DreamWeaver, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe ImageReady, and Adobe Premiere, as well as utility programs such as iTunes for MP3 encoding and RealProducer for the production of streamable and web deliverable video. Prerequisite: PHCO 1318, PHCO 2320 and PHCO 3331, all with a grade of C or above; or instructor permission. Spring. 3 hours.

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PHCO 3340- Digital Imaging II

This course continues development of student knowledge of and experience in visual problem solving with contemporary, photographically based computer-mediated imaging and output. There is an emphasis on sequential and/or narrative visual strategies. During the course of the semester, using softwares such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign, students create projects that may be based exclusively in photographically derived images or that may contain text and/or mixed-media such as the combination of pencil, pen, pastel, and watercolor with digital output on artist's paper or manually rendered, digitally conceived designs. There is emphasis on fine art ink-jet output. The course is particularly recommended not only for Photocommunications majors, but for Art and Graphic Design students as well. Prerequisites: PHCO 1318 and PHCO 2320, both with a grade of C or above, or instructor permission. Fall. 3 hours.

PHCO 3345- Digital Darkroom

This course will concentrate on mastering the workflow necessary to produce fine art prints, color and black/white, using digital technology. The emphasis will be on using desktop scanners, Photoshop and ink-jet printers. System calibration and color management skills will be covered in-depth. This is a portfolio course. Students are expected to produce digital prints that will make a substantial addition to their graduation portfolios. Print aesthetics will be discussed extensively. Prerequisites: PHCO 2320 with a grade of C or better, or consent of the instructor based on portfolio review. Fall, even-numbered years. 3 hours.

PHCO 4340- Directed Studies

This course is designed for students in their senior year wishing to pursue an advanced topic within photography or related media. The work may be either production-oriented or theoretical. Students will work individually with an instructor on a project contract basis. Students must file an approved learning contract for this course with their instructor prior to enrollment. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 30 hours of PHCO courses and consent of instructor based on portfolio and/or proposal review. 3 hours.

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PHCO 4343- Senior Seminar I – Professional Practices

In this required senior-level course, students will refine their personal portfolios, develop a graduation plan relevant to their interests and career goals, and plan and prepare work for the spring senior exhibition. Students will explore presentation skills relevant to their particular interests and career goals, and undertake preliminary preparation for job search, internship, workshop, and graduate school opportunities. This course will introduce basic business practices that are essential for economic survival and prosperity, including bookkeeping, “the paper trail,” marketing, client communications, portfolio design and preparation, legal issues, and other practical information. Students will also prepare appropriate written materials to accompany their portfolios. This course must be taken during the fall semester immediately prior to a student's last spring semester. Prerequisite: 30 hours of PHCO course credit with 18 hours in PHCO courses taken at St. Edward's or consent of instructor based on portfolio review. Course must be taken in residence at St. Edward's. Fall. 3 hours.

PHCO 4344- Senior Seminar II – Exhibition, Thesis and Portfolio

This required senior level course functions as the capstone of each PHCO student's program of study. In this course, students will exhibit their best work in the Art Gallery, and will be responsible for all aspects of exhibition planning and installation, continuing the work begun the previous semester in Senior Seminar I. In addition, students will complete professional portfolios appropriate to their career interests and goals. Through class discussions, students will refine their personal post-graduation goals, which may include further internships, assisting, workshops, grant applications, and graduate school. A written thesis is also required. Prerequisite: PHCO 4343 with a grade of C or higher. Course must be taken in residence at St. Edward's. Spring. 3 hours.

PHCO 4350- Internship

A required course for advanced students who have a working knowledge of the various aspects of the photographic process. Students approved for an internship work either with professional photographers, publishers, advertisers, graphic designers, archives or other relevant professionals, chosen by the student in consultation with the instructor. Through the internship, students gain career-related experience in a real-life setting and prepare for the school-to-work transition. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Fall, Spring, Summer. 3 hours.

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