Academic Catalogs

PHOT A200: Documentary Photography

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/03/2025
Top Code 101200 - Applied Photography (CTE)
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 81)
Total Outside of Class Hours 54
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Concepts, aesthetics and history of documentary photography. Strongly recommended for students interested in journalism, material culture and social/political issues. Students may use B&W, color or digital photography. Instruction is offered at intermediate and advanced levels. PREREQUISITE: PHOT A125. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Create visual evidence, and defend in critique, work that illustrates an understanding of documentary aesthetics, editing, sequencing, and concepts.
  2. Characterize and evaluate contemporary documentary practices.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Evaluate contemporary documentary photographic practice within a historical context.
  • 2. Analyze photographic meaning through visual language.
  • 3. Assess the inter-relationship between concept and aesthetics.
  • 4. Demonstrate ability to verbalize about photographs based upon visual evidence.
  • 5. Experiment with structural strategies in response to assignments.
  • 6. Demonstrate understanding of documentary practice in relationship to contemporary social/political issues.
  • 7. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between documentary, art, and photojournalism.
  • 8. Produce an extensive self-designed final project.
  • Identify how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in documentary photography.

Lecture Content

A. Historical practices of Documentary

B. Photographer as the objective observer

C. Photographer as a member of a community

D. Narrative

E. Editing

F. Artificial Intelligence (AI) use and ethics

G. Sequencing

H. Alternative presentation strategies

I. The role of the document in social/political contexts

J. Revisionist history and documentary debates of the 70's and 80's

K. Frameworks of Truth and Propaganda

L. Photojournalism and Editorial publication

M. Aesthetics and its relationship to photography as an agent of social/cultural change

Lab Content

LABORATORY CONTENT (36 Hours)
ARRANGED (TBA) LAB CONTENT (45 Hours)
The following content will be covered in a combination of scheduled and TBA lab hours::

1.  Sequencing and non-narrative organizational strategies

2.  Printing a group of photographs for visual coherence

3.  Rights for photographing in public

4.  How to access and engage your subject

5.  Printing for Composition

6.  Soft Proofing

7.  Print Presentation Strategies

8.  Screen and Web-based Presentation Strategies

9. Project Meetings

10. Field Trips

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Slide and video lectures to demonstrate historical and contemporary practices. Slide and video lectures to illustrate concepts and means of execution. Demonstration of approaches to problem solving through lecture and critique. Handouts providing technical instruction. Discussion and critique of conceptual and aesthetic strategies. Instructor and peer feedback through critique of student work. Field trips to museums, editorial offices, etc.

Reading Assignments

Students will spend 1-2 hours/week reading handouts, monographs, interviews with photographers, exhibition reviews, and analyses of visual communication strategies.

Writing Assignments

Writing assignments from 0-3 hours/week will include: Analyses of visual communication strategies and photographic language Responses to reading assignments Exhibition reports Library Book reviews Project Proposals

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend 6-10 hours total/week on out-of-class assignments in response to lecture material. Students will work independently out in the world to meet photographic assignment requirements. Student will utilize the digital lab to complete exercises that use problem solving situations related to assignment work. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in the production of photographic assignments. Students will visually communicate conceptual and aesthetic strategies in response to lecture material.  These ideas must be supported verbally in individual and group critiques as well as in periodic writing assignments.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Written Assignments
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Oral Presentations
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.    Critique of photographic assignments2.    Oral evaluation of conceptual and aesthetic reasoning of visual ideas3.    Written reports and essays4.    Final portfolio

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in the production of photographic assignments. Students will visually communicate conceptual and aesthetic strategies in response to lecture material.  These ideas must be supported verbally in critiques. Students are required to write critical essays on photographic publications and exhibitions. Additionally, students are required to write a proposal for their final project.

Resources Subscreen

  • Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Photography: Master’s degree in photography, fine arts, or art OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in art history or humanities OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.