Revised 5/2019

PHT 106 - Visual Literacy: the Photographic Image (3 CR.)

Course Description

Emphasizes photographic syntax, how it has evolved and how it relates to reading images. Examines psychological, perceptual and contextual issues relating to photographic images. Open to students of all disciplines. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Increases students’ ability to observe and analyze lens-based images and works of art in multiple cultural, social, and historical contexts. Field trips to study original works will be included whenever possible

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

No prerequisites.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

• Identify formal attributes in a photographic image
• identify genre or use of a photographic image
• analyze the role of visual perception in viewing an image
• identify visual references to the history of photography, art, and media

Major Topics to Be Included

• framing, color, light, scale, and other formal elements
• uses of lens-based images in contemporary media
• characteristics of human visual perception
• visual themes in the History of photography and related media
• conceptual themes in 20th and 21st century photography and related media

Optional Topics

May be included at the discretion of the instructor.