2014 - Fall

Photojournalism

Course Number: JOUR-GA 1182.015

Day & Time: Thursday, 10:00am-1:40pm

Location: 655

Instructor: Lori Grinker

 

This course is about the development of knowledge through photography. As the lines begin to blur 
between documentary photography, photojournalism, vernacular photographs and fine art, how can a 
personal photographic project fit in with new storytelling possibilities such as multimedia platforms, 
smart camera documentation, audio slideshows, tablet e-readers, while addressing social issues in 
depth? Some documentary photographers approach a subject with a clear agenda for prescriptive 
change, some come with a direction, technique, or a subject area, some come seeking answers, often 
in the form of stories or essays, and others seek to portray a psychological reality or state of mind. In 
many cases, a new understanding of the world, or at least one aspect of the world, is achieved. 
Besides imparting an understanding of this process, this course poses the question: How will you 
document the social, political, economic, and cultural issues of today and cultivate a narrative with 
still images? 
 
How will you document a neighborhood of your city; how will you interpret what you see when you 
look through your viewfinder? What knowledge emerges when you discuss and edit your work? And 
most basically, how do you begin? 

This course is about the development of knowledge through photography. As the lines begin to blur 

between documentary photography, photojournalism, vernacular photographs and fine art, how can a 

personal photographic project fit in with new storytelling possibilities such as multimedia platforms, 

smart camera documentation, audio slideshows, tablet e-readers, while addressing social issues in 

depth? Some documentary photographers approach a subject with a clear agenda for prescriptive 

change, some come with a direction, technique, or a subject area, some come seeking answers, often 

in the form of stories or essays, and others seek to portray a psychological reality or state of mind. In 

many cases, a new understanding of the world, or at least one aspect of the world, is achieved. 

Besides imparting an understanding of this process, this course poses the question: How will you 

document the social, political, economic, and cultural issues of today and cultivate a narrative with 

still images? 

 

How will you document a neighborhood of your city; how will you interpret what you see when you 

look through your viewfinder? What knowledge emerges when you discuss and edit your work? And 

most basically, how do you begin?