2015 - Fall
Photojournalism
Course Number: JOUR-GA 1182.015
Day & Time: Thursday, 2:00pm-5:40pm
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?