ART/COMM 230 - Visual Communication: Storytelling through Photography - Spring Semester 2020 - Course Syllabus

Sep 24, 2026

Course syllabus for ART/COMM 230 Visual Communication: Storytelling through Photography (Spring Semester 2020) with instructor Philippa Stannard, MFA. The course focuses on how photographs convey emotion, mood, narrative, ideas, and messages, guiding students to research, plan, and communicate a story through photographic choices. Learning outcomes emphasize responsibility in selecting subjects, effective visual storytelling, critical examination of digital communication technologies as narrative forms, and practical use of technology to present stories. Assessment includes photographic assignments, quizzes, critiques, readings, and oral presentations, with final grades based on attendance, participation, and improvement.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Course Overview

Course Description

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Measures

Course Materials and Assessment

Grading and Course Requirements

Grading Scale

Course Requirements and Late Work

Photographic Assignments

Syllabi available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved. ART/COMM 230: Visual Communication: Storytelling through Photography Course Syllabus Spring Semester 2020 Instructor: Philippa Stannard, MFA Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 45 Prerequisites: None Class Hours: TBA Office Hours: TBA Course Type: Standard Course Lab Fee: 70 € Course Description A photograph has the ability to convey emotion, mood, narrative, ideas, and messages – all of which are important elements of storytelling. You can easily take a photograph, but not all photographs tell rich stories. How can we create engaging and compelling stories with a set of photographs? How has it been done by other photographers, both past and present? What stories are we interested in telling? What will we include and what will we leave out? Each student will choose and plan a “story” to research and explore through the photographic medium. “Photography is a majorforce in explaining man to man ” -EdwardSteichen Learning Outcomes and Assessment Measures By the end of the course, students will have: ● developed a deeper understanding of the concept of storytelling and the power of narrative; ● an instilled sense of responsibility for what you choose to photograph and present; ● communicated an idea or story effectively with photographs; ● critically examined the digital landscape of communication technologies as emergent narrative forms and genres for storytelling; ● developed skills in using technology as a tool in communication of stories; and ● improved communication skills. Syllabi available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved. Learning Outcomes Assessment Measures (Course requirements that will be used to assess students ’achievementfor each learning outcome) Develop an understanding of storytelling and power of narrative within the context of the photographic language Awareness and responsibility for subjects photographed and ideas communicated Use of technology to optimize and present a story with photographs Quiz, Assignments, Critiques Critiques, Readings and Assignments Assignments Critically examine the digital landscape of communication technologies as emergent narrative forms and genres for storytelling Quiz, Readings, Assignments, Written and Oral Report Course Materials Readings Storytellers: A Photographer’s Guide to Developing Themes and Creating Stories with Pictures by Jerod Foster Seeing Things by Joel Meyerowitz Assessment Photographic assignments (4) 80% Quizzes and class participation 10% Oral reports and presentations 5% Written reports 5% Grading Letter grades for student work are based on the following percentage scale: Letter Grade Range A A B+ B B C+ C Numerical Score Equivalent 93% -100% 90% -92% 87% -89% 83% -86% 80% -82% 77% -79% 73% -76% Student Performance Exceptional Excellent Superior Satisfactory Syllabi available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved. C D+ D D F 70% -72% 67% -69% 63% -66% 60% -62% 59% or less Low Pass Fail (no credit) Course Requirements Grades are based on class attendance, class participation, quizzes, the quality and punctuality of turning in written and photographic assignments, and overall improvement. Assignments are due on the assigned date. For every class that your assignment is late, your grade on the assignment will drop by one letter grade, unless you have a written note from a doctor. Photographic assignments (4) (80%) You will have four storytelling assignments due during the semester. Each assignment will consist of taking a

FAQs

What is the main goal of ART/COMM 230: Visual Communication: Storytelling through Photography?

Students learn how to create engaging stories using photographs, including what to include or leave out and how photographic choices shape meaning.

How are student learning outcomes assessed in this course?

Assessment uses photographic assignments, quizzes and class participation, critiques/readings/assignments, and oral reports and presentations tied to each learning outcome.

What are the main course requirements for the semester?

Students complete four storytelling photographic assignments, each involving at least 300 photographs, and then select and present the strongest images with captions and a story; grades also reflect attendance, participation, punctuality, and improvement.

Sep 24, 2026

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