Syllabus

Digital Photography Syllabus

This course will be organized on the following four International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Program (MYP) principles:

1) Design Cycle: The design cycle will be implemented in each unit in order for students cultivate a process of investigating, planning, creating, and evaluating. Students will be expected to accomplish this independently by the end of the 5^th MYP year.

2) Learner Profile: The learner profile will be emphasized to develop essential dispositions within students, as they become internationally minded members of society. By embodying the learner profile students will strive to be critically thinking, caring, curious, open-minded, skillful, and knowledgeable people. IB students should progressively develop and display the ten IB learner characteristics:

• Inquirers
• Knowledgeable
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Principled
• Open minded
• Caring
• Risk takers
• Well-balanced
• Reflective

3) IB Assessment Criterion: The International Baccalaureate assessment criterion will be used to evaluate student growth and performance.

4) Areas of Interaction: Content in this course will be connected to areas of interaction that highlight social contexts and connections between an individual student, creation of artwork and other disciplines. These focus areas of interaction assure exploration of real-life issues within the course.

Throughout this course the following types of materials will be explored:

Manual Digital Cameras

Apple Mac Computers with:

            Adobe Photoshop

            Adobe Illustrator

            Blogger.com

Printers

Lights

Behavior Expectations:

·      Be IB: Demonstrate the 10 aspects of the learner profile at all times.

The IB learner profile

IB learner profile

The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing our

common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful

world. IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers

They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable

They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers

They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled

They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded

They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring

They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers

They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced

They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective

They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Further Expectations:

·      Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings:

o   Begin working on bell work immediately- bell work may count towards your grade.

·      No cell phones/iPods/personal digital devices/headphones/etc… The teacher will take these if they are out. They can be claimed after class (do not disrupt class to discuss this) The teacher will play music at the appropriate times.

·      Follow all guidelines in the student handbook.

·      Remain in your seat during work time: no wandering around to socialize.

·      Listen when your classmates or teacher are talking.

·      Be engaged throughout the entire class period; your grade depends largely on this as a IB assessment criterion.

·      Clean up after yourself: no one is allowed to leave the class if the room is not clean.

·      Do not line up at the door

·      Ask permission to leave the classroom for any reason (bathroom, nurse, etc…)

o   Sign your name/date/time out/time in on the sign out sheet.

·      No food (small snack okay occasionally)

·      Drinks must have a lid and be in a clear container.

·      Do not be wasteful with supplies. If we run out of materials, we do bookwork.

·      Conversations need to be considerate of your classmates’ feelings and school appropriate.

Absence/Late-work Policies:

·      No late work, unless you are absent (excused) the day the assignment is due.

·      You will be marked down 10% each day an assignment is late.

·      Excused absence: For each class period you miss, you will be permitted two days to complete the missed work. Work must be completed outside of class (open-studio, or intervention)

·      Unexcused absence: Results in afterschool detention. Work will receive no more than 75% credit.

·      Passes are for emergency use only. You will be given 3 passes per semester.

Writing/Reflection/Critique Expectations

·      Written/Oral critiques will be used as a reflective measure after each unit

·      Maintain a Developmental Workbook

o   Keep track of your progress on each unit as you proceed through the design cycle.

·      Use proper grammar, MLA format citations, art vocabulary.

·      Participate in class discussion/critiques.

·      Provide your classmates with construction criticism at appropriate times.

·      When observing possible areas of improvement provide suggestions to your classmates on how to improve that area.

·      Accept your classmates’ criticisms and viewpoints: learn from each other.

·      Provide positive comments before negative comments to your classmates.

·      Use criticism to improve your artwork.

·      Reflect on your work independently throughout the design cycle.

Project Expectations:

·      Work independently as much as possible, but do not be afraid to ask the teacher or a classmate for help when appropriate.

·      If you miss a deadline and have an unexcused absence you will be assigned to the next intervention cycle.

·      Take risks in your art-making- be creative, try new things, and don’t “play it safe” and copy others work. Copying is plagiarism and not “safe” at all.

·      Craftsmanship is very important- take pride in your work

Tests/Quizzes/Final Exam

·      May take the form of writing, multiple choice, or the creation of artwork/art portfolio.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me:

Mike Brandt

Email: mbrandt@d49.org

Phone: 719-495-1149 x2130

Parent Signature Section

Please remove this page from the rest of the syllabus have a parent sign and return this as soon as possible.

Course Title : Digital Photography

Students may log art work and write written reflections on an online blog as a form of personal artwork portfolio. This will allow them to share their artwork with each other, as well as easily organize their work and writings. Some of their artwork may contain images of their face such as self-portraits & video skits/reflections. Please indicate your permission for the following pertaining to their personal artwork blog:

I give my student permission to post their artwork on a student portfolio website:  YES   NO

I give my student permission to post images/videos of their face on their portfolio website:  YES   NO

Students in this class will use a school owned digital camera with a value of $300-$500. I would like to allow my student to use the school camera, and accept full financial responsibility should the camera become damaged or go missing:

         YES           NO

If you would like to have your student bring their own camera or plan on purchasing one for your student please contact me for features the camera should have. There are cameras that have all the features necessary for around $130 dollars.

This class has a one-time course fee of $20.00

Please turn this money in to the athletic office.

By signing below I indicate that I have read and understand the class expectations, rules, policies and procedures:

Student Name Print/Sign_________________________________________________________

Parent Name Print/Sign__________________________________________________________

Date_______________