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Introduction
The Documentary Photography and Visual Activism degree programme is the first of its kind in the UK. As documentary photographers and visual activists, you will be encouraged to re-evaluate and challenge the history and conventions of photography. You will develop an increased awareness of the power structures inherent in photography.
The course contemporise's traditional, practical, documentary, and photojournalistic skills through an emphasis on the medium as a social rather than an individual process. You will be supported to become advocates for the causes you are most passionate about, and to become fully engaged in investigating your chosen subject areas. At the core of the course is a focus on the ethical responsibility of the photographer and an awareness of the implications implicit in the act of representation.
During the course, you will be encouraged to work collaboratively within the local community and to think about your wider role and responsibilities as active citizens and what this means for a democratic society.
This course embraces photography in its broadest sense, engaging with the latest technology to harness the potential of new digital media.
Why choose this course?
1. An innovative approach to photojournalism and documentary
2. Great links with industry specialists and practitioners
3. Small and friendly class sizes, and easy access to up-to-date equipment
4. Regular visiting lecturer programme
5. Opportunities to work with charities, community groups and other clients on live briefs
Overview
YEAR ONE
In your first year the focus is on developing your practical and technical skills to provide a foundation to investigate subjects of personal interest. Areas covered include:
• Traditional darkroom techniques
• How to use Adobe software packages
• Professional studio and location lighting techniques
• How to respond to set briefs
• How to combine both analogue and digital skills to create innovative outcomes
• The history of photography and visual culture theory
YEAR TWO
Building on the skills developed in your first year, the second year is a time for further experimentation and collaborative working:
• Working in small groups to design and curate your own public exhibition
• Conceptualise and produce a photobook
• Have opportunities to undertake funded internships
• Become increasingly focused on developing a professional platform for your work (including: website/social media/exhibition strategies)
• Experiment with alternative darkroom processes
• Have the option to study a semester abroad
• Apply your research and critical analysis skills to a major project proposal
YEAR THREE
Your third year is about developing your professional portfolio and equipping yourself for a professional career in the creative industries after graduation:
• Develop a self-directed major project/body of work
• Produce work for collective exhibition in Swansea and London
• Have opportunities to present your work to industry professionals
• Have developed technical and creative skills to industry level
Modules
Year One – Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)
• Contemporary Documentary Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
• Exhibition 1.0 (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Re-thinking Photojournalism (20 credits; compulsory)
• The Artist Zine (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Visual Studies 1 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Studies 2 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Ways of Perceiving (10 credits; compulsory)
• Ways of Thinking (10 credits; compulsory).
Year Two – Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)
• Exhibition 2.0 (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• World Building (20 Credits; Compulsory)
• Publication and Protest (20 credits; compulsory)
• Research in Context (10 credits; compulsory)
• Research in Practice (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Activism: Location & Curation (20 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Enquiry 1 (10 credits; compulsory)
• Visual Enquiry 2 (10 credits; compulsory).
Year Three – Level 6 (BA)
• Advanced Creative Enquiry (20 credits; compulsory)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory)
• Major Project (60 credits; compulsory).
Entry Criteria
The Documentary Photography and Visual Activism course is open to those with an interest in the media, politics and social change; some previous knowledge of photography is advantageous but not essential.
We are interested in creative people that demonstrate a strong commitment to art and/or design, and therefore we welcome applications from individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. To assess student suitability for their chosen course we arrange interviews for all applicants at which your skills, achievements and life experience will be considered as well as your portfolio of work.
Our standard offer for a degree course is 120 UCAS tariff points. We expect applicants to have a grade C or above in English Language (or Welsh) at GCSE level, together with passes in another four subjects. Plus we accept a range of Level 3 qualifications including:
• Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, plus one GCE A-Level in a relevant academic subject
• Three GCE A-Levels or equivalent
• UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
• UAL L3 Applied General Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design.
• UAL L3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication.
• UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology.
• BTEC Extended Diploma in a relevant subject
• International Baccalaureate score of 32
• Other relevant qualifications can be considered on an individual basis
Qualifications are important, however, our offers are not solely based on academic results. If you don’t have the required UCAS points, we can consider offers to applicants based on individual merit, exceptional work, and/or practical experience.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Assessment varies according to the module and ranges from portfolios, exhibitions, written assignments and blogs to presentations.
Career Opportunities
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