ART 301/JMS 330
iPhoneography and the Democratic Camera
Roosevelt University: Summer, 2021
Mike Ensdorf, Professor of Photography
Department of Communication
E-mail: mensdorf@roosevelt.edu
Main Office: 620, Auditorium building
Phone: 312-341-6458
Office Hours: Wed, 11am-1pm, REMOTE via ZOOM. Email for appointment.
The best way to reach me is by e-mail. I check it daily.
Course description
Everyone is a photographer and cameraphones are everywhere. This course will explore the creative implications and practices of using the iPhone as an artistic and journalistic tool. Students must have an iPhone X or newer to enroll in the course, and will be expected to download various photography apps for use in the class. We will use the iPhone to create and edit photographic work. Students will learn a new set of photographic standards, applications, and practices through individual shooting assignments and examples of contemporary photographic work. (3 credit hours)
Time: 1pm-4:45pm, Wednesdays
Place: REMOTE via ZOOM
Remote courses are web-based and run on Blackboard and Zoom. A remote course has both synchronous and asynchronous features. Synchronous learning is online or distance education that happens in real time, such as chat rooms and Zoom conferences. The synchronous activities in this class will always take place during the scheduled course time and day to insure there are no course schedule conflicts. Asynchronous learning occurs through online channels without real-time interaction, such as discussion boards, readings, viewing videos, doing assignments and email. There may not be full-class Zoom meetings every scheduled date. To be sure of when Zoom meetings occur, you must check the syllabus. Zoom conferences may be recorded for later viewing.
Evaluation:
- Shooting assignments: 50%
- Attendance and participation: 25%
- Final project: 25%
A/A-
Conceptually and technically excellent work, near-perfect attendance, all assignments completed on-time, strong midterm and final projects.
B+/B/B-
Good, clean work, with only minor technical problems, no more than 2 classes missed over the semester, all assignments completed on-time, good midterm and/or final projects.
C+/C/C-
All of the above, no more than 3 classes missed, most of the assignments completed on-time, a good midterm or final project.
D+/D/D-
Technically poor work, more than 3 classes missed, multiple missed assignments, incomplete final project.
Attendance: Mandatory. Lateness and any unexcused absence will affect your final grade. Three absences is considered to be deserving of a failing grade.
Prerequisites: Jour/Comm 201 (for JMS section. No prerequisite for ART section) or consent of instructor.
Policies
Face masks are required in all classrooms, during all face to face classes. Anyone refusing to wear a face mask will be asked to leave the classroom.
Academic integrity: For the Academic Integrity Policy on issues such as plagiarism, repurposing, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty, please see the University’s policies page, which is available at: University Policies Webpage. Additional guidelines for avoiding plagiarism are available on this webpage: Academic Integrity Guide for Students.
Disability: If you have a condition or disability that requires reasonable accommodation, please alert Disability Services (in the Learning Commons) as soon as possible. In order to effectively use accommodations, they should be implemented prior to any assignments, quizzes or tests. In Chicago, Disability Services is located in the Learning Commons, AUD1050 (inside the Library), and the phone number is 312-341-3811. In Schaumburg, Disability Services is in room 517, and the phone number is 847-619-7978. You can also reach Disability Services by emailing academicsuccess@roosevelt.edu. Due to limited in-person office hours, we ask that you give us 2 business daysto respond to all phone calls. We recommend reaching us via email to receive a quicker response.
We will have limited in-person appointments available for our students for the Spring 2021 semester. However, we will meet with students via Zoom or a phone call to determine which academic accommodations you are eligible for.
Roosevelt University complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information on Disability Services at Roosevelt, visit this link: Disability Services Webpage.
Religious holidays: Please let your instructor know as soon as possible if you will miss class because you are observing a religious holiday. Roosevelt University policy requires written notification to the instructor within the first two weeks of the term. Any work you miss because of a religious holiday can be made up. You can see the full policy by visiting this link: University Policies Webpage
Student Code of Conduct: Students enrolled in the university are expected to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the university’s function as an educational institution. Please familiarize yourself with the Student Code of Conduct, the Student Handbook and related procedures which is available through this link: Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities Webpage
Title IX: Roosevelt University cares greatly about the health and well-being of our students, staff, faculty, and guests to our campuses. Federal law, specifically Title IX, and the University Sexual Misconduct Policy require that all employees are mandated reporters of incidents involving sexual or gender-based violence or harassment. More information on Title IX at Roosevelt and the complete Sexual Misconduct policy can be found by clicking on this link: Roosevelt Title IX Webpage
Disclosures made to faculty or staff about sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and/or stalking on or off campus must be forwarded to the Title IX Coordinator:
- Michael Pfeifer – Interim Title IX Coordinator mpfeifer@roosevelt.edu
312-341-2045
- Charity Seaborn – Deputy Coordinator cseaborn@roosevelt.edu
312-341-2198
The above listed staff are Responsible Employees and therefore are mandated to report. The Title IX office will contact any student who discloses an incident regarding student rights, including the option to request an investigation, interim safety measures, and/or academic accommodations. In certain circumstances, the Title IX Coordinator may need to proceed with an investigation, even if none is requested, if there are safety risks to the student or campus community. Participation in the process is voluntary.
If you want a confidential place to disclose sexual assault, sexual harassment or intimate partner violence, there are confidential advisors on campus who are not mandated reporters. They are:
- Jacqueline Butzen *Confidential Advisorjbutzen@roosevelt.edu 312-341-2002 (available via phone all hours)
- The Counseling Center (https://www.roosevelt.edu/counseling 312-341-3548
- 430 S. Michigan Avenue Room 470 Phone: 312-341-3548) staff are also NOT mandatory reporters and therefore NOT required to report a disclosure to the Title IX Office.
Withdrawal date: The final date for an official withdrawal from this class (meaning a “W” would appear on your transcript) is July 12, 2021. Course & Term Deadlines You should consult your academic advisor if you are considering withdrawing from a course. If you receive financial aid, also check with your financial aid counselor to assure that aid isn’t affected by withdrawing from a class.
Resources for Students
Academic Advising: Advisors help students review degree options and curriculum requirements for most undergraduate programs; assist undecided students in identifying career goals and academic major; and guide students experiencing academic difficulty or academic probation.
Help students interpret University policies and procedures
Chicago campus: room 1M10, Mezzanine, Wabash Building, (312) 341-4340.
Schaumburg campus: SCH 125; (847) 619-7930
Some students are advised within their college and/or in their individual programs. Graduate students work directly with their academic department.
Blackboard Support, Training and Quick Guides: The Blackboard course management system is supported by the RUOnline staff and by the Roosevelt University Help Desk.
Quick guides link: Blackboard Tutorials Website
Technology Help desk link: RU Technology Support Website
Campus Safety:
Auditorium Building: (312) 341-2020
Schaumburg campus: (847) 619-8989
Computer labs: A list of open labs is located on this webpage: Computer Labs Webpage
Counseling Center: Individual counseling, as well as group and couples counseling.
Chicago campus: room 470 Auditorium Building, (312) 341-3548
Schaumburg campus: room 114, (312) 341-3548
Click here for the Counseling Center website
Financial Aid Services: Apply for financial aid, set up payment plans, and answer questions regarding your Roosevelt bill. Chicago campus: Mezzanine, Wabash Building, (866) 421-0935; FAS@roosevelt.edu Schaumburg campus: room 125, (866) 421-0935; FAS@roosevelt.edu
Food and Hygiene Pantry: If you or someone you know are in need of food or toiletries please visit the pantry located in WB318 and SCH 130 H. Students may access the pantry during the posted hours or by appointment. Appointment can be scheduled via email at HFI@roosevelt.edu. Additionally, if interested in volunteering or donating to the pantry, please e-mail HFI@roosevelt.edu.
Learning Commons: The Learning Commons offers tutoring in writing, math, and other subjects; peer mentors; and disability services. Please keep in mind that there will be limited in person appointments for Spring 2021. Visit our webpage for more information on hours, appointments, and available services: Learning Commons Website
Tutoring:
- Chicago campus: In-person peer tutoring in writing, math, and other subjects is available in the Learning Commons on the Chicago campus. Use the Navigate within the Roosevelt app to make an appointment. If you are in need of tutoring assistance, please email learningcommons@roosevelt.edu for assistance.
- Schaumburg Campus: Students on both the Chicago and Schaumburg campuses have 24/7 access to online tutoring via Smarthinking on Blackboard.
- Peer Mentoring: Peer mentoring is available to all RU students. Peer Mentors provide social and academic support to fellow college students. Contact Kathleen Mullins for more information kmullins01@roosevelt.edu, or stop by the Learning Commons. Please note, Peer Mentoring Services will be offered virtually for the Fall 2020 semester.
- Disability Services: The Learning Commons is also the home of Disability Services. If you have a disability it is in your interest to register with Disability Services. Using our services is private. We aim to teach you the skills you need to be a strong independent learner. Chicago campus: Auditorium Building 1050 (inside the Library) (312) 341-3818. Schaumburg campus: room 517, 847-619-7978.Emailacademicsuccess@roosevelt.edu or Kathleen Mullins kmullins01@roosevelt.edu
Library: Find everything you need to know about the Auditorium Building library, the Schaumburg library and the Performing Arts library at this link: Roosevelt Library Website.
Registrar: Registration, drop/add, withdrawal, transcripts, credit evaluation, graduation.
Chicago campus: Mezzanine floor, Wabash Building, (312) 341-3535; registrar@roosevelt.edu
Schaumburg campus: room 125, (847) 619-7950; registrar@roosevelt.edu
Roosevelt App: Download the Roosevelt app, including Navigate, which allows students to view their class schedule; to schedule appointments with Advising, Learning Commons, Career Development, Multicultural Student Support Services, and Financial Aid Services; and to receive important push notifications about registration and other important campus events and news items. The app is available for download for iOS or Android.
RUWiFi: To access the university’s wireless network, either email helpdesk@roosevelt.edu or call (312) 341-4357.
RU’s Learning Goals:
The University’s three overall learning goals for undergraduate students are:
- Effective communication
- Knowledge of discipline-focused content
- Awareness of social justice and engagement in civic life
Goals of the Class:
- To become proficient at the techniques of shooting & manipulating photographic imagery using the iPhone.
- To think more creatively about image enhancement and manipulation.
- To learn effective editing techniques.
- To develop knowledge of discipline-focused content.
- To create awareness of social justice and issue oriented photography.
- To develop effective ways to talk about and critique work.
- To produce a significant photographic project combining the techniques and concepts generated in the course.
Class Structure:
- Lectures and slides related to the technique, theory, and creative processes of iPhone photography.
- Demonstration and instruction of image capture, enhancement, and manipulation applications.
- In-class studio time to allow for shooting and for the completion of assignments and larger projects.
- Critiques of assignments and projects.
Class organization:
June 2: Photography Basics and the iPhone (ZOOM)
–Introduction to course content and expectations.
–Principles of composition.
–In-class shooting assignment: Composition
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #1: Shoot a variety of pictures using the iPhone’s camera app.
June 9: iPhone Apps (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #1
–Introduction of iPhone Apps
–In-class shooting assignment: Choose one app and shoot a variety of pictures.
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #2: Experiment with all of the required downloaded apps. Shoot a variety of pictures.
June 16: The Still Life (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #2
–Examples of the Still Life genre
–In-class shooting assignment: Find “still lifes” in the the outside landscape and make a variety of pictures.
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #3: Shoot 20 different still lifes. Both inside and outside.
June 23: Portraits (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #3
–Examples of Portraiture
–In-class shooting assignment: Find 5 people to make portraits of.
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #4: Shoot 20 pictures of different people.
June 30: Guest Speaker Steve Serio (ZOOM)
Urban and Rural Landscapes
–Critique of Assignment #4
ASSIGNMENT #5: Take a journey, either in the city or country, and photograph along the way, making sure to capture a variety of images, and experiment with different points of view/vantage points.
July 7: Experimental Techniques (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #5
–Apps for unconventional picture making.
–In-class shooting assignment: Choose one app presented in class and make a variety of pictures.
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #6: Shoot 10 pictures with each app presented in class.
July 14: The Photo Essay (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #6
–Photo Essay examples
–In-class shooting assignment: Choose one subject and make a 10-image photo essay.
–Post in-class shooting re-group and review.
ASSIGNMENT #7: Choose one subject and create a 10-12 image photo essay.
July 21: Final Project Ideas (ZOOM)
–Critique of Assignment #7
–Review of work for final project idea generation.
–In-class shooting assignment: Begin shooting final project.
July 28: In-Progress Critique of Final Project (ZOOM)
–Editing to create a series.
–In-class shooting assignment: Complete final project shooting.
Aug 4: Final Project Critique and Wrap-Up (ZOOM)
Note: Weekly course content is subject to change.
About your instructor:
Mike Ensdorf, Associate Dean/Arts & Sciences, Professor of Photography/Journalism & Media Studies, Founder and Director/Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University. Master of Fine Arts, University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ensdorf helped develop the Journalism and Media Studies program at Roosevelt University in Chicago. In Roosevelt’s Department of Communication he teaches: Film and Digital Photography, Photobook History and Practice, and Pinhole to Cameraphone: Photography’s History and Practice. Ensdorf’s photographic work was included in the Iterations exhibition at the International Center of Photography in New York, and in the book of the same name published by MIT Press. His work was also included in the Photography after Photography exhibition, touring museums in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, and finishing at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. His work is represented in the German and English editions of the book, Photography after Photography: Memory and Representation in the Digital Age, published by G+B Arts. Ensdorf’s work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago. As founding director, Ensdorf has developed the Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University into “Chicago’s premier space for showcasing contemporary critical social photo-documentary work.” (Michael Weinstein, NewCity, Chicago.)