AH5140 Object Lessons in Photography

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBA

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

Team-taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will explore, interpret and analyse photographic materials in the University of St Andrews Special Collections. The collection holds a fascinating range of 19th and 20th century photographic works including some of the most prized treasures in the photographic canon; this includes work by Hill and Adamson, Sir David Brewster, and William Henry Fox Talbot, as well as contemporary photography. The module is, therefore, object-based and will familiarise students with the special properties of archival resources, their study, maintenance and display. Given the practical dimensions of this module students will be expected to spend time in the archive of self-directed study. This study will be facilitated and guided by academic and library staff where appropriate.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

An essay of 3,000 words

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1.5 hour seminars ( x 11 weeks) and occasional fieldwork

Scheduled learning hours

16

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

288

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Review and interpret the archival material held within the photographic collection
  • contextualise this archive and these photographs within the framework of social, historical, cultural and political circumstances
  • engage with theoretical, critical and conceptual issues in the area of photographic interpretation
  • undertake independent research using library, archival and IT resources
  • develop research skills in preparation for writing their MLitt thesis