Course coordinator
Dr Paolo Magagnoli
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
This course surveys the history and theory of photography from the 19th century to the present. It considers several key critical debates on the role of photography as both an art form and a social medium of visual communication. ARTT3140 explores central figures and key episodes in photography's history giving particular emphasis to critics, photographers, scientists, media and art historians' writings on the medium. Students will consider seminal controversial debates about the ways in which photography has been historicised and conceptualised. Is photography an art or is it media? Is it evidence or fiction? Is photography an empowering medium? How can photography create change? The course includes an examination of the development of Australian photography in the 19th and 20th centuries and considers the new phenomenon of Instagram photography and its implications.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The course does not require a background in the history of photography and art. Please note that this is not a practice based module. Assessment is based on a range of writing tasks and on participation.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
HA326, ARTT2136, MSTU2140
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
- To provide students with a basic historical knowledge of the history of photography as document and as an art form
- To familiarise students with the main critical debates around photography
- To develop students’ ability to respond to lens-based images, engage in visual analysis, and write critical essays
- To provide an introduction to the vocabulary and terminology used in the field of photography and visual cuture
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand fundamental critical debates in the History of Photography and recognize some of the key practitioners in the field
LO2.
be familiar with a number of the key works and artists of the History of Photography
LO3.
have an awareness of the important critical issues surrounding Photography
LO4.
consider Photography from a number of different historical and philosophical perspectives
LO5.
form your own opinions about photo-based images and the issues raised by them
LO6.
respond to and describe key works in the History of Photography
LO7.
be familiar with the ways photographs can be viewed as historical evidence
LO8.
be familiar with the history of Australia as refracted through the prism of Photography
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection |
Seminar Preparation, Participation and Worksheet Completion
|
20% Each worksheet is worth 2% of final grade |
Week 2 - Week 12
Due in class. |
| Examination |
In-Class Test
|
40% |
3/04/2025 1:30 pm
To be completed in person in timetabled lecture time. |
| Essay/ Critique, Examination |
Final Examination
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
Assessment details
Seminar Preparation, Participation and Worksheet Completion
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection
- Weight
- 20% Each worksheet is worth 2% of final grade
- Due date
Week 2 - Week 12
Due in class.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L05, L06
Task description
From weeks 2 to 12 (excluding the reading weeks) you will be given 2 marks (equals 2 percentage points) for each week that you:
1. are prepared for (that is, you have done the readings and brought these to the seminar). These will be checked;
2. attend and participate for the entirety of lecture and tutorial (so turning up on time and staying till the finish); and
3. complete a writing task of passable standard to your tutor after each tutorial. For the writing task you write a response to a question based on that week's readings. 10 worksheets with short questions on aspects of the lecture and readings will be distributed at the beginning of tutorials across the semester. The worksheets with be completed individually during the tutorial and handed in directly to the tutor at the end of class. Worksheets are graded as pass/fail.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit your response to the weekly worksheet directly to the tutor at the end of the tutorial.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: because this is an in-class assessment item, you are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. If you have a medical issue and are not able to attend the tutorial, please contact your tutor so we can arrange alternative arrangements for submission.
In-Class Test
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
3/04/2025 1:30 pm
To be completed in person in timetabled lecture time.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
This is an in-class timed test held on Week 6 during the lecture. Students will have 1.5 hours in total to respond to a set of questions based on the course images, lectures, readings and tutorials until Week 5 included. The format of the assessment is short answer.
The assessment will be marked against these evenly weighted criteria:
- Ability to reference the readings and lectures content;
- Ability to reference visual objects to support your argument;
- Articulation of argument that responds to the question;
- Coherent essay structure that prioritises key points;
- High standard of written expression;
- Excellent grammar and spelling
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 80 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of handwritten notes , single sided, is permitted Laptop compatible with Inspera |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
The assessment will be submitted in class.
UQ is presently rolling out a new assessment tool, Inspera Assessment. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types and accessibility provisions.
Inspera Assessment will be used for this invigilated on-campus digital assessment and students in this course will complete this using their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment, including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support, are available here: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original
Further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
The deferred exam will be scheduled for 8th May during tutorial times.
Please note that this will be the only opportunity to complete the deferred exam. If you do not complete the deferred exam at this time you will receive zero marks.
Final Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique, Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
This in-person final examination will cover readings and other materials discussed in the entire course.
The examination has four questions requiring you to write a short essay in response. Each essay is worth 10 marks (or 10 per cent of your marks for the course).
Essay topics may include a visual analysis of a supplied image.
Suggested length for each essay: between 500-750 words in length, including quotations.
You can make reference to any of the required readings from the course reading list. No other primary or secondary sources (e.g other critical readings of texts) are required.
The assessment will be marked against these evenly weighted criteria:
- Ability to reference the readings and lectures content;
- Ability to reference visual objects to support your argument;
- Articulation of argument that responds to the question;
- Coherent essay structure that prioritises key points;
- High standard of written expression;
- Excellent grammar and spelling
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Materials | One A4 sheet of typed notes, single sided, is permitted Laptop compatible with Inspera |
| Exam platform | Inspera |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
UQ is presently rolling out a new assessment tool, Inspera Assessment. Inspera Assessment provides additional functionality to complement the existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a greater range of question types and accessibility provisions.
Inspera Assessment will be used for this invigilated on-campus digital assessment and students in this course will complete this using their own device. Details about Inspera Assessment, including an introduction to Inspera functionality and where to go for support, are available here: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/student-guides-original/inspera-assessment-original
Further information will be provided on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
WEEK 1: INTRO Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 1: NO TUTORIAL THIS WEEK |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
WEEK 2: PHOTOGRAPHY’S INVENTION Class meets at Fryer Library, UQ. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L08 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 2: PHOTOGRAPHY’S INVENTION Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L07 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Lecture |
WEEK 3: PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITURE IN THE 19TH CENTURY Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L06, L08 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 3: PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAITURE IN THE 19TH CENTURY Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05, L06, L08 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
WEEK 4: PHOTOGRAPHY AND EMPIRE Guest lecture by Prof. Andres Zervigon, Rutgers University. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 4: PHOTOGRAPHY AND EMPIRE Learning outcomes: L01, L05, L07 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
WEEK 5: PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART: PICTORIALISM AND MODERNISM Guest Lecture by Dr. Sushma Griffin Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 5: PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART: PICTORIALISM AND MODERNISM Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05, L07, L08 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
WEEK 6: IN-CLASS TEST In-class test completed during lecture time. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 6: PHOTOGRAPHY AS FETISH OBJECTS AND DOCUMENTS Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L06, L07 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Lecture |
WEEK 7: PHOTOGRAPHY AND RACE IN THE LONG 1960s Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 7: PHOTOGRAPHY AND RACE IN THE LONG 1960s Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L07 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
WEEK 8: PHOTOGRAPHY, CLASS, AESTHETICS Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L06 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 8: PHOTOGRAPHY, CLASS, AESTHETICS Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L06 |
|
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK No tutorial |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
WEEK 9: PHOTOGRAPHY AND POSTMODERNISM Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L06 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 9: PHOTOGRAPHY AND POSTMODERNISM Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
WEEK 10: NO LECTURE - READING WEEK |
Tutorial |
WEEK 10: NO TUTORIAL - DEFERRED IN-CLASS TEST Deferred in-class test held during tutorial timeslot. No tutorial (reading week) for students who have already completed the in-class test. |
|
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
WEEK 11: PHOTOGRAPHY, ADVERTISMENT AND PROPAGANDA VISIT TO QAG - Queensland Art Gallery Talk by Dr. JACINTA GILES Assistant Curator International Art Queensland Art Gallery/GoMA Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L07, L08 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 11: PHOTOGRAPHY, ADVERTISMENT AND PROPAGANDA Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L07 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Lecture |
WEEK 12: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND AI GENERATED IMAGERY Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04, L06, L07, L08 |
Tutorial |
WEEK 12: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND AI GENERATED IMAGERY Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L05, L07 |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
WEEK 13: Preparation for Final Exam |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.