This is the first of a two-course capstone sequence for students in photojournalism. Students will create an independent senior capstone project proposal that also demands the student research. Students will have the support and guidance of a faculty member. The students will research and plan for the production of a visual media presentation, a book/hardcopy portfolio or a collaborative editing portfolio and a written statement and conclusion. Course will include weekly group presentations on various topics to include time management, research, planning, photographic and photojournalistic subjects.

Photography (and photographic education) is in a perpetual state of flux due to constant changes in practices and technology. Topics in photojournalism will provide students with the opportunity to explore this shifting terrain of photography and imaging using contemporary problems. The content taught in this course will change frequently and the course may be repeated for credit, however each particular topic may have limits on repeatability.

Community Journalism emphasizes the local aspects of news, and teaches students how to identify “community” beyond a region and a neighborhood. A co-taught course with Photojournalism faculty in the College of Art and Design, Community Journalism sharpens students’ reporting skills, and guides them in constructing a reporting project as a complete journalistic package, with visual, artistic and written storytelling components in concert with each other. The final project will be a reported (written) piece with corresponding photographs and multimedia.

Photography Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.

This course will explore career options, assess individual skills and temperament, and establishes initial and long-term career goals for each student. Students develop portfolios with an emphasis on their established goals. Issues in new media and forms of presentation are addressed, as well as building a professional life beyond the entry-level job. Job research, resume development, preparation, application and interviewing skills are incorporated into an examination of the changes in media publications and their use of photographers and photographic images.

This course will serve an introduction to visual story telling as it relates to professional photojournalism. It will provide relevant practice in basic technical, compositional and interpersonal skills necessary in all aspects of modern photography. Students will be exposed to photojournalism - documentary, editorial, narrative and editing - as well as explorations of current career possibilities. Lectures, critiques, demonstrations and assignments will provide participants the opportunity to explore the still, audio, and multimedia strategies used for story telling in this era. Students will be expected to meet tight project deadlines and participate in both class discussions, critiques and practices required to be successful in this field. If you are pursuing the Photojournalism option this course is required.

This course will explore the use of the photographic image in narrative, documentary and editorial form. There will be an emphasis on publication, public need and independent projects. Lectures, critiques, demonstrations and assignments will provide participants the opportunity to explore the still, audio, video, and multimedia aspects of story telling. Students will be expected to meet project deadlines and participate in both class discussions and critiques.

This course provides students the unique opportunity to participate in a one-week intensive workshop that travels to New York City, the center of the photojournalism business in the US. The purpose of the trip is to provide a broad view of documentary and editorial photography in the industry and give students an idea of the wide variety of potential job markets that exist for documentary/editorial work. Students will meet with a variety of photographers, art directors, designers, photo editors, photographer agents, including RIT alumni, while visiting print and online publications (magazines and newspapers), photo agencies, photography studios, galleries, and museums. **Note: A special course fee will be assessed **