Photographic History and Practice MA/PG Dip

Programme

You will study two core modules in the following areas:

• History of Photography, Images and Practice
• Theory and Photography.

Throughout the course you will be introduced to the canon of photographic history from the 19th to the 21st Century, while being taught how to engage critically with images, equipment and history and digital texts, both old and new.

You will be introduced to studies of instrument history, history of ideas and digitising as they pertain to photographic development. While developing skills in critical theory and visual analysis covering the traditional history of images, you will also learn a more material and cultural history approach to images.

In the Spring semester, you will choose from various specialist modules. Some options will be offered in conjunction with specialist partners and involve study trips and extended research workshops and may include:

• Historical process photography
• Photography and Industry
• Photographic Ethnographies
• Photography and science.

You will be required to study applied research methods, which will include object handling skills, digital resourcing and writing, and study skills. MA students will also be required to complete a dissertation thesis at the end of semester three.

Staff

De Montfort University has an international reputation in the field of Photography and Lens Media in practice, research and teaching. The current course team will include; Dr Roger Taylor, Dr Kelley Wilder and Professor Stephen Brown. The course will also draw on a wide range of international specialists, providing extended opportunity to study with a variety of practitioners.

Teaching and assessment

The course is studied on a full-time weekly basis, delivered over three semesters through a combination of workshops, lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Assessment will be through essay, written and oral assessment. Students following the MA route will then proceed with thesis writing in the third semester.

Career opportunities

The significant recent profiling of photographic history has led to prominent developments across Europe and the USA. As such, the agenda and profile of photographic history is increasing at a remarkable pace and is acquiring a considerable following in many fields of study, requiring a substantial demand for qualified practitioners. In addition, Photographic History is a developing field of academic study, which by its nature seeks to interpret the creative and historical output and add to the theoretical and practical discourse currently found in History of Art and History of Science. The course will provide significant opportunities for hands-on research and further academic study.

The PG Dip/MA Photographic History and Practice will extend and enhance your professional development, through an emphasis on both theoretical and practical skills aligned with archiving, curating and history writing. You will be exposed to a variety of disciplines, including museum studies, conservation, visual anthropology, history of art, history of science and photography and the wider cultural and creative industries.

Duration

One year full-time