Documentary Photography (Taught)

Course summary

The University is world-renowned for the study of Documentary Photography and this distinctive MA offers a contemporary and lively engagement with the subject, ranging from reportage to fine art. You will also engage with international visiting speakers and our cohort of scholars undertaking PhDs in photography as part of our photography research centre. The MA Documentary Photography course challenges you to explore definitions of Documentary Photography by embracing a wide range of practices, while working through real world engagement with social and political issues. You will be taught by world-leading photographers, writers and curators through a series of lectures, seminars and technical workshops which will encourage you to develop new ways of thinking about your practice.

Modules

Year one: Reviewing Practice During this introductory module, students will explore distinct areas of documentary photography while reviewing and reflecting on their own and fellow students’ work in progress. The module will start with a series of online technical induction and equipment use tutorials. This will take place alongside a series of demonstrations and workshops by industry specialists working professionally within the field of documentary practices. In addition, there will be lectures and presentations that will address introductory themes of documentary practices. Researching Practice This module seeks to explore, discuss, and debate ideas, issues and practices connected to the histories and theories of documentary practices and works alongside the Reviewing Practice Module. Students will also have a series of lectures by specialists introducing them to research methodologies. Completion of a literature review and development of a proposal for a major project. Defining Practice During this second module students will start the process of defining their practice with a focus on collaborative practice and ethical community engagement. Understanding how to negotiate, propose, develop, contextualise, create and evaluate projects alongside the production of the beginnings of a body of work. Submission will be a development folder and a ‘work in progress' portfolio. Research Contexts An understanding of the history and theory of photography is pivotal to postgraduate studies as is the ability of students to contextualise their work. This module will facilitate that process by exposing the student to a broad range of material delivered by industry and academic experts from a diverse area of photographic and artistic environments. In addition, the module will encourage authority when evaluating and critically assessing others’ artifacts relevant to that practice and deepen the grasp of the intellectual concerns that propel their practice. Year Two: Positioning Practice During this module, students will continue with their major projects alongside learning the importance of positioning their practice. Students will be exposed to platforms utilized for the dissemination of projects and learn additional application skills with a focus on moving image and Web Doc production. In addition, students will consolidate their research through a presentation that will situate their work within the broad field of documentary practices. Professional Practice Students are required to develop an understanding of business practice pertinent to their own practice. A report of interviews and independent industry research will form the structure of the module focusing on networking and business practice, including interviews with and or case studies upon relevant practitioners, writers, or curators. In addition, students will present their findings. Critical Text This module addresses the key issues and ideas raised by that practice. The final written text should articulate the student’s ideas with confidence and authority. The module requires students to identify a representative practice or practices (Case Studies) that connect with and inform their own core interests. Through identification and consideration of these practices, students will examine the central questions of site, audience, institution, and authorship. The Realised Document A submission of specified material prepared by the student during the course that realises their projects. The module will concentrate on the realisation of an individual project/s for assessment at the end of the module and explore the potential outcome of practical work in relation to audience, site and distributional form.

Assessment method

Initially you will be assessed through the production of experimental work-in progress, with fully resolved work expected in later modules. Alongside your work you will be asked to develop a perspective through written texts placing your work in its photographic and social context.

Entry requirements

Normally an Honours degree in a related subject is required. If you have solid professional industry experience rather than academic achievement, this may be acceptable for entry to study at this level through a process called accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL). Please provide evidence of a website or any other form of digital portfolio within your application. We are looking for an engagement with documentary photography or photojournalism with a particular focus on series of images rather than individual photographs. The portfolio should evidence your interests in documentary photography or photojournalism and demonstrate your desire to study Documentary Photography at Masters level at The University of South Wales. International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Some courses incur costs as part of your learning - these are in addition to the course fees and students are often responsible for these costs. We would urge you to visit the relevant course pages on our website (http://www.southwales.ac.uk/courses/ma-documentary-photography/). These pages have information on fees and funding, and additional costs where relevant.