Master
2024/2025
Research Seminar "Photodiscourse"
Type:
Compulsory course (Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication)
Area of studies:
Linguistics
Delivered by:
School of Foreign Languages
Where:
School of Foreign Languages
When:
2 year, 1 module
Mode of studies:
distance learning
Online hours:
20
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Mariia Tsygunova
Master’s programme:
Иностранные языки и межкультурная коммуникация
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Current paradigms of language studies span, among other things, inquiries into discourse and its manifestations for diverse purposes and in diverse communities. This research seminar focuses on photodiscourse: its definition and features, sociocultural context, and ways it functions. Due attention is drawn to the art and craft of photography as an effective means of visual discourse elements.
Learning Objectives
- Mastering the historical peculiarities of photography and its basic principles of composition.
- Developing skills in analysing photographs as a type of discourse.
- Acquiring experience working with photographs from public access and personal archives of students.
- Developing critical thinking skills and the ability to formulate research questions.
- Creating a project dedicated to a topic related to the student's major, which will allow for the development of research and scientific writing skills.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to formulate the historical context and technical aspects of photography, enabling to appreciate and analyse photographs as a form of visual communication.
Course Contents
- Photography: Historical Highlights
- Tech and Composition
- Compositional Techniques in Practice
- Photography as Speech
Assessment Elements
- ProductiveThe whole module is taken into consideration. This part includes all assignments: possible home tasks, quizzes, etc. Students who were absent can be allowed to "retake" this section if they can provide a sick note. The deadline for such submissions is set by a tutor, at least one week before the exam period. Late submissions can be allowed at tutor's discretion, yet with 7 points max and an additional deadline not later than a week after the original one.
- In-class participationThe whole module is taken into consideration. Assessed in the following way. Attendance + active participation = 1. Attendance + lack of / no participation = 0,4. N/A = 0. For instance, if the module has 24 classes in total, there are 24 points max. If a student attends and actively participates in 14 classes, just attends 7 classes with no participation and skips 3 classes: 1) 14 * 1 + 7 * 0,4 + 3 * 0 = 16,8 points out of 24 points max; 2) 16,8 * 10 / 24 = 7 out of 10 is the "In-class participation" grade. Students who were absent can be allowed to "retake" this section if they can provide a sick note. They will have to complete an in-class task of tutor's choice. However, 0,4 points is max in this case and the deadline for submissions is set by a tutor, at least one week before the exam period.
- Written paperStudents will be offered a list of topics to write their papers about. The paper is a written analysis of a photograph.
- Final projectFinal project defence takes place before the general exam period. This project will cover a linguistically, culturally or socially relevant topic related to our sections and major.
Interim Assessment
- 2024/2025 1st module0.2 * Final project + 0.3 * In-class participation + 0.3 * Productive + 0.2 * Written paper
