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Master of Documentary Photography

The Master of Documentary Photography (MDP) is a one-year, full-time course structured over two semesters, and may be undertaken on a part-time basis.

Course objectives

The MDP provides professional training for photographers in the area of documentary still image making. Candidates gain an understanding and critical awareness of the development of documentary photography and its place in contemporary culture.

Candidates learn appropriate technologies, materials and processes in the development and resolution of documentary photography including the use of digital technologies to further their practice in critical, conceptual and creative ways.

The MDP also provides candidates with the skills of critical analysis, professional presentation and problem solving appropriate to photographic practice.

Course structure and requirements

MDP candidates present a proposed area of investigation at the beginning of the course to develop as a project major. In the first semester of study candidates are introduced to the conceptual and technical means required to plan and develop the project.

In the following semester, the program consolidates and expands on the conceptual, aesthetic and technical methodologies of documentary photography to equip candidates to work at an advanced level of practice to complete their project. An academic advisor supervises the candidate's progress, and a panel of academic staff members assesses the completed project.

The practice seminars provide candidates with proficiency in using digital still equipment including medium format cameras, digital file preparation including establishing a digital image workflow, film scanning, large format inkjet printing, and the use of electronic flash in the studio and on location.

The unit of study, History of Documentary Image Making, considers the work of critics, theorists and selected historical and contemporary practitioners central to the development of documentary photography.

This unit includes discussion and analysis of issues relating to contemporary practice and documentary photography's place in contemporary culture. Candidates deliver short presentations and write essays on areas related to documentary image making and their practice.

The History of Documentary Image Making and Documentary Photo Practice units are delivered in lectures and/or seminars and tutorials, while project major units are delivered in group sessions and face-to-face consultations in the SCA studios.

Candidates also have individual and group access to studio facilities to develop their projects outside class hours.

Academic Adviser

Candidates are supervised by the MDP course coordinator.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on the completion of all coursework units of study, the completion of written work and meeting attendance requirements. Please refer to Chapter 7 for SCA assessment criteria.

 

Master of Documentary Photography


These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.

Course resolutions

1 Course codes

Code

Course title

VH032

Master of Documentary Photography

2 Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice.

3 Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is a professional master's course, as defined by the Coursework Rule.

4 Admission to candidature

(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to candidature requires:
(a)
the Bachelor of Visual Arts degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, from the University of Sydney or equivalent institution; and
(b)
the presentation of a portfolio of creative work demonstrating the ability to undertake advanced art practise and coursework.
(3)
In exceptional circumstances the Dean may admit applicants without these qualifications but whose evidence of experience and achievement is deemed to be equivalent and sufficient to undertake the award.
(4)
An applicant may be required to undertake preliminary or qualifying studies, and complete such preliminary examinations as the faculty may prescribe, before admission to candidature.

5 Requirements for award

(1)
The units of study that may be taken for the course are set out in Table A: Postgraduate core units of study.
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Documentary Photography a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units as prescribed in the table.
(3)
Candidates may apply to the course coordinator to substitute 12 credit points of electives from any postgraduate coursework units in the University in place of the Documentary Photo Practice Seminar units. Permission may also be required from the coordinator of the elective unit.

6 Transitional provisions

(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.