SEMINARS FALL 2008
HONR228D Childhood, Imagination and Visualization: Photography
and Creative Expression in Children's Books
Tuesdays 2:00-5:00 pm
Maria Salvadore, M.L.S., M.Ed., College of Information Studies
Barbara Tyroler, M.F.A., M.Ed., Department of Art
(Offered in collaboration with the College of Education)
We look, but what do we see? Information is gleaned, emotions conveyed, and learning is achieved through images. This course will explore photographic images as well as other media and topics in children's books. Honors students will learn to create books while considering children's responses in order to discover what works and why. This seminar is offered in collaboration with the teachers and children at the Center for Young Children, the University's accredited preschool.
The decoding of images is vital to literacy. As we function in an increasingly visual environment – from placement of images on a screen to the impact of composition on one's perception – it becomes imperative to gain an understanding of and sensitivity to the images that surround us. Working with young children allows students to discover where and how this ability to gain information from visuals develops, why it is fundamental, and how the creative, technical, and intellectual aspects of visualization work together as we grow. Students will develop an understanding through hands-on experiences combined with theoretical and philosophical explorations.
After critically examining the research on the range of literature for young children and having the opportunity to gauge children's responses to selected picture books, students will collaborate in small work groups to illustrate, design and produce their own books utilizing digital photography and imaging software.
At the completion of the seminar, students should be able to: (1) Review early illustration in children's literature, particularly as it relates to the use of photography and its relationship to the broader field of children's literature. (2) Evaluate children's books, considering developmental appropriateness of both image and text features, impact of the changes in technology and in the society (as it relates to children's needs and what is considered appropriate for them). (3) Gain a greater understanding of how books and related literary and artistic experiences enhance children's development and build a community of learners -- regardless of age. (4) Read widely among genre of literature appropriate for young children (those books that provide primarily a visual experience for readers) to become familiar with various styles used in children's picture books as related to artistic illustration, meaningful text, and successful layout and pacing that are recognized in the field. (5) Learn photographic production and picture editing as it relates to visual flow and thematic cohesion for the book. (6) Identify and discuss various themes and topics used in children's picture books and how these may apply to classroom use and/or for parents. This may include how parents and other significant adults use children's books that relate to life lessons and strengthen parent-child relationship as well as promote love of books and learning.
Students will be evaluated on a variety of assignments including (1) a research paper that explores some aspect of the relationship between art & photography as it relates to children's books; (2) a book or a set of books produced in small collaborative working groups using digital photography (designed and written after spending time with young children from the Center for Young Children); (3) a journal and/or scrapbook (online or on paper) of semester's activities that may include experiences with the creative team, interactions with children as well as aspects of an "artist journal" which might include insights, observations, impressions through use of words, sketches, imagery including the photograph as document and visual and textual metaphor; (4) short written quizzes to assess mastery of basic photographic techniques including motion, gesture, perspective, tonality, and composition through classroom critique as well as how these apply to the evaluation, appreciation and understanding of literature for children, and (5) behavioral considerations include classroom participation and interaction with children and peer team.
Readings will include:
A variety of selections from children's literature
Criticizing Photographs, An Introduction to Understanding Images
by Terry Barrett
Complete Digital Photography by Ben Long
From Cover to Cover by Kathleen Horning
Words about Pictures: The Narrative Art of Children's Picture Books
by Perry Nodelman
Additional Recommended Reading will include:
Photography ninth edition by London, Stone, Upton
The Creative Digital Darkroom by Katrin Eismann and Sean Duggan
The Photograph by Graham Clarke
Basic Critical Theory for Photoraphers, La Grange
Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-on-One, Deke McClellan
Adobe Photoshop CS3 for Photographers, Evening
Photoshop Masking & Compositing, Eismann
Prerequisites: Students who enroll in this seminar should be comfortable working with children, although prior experience is not necessary.
CORE: History or Theory of the Arts (HA)
