Documentary Photography and Visual Activism (Swansea College of Art)

Our Documentary Photography and Visual Activism degree is the first of its kind in the UK. This programme will help you become a skilled documentary photographer and visual activist, encouraging you to re-evaluate and challenge the history and conventions of photography. You will learn to understand the power structures in photography and how to use them to tell powerful visual stories.

The course contemporises traditional and practical skills in documentary and photojournalistic work. We focus on photography as a social process rather than an individual one. You will become an advocate for the causes and social issues you care about most, fully engaging in the subjects that interest you.

Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to collaborate with the local community and think about your role as an active citizen in a democratic society. We pay particular attention to the development of listening skills which allows students to tune into their distinctive and unique sonic voice.

Our course embraces photography in its broadest sense, using the latest technology to push the boundaries of what is possible and harness the potential of new digital media. You will also have opportunities to present your work in exhibitions, helping you to build industry connections and showcase your talent. The programme aims to prepare you for a career in documentary photography and visual activism, enabling you to contribute to social change through your art.

In your first year the focus is on developing your practical and technical skills to provide a foundation to investigate subjects of personal interest. Areas covered include:

Traditional darkroom techniques

How to use Adobe software packages

Professional studio and location lighting techniques

How to respond to set briefs

How to combine both analogue and digital skills to create innovative outcomes

The history of photography and visual culture theory

You will dive into the fundamentals of documentary practice and visual studies exploring different ways of thinking and perceiving, which will help you re-think photojournalism. Projects will include creating artist zines and participating in your first exhibition, laying a solid foundation for your future studies.

Contemporary Documentary Practice (20 credits)
Visual Studies 1 (10 credits)
Ways of Thinking (10 credits)
Re-thinking Photojournaism (20 credits)
Visual Studies 2 (10 credits)
Ways of Perceiving (10 credits)
Exhibition 1.0 (20 credits)
The Artist Zine (20 credits)

Building on the skills developed in your first year, the second year is a time for further experimentation and collaborative working:

Working in small groups to design and curate your own public exhibition

Conceptualise and produce a photobook

Have opportunities to undertake funded internships

Become increasingly focused on developing a professional platform for your work (including: website/social media/exhibition strategies)

Experiment with alternative darkroom processes

Have the option to study a semester abroad

Apply your research and critical analysis skills to a major project proposal

You explore modules like Visual Activism: Location & Curation and Exhibition 2.0 will allow you to explore visual activism and curation. You will also delve into publication and protest, learning how to use photography as a tool for social change.

World Building (20 Credits)
Research in Context (10 credits)
Visual Activism: Location & Curation (20 credits)
Visual Enquiry 1 (10 credits)
Exhibition 2.0 (20 credits)
Publication and Protest (20 credits)
Research in Practice (10 credits)
Visual Enquiry 2 (10 credits)

Your third year is about developing your professional portfolio and equipping yourself for a professional career in the creative industries after graduation. You will undertake advanced creative enquiry and develop an independent project that reflects your personal interests and professional aspirations. The major project will be the pinnacle of your studies, allowing you to showcase your skills and vision. This year is designed to prepare you for a successful transition into the professional world, culminating in a substantial body of work.

Throughout the course, you will learn industry-standard techniques and workflows, gain experience in various creative settings, and develop knowledge of employment opportunities within the digital media and creative industries sectors. You will also learn how to deploy your work on a wide range of platforms.

Advanced Creative Enquiry (20 credits)
Independent Project (40 credits)
Major Project (60 credits)

Assessment varies according to the module and ranges from portfolios, exhibitions, written assignments and blogs to presentations.