51-334 Photography, Community & Change
9 units, Carnegie Mellon University
In this course we will partner with Sojourners House to tell photobased stories of the residents. Sojourners House SH, located in East Liberty, is a home for women and families who have faced obstacles of addiction and homelessness. Those at SH have lived through hard times. The women, some of whom are mothers, are now clean and sober but before they came to SH, they were addicts who lived strained lives. As a class we will be working with women and families who now are creating positive change in their lives through Sojourners House supportive environment. Students, working in pairs, will team with individuals or families. Through weekly sessions with SH residents, students will explore how the camera can be used to tell a range of different stories, which may range from a traditional photo documentary, to a narrative that is directed by a student with photographs made by Sojourners House residents. In all cases, the residents at SH are going through significant change in their lives and we will see how the camera can be used to support individuals during a time of growth. Students will learn how to sensitively work with people who have experienced extreme difficulty while they are learning about addiction through readings and first hand accounts. While they are getting to know their subjects, students will explore the various ways to create an indepth photo narrative. Most important, students will learn how the camera can be used to create connections and trust between people. Prerequisite A college level photography course 15 students sophomores to grads Familiarity with digital photography
Prerequisites: none listed
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