CAEL3019: Semester 2, 2025

Units CAEL3019 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

CAEL3019: Alternative Photographic Practices

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit introduces students to advanced and alternative chemical-based photographic practices. It will explore contemporary photographic abstraction through the work of artists manipulating the material substrate of the photographic medium. The darkroom will become the site for experimentation using camera-less as well as in-camera photographic proesses and hybrids of digital and analogue technology. There will be an awareness of sustainability in darkroom practices by utilising low-impact plant-based and DIY developers and toners where available. This unit builds upon the solid analogue darkroom processes taught in the Photography and the Darkroom elective.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(12 credit points at 2000 level from CAEL including CAEL2042) or (12 credit points at 2000 level from CAST and CAEL2042)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yvette Hamilton, yvette.hamilton@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Isobel Markus Dunworth, isobel.markus-dunworth@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Remi Siciliano, remi.siciliano@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 3: Major Work n/a	50%	Formal exam period Due date: 21 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 05 Dec 2025	n/a	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 1: Research and Observation n/a	20%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Sep 2025	n/a	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Assessment 2: Site Recordings n/a	30%	Week 06 Due date: 12 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 26 Sep 2025	n/a	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the course overview and assessments, practical exposure exercise, artists and theory lecture.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Darkroom refresher/inductions, theory discussions, studio and darkroom work.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Reading circle, studio and darkroom work, peer group discussion and planning for assessment 1.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Assessment 1: Research and Observation in class presentation. Studio and darkroom work.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Assisted work in the darkroom/processing as needed towards Assessment 2 (due following week).	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	Assessment 2: Site Recordings due in class, peer and tutor feedback. Introduction to Assessment 3: Major Work	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Independent research	Independent study (3 hr)
Week 08	Introduction to various advanced darkroom techniques and alternative photographic processes.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	Further advanced and alternative darkroom techniques. Informal group/tutor review of work in progress.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Project Proposal for Assignment 3: Major Work due - in class presentation. Supported darkroom printing.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Artist statement writing workshop, sequencing and installation/outcomes workshop. Supported darkroom printing.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Individual tutorials on development of Assessment 3: Major Project	Studio (3 hr)
Week 13	Presentation of Major Project and final feedback on prints.	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. identify and effectively utilise the tools and technology associated with alternate processes in photographic darkroom practices
LO2. understand where these processes fit within the context of art history and contemporary practice
LO3. discuss and critique photographic works made in the alternative darkroom in terms of its formal and conceptual merit
LO4. demonstrate experimental and critical approaches to art work production
LO5. demonstrate strategies to synthesise concept, process and form in art making.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This course has been changed in response to student and staff feedback to ensure all students have appropriate darkroom experience to advance learning to more advanced techniques.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links