Course Syllabus
Course: ART 1600
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Visual Art
Title: Jewelry Making/Small Metals
Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2023
End Semester: Fall 2024
Catalog Description: This course explores basic methods in designing and making jewelry and small metal sculpture from non-ferrous metals, stones, and other materials. Techniques taught and assignments will include soldering, cold joining, lost-wax casting, lapidary work, and patinas. A lab fee is required.
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
Justification: This is a beginning course that introduces students to the processes involved in creating small metal sculpture and wearable objects. It fills an elective for art majors. This course is a unique skill area for two of the visual arts faculty and corresponds with classes offered at other USHE institutions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Material Proficiency: An improved understanding of the technical processes and materials involved in creating Jewelry will ultimately lead to a more capable and informed designer. Students will demonstrate a proficiency of materials and techniques through the production a number of basic Jewelry pieces utilizing various processes and materials.
Conceptual Principles: As students develop an intuitive understanding of the formal aspects of art and design they will be better prepared to effectively communicate complex conceptual ideas by being fluent in the visual language. Students will demonstrate an understanding of conceptual principles by applying the elements and principles of design and the design process to the production of three- dimensional art.
Historical Context: Students who understand the factors affecting contemporary jewelry design will be able to find their place as an active contributor to visual culture, and will be better prepared to thrive in the competitive art and design market. Students will demonstrate fluency in historical content and context by articulating how approaches to Jewelry design has changed throughout history, and what influences both historical and contemporary are driving the designers of today. The understanding of historical context will be manifested in class discussions and oral critiques at the completion of each project.
Critical Analysis: This imperative aspect of the problem-solving process pushes students to improve at each level. Students who are capable of articulating complex ideas, and receiving critical feedback are better able to contribute to a rich and productive design dialogue preparing them to work as part of a collaborative creative team. Students will demonstrate critical analyses of works of art by participating in oral group critiques and providing feedback on formal and conceptual issues associated with the design and production of jewelry.
Content:
This course will include lecture, critical discussion, material demonstrations, independent and collaborative studio practice, critiques, and how each relates to the following topics:
the elements and principles of design and the design process;
the interdisciplinary nature of design including, but not limited to, topics such as: physics, architecture, engineering, industrial design, and civic planning;
three-dimensional problem solving;
materials and construction techniques;
proper use and safety of a variety of tools, both analog and digital, used to construct three dimensional objects.
Key Performance Indicators:
Each student will be evaluated on:
A comprehensive portfolio of original jewelry pieces including evidence of research, and design sketches. 80 to 90%
Attendance, critiques, class participation. 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
TBD
Supplemental readings and research to be determined by the instructor
Supplies to be determined by the instructor
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will include lectures, class discussion, oral and written critiques, demonstrations.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 15
