FINEARTS 230 : Sculpture: Constructing and Fabricating

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Based in the metal and wood workshops, this course will guide students in the exploration of materials and construction processes. Develop sculptural works in metal or wood. Students will use tools and techniques such as cutting, joining and welding.

Course Overview

Students will learn making processes relevant to sculpture fabrication in metal and wood. They will consider the potential constructed forms have to communicate ideas while exploring how methods of making can contribute to meaning. 

The course will introduce students to techniques of manufacture useful to sculpture. They will become familiar with the development of ideas in an iterative manner. Key sculptural concepts explored include scale and an object's potentiality, that is, how an object conveys possibility through its making or installation. Course activities will happen in the Fine Arts metal and wood workshops and the studios. 

Students will be asked to construct a series of sculptures. They will be able to use forms of practical communication to explain, plan and execute an artwork and be familiar with experimental development processes, including working between the drawn concept and its physical outcome. The course will provide students with an understanding of how they might develop their ideas using models and processes of comparative testing. A range of sculptural concepts and propositions will be provided as a place to start. The development of practical skills will be aided by conversations that support critical reflection and the sharing of ideas. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: FINEARTS 101, 102, 103, 104, or FINEARTS 110, 113 and FINEARTS 111 or 112

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Fine Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop skills in generating, exploring and understanding a range of material effects in relation to sculpture practices through the production of studio work (Capability 3, 4 and 5)
  2. Develop and demonstrate technical skills in a range of wood and/or metal technologies (Capability 2 and 3)
  3. Discover and develop skills in the development of concepts from initial research and exploration through to physical experimentation and installation of a series of outcomes (Capability 1, 4 and 6)
  4. Use a range of research and development methods, with a focus on drawing, for developing creative work independently (Capability 1, 2 and 6)
  5. Critically engage with a variety of conceptual methods relevant to sculpture. These may include, materiality issues, structural integrity, form and content. (Capability 1, 4 and 7)
  6. Demonstrate effective technical and conceptual communication skills (Capability 1, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Practical workshop task 30% Individual Coursework
Studio Coursework 70% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Practical workshop task
Studio Coursework

Students must achieve 50% or more overall in order to pass the course.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This studio course uses Project Based Learning as a main teaching and learning method. Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge. In this course, a studio project briefs set students on a process of discovery aided by workshop learning.  Students are provided with a means to conduct their own learning and development and to respond in diverse ways. Studio class activities include discussions with lecturers, technical workshops and group feedback sessions. These activities assist students and staff to draw out meaning and value, and to co-evaluate studio work. Assessment criteria provide a flexible framework for rewarding student learning.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course, and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in. Each week includes 3 hours of teaching contact and 7 hours of independent study time.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of studio contact, which includes 12 hours of workshop instruction. In addition, you are expected to complete 96 hours of independent studio learning and 18 hours of preparatory reading/research.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at all scheduled technical workshop and studio activities to receive credit for the course.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Students are expected to supply their own journals for technical notes and developmental drawings. Tools, equipment and materials essential to instruction are provided. Beyond the point of initial instruction, students are expected to provide materials to meet the needs of their project outcomes as they develop.

Health & Safety

Please refer to the ‘Elam School of Fine Arts Health, Safety and Wellbeing Guidelines’ document available on Canvas course pages.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

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Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas. Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted where this is reasonable within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.
 

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 28/10/2023 10:56 a.m.