Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Sculpture (LLLA07266)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course will provide students with a broad overview and critical appreciation of sculpture, with a particular focus on sculptural practices over the past 100 years. Students will be introduced to a range of 3D making techniques including working with clay, card, plaster and found materials as a foundation for producing their own personal project. |
| Course description |
1) Academic Description
To introduce students to the theories, techniques, core concepts and definitions of sculpture within the field of fine art. The course aims to develop a broad appreciation and understanding of sculptural theory and practice with particular reference to European and North American traditions of sculpture over the last century. Students will be informed about and guided through the use of some traditional making materials including card, clay, casting plaster, plaster bandage and wire, and introduced to making techniques such as clay construction methods, mould making, relief casting, basic armature building and addition/ subtraction techniques. These making experiences will then be explored within the context of contemporary sculpture alongside other approaches such as abstraction, assemblage, appropriation and conceptual sculpture.
2) Outline Content
The course will cover:
Introduction and overview of sculpture practice set mainly within the European and North American canon of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Introduction to a range of primary materials and basic sculpture making techniques including constructing in 3D with card, clay and plaster.
Experimental making and improvisation.
Assemblage and appropriation; working with found, ready-made and appropriated materials and objects.
Critical reflection on makers motivation; the 'why?' and 'how?' of the creative process.
Examine context in relation to making; artist's personal identity and experience, time, place, purpose and narrative.
Examine context in relation to exhibiting; permanent or temporary, indoors/outdoors, gallery/civic space/wilderness, sustainability.
Develop and demonstrate a personal research focus, theme or direction.
Create an individual sculpture or series of sculptures, maquettes, proposals or experimental works.
3) Student Learning Experience
The contact hours of this course will be delivered in fit-for-purpose art and design studios and will include a range of theoretical and contextual presentations and discussions. This course involves hands-on learning approaches with introductions to techniques, processes, concepts and practical and experimental making. By working through a series of activities, both in and out-with the class, students will focus on developing a series of studies based on ideas, observations and insights which they will use to develop into more resolved works.
The course will draw from some group and collaborative activities leading towards a focus on individual interests and personal projects. Over the course the students' progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor via presentations, practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.
For the necessary study hours, out with class contact time, students will be required to self-motivate their personal learning with direction provided in advance by the tutor. Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students will be expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work with particular attention given to the student's use of sketchbooks, photography and critical note-keeping from gallery visits and fieldwork.
There will be an emphasis on keeping a Learning Journal throughout the course, which should provide a clear and continuous reflective record of any research, ideas and practical work, and a place to record and analyse any challenges experienced and reflect upon how they were addressed.
The students will benefit from one to one tuition, and discussion in pairs and through group crits where they will be encouraged to talk about their work and the challenges faced. They will also be exposed to listening to the ideas of the other students and how to take on board and make constructive comments.
Formative feedback will be offered by the course tutor to the student via their Learning Journals. On completion of the course, students will be required to meet the three learning outcomes.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 10 |
| Course Start |
Lifelong Learning - Session 3 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment session will occur in either week 6 or 7 of the 10-week course. Each student will undertake a five to ten-minute verbal presentation of their practical work in progress, a class group critique follows which is supported and directed by the course tutor.
Each student will record and reflect on their presentation through their ongoing digital Learning Journal and tutor feedback will be summarised in written form through the Leaning Journal and back to the student focusing on specific strengths and what areas need to be addressed in order to meet the learning outcomes based on the formative assessment presentation.
Summative Assessment
This is usually two weeks after the last taught class, the course work will be summatively assessed, and students will receive a provisional grade and mark within 15 working days of the assessment.
The submission should comprise:
Learning Journal
A reflective Learning Journal should be kept at regular intervals throughout the course. Ideally, students will submit one or two paragraphs each week comprising of around 100-200 words. supported by visual references as and when required. The Learning Journal is then submitted electronically alongside the digital portfolio submission. The Learning Journal accounts for 20% (20 hours) of the indicative hours of the course and feeds equally into all three Learning Outcomes.
A physical portfolio of work
This should demonstrate a student's practical engagement and accounts for 80% (80 hours) of the indicative hours of the course, and feeds into all three Learning Outcomes.
This should include:
A sketchbook(s) of visual ideas, research, preparatory and developmental studies, along with evidence of contextual awareness. (LO.1)
A body of developed ideas and studies, appropriate to the directed and any self-directed study activities. (LO.2)
A physical presentation of resolved works that have been derived from the various directed and self-directed project. (LO.3)
Both the Digital Journal and physical portfolio of works should be presented in a clear and professional manner appropriate to the discipline. The submission should include work undertaken within the class as well as directed and independent study outwith the classes.
The combined Digital Journal and portfolio submission will be assessed against the three Learning Outcomes. The Learning Outcomes are equally weighted (33.3%) and students will be given a percentage grade for each and an average calculated.
To pass, a student needs to attain a minimum of 40% when all three learning outcomes are totalled and averaged. |
| Feedback |
Feedback will comprise of three components;
1. Informal on-going peer and tutor feedback in class.
2. Formative Assessment - tutor feedback through the reflective Learning Journal and group crit in week 6 or 7.
3. Summative Assessment of a reflective Learning Journal and portfolio of work.
Informal Feedback:
This shall take place through one-to-one during opportune times within the classes.
Formative Assessment:
This will comprise of a short-written summary of action points of areas requiring addressing to meet the Learning Outcomes and fed back to the student through their Learning Journal. No indicative grades will be given.
Summative Assessments:
On completion of the assessment, each student will receive a percentage mark for each learning outcome, along with written feedback explaining the percentage marks and outlining areas for development.
In addition, students will receive written feedback within 15 days of the portfolio submission. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an enquiring and experimental approach with a range of ideas, through exploring visual concepts and materials supported by contextual research and references.
- Demonstrate a practical competency and curiosity for exploring materials, techniques and making methods to communicate personal ideas.
- Select, edit and present a range of resolved and coherent sculptural forms that show an informed and individual response to the research and reflection.
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Reading List
COLLINS, J. 2007, Sculpture Today. Phaidon
DUBY, G and DAVAL, J. (Eds) 2013, Sculpture: From Antiquity to the Present Day. Taschen
PALMEDO, P. F. 2015, Experience of Modern Sculpture, Schiffer
WOOD, J. HULKS, D. and POTTS, A. (Eds) 2012, Modern Sculpture Reader, Getty
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to apply critical research and reflective practice within the discipline of sculpture set within the broader context of visual arts and culture.
Hold a basic but critical knowledge of key developments and movements in the field of contemporary sculpture.
Demonstrate the use of composition, design and improvisation in the development of 3D ideas and objects.
Demonstrate a range of sculptural construction techniques and confidence in working through conceptual development to resolved artworks.
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| Keywords | Sculpture,3D design,fine art |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk |
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