JEWELRY MAKING
Course Syllabus 2012/13
Bedford High School Art Department
Course Developed by Jason Sanderson
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to introduce students to the basics of jewelry-making. Basic metal manipulation and developing proficiency with the tools of jewelry-making are central to this course.
PREREQUISITES
Due to the implementation of the Michigan Merit Curriculum as well as trimesters, there may be students who have been granted permission to take this course. This class is listed as being for “college-bound artists” and as a result, the student should have successfully completed Foundations I.
GRADE LEVEL
As a result of the prerequisite, the class is designed primarily for 10th grade and above.
COURSE GOALS
The following will be explored: -Wire
-Basic Metal Manipulation (sawing, filing, etc.) -Spoon Rings
-Basic Casting -Investment Casting
COURSE OUTLINE
Due to the introductory nature of this class, the exact outline of projects has not been established. Student work ethic and overall ability will determine how many of the course goals are realized in this trimester class. Particular attention will be paid to metal manipulation, skill advancement, as well as basic and advanced casting methods.
Jewelry-Making Sketchbook
The jewelry-making sketchbook is similar to that of a ceramics student. In the sketchbook, all developmental work will be performed prior to completing a project. It is a central and essential part of each project. It will be a graded component of each assignment. In addition, there will be extensive note-taking in the class ranging from historical references, current project objectives, to health/safety concerns.
When developmental sketches are not appropriate, students should sketch
jewelry in all forms. This sketching should NOT be to scale (i.e. small) but should instead look at structure and form. They should be large and loose renderings and can contain the occasional “finished” drawing.
Required Sketch Check-Ins are as follows: Due Date
March 22 MUST PHYSICALLY HAVE SKETCHBOOK
March 25 April 8, 22 May 13
***Additionally, students MUST have required safety and procedural notes in their books. They will be checked for inclusion on the next due date following their introduction. Quantity of sketches is left to the sole discretion of the instructor and may be altered at any time.
CLASSROOM RULES/BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS
I realize that there may be limited opportunities to pursue outside artistic interests for some. As a result, I am expecting each student to adhere to the following rules to ensure not only a smooth transition from one hour to the next, but to maximize the creative time available to each student.
1. You need to be in class on time.
2. There will be no inappropriate language. This is a creative environment that you will be working in and swearing doesn’t show creativity. There will be penalties for doing so. Inconvenience me (swearing) and I will inconvenience YOU.
3. ART IS EXPENSIVE! As a result, I expect that each student will respect the materials we will be using. Failure to do so will result in removal from class (This is an elective and I expect that you are here for all the right reasons – i.e. you WANT to be here!)
4. RESPECT – I expect respect for myself, other students, as well as all work created in class. This would include restraining from verbal attacks/abuse, to not touching other student work.
5. Dress Appropriately – Art is messy and clothing can/will get damaged from time-to-time. People with long hair will need to have the ability to tie it back, and those who wear long necklaces or scarves will have to remove them.
WASTING TIME/WORK ETHIC
Addressed as a separate issue, there will be times in class where students will be finished with a project before others, or are taking an extended time
looking for subject matter for the assignment at hand. At NO TIME will it be acceptable for a student to simply sit and NOT work. Sketchbooks are to be brought to class EVERY DAY and should always be used as a backup or alternative to sitting around doing nothing
GRADING SYSTEM IN ART
While the actual final grading scale is matched to that which is published in the student handbook, there is a separate method for assigning project grades. When looking at student projects, the instructor does not get a sense of an actual numerical value. The following represent the art department
A
=
All concepts realized with exemplary work ethic and exploration of subject matter/medium.B =
Above-average effort resulting in above-average results in terms of concepts and techniques targeted in assignment.C =
Average effort combined with adequate work ethic and a majority of concepts and techniques realized in final work.D =
Sub-par effort with little or no realization of project goals.E =
An unacceptable effort with no measurable final results. The student willfully worked to NOT complete the work in an acceptable manner. This was not a mistake.As a result, the following set value is placed with each grade given: A+ = 100 A = 98 A- = 92 B+ = 89 B = 85 B- = 82 C+ = 79 C = 75 C- = 72 D+ = 68 D = 65 D- = 62 E = 50
Please note that a student receives 50 points for an “E”. It cannot be stressed enough that even though an assignment may be difficult, or that a
student may not feel happy with their results, it is still important to submit work for grading. There will be some quarters during the year where there may be only five or six major projects and a ZERO for not turning a single project in can have disastrous results.
Grades will be posted in a timely manner online for students and parents to view at their convenience.
