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Unit outline_

CAEL3017: Skin and Sign: Ceramic Surfaces

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will focus on the development of an in-depth understanding and application of the ceramic surface. It will explore notions of trace, impression, wound, scar, identification, memory and memento through material layering and surface specificity, and the construction of meaning associated with surface qualities such as depth, absorption and incorporation. You will be introduced to a range of applied ceramic surfaces including ceramic pencil, paint and crayon, glaze, screenprint and decal production, as well as found and mixed media surfaces, and kiln firings. Initial instruction and individual experimentation will form the foundations for the completion of a student-generated studio project. This unit would be of particular interest if you want to develop your investigation into three dimensional form and/or broaden the possibilities of the two dimensional surface.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CAEL2073
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Jan Guy, jan.guy@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jan Guy, jan.guy@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Allegra Holmes, allegra.holmes@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Final work
10min interview with final project work present
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 21 Nov 2022 at 23:00
six weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task experimental folio
experimental folio
20% Week 06
Due date: 05 Sep 2022 at 23:59
500 wd equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment hurdle task proposal for final work
research and write proposal for final work
30% Week 08
Due date: 24 Sep 2022 at 23:59
800-100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO2 LO1 LO5 LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Experimental Folio – students will be required to upload a series of ceramic surfaces tests with images and annotation from inclass instruction (further detailed notes in Canvas)
  • Proposal for Final Work - students will be required to research, plan and write a proposal for a final creative artwork, present the plan in class and upload the final proposal to CANVAS (further detailed notes in Canvas)
  • Final Work – students will be required to complete a creative artwork(s) based on their proposal from Task 2 and discuss this work during a 10 minute interview with academic staff. (further detailed notes in Canvas)

Assessment criteria

result name mark range description
High Distinction 85-100

performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard

Displays innovative and imaginative thinking. Artwork or written work demonstrates initiative and ingenuity in research and production, confident and proficient application of materials and critical skills 

Distinction 75-84

performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard

Artwork or written work demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness in research and production, competent application of materials and critical skills throughout, receptiveness to critical feedback, and a willingness to explore new ideas

Credit 65-74

performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard

Artwork or written work displays some evidence of initiative in research and production, competent application of materials and critical skills in most areas, receptivity to critical feedback and a willingness to explore new ideas.

Pass 50-64

performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard

Artwork or written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of material and technical proficiency, responds to critical feedback in fairly direct translation. 

Fail 0-49

Does not perform the assessment task to an acceptable standard

Artwork or written work displays clear deficiencies in technical skills, little or no response to critical feedback, a lack of engagement with the unit of study, fails to demonstrate any understanding of conceptual ideas and practices, does not satisfy most or all of the basic unit of study requirements. 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

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:

Loss of 5% of assignment possible mark per day of lateness.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Introduction to unit of study 2. Seminar: Excavations of Surface/construction of Meaning (reading) 3. Making test rings and signature stamps; Types of Clay 4. Technical: Studio Induction; Safety in the Home Studio (online) Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 1. Seminar: Body inscriptions – initial layers between form and skin (trace, impressions, scar, wounds) (reading) 2. Making maquettes - basics of building in clay 3. Technical: constructing a metal template cutter Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 1. Seminar: Skins 1- The building blocks of Slips and Colour (trace and identification) (reading) Slips, oxides, stains and underglazes 2. Making of tessellation tiles 3.Technical: Pack and fire for bisque kiln Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1. Individual Tutorials - Bring preliminary draft of proposal for final work Tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 1. Seminar: Skins 2 - The building blocks of Glazes (identification) The Qualities of Glaze Materials 2. Technical: Making and applying glaze Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 1. Seminar: Skins 2 - The building blocks of Glazes (identification) Formulating and Customising a Glaze 2. Technical: Packing a glaze kiln Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Students may sign up to work in the studio independently Individual study (3 hr) LO6
Week 08 Individual Tutorials for Final projects (concept and technical) Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 1. Seminar: A Third Skin: the painterly and photographic surface in ceramics (memory and memento) 2. Technical: printing on clay Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Individual Presentations and Group Discussion (Pecha Kucha) Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 1. Seminar: Embellishments and imperfections Introduction to lustres and enamels 2. Group critique 3. Technical: Project Firings Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 1. Individual Tutorials for Finalising projects 2. Technical: Project Firings Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 1. Summary, Problem Solving and Assessment Instructions 2. Technical: Project Firings Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that you attend the weekly classes in full. The three hours you spend in the weekly class should be supplemented by at least another three hours of independent study in the Studio/library/online research/gallery visits each week.

Independent time in the studio will require you to sign up for time allocations due to social distancing.

Additional requirements from Sydney College of the Arts

  • Students must attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for this unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Unit Coordinator.
  • All assignments are compulsory and must be attempted. 
  • You must attend scheduled assessments to be eligible to pass. Non-attendance at assessment on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

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.

Required readings

All class readings will be accessible through the Reading List in your CANVAS site.

A Living Bibliography will also be available on Canvas

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.

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

  • LO1. communicate their ideas creatively and effectively
  • LO2. employ appropriate materials and technologies in developing creative research outcomes
  • LO3. be responsible and accountable for their own learning and professional practice
  • LO4. use appropriate technologies and media to effectively gather information
  • LO5. critically evaluate information
  • LO6. Apply OH&S principles to all aspects of practice

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         

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

Some changes have been made to class structure to give more depth to practical activities.

You will need to wear steel capped boots in the studio. If you don’t have your own we have some available in the studio, but you must bring your own socks.

Additional costs

Studio Fee $70 (provides a limited supply of tools, clay and glaze materials). If you have individual needs you will need to finance these yourself

Work, health and safety

Face to face studio learning will require you to adhere to regulations the discipline has put in place for the safety of all.

You will also need to follow the Health and Safety regulations specific to the Ceramics studio.

It is important that you follow Staff instruction in the Studio.

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.