Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | ART-1170-VR01 - Foundations of Sculpture

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Gabriel Strader-Brown
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Collin Lee

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students will explore the methods, tools, and skills of creating three-dimensional visual art in a variety of media. Students will also investigate the history of sculpture from prehistory to present.

Essential Objectives

1. Demonstrate and explain principles of three-dimensional design and use fundamental principles of sculptural language such as form, space, gravity and structure.
2. Explore a variety of sculptural materials such as foam, board, paper, wood, metal, wire, plaster, found objects, wax, and clay.
3. Employ a range of sculptural methods, techniques and tools to create three-dimensional art works.
4. Demonstrate correct and safe use of sculptural tools and explain good studio practice.
5. Examine, discuss and critique three-dimensional works of art with reference to historical, social, and cultural context.
6. Design and complete individual projects.
7. Create a portfolio of finished sculptures.
8. Display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

ART-1170-VR01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

The course is an introduction to visual expression, preparation, and utilizing 3 dimensional methods of creating form, spatial relationships, textual detail, and conceptual expression. The objective of the course is to provide a basic understanding of concept and methodology behind 3-D artistic practices. Additionally this course will lay down the groundwork for further insights into 3-dimensional art. Participants will be involved with conceptual planning, class exercises and discussions, class projects and research, and critiques. The course will consist of readings, lectures, and presentations, in which participants are required to partake in. All participants are requested to attend classes regularly, and show a willingness to contribute during discussions and critiques.

Course Objectives

• Learning technical skills attributed to 3-dimensional art forms
  
• Acquiring a variety of different methods in producing well thought out 3D projects
  
• To gain specialized knowledge dealing with concept, expression, and communication
  
• Understanding different material properties and characteristics
  
• Practicing appropriate preparation and planning techniques for projects
  
• To gain exposure and learn from other artists and movements, both past and present
  

Evaluation Criteria

Grades will be determined by finished pieces you make, as well as your effort and time management put into your projects, attendance, class participation in discussions and critiques, Completion of in-class exercises and demos, and studio responsibilities.

Project grades will be divided into the following criteria example: Presentation of end product-30 points

Understanding of assignment

Meets formal attributes for subject

execution and craft-10 points

Sketches/brainstorming material-10 points

Your total grade will rely on completing and meeting all of the requirements for four different categories: Your out of-class independent projects (that each have their own point value), Some out-of-class assignments, your in-class-projects, participation, and critique.

Ou-of-class independent projects (total points 300) - There will be six out-of-class independent projects. One of those will be a group and one will be your final project. These projects will be a chance for you to apply what you've learned about the topic we'll be covering at the time and will be an opportunity for you to hold yourself to the degree an artist does. These projects should be well thought out, integrating your own personal creativity and expression as well as your professionalism in how you treat a finished work of art. I'll always go over the criteria for the assignment in depth before I assign it and we'll work together to make sure you have a clear understanding of it.

Out-of-class assignments (total points 30) - You can think of out-of-class assignments like homework, except these are meant to help you practice the methods we're going over. What's important is that you put effort into the assignment. There won't be too many of these as most of the hands-on techniques you'll be learning will be in class.

In-class-projects (total points 100) - The in-class projects make up the crucial time and space to practice in detail what we'll be talking about in class, what you'll be reading about on your own, and what you hopefully hope to gain in methods and techniques for 3 dimensional art. Think of these projects as the practice you might need before an out-of-class independent project. The purpose of these exercises is to help you learn fundamental elements about making sculpture. The best way for anyone to get better at something is to practice.

Participation (total points 75) - In this class you'll be expected to use the information you're being taught and to put it into practice. If you're in the class it's probably best to assume that you want to learn about sculpture and how to make it. You'll also be expected to talk about the subjects we'll be going over in class. That's not easy for everyone, but this class is set up to be a safe space to share ideas and have an open dialogue. The best way to learn is to think critically and discussions are a way to check what we think we know. We might learn something new from someone else in the class.

Critique (total points 120) - There are six out-of-class independent projects, so that means there will be six critiques that are worth 20 points each. Critique is one way in which we evaluate each others' work. It can be a daunting notion to allow other people to talk about your work both in praise and in criticism. Critique serves more than one purpose. It's meant as a way for you to receive constructive criticism, meaning those around can offer insight as to what is strong in your work, what is lacking, what isn't clear. It's easy for anyone to take criticism personally, but it's not meant to cut you down. Look at it like you would when receiving advice. Another benefit of critique is that it helps us to articulate our work better to an audience. You can explain your idea, but if it's not coming through to others, that can tell you that you need to improve the way in which you're expressing your concept. Critique is a way to analyze what you've created with the help of others. Critiques in this class will be like tests, so please let me know ahead of time if you won't be in class on a critique day.

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity