Art 2700, Beginning Sculpture
KA165, first floor
Prof. Suzanne Kanatsiz, Skanatsiz@weber.edu
Office: Rm 329,KA Building, 626-8672
Schedules: Fall Spring

"The question is not what you look at, but what you see" Henry David Thoreau

Introduction:
Students will fabricate sculpture in a variety of materials. Through visual and tactile experiences, we will explore the innovative use of materials and technology in the realization of ideas. This provides the basis for students to develop an individual visual language, which in turn is informed and shaped by immersion in visual culture both present and past. Students will acquire the capacity to make practical and aesthetic decisions. Students will develop competencies and creative skills in problem solving, communication, and management of time and resources that contribute to lifelong learning and career skills.

Course Goals:
1. To learn basic skills in the fundamentals of sculpture and build a visual vocabulary using diverse techniques.
2. To learn non-traditional and innovative forms of sculpture.
3. To develop a passion for creating and fabricating sculpture.
4. To enhance self-esteem in the creative process and experience a sense of creative expression, enjoyment and achievement.
5. To understand the dynamic role of visual culture as a tool for social transformation.
6. To learn a range of historical/contemporary perspectives in sculpture .
7. To explore materials, processes and techniques in sculpture in an efficient, safe and responsible manner.
8. To develop visual literacy and work as a creative, innovative, resourceful individual.
9. To critically apppraise sculpture and make informed aesthetic judgments.

Methodology:
Students will learn by working in class and using lab time in class and production time outside of class to complete assignments. Lectures, group critiques, articles and resource materials will generate discussions. The professor will critique and make suggestions during working class time, which will help students gain skills. Fundamental techniques of sculpture will be covered such as constructing, modeling, structuring, and concepts of volume, mass, space, form, and proportion. One research paper and oral presentation on a contemporary sculptor is part of the course. Students should always be prepared for class; take effective notes; conduct outside research; and participate in class exercises, presentations and discussions. Field trips may be taken and students are responsible to attend, as this is part of the course content. Studio Lab: During class lab time, students are expected to come prepared to work with the appropriate materials. Students may not “go home" to work on a project or “go get materials” during class periods that are scheduled for lab. This will be counted as an absence.

Projects:
Projects are due on the due date. If a student is absent, they must turn it the following class period. A minimum of 9 -12 working hours a week outside of class is expected. Students may store projects in designated areas, in lockers, or at home. Safekeeping of projects is the student's responsibility. There will be no exceptions made for lost or damaged projects. The actual project, completed, is the only acceptable form for evaluation.

Materials for Sculpture:
Some materials will be provided for the class, however most of the materials will be purchased by the student and brought to class. Approximate cost of materials for this class can range from $100 - $300 dollars. Some materials are prohibited for use in final projects. The following is a partial list: glass jars filled with colored liquid, rocks, or marbles, old cd discs, mirrors, masking tape, scotch tape, duct tape, Styrofoam forms (cups), fuzzy pipe cleaners, aluminum foil, plastic soda pop containers, plastic bags or cups, aluminum cans, large plastic trash bags, cardboard boxes, toilet paper or paper towell rolls, etc. Sculptures can not include a live creature(s) unless it has gone through the proper WSU procedures.

Exhibition Procedures:
Areas directly outside the art building, on the campus grounds, and in the hall areas of the the first floor of the Kimball Art bldg. are available for display. The student must ask permission from the professor to display their projects in any of these areas. Students may not permanently attach or alter any space. The sculpture must not obstruct any public access or walkway, indoor or outdoor. The sculpture should not include anything that could harm or injure another person, plant or animal. The student may not employ dangerous or toxic materials in projects, nor live animals. Students are required to remove their projects within 24 hours of a request to do so. If WSU facilities management must remove the project, they may impose a fine.

Attendance Policy:
Roll is taken at the beginning of each class.   Please let the professor know if you arrive late.  Exchange phone numbers/e-mails with fellow students so you can get the assignment and work on it before you come back.  Grade will drop one full grade for each absence after three.  The professor’s record of attendance is final. If a student leaves before class is completed, an absence can accrue.

Grading:
                Sculpture projects:                                   80 pts
                Powerpoint presentation:                       10 pts
                Class participation:                                 10 pts
                Extra credit paper:                                      5 pts
                Total points possible for class:           105 pts

91-100 pts. = A            - Excellence in all aspects of class. Completion of all course requirements.
81-90 pts. =   B           - Above average projects, excellent effort. Above average completion of all course requirements.
71-80 pts.   = C          - Satisfactory achievement and completion of all course requirements, some absences and tardiness.
61-70 pts.   = D          - Less than satisfactory achievement, missing projects, more than 3 absences, tardiness.
51-60 pts.   = E          - 75% or less of course completed. Unofficial withdrawal.

Grade Reduction:
1) Not spending enough time outside of class on projects.
2) Consistently arriving late and/or leaving early.
3) Turning in underdeveloped projects executed with poor craftsmanship.
4) Silence during class discussions and class critiques. Lack of engagement.
5) Not prepared or having materials to work in class on lab days. Not reading assigned materials.
6) Not progressing steadily on a project, but rather putting it together at the last minute for the due date, or turning in projects late.

Midterm Grades and Final:
Each student will have an individual conference with the professor at midterm and will be apprised of progress and a preliminary grade. There will be no final for the class. Because there is no final, it is very important to do well on all projects throughout the semester. If at any time, students are concerned about their performance in the class, or the class itself, notify the professor.

Health and Safety:
Equipment and safety information is available on the website: www.programs.weber.edu/sculpture.  Operations taught are shop safety, studio protocol, self-protection in the form of respirator, eye protection, skin protection, hearing, and ventilation.  All students will be trained before using any manual or power tools.  Students will be required to sign a release before using any tools.  Information is made available on (MSDS) Material Safety Data Sheets which are linked to the sculpture website and can provide the student with information on products purchased for use in class and if there are toxic properties to protect against. If a student does not feel he/she has been adequately trained on any tool in the shop, please report this immediately to the professor and refrain from using the tool(s) in question. Announcements will be made when students need specific safety equipment. Cleaning: Students must clean up after themselves after every class period; i.e. remove all materials, put tools back in their proper location, sweep floor and clean table tops. If a student does not abide by the above, he/she will not be allowed to work in the lab.

Personal Equipment Use:
Please do not use personal stereos in the classroom, and turn off all cell phones before entering the classroom. Respectful student conduct is an essential part of the classroom experience.

Final clean-up: All materials, projects and evidence of projects must be removed after the last day of class. Some projects may have to be removed immediately. If so, the professor will notify the student. Points can be deducted from the final grade for lack of removal.

University Policy:
Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary. Instructor will not , at any time, modify course requirements or standards to award a passing grade to a student with a disability(ies). Plagarism: If a student engages in plagarism, breaching copyright law, using and copying material from research as their own, they will lose the full amount of points on written projects. Course content: This course may deal with material and that is relevant to the discipline taught but may conflict with personal core beliefs, or opinions. Please refer to PP-MJ6-22 for WSU policy on this subject.

Attached Class Schedule: This is a tentative class schedule and may be subject to change during the semester.