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Course Syllabus

ART 1600 Jewelry Making/Small Metals

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2024
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2029
  • End Semester: Summer 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 15
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

This course explores basic methods in designing and making jewelry and small metal sculpture from non-ferrous metals, stones, and other materials. Techniques taught and assignments will include soldering, cold joining, lost-wax casting, lapidary work, and patinas. A lab fee is required.

Justification

This is a beginning course that introduces students to the processes involved in creating small metal sculpture and wearable objects. It fills an elective for art majors. This course is a unique skill area for two of the visual arts faculty and corresponds with classes offered at other USHE institutions.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Material Proficiency: An improved understanding of the technical processes and materials involved in creating Jewelry will ultimately lead to a more capable and informed designer.
  2. Historical Context: Students who recognize the historical factors affecting contemporary jewelry design will be more capable of making informed aesthetic decisions that affect their personal work. Students will demonstrate fluency in historical influences by articulating how approaches to Jewelry design have changed throughout history, and what influences both historical and contemporary are driving jewelry designers of today.
  3. Critical Analysis: The ability to critically evaluate a piece of jewelry or small metal sculpture will allow for consistent improvement in the design and manufacturing processes.

Course Content

This course will include an introduction to metalsmithing techniques used to create jewelry and small metal sculpture. Students will learn the proper use and safety associated with a variety of tools used in the production of Jewelry and small metals. Students will also be introduced to historic and contemporary jewelry design. Instructors will expose students to a wide variety of design possibilities.