Course Objectives

In the specialisation course Metal Design, students will expand their understanding, experience and creative skills in order to strengthen the foundation of their understanding and experience of aesthetic values related to materials, communication, function and didactics. The course will further develop students’ awareness of the potential and values of the specialisation subject, in which people, learning, culture and environment are vital components.

Through the study, students will:

• increase their understanding, insight, understanding of form and their ability to express themselves through creative work using metal as the main working material.
• increase their knowledge and skills in using visual, material, functional and communicative qualities.
• expand their experience with the materials, tools, techniques and working methods which are available within this subject field.
• improve their understanding of art and design culture and develop their ability to act both traditionally and creatively within their fields of specialisation.
• acquire knowledge and experience with methods for ideas, design and product development.
• be able to plan and carry out instruction in keeping with the varying abilities of their pupils.
• gain understanding and experience of development initiatives in metal design

Course Description

Metals are substances which hold a prominent position in our material culture. A thorough understanding of the uses of these materials, both past and present, should therefore be included in our general education.

Working with sculpture and metal utility objects is an essential part of the course. Through alternating theory and practice, students will develop their ability to make decisions and defend professional practices. On this basis, the course will provide a background for improvement and an awareness of the potential and values of metalworking in relation to the individual, schools and society. Knowledge, skills and familiarity with creative processes and aesthetic, functional, communicative and craft-related qualities are central elements of the course. In building further on the general knowledge emphasised in the foundation course, the students’ standards for insight, understanding of concepts and critical competence will be raised.

The following elements are included in the course:

• Materials, tools and techniques
• Utility object design and product development
• Sculpture, installation
• Subject didactics
• Research methodology
• Teaching practice (3 weeks)
• Written assignment on subject theory and subject didactics (1 week)
• Final project (up to 12 weeks)

Individual work in the workshops and with theoretical aspects constitute the main study methods. An important focus will be group work which will provide students with experience with the supervision of co-students using various approaches to professional challenges, minor seminars, debates, discussions and joint exhibition projects.

The teaching consists of demonstrations, practical exercises, guided skill-development, lectures, discussions and debates. In addition to the collective instruction, supervision will be provided both individually and in groups. The instruction takes place parallel to the execution of assignments and includes an introduction to practical working methods and lectures in subject theory, subject didactics and research methodology. The alternation between creative activities, theory and reflection is important in approaching a subject of this nature. The assignments are designed to give students more detailed knowledge and a wider understanding of their creative activities. Attending exhibitions is also a part of the course. Short excursions may also be organised.

Course Unit 1: Materials, Tools and Techniques (10 ECTS)

The conversion of ideas into concrete ideas depends upon knowledge and skills in a variety of areas. In this course unit the emphasis is on expanding students’ understanding of materials, subject theory and skill training within a subject didactics’ framework. Students will become familiar with the tools and techniques required for working on and creating objects using metal as the basic material. The objective of the course unit is to provide the fundamentals which the student needs to fill the role of a teacher, and the technical understanding required for working on a more independent level in course units 2 and 3

Students will be able to:

• evaluate, choose and employ materials based on the knowledge of their characteristics and areas of use.
• use construction and joining methods such as, for example, soldering and riveting.
• use, maintain and care for hand tools and machines such as, for example, mitre boxes, files, pliers and soldering tools.
• use work-techniques and safety regulations for the use of various machine tools.
• have an understanding of the stages which are relevant for various work-methods and the significance of sequence.
• judge the degree of difficulty for the various techniques in order to ensure professional progression when teaching.

A number of smaller assignments associating the subject material with practical applications will be given.

Course Unit 2: Utility Object Design, Product Development (15 ECTS)

The work with utility object design emphasises the creation of practical objects in material as a continuous process from idea to finished product. Through the study in design methodology/theory, a basic understanding of design-methodological thinking is built up, so that students will cultivate and develop their own ideas through analysing, visualising, documenting and communicating physical and cognitive actions.

This course unit builds upon course unit 1. It involves work with projects based on one or several of the following main topics, dependent upon the choice of material specialisation (wood, metal, or wood/metal).

Main topics:

• Jewellery design: In this main topic, students work with jewellery, in a broad interpretation of the term.
• Metal design: Metal design involves the reworking of metal into different forms.

Students will be able to:

• analyse their own products and those of others within the same field.
• move between traditional forms of expression and contemporary forms, both nationally and internationally, with an evaluating and analysing attitude, which forms the basis for creating their own products.
• analyse and evaluate based on an understanding of important aesthetic theories, form, colour and material characteristics.
• be aware of the interdependence of materials, tools, techniques and the desired function and expression of form.
• reflect on and explain how their own work and that of others functions visually and physically, in the surroundings they are intended for or placed in.
• think over and make decisions with respect to the social aspects of design and production, such as, for example, the consequences of resource use for the environment.
• master form and proportion and demonstrate a certain ability to dimension.
• use colour as a factor which influences form in working with three- dimensional forms.

Course unit 3: Sculpture,Installation (15 ECTS)

The work in this course unit deals mostly with the varied and experimental use of metal as a material in three-dimensional contemporary expressions. The mediation of content through various form-languages and the working of material in an open and inquisitive fashion will also be stressed. The student will acquire experience in putting materials together with other methods/forms of expression, for example, with electronic elements. The presentation of such expressions is intended to provide the student with valuable experience in the use of space.

Students will be able to:

• recognise the possibilities which are inherent in the materials to mediate content and interaction with other forms of expression.
• understand the significance of surface qualities for communication.
• show an ability to build further on earlier experience/knowledge and expand their repertoire through their own work.
• use the materials in a wider spectrum of expression.
• view the value of recycling in both an aesthetic and environmental perspective.
• place the materials in meaningful relationships in time and space.
• show the ability to materialise elements and build up an expression in a chosen situation.
• reason about current topics in society and base their own expressions upon these.

The assignment responses in this course unit consist of three elements:

1. work with limiting the theme, where the student forms the framework for the practical work
2. the production aspect
3. the exhibition aspect

Subject didactics

This includes the study of the arts and crafts’ goals and possibilities, and how one may organise instruction to fulfil the intentions of the curricula, particularly with respect to the learning and development of pupils in upper secondary schools. The teaching relates to the five basic skills of the Knowledge Promotion Curriculum. The methods stress interdisciplinary cooperation, and project work is an integral part of the course.

Students will be able to:

• participate in current subject pedagogical debates.
• plan, carry out and evaluate teaching assignments in the subject, particularly in relation to upper secondary education.
• work with interdisciplinary projects, and on the basis of their own experience, knowledge and curricula, be able to justify and organise different teaching and learning methods.
• prepare themselves to meet the learning and expressive needs of pupils and be able to inspire and guide them towards the development of active and inquisitive working methods.
• apply subject didactic knowledge and experience from the teaching practice period as a basis for personal and professional growth, critical evaluation and further development of the subject.
• have an overview of the current curricula and textbooks used in upper secondary schools.
• reflect over the pedagogic consequences of teaching in their particular field of specialisation.
• debate and reflect over the values which the subject can contribute to culture and society in general.
• discuss how our relationship to the objects around us influences our daily life and the development of children and adolescents.
• analyse and evaluate current study programmes and curricula.

Research methodology

The work on this theme will provide students with knowledge and experience in fundamental methods and approaches to the acquisition, development and processing of knowledge.

Students should be able to:

• limit the field of study, devise approaches to problems, use source materials and present and evaluate results.
• explain the main methods and approaches used for the acquisition of knowledge on the subject.
• use research literature, databases, informants and other sources.
• recognise the possibilities for renewing and combining methods within research and development work, based on the nature of the subject.

Learning Methods

The course is organised into three course units in addition to a period of practical training. The course units are independent units that cover specific areas of work with metal. They build on each other technically as well as academically. They must be evaluated and approved as passed before the student may sit the graded written examination and the final project which includes a research part.

1. Materials, Tools and Techniques 10 ECTS
2. Utility Object Design and Product Development 15 ECTS
3. Sculpture, installation 15 ECTS

The academic year is divided up into 5 periods of different lengths in addition to a written home examination.

• Three course units (40 ECTS)
• Final project (20 ECTS)
• Practical experience

Subject theory and the didactics of metalworking worth 15 ECTS, are integrated in all phases of the course. The content and level of the course will be realised through the current syllabus. The student should have a general competence in research methodology, and be able to use this in conjunction with the final project. Emphasis is placed on the students’ responsibility for their own independent work and ability to cooperate. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 37.5 hours per week working on their studies. They will be supervised by their teachers about half of this time. Large parts of the course require obligatory attendance. Students must attain a minimum attendance rate of 80% in order to have the obligatory parts of the course approved.

Joint Theory

Some of the subject material may be considered common for all of the specialised courses. This will be mediated largely though seminars/lectures for the BA programme, Subject Teacher: Education in the Arts. The subject material, which will be presented in these joint seminars, may vary from year to year; consult the syllabus reading list.

Other activities

In addition, there will be obligatory ‘vocational days’ ( fagdager), the hosting of arrangements such as ‘Open Door’ and possibly other course-related outside activities. These will provide experience in meeting the public and mediating topical material though exhibits and oral and audio-visual demonstrations.

Teaching practice

Three weeks of the academic year is reserved for teaching practice, which is normally associated with the teaching of crafts in upper secondary schools, folk high schools or other pedagogic environments. The course involves the entire country, and the teaching practice may therefore be placed outside the university college’s immediate geographic area.

Teaching practice reports must be submitted, at the latest, one week after the practice period is completed. Both the teaching practice efforts and the report are used in evaluating the student’s overall performance. Information about the practice period may be accessed at the following web address: www.hit.no / main / efl / praksisadministrasjonen.

All students who are not enrolled on a three-year subject-teacher programme should normally complete a period of work-experience at a business or complete project practice (please refer to separate guidelines). These students may also apply to complete their practice period at a school if desired. Please send your application to the Coordinator for Studies and the Practice Office.

“Business” in this context refers to an industrial or crafts business, workshop, public or private gallery or other type of activity which will provide the relevant practice for students of art and design and arts and handicrafts. It is a requirement that the business in question should be registered with the Bronnøysundregister and have its own number.

In consultation with the teacher, students will plan, implement and evaluate assignments, and the fulfil the requirements for documentation, which will be in addition to the ordinary assignments carried out at the work experience business. The work experience period may be related to the student's final project; students must reach agreement with the subject teacher and business regarding this.

If the student on completing the Bachelor’s programme chooses to take a 60 ECTS Teacher Education Programme (PPU), then he/she may apply to have the period of teaching practice approved as part of the required PPU teaching practice. In this case, the student should follow the regulations for teaching practice for subject-teachers’ third year of study.

The student is not awarded credits for the period of practical experience, but it must be completed and approved before the student can sign up for the exam and before a diploma can be issued.

Student council

Students choose their own student council consisting of 2-3 students who function as intermediaries between the teaching team and the class. When appropriate, the student council may participate in team meetings in order to discuss matters related to the planning of class activities. Students will also choose the representative for the course committee for joint lectures. The Student Council and the Course Committee for joint theory should have at least one meeting per semester. The class leader is responsible for ensuring that representatives are appointed, and he/she will summon the first meeting. Minutes from these meetings will be recorded. These will be submitted to the Coordinator for Studies and the Head of the Department.

Assessment Methods

There should be a relation between the aims, content, teaching and learning methods and assessment of the course. The assessment will form an important part of the actual learning, and act as a means of allowing the individual student to both develop understanding of the aims of the course and to acquire insight into their own suitability for the teaching profession.

Reviewing and assessing teaching and learning methods, sketches, rough drafts, models and products, together with subject didactic reflection will reveal the students’ contributions and progression in the course, and provide insight into, and awareness of, their professional advancement and learning. The assessment is also intended as an aid to the individual student in the form of supervision. Students may, for example, receive feedback related to processes and results, and their ability to work together.

Both students and the teachers must participate in the course assessment with the aim of further developing the course and preparing students for future work in developing their own teaching and schools’ activities. The assessment must therefore also include the content and organisation of the course, the student’s own work, and teaching and learning methods through the entire year.

All the assignments must be completed, submitted at the appointed times (stipulated in semester plan/year-plan/period plan), and evaluated as passed in order to take the final graded examinations. Students are personally responsible for holding themselves oriented about assignment requirements, other requirements and deadlines. The period of practical experience must be approved as passed before the student can receive final assessment.

The joint theory lectures represent a “passing point”, which requires 80% attendance. Students who do not meet the attendance requirement must write a written assignment on the basis of course literature and course compendiums. The assignment must be approved before the student may be allowed to sit the examination.

The course units will be assessed as pass/fail.

Examination:

Individual written examination; 5-day home assignment:

The student will write an assignment based on a given theme. There are specific requirements related to organisation, structure and the student’s ability to relate the subject material to the theme. The written assignment should include a maximum of 10 pages (including bibliography), using 12-point font and 1.5 line spacing. Please refer to the “Telemark University College’s Guidelines for Written Work”.

Final project (20 ECTS):

12 weeks will be allocated for the specialisation assignment - the final project. The project is an individual assignment that will integrate subject material from the programme. The final project should primarily be related to ICT within the field of visually creative work. The goal is to allow the student to gain experience in executing independent professional work with a research aspect, which will provide an opportunity to specialise in one or several aspects of the subject, and develop the ability to analyse and carry out structured work. The result will consist of practical creative work, thorough documentation, relevant theory, a written paper fulfilling the normal requirements for report writing, and a comprehensive presentation.

The student will choose the theme/project question in consultation with the subject teacher.

The final project has a mandatory requirement for supervision, and students are responsible for contacting the subject teacher and arranging for supervision. Students will, in addition, organise their own syllabus literature related to the project, which should include about 200 pages on subjects associated with documentation in the report.

Weighting
Individual written examination, 5-day home examination	20%
Final project, maximum 12 weeks	80%

Weighting:

Individual written examination, 5-day home examination 20%

Final project, maximum 12 weeks 80%

On the diploma, the title of the final project will be entered. A letter grade will be given, on a scale from A to F, where A is the highest possible grade, and E is the lowest passing grade. Both parts of the examination must receive passing marks before the examination is considered passed. The teaching practice period must be given a passing grade in order to receive a diploma.

Please refer to Telemark University College Examination Regulations for further information.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean