Course Objectives

The students will:

• Develop the ability to perceive art and design culture as a source of experience, knowledge and understanding.
• Gain insight into the principal elements of art history, from ancient art history to contemporary art.
• Gain insight into the historically changing patterns of interaction and conflict between handicrafts, art, design and the mass media.
• Develop an understanding of art and design culture as representing expressions of contemporary ideas and changes in culture and society.
• Develop the ability to apply the correct technical terminology in analysis, interpretation and evaluation.
• Be able to use art and design culture in creative processes in their own work and in pedagogical work with children and adolescents.

Course Description

The course consists of two course units:

1. Art and Design Culture, 10 ECTS
2. Art and Design Culture, with a Focus on Teaching 5 ECTS

Course unit 1: Art and Design Culture – a Historical Overview (10 ECTS)

This course unit focuses on the main currents in European art – including architecture, handicrafts and design – from its earliest beginnings to the present. It focuses on different style periods, and the socio-historical context that provides the background for art’s various forms of expression. Special attention will be given to the emergence of technology and the influence of the visual mass media on art. Students are required to reflect over the interrelation between art and society and art and technology; in brief, they should reflect on the complex context in which art is produced and perceived. It is important that students develop skills in using the relevant technical terminology and analysis methods in their description, interpretation, and discussion of art and design culture during different style periods, as well as be able to relate this to their own experiences and reflections.

Students will develop the ability to:

• Explain the main features of art history from ancient times to the present day.
• Explain the main features of the principal movements in art and design culture in the 20th century.
• Explain the development and the main features of handicrafts traditions, folk art, art handicrafts, industrial design, modern design and industrial mass production.
• Gain insight into art forms in both majority and minority cultures including the main characteristics of the Sami culture, especially duodji.
• Reflect on architectural forms, building traditions and utility objects as an expression of the age and society in which they were produced.
• Reflect upon the relationship of art to the ideas of the historical period in which it was produced, to changes in culture and society, to technical innovations and changes regarding the position of art in society.
• Use relevant technical terminology and methods of analysis to describe, interpret and discuss art and design culture from various style periods and movements.

Course unit 2: Art and Design Culture, with a Focus on Teaching (5 ECTS)

During the course students will practice teaching the subject at different levels in schools. Students will learn how to use exhibitions and various forms of digital media in visual presentations. The focus on the teaching of the subject will be based on figurative art, architecture, handicrafts traditions, industrial design, modern design and industrial mass production.

Students will:

• Be able to describe paintings and objects by using basic terminology and use this in teaching various groups according to age and ability.
• Reflect on the aesthetic and ethical aspects related to teaching of the artistic qualities and values.
• Learn to understand art and design culture in relation to the professional aspect of the studies.
• Be able to use visual and material cultural expressions as a starting point for the development of their own ideas and creative work with pupils in school.
• Learn to apply knowledge related to art and design culture in a subject-didactics context through practical teaching work.
• Be able to see the connection between art and design, and other subjects / disciplines in schools, and use the discipline in theme and project work.
• Plan and organise the educational use of businesses, museums, galleries and collections, architecture and building styles in the local community.

Learning Methods

The course will be organised as follows: Course unit 1: Art and Design Culture – a Historical Overview is taught during the first year of study (first and second semesters). The teaching includes lectures and self-study. Students will participate in short excursions to museums and galleries so they will acquire insight into the history of art and design culture. The nature and extent of the course unit requires that students attend lectures, and a large degree of self-study will also be required.

Course unit 2, Art and Design Culture with a Focus on Teaching, is taught during the third and fourth semesters. In this course unit the subject matter of art and design culture will be utilised in the context of schools or other teaching arenas. The student may relate this work to his/her teaching practice placement, possibly in the form of a group project. The course also includes museum visits where the topic will be dissemination. The teaching is organised into lectures, group work and excursions. In addition to the syllabus literature, students and subject teachers should also work together to investigate other sources of knowledge and experience.

Students will study the relevant subject literature which covers the principal aspects of the course. The subject teachers are responsible for the organisation, overall structure and progression of the programme and guidance of students; while the students are responsible for their own learning progress, which involves acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills.

The main feature of this course in art and design culture consists in the study of material forms of cultural expression and reflection related to this. This requires the availability of original works of art and/or copies thereof (photos, slides, film and electronic images). The opportunity to engage with original works of art is an important source of knowledge, and field studies should therefore constitute an important part of the course. In this context, teacher-guided day excursions will be organised to museums, galleries, exhibitions, collections, and architecture and building traditions in the local area. The alternation between experience and reflection related to art and design culture is an important basis for subject-related discussions. The subject content will provide the basis for stimulating students’ understanding of their own creative work. Subject knowledge from art and design culture studies will be used during teaching practice, where the students will be given the opportunity to gain experience using a selection of teaching methods.

Course committee

A course committee will be chosen and it will include representatives from the various programmes that participate in the course:

• Art & Crafts, 1 year programme
• Drawing, 1 year programme
• Form and Design, 1-year programme
• Subject Teacher: Education in the Arts, 1st and 2nd years of study

The course committee should have at least one meeting each semester. The subject teacher is responsible for ensuring representatives are appointed from the various studies, and he/she will call the first meeting. Minutes of the meetings will be recorded, and these will be submitted to the coordinator for studies and the head of the department.

Assessment Methods

Course unit 1: Art and Design Culture – a Historical Overview is assessed at the end of the second semester by a written examination or home assignment, which will be graded.

Course unit 2: Art and Design Culture, with a Focus on Teaching will be assessed at the end of the course. An individual assignment, which will be graded, will be submitted to the subject teacher.

Examination

The final grade for the course is allocated as follows:

Course unit 1, Art and Design Culture: (10 ECTS)

Course unit 2: Art and Design Culture, with a Focus on Teaching (5 ECTS)

A graded mark is entered on the diploma, graded from A to F, where A represents the highest mark, and E the lowest passing mark. Students must achieve passing marks in both course units in order to achieve a final passing mark for the course.

Please refer to Telemark University College’s examination regulations for further information.

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