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Unit of study_

AWSS2027: Arch and Design Material Processes (Casting)

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This studio-based unit focuses on critical engagement with materiality and form. The course introduces fundamental knowledge and technical skills for students to produce a series of 3D objects through high-definition casting and complimentary construction techniques. Students will work with a broad range of traditional and experimental materials. Emphasis is placed on developing students' material and spatial awareness of three-dimensional forms in context and investigating their conceptual meanings and applications. Students will be required to design, plan and produce a series of sculptural works, utilizing mediums and techniques explored throughout the semester. Additionally, students will critically contextualise and discuss their projects against historical precedents and contemporary practices that inform their creative inquiries.

Unit details and rules

Unit code AWSS2027
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
DESA2636
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Richard Kean, richard.kean@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Sculpture assessment
Oral presentation with objects (documentation, pdf) and written statement
40% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 18:00
30x30x30cm, 5MB, 3 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Journal
Journal
30% Formal exam period
Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 18:00
A4 Journal PDF w 500word analysis
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Object of dichotomy assessment
Oral presentation with objects (documentation pdf) and written statement
30% Week 09
Due date: 29 Apr 2020 at 18:00
15x15x15cm, 5MB, 5 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Object of dichotomy assessment: In response to a series of exercises in class, you are asked to take one exercise and develop a work(s) that consists of 2 elements that articulates a relationship between two contrasting qualities in at least one of the following concepts: material, narrative, aesthetic, formal. structural, scale and affect.
  • Sculpture assessment: This assignment asks students to focus on the formal aspects of the object they have produced in project 1 and how they might best be drawn out through structures of support using metal works exploring repetition and geometry.  Students are required to utilise at least 1 or 2 techniques from the material intensives in order to design, plan and complete this project.
  • Journal: The journal is a site to test, record, explore and experiment. Students are required to keep a journal sketchbook to record your week-by-week class notes and independent research. The journal should contain drawings and/or photographs to illustrate the progress of your ideas and work at different stages of completion and notes about processes taught in class. It should show the development of your ideas and demonstrate a critical process of thinking and visualizing, a realistic critical self-evaluation of your work.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Formal exam period 1. Class critique: students will present their project followed by class discussions and critiques Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 1. Introduction to the course outline, expectations and studio including safety and WHS; 2. Tutorial - Project 1: the object of dichotomy Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 1. Slide presentation; 2. Tutorial - experimenting with wax in relation to different existing objects Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 1. Slide presentation: simulacra and high definition casting; 2. Tutorial - intensive on casting in silicone; 3. Class discussion: materiality Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 1. Slide presentation: documentations and manipulations of the readings of objects; 2. Tutorial - the object of dichotomy; 3. Extra material: consider another material for presentations Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 1. Last class before the presentation; 2. Tutorial - Studio workshop, students to clarify and resolve work for week 6 presentation Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 One on one tutorial Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 1. Project 1 assessment; 2. Class critique and assessment of project 1; 3. Assessable component: class presentations; 4. Project 2 introduction Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 1. Slide presentation: materiality and space; installation and site speficity; 2. Artists: Thea Djordjadze, Tony Albert; 3. Tutorial - project 2: sculpture Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 1. Presentation: turbine hall projects; 2. Tutorial - make a sympathetic structure, in different metalastic techniques, that is associated with an element from project 1 Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 1. Presentation of proposal statement for one on one discussions; 2. Tutorial - independent development of a sculptural work addressing spatial qualities of each component Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 1. Review images for assessment 2; 2. Tutorial - one on one tutorial Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 14 (STUVAC) 1. Discussions: on presentation of the assignment; 2. Production: students should be in full production and assembly mode Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and Study Commitment:

Students should note that attendance to all online classes is essential. Attendance means arriving on time and participating in the full class session.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Required materials: Pencil, pen, Stanley knife, 30cm ruler, scissors, and bring your visual journal to every class.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. critically engage with ideas in the field of contemporary 3D practice; sculpture, spatial practices, visual arts, especially as these ideas relate to architecture
  • LO2. use a range of primary and secondary research sources to develop your thinking and practice
  • LO3. critically select and integrate these sources into your own thinking, making and documentation
  • LO4. develop and apply both traditional and experimental techniques in a variety of materials
  • LO5. plan and achieve a goal by researching and developing two projects in sculpture
  • LO6. utilise a visual journal to express ideas, research and sketches
  • LO7. exhibit personal self-reliance, by taking responsibility for self-directed learning.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Unit is constantly updated in consultation with the tutor and DMAF

The unit may be adjusted for each session. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates. 

Additional costs

Students are required to pay a material fee of $65 online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be placed on the last page of the journal to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas. This material fee will supply students: a range of materials used in the initial stages of research in Projects 1 & 2, and 1x A4 visual journal per student. The Materials for this course are: Plaster, wax, silicone, sand, sheet metal, casting metal/glass, bronze rods, polystyrene.

Work, health and safety

DMaF LAB SAFTEY INDUCTION AND COMPETENCY UNIT:
Access within all areas of DMaF Lab is strictly subject to completion of the Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU). This ensures that all users of the Lab are informed as to the operation of its extensive and complex machinery in a safe manner. You may need access to DMaF Lab to complete coursework, please ensure that you have completed SICU and have obtained your DMaF Lab Competency Card by Week 4. Teaching sessions for SICU will only be available during the first few weeks of each semester.

How to complete DESA1555 - Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU):
• The course is two sessions, each three hours in length and includes written and skill-based assessment.
• Please select DESA1555 Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU) from your Canvas dashboard and sign up to one
Timber and one Metalastics teaching session.
• Once both workshop sessions have been successfully completed, take the SICU Exam (Online Quiz) through Canvas and
receive a 100% grade.
• Upon completion of the SICU, you may obtain your DMaF Competency Card. It is mandatory to display your DMaF Lab
Competency card whilst using the facilities.
• If you have any queries or questions about the SICU, please write to adp.sicu@sydney.edu.au

Please check with DMAF for weekly Lab opening hours to manage your access during the semester.
http://dmaf-lab.com/

*Studnets are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.