Outline

Overview

This unit of study will introduce you to the principal materials and techniques of etching and intaglio plate printing. You will follow a project-based curriculum in a broad range of process based workshops that investigate the reprographic potential and material character of drawing through the medium of print. You will explore the historical and contextual relationship between drawing and printmaking; its industrial heritage, its specific rich and sensuous graphic quality and its potential for repeatable copies. You will develop visual research and critical analysis skills and safe studio work practices to support the production of conceptually engaging and technically well resolved works.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 1000 level in CAVA or 12 credit points at 1000 level in CASF
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rebecca Beardmore, rebecca.beardmore@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Project 2 Production and presentation of printed visual artwork and supporting material.	50%	Multiple weeks	Equivalent word count 2250	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback Quiz Quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 18 Aug 2025 at 23:59	10 x multiple choice questions	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Project 1 Prints and Drawings: Quantity and details will be listed on Canvas.	30%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2025 at 23:59	Equivalent of 1350 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Research File/work proposal for Major Project Work proposal for Project 2 and research file/process journal.	20%	Week 07 Due date: 15 Sep 2025 at 23:59	900-1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Minor project: Complete a set of minor project assignments in accordance with the techniques demonstrated in the workshops. These tasks not only measure technical competency in a given process, they also will inform the development of the student’s self-directed project.
Research File/Work proposal: Students will describe the projected outcome of their major project. Includes a description of the conceptual development of the project and the processes to be used via written and visual documentation. Students actively maintain a process journal in a format of their choosing to record technical processes, studio experiments, research findings and development of their project over the course of the semester. Students will upload a visual record of this journal/file to CANVAS by Week 15. The work proposal will be uploaded by Week 8.
Major Project: Students will present a selection of work that represents the development and resolution of their proposed project. The work presented will be assessed on conceptual and aesthetic development, technical competency appropriate to their project expectation, innovation and critical awareness.

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
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the studio including WHS Discussion of course requirements. Project 1 Introduction. Equipment, tools and materials. Looking at prints and possibilities. Drawing for Etching studio activity.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	Studio Workshop: Hard Ground and Ferric etching	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	Studio Workshop: Soft Ground and Ferric Etching In-Class Early Feedback Online Quiz	Studio (3 hr)
Week 04	Studio Workshop: Aquatint- tonal printing	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	Studio Workshop: Sugar lift- texture printing and Aquatint tonal printing.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	Class crits – peer to peer feedback. Project 2 Introduction. Project 1 Due (30%)	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	Project 2 - Research File/Work Proposal presentation to class and upload to Canvas (20%)	Studio (3 hr)
Week 08	Studio Workshop: Spit bite. Working on Project 2.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	Blind-emboss and chine Collé (rice papers/collage) demonstrations. Working on Project 2.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	Demonstration on multiple plate printing. Working on Project 2.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	Project 2: Studio workshop/tutorial Individual Tech support.	Studio (3 hr)
Week 13	Class crit – Peer feedback. Working on project 2 – Individual tech support	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (research and studio) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit are linked to the Canvas Site.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. demonstrate familiarity with current technologies in this field of practice and be able to appreciate the historical and theoretical significance of those technologies
LO2. engage effectively with user-driven experimentation, co-operative learning and peer-to- peer project initiatives
LO3. demonstrate innovative practice and experimental inquiry by applying the skills, knowledge and the means directed to access new and traditional technologies related to etching
LO4. engage constructively in peer group feedback sessions
LO5. critically evaluate your work and communicate your ideas, intentions and outcomes during individual and peer group feedback sessions.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This course has been revised from last year to increase drawing focus and add early feedback quiz.

Additional information

Additional costs

There will be a material levy fee of $65.00 for this unit to provide students with copper, a scribe, printing paper and ancillaries for Minor Project 1. Students will be required to cover some of the material costs for the Major Project (paper/plates), depending on proposed project scale etc. Payment process will be outlined on Canvas.

Work, health and safety

Students are required to wear sturdy close toed shoes in the workshop at all times, wear acid resistent gloves, protective eye gwear and dust/organic vapour masks for select processes and an apron.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

CAEL2080: Introduction to Etching Through Drawing

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links