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Unit of study_

DESA9014: Arch and Design Material Processes (Ceramics)

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This practical unit explores ceramic media and processes. Students will investigate different fabrication techniques such as slip-casting, ceramic rapid prototyping and analogue modelling. There will be an emphasis on ceramics as a modelling medium in design and architecture. Students will be given access to the Design Modelling and Fabrication Lab within the school to investigate possibilities for ceramic production. This exploration will be in relation to historic and contemporary architectural frameworks. Set projects will enable students to explore expression and design in an architectural form and materiality context. Students will be expected to produce a research process journal and report on how a particular practitioner/s or movement has informed or influenced their project/s.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESA9014
Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
AWSS2010
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
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Utopia
Portfolio /Final work
45% STUVAC
Due date: 09 Nov 2023 at 14:00
30 x 30cm base / Flexible
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Journal and Research presentation
Journal, Report, oral and slide presentation
30% STUVAC
Due date: 09 Nov 2023 at 14:00
A4 Journal, 4 minutes, 800 words + pdf
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Project 1 - Hyper praxis
Portfolio, body of work
25% Week 06
Due date: 07 Sep 2023 at 14:00
Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Journal (Formative)
Journal
0% Week 06
Due date: 07 Sep 2023 at 14:00
Process entries from week 1-5
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Hyperpraxis: Portfolio of works produced in class exploring a series of techniques. Think about what you are making as material, structural investigations, in effect you are developing your palette for your major project.
  • Utopia: The Utopian Cities Project is the culmination of your research into the concept of utopia, The physical form of the works will be determined after a collaborative conceptual development project as a group and then design an individual work
  • Research: Research an artist, architect or creative practitioner who works with the theme of utopia or dystopia. Presentation in class with a short report discussing an architect, artist or designer from your research
  • Journal: The journal is a record of your research into the theme, your own processes and contemporary visual artists and art. It indicates that you are thinking critically either in words or images and able to make connections between various aspects of the course and your own practice.
  • 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

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Project 1 & 2 -10% per day Journal -5% per day

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
STUVAC All works due and presented Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Introduction to ceramic hand building Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Introduction to ceramic techniques - project 1 : Hyper praxis Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Project 1 - hyper praxis continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Project 1 - hyper praxis continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Project 1 - hyper praxis continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Assignment 1 presentation Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Project 2 utopian cities - introduction to the topic and techniques Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Project 2 utopian cities continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Project 2 utopian cities continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Project 2 utopian cities continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Project 2 utopian cities continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Project 2 utopian cities continued Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students should note that participation to all classes is essential. Please arrive on time and participate 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.

 

 

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

Readings and learning resources for this unit will take the form of slide presentations in class and be made available to students as needed.

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. demonstrate workshop skills to produce forms using hand-building ceramic techniques
  • LO2. demonstrate specific skills relevant to the discipline of study (such as an ability to use brushwork and coloured glaze and under glaze applications through class demonstrations and work on projects)
  • LO3. think critically and creatively adopting new ideas and processes in their ceramic work
  • LO4. design forms through research, drawing and making, critically articulating the materiality of Ceramics
  • LO5. make effective use of visual, verbal and written forms of communication to understand, document, demonstrate, critique and negotiate ideas
  • LO6. make critical inquiries through a conceptual framework with relevant research, especially relating back to own practice of architecture

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

No class in week 9, final presentations in week 14 to minimise assessment clashes.

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 an additional material fee online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt 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.

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.