Course Title: Gold and Silversmithing 2A2

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Gold and Silversmithing 2A2

Credit Points: 12

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
VART1971	City Campus	Undergraduate	340H Art	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 1 2011

Course Coordinator: mark edgoose

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3540

Course Coordinator Email:mark.edgoose@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Gold and Silversmithing 1B2

Course Description

This course is focused around developmental approaches to contemporary jewellery within a Fine Art Context.
In second year this course will aim toward consolidating aesthetic and intellectual considerations in contemporary jewellery, further developing an understanding of the relationship between form and material and the human context.
It offers an opportunity to work with a broad range of analytical thinking, visual perception and develop a skills base appropriate to making jewellery.
Students will investigate advanced decorative metal processes providing both cognitive and interpretative skills; repetitive forming processes, lamination and forming of relief work, casting, forging, mounting of gems and minerals and metal surface treatments.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course aims to :
• Consolidate student skills in aesthetic and intellectual considerations in jewellery making.
• Continue to develop a competence in the use of tools and exploration of materials specific to jewellery making.
• Further establish an understanding of the relationship between form and material and the human context.
• Further guide the student to utilise metal and a broad range of materials as a jewellery making medium for artistic expression in jewellery making.
• Continue to encourage the development of an individual aesthetic based on a knowledge and appreciation of historical and contemporary trends within a Fine Art Context.

Advanced metal processes are introduced to provide both cognitive and interpretative skills in contemporary jewellery making. Precious and non-precious metals are presented with non-metallic materials in their various combinations, with intent to utilise their unique aesthetic and functional potential in design.
At the successful conclusion of this subject you should:

• have a knowledge and understanding of health and safety issues in relation to materials, equipment and work practices and an ability to implement these principles into your activities as a gold and silversmith.
• have a fundamental understanding of the physical properties of a broad range of metals, alloys and an awareness of non metallic construction materials
• be able to competently perform more advanced bench skills such as findings and mechanisms, fixing and attaching ,alloying and using precious metals, inlay, repousse and incorporating found and collected objects.
• be able to competently and correctly apply soldering processes.
• demonstrate competency in surface finishing such as filing, emery work and polishing .
• be continuing to develop drawing skills and techniques of 3D development (assemblages) which enable the accurate realisation of projects.
• begin to initiate and pursue studies in directions that inform and further enhance individual professional and creative growth and catalyse invention, innovation and refinement of personal work.

Overview of Learning Activities

• The learning program will be studio based and will consist of lectures, demonstrations, projects and assignment work.
• Class discussions coupled with individual tutorials will stimulate the students ability to be self critical and aware of aesthetic consideration.
• Where appropriate class excursions will take place and the student is expected to further their knowledge through the use of Library Resources/Gallery visitations.
• Journals should be kept by students which adequately document their research activities and sketchbooks which appropriately describe their visual ideas relating to each project/assignment.

Overview of Learning Resources

References are provided in Part B

Overview of Assessment

Assessment is by folio submission at the end of each semester. Assessment will be conducted by a panel of teaching staff and results will be reviewed by the Studio Co-ordinator.
Folio submission - 100%