Phone Number: (812) 330-7724 Ex 3490

e-mail: dsmith@mccsc.edu

Syllabus/Stained Glass (One Semester)

Stained glass is an art form with tools, techniques, and terminology to be studied and applied. Students will learn to design and make patterns, to cut glass, to use copper foil, to solder, and to construct stained glass windows. Students will also explore the history of stained glass, learn how glass is made, and gain a working vocabulary applicable to the history, tools, and techniques of stained glass. Through a process of self-evaluation, students will become familiar with ways to evaluate stained glass products made by their peers and modern glass artists. Materials used in this class are expensive and the fees for this class are listed in the BHSN Curriculum Handbook. Students taking Stained Glass will engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of quality art works.

Students will be assessed through a variety of measures including, but not limited to: tests, quizzes, written assignments, self-assessments, teacher observations, and other appropriate measures. It is important for students to be responsible about following deadlines for turning in projects. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent completion of a project on time then the teacher should be made aware of the problem prior to the due date. Students will be given a Room Management Plan that delineates class rules regarding grading, safety rules, behavior expectations, and studio maintenance. Classroom management rules and expectations will follow the policies outlined in the BHSN Student Handbook (Cougar Planner). A calendar listing test dates and project due dates is printed on the back of the Room Management Plan students receive. Regular attendance is critical for success in art classes. Students who are absent can miss important demonstrations and they loose valuable studio time where they have access to knowledgeable personnel, supplies, tools and equipment needed for creating successful projects.

Class demonstrations will be given on all techniques and processes. It is especially important for students to pay attention during demonstrations because safety techniques for handling glass are stressed at that time. Because no textbook is assigned for this class, handouts are used to further clarify teacher instructions and expectations. It is important, in the planning and implementation stage, for students to understand what standards are applicable and how projects will be assessed; therefore, all major projects will have a scoring rubric for students to use as a planning and self-assessment tool.

GRADES – Grades are averaged on a percentage basis. Stained glass projects count for 50% percent, tests and quizzes 25%, and work habit points 25% of the grade. All projects and assignments will be graded so it is important to turn in everything. Assignments not turned in will be given a zero, which adversely affects the total grade point average. The grading scale for Stained Glass is listed below.

Unit 1: Beginning Stained Glass Processes and Techniques

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,8,9,10,12

This beginning unit stresses safety procedures, cutting with pattern shears, glass cutting and glass fitting. These techniques are the basis of all subsequent projects. By the end of the unit students will understand safety rules, how to hold and use pattern shears, how to hold a glass cutter, how to score glass, ways to safely break glass, how to recognize impossible cuts, conservation of glass when arranging patterns, and how to prevent unnecessary breakage. Students will demonstrate proficiency in these basic procedures while working with clear recycled glass. Part of the grade in stained glass is based on in class work habits. Because the specialized stained glass tools and equipment are located in the room, it is difficult for students to take work home; therefore, class time has to be used wisely and work habits are evaluated.

Unit 2: Apple Window

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,8,9,10,12

Students will work from a prepared design that requires them to cut the kinds of straight and curved shapes they will be cutting during the rest of the semester. Added to the stained glass techniques previously covered will be grinding, squaring, foiling, soldering and polishing stained glass. The finished product will be a small 6 X 6 inch window with an apple design in the middle. With this project students will be able to demonstrate whether they understand the techniques and are able to use stained glass tools properly. On this project, as on all stained glass projects, students will be asked to fill out a self-assessment form with a grading rubric in order to development critical and self-assessment skills.

Unit 3: History, Terminology, and Information

State Visual Arts Standards 1,2,3,5,7,11,13,14

When finished with this unit, students should be able to recognize historical periods of stained glass art, identify cultural styles and be able to use correct stained glass terminology in written and oral communication. For example, students will understand the difference between breaking, running and grozing pliers and know when it is appropriate to use each one. They will also learn about historical traditions in stained glass art and about the evolution of stained glass from religious to secular art. In addition students will explore the work of modern stained glass artists and learn how modern artists use traditional glass techniques in non-traditional ways. This unit is on going and students will periodically take written tests over material given to them in handouts and during demonstrations.

Unit 4: Etched Geometric Window

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,6,8,9,10,12

This unit adds stained glass design methods and the technique of glass etching to processes previously learned in the first two units. In order to understand how design processes are applied to stained glass, students will create an original geometric design for their etched window. Terms such as symmetrical and a-symmetrical have to be understood and used during the design process. Students will learn how to balance stained glass shapes and colors, how to measure for accuracy, how to design so the window has structural integrity, how to transfer original designs, how to number patterns and how to etch glass. The art principles of variety, shape, color, value, and harmony will be emphasized in this project. Students will be expected to adhere to standards of craftsmanship in both the design and production aspects of this project. When finished with the etched window, students should be able to create original stained glass designs, know how to etch glass, be able to follow a construction sequence, and complete a project consisting of forty to sixty pieces of glass.

Unit 5: Representational Window

State Visual Arts Standards 4,5,6,8,9,10,12 Addressed

This project will be the culminating activity for stained glass. It is a major project requiring the cutting and fitting of eighty to one hundred pieces of glass. The design has to be representational and presents more difficult design challenges than the geometric window. By this time students should be familiar with all stained glass techniques and comfortable handling glass. This assignment asks students to demonstrate advanced designing skills, technical skills, finishing skills, critical thinking skills, self-assessment skills, and aesthetic skills. The design for the finished window must be original and demonstrate a degree of complexity so that mastery of stained glass tools and techniques is evident when the project is finished.