Syllabus

Description

Applied laboratory work focuses on: identification and assessment of materials; cleaning methods; basic treatments; repair techniques and storage and display methods for textiles and works of art on paper. Emphasis is placed on the written, drawn and photographic documentation of objects. Conservation skills are developed through the mastery of theoretical and practical laboratory work.

* Note: Students wishing to pursue a specialization in textile conservation should be prepared to develop additional sewing skills.

Aim and Learning Outcomes

Aim

To enable students to identify, assess and treat fibres, costumes and textiles. To enable students to identify, assess and treat paper, parchment and dry and liquid media.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, student will have demonstrated the following abilities in:

1. The Conservation of Textiles:

   discuss the issues of ethics and aesthetics as they apply to textile conservation

   write accurate and detailed condition reports and assessments for textile objects using standard terminology

   analyze various fibres, dyes and colo~ rants using assorted examination techniques and tests

   apply knowledge of historic textile manufacturing processes, costume construction and finishing methods to making decisions regarding conservation treatment of textiles and their decorative surfaces

   carry out dry and wet cleaning methods for costumes and textiles

   repair, support and stabilize textiles

   compare various hand sewing techniques with utilization of a sewing machine

   demonstrate safe handling, storage and mounting techniques

   understand special issues relating to historic house furnishings

2. The Conservation of Paper:

   discuss the issues of ethics and aesthetics as they apply to paper conservation

   write accurate and detailed condition reports and assessments for paper objects using standard terminology

   know characteristics, properties and behaviours of paper and parchment

   apply knowledge of paper production processes in the Eastern and Western traditions including cultivation, harvest and fibre preparation; hand and industrial production techniques and finishes to making decisions regarding conservation treatment of works on paper

   know the characteristics of various media (eg. wet and dry marking materials such as inks, dyes, charcoal, graphite) used on documents and works of art on paper

   clean paper using a variety of wet and dry techniques (including mechanical methods and use of the cold suction table)

   repair and stabilize paper objects

   understand the special characteristics and problems of the treatment and care of parchment and vellum

   use matting and framing techniques to prepare works for storage and display

Course Format

This course will consist of six hours of laboratory work per week. Laboratory time may be subject to occasional re-scheduling in order to fit in with field trips or group projects. Additional time outside of scheduled class will be required for independent study and artifact treatment.

Course Resources

Students will be required to purchase an assortment of tools, artist's brushes, colour slide film and slide holders. Students are encouraged to provide their own lab coat, safety goggles, respirator mask and suitable cartridges.

The art conservation laboratory will be available for student use during most evenings and weekends.

* Students must adhere to the Mandatory Requirements to qualify for Laboratory Privileges.

Course Content

Date/Week	Lab	Percentage
Sept. 2-5	Assignment of Textile Artifacts	20%
	Assignment of Textile Project	20%
	Assignment of Group Project: Materials Dictionary.	10%
Sept. 8-12	Continue working on individual Textile Artifacts and Project
Sept. 15-19	Continue working on individual Textile Artifacts and Project
Sept. 22-26	Continue working on individual Textile Artifacts and Project
Sept. 29-Oct. 3	Textile Project due Continue working on Artifacts
Oct. 6-10	Tuesday - Continue working on Artifacts. Wednesday, Oct. 6 - Photo l.D. Workshop: I. McGrath
Oct. 14-17	Textile Artifacts due and project discussion. Written & photographic documentation due - for textiles	5%
Oct. 20-24	INDEPENDENT STUDY WEEK
Oct. 27-31	Assignment of Paper Artifacts	20%
	Assignment of Paper Project	20%
Nov. 3-7	Continue working on Individual Paper Artifacts and Project
Nov. 10-14	Continue working on Individual Paper Artifacts and Project
Nov. 17-21	Continue working on Individual Paper Artifacts and Project
Nov. 24-28	Continue working on Individual Paper Artifacts Paper Project Due
Dec. 1-5	Continue working on Individual Paper Artifacts
Dec. 8-12	Paper Projects due and Project Discussion. Completion of Group Project: Materials Dictionary Written and photographic documentation due for paper Lab Cleanup	5%

Evaluation

Evaluation Criteria:

The following criteria will be used to evaluate each student's performance: standard of practical work, efficient use of scheduled laboratory time, neatness, economical use of materials, initiative, dedication and interest.

Item	Value in Percent	Due Date
Practical Laboratory Work (including the completion of assigned projects)	40% (20% textiles, 20% paper)	See Course Content
Treatment Portfolio (written and photographic documentation)	10% (5% textiles, 5% paper)	See Course Content
Textile Project: Stitches for Textile Conservation	20%	Sept.30-Oct. 1
Paper Project: Hinging and matting works on paper for storage & display	20%	Nov.25-26
Conservation Materials Project (group construction of "Dictionary" of natural and synthetic materials used for conservation of textiles & paper)	10%	Dec.9-10

Mandatory Requirements

1. The conservation laboratory is to be locked at all times when not
2. Students will work in the conservation laboratory with at least one other person (ie. use the "buddy system").
3. Eating, drinking and smoking are not permitted in the laboratory.
4. Students will not be permitted access to the laboratory if under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
5. Each student has the responsibility of practicing safe laboratory procedures.
6. Artifacts and course supplies will not be permitted to leave the laboratory.
7. It is the student's responsibility to label and identify personal equipment or related belongings.
8. Students are required to store personal belongings such as coats, boots etc. in their lockers.
9. Students will respect all artifacts and projects thereby not handling any treatments in progress, other than their own, unless given permission to do so.
10. Students are not permitted to use personal property as projects to be evaluated.
11. Attendance will be monitored during scheduled lab time, and failure to work under the direct supervision of faculty may result in the suspension of lab privileges.

Course Policies

1. Presentation

Written assignments must be:

typed or word-processed

double spaced

proofed for spelling and grammatical errors

enclosed with a single cover sheet which includes student name, title of the assignment and date of submission

stapled in the top left hand corner (unbound)

include a bibliography (where appropriate)

use a recognized method of citation (eg. MLA or Chicago)

2. Re-writes

Faculty may request a re-write of a submission if the criteria for assessment have not been met. Late penalties will apply if the assignment is not re-submitted the following day.

3. Penalties for Late Submissions

Completion of Term Work

All assignments must be completed in order for students to achieve a passing grade.

Late Assignments

Late assignments receive the following penalty:

Marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% per day for three days after which assignments are marked at zero.

Faculty are not obliged to provide feedback on assignments marked at zero.

Oral Presentations evaluation must be delivered on the day scheduled. A "no show" will be graded at zero, unless adequate explanation is provided.

4. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and the college has a strict policy on this issue (see Academic Regulations).

It is a student's responsibility to ensure that all written submissions include an appropriate method of in text citation as well as an accompanying bibliography.

Seminar and oral presentations should be supported by a bibliography and sources should be referred to during the presentation.

5. Make-up Tests

In valid circumstances (ill-health, personal crisis), a student may be given a make-up test to compensate for one missed in class-time. Students must contact the instructor within seven days of the original test in order to request a make-up.

6. Extensions & GDFS

An extension may be granted to an individual student based on need and circumstance. Medical grounds should be substantiated.

The revised due date will be recorded and signed by both parties.

The entire class may be given an extension, at the discretion of faculty.

Incomplete a Grade Deferred marks at the end of the semester must be negotiated between student and faculty (see Academic Regulations). Note: these are a privilege to be granted under special circumstances, not used in order to compensate for poor planning.

7. Site Work

Students must agree to work within the parameters of the guidelines established for site work. Failure to comply, may result in the termination of project and suspension of the privilege of access.

Readings: NA

Prerequisites:

Course Nos. 1380202, 1380207, 1380210, 1380213, 1380203, 1380208, 1380211, 1380214