ART G143: Sculpture 2

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/18/2025
Top Code	100220 - Sculpture
Units	3 Total Units (Lecture Units 1.5; Lab/Other Units 1.5)
Hours	108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 81)
Total Outside of Class Hours	54
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

This course is a continuation of the concepts introduced in Sculpture 1. Students will learn about the sculptural techniques of carving, modeling, and constructing at an intermediate level. Students will explore a variety of sculptural materials such as wood, wire, cardboard, found objects, and other materials to develop their technical skills, personal artistic vision, and aesthetic expression at an intermediate level. An in-depth global history of sculpture will be covered with an emphasis on the modern and contemporary periods. PREREQUISITE: ART G142. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Employ various fabrication techniques and materials at an intermediate level in developing three-dimensional works of art.
Design a three-dimensional work of art with intermediate-level consideration of surface treatment, presentation, and concept.
Apply the elements and principles of design at an intermediate level when creating a three-dimensional work of art.

Course Objectives

Use various three-dimensional materials to express aesthetic and/or conceptual intents at an intermediate level.
Construct three-dimensional sculptural projects using intermediate-level tools and construction techniques.
Explain intermediate-level sculptural processes using appropriate vocabulary.
Describe historical and contemporary developments, trends, materials and approaches as related to sculpture.
Create sculptural works that include representational, abstract, or contemporary imagery at an intermediate level.
Maintain sculpture studio equipment and materials.

Lecture Content

Definition of sculpture
1. Intermediate-level vocabulary
2. Global examples of sculpture prior to the 18th century
3. Global examples of sculpture from the 18th to the 20th century
4. Global examples of contemporary trends in sculpture
5. Intermediate-level application of the elements and principles of design
6. Intermediate-level examples of representational, abstract, non-objective and conceptually based imagery in sculpture
Health, safety, tool usage, and maintenance
1. Drills
  1. Hand
  2. Drill press
2. Saws
  1. Band saw
  2. Chop saw
  3. Table saw
  4. Hand saw
3. Sanders
  1. Sanding blocks
  2. Belt sander
  3. Disc sander
4. Pliers, hammers, and other hand tools
5. Terminology and layout of the sculpture studio
Sketches, models, and maquettes
1. Planning process
2. Translating ideas into forms
3. Creating, cutting, and assembling a model or maquette
4. Methods for working from a sketch, model, or maquette
Construction methods
1. Plaster
  1. Creating molds
  2. Creating armatures
  3. Subtractive
  4. Additive
  5. Casting
  6. Carving
2. Wood
  1. Selection and density
  2. Additive
  3. Subtractive
  4. Carving
  5. Construction
  6. Duplication techniques
3. Metal and wire
  1. Additive
  2. Subtractive
  3. Armatures
  4. Fabrication
  5. Duplication techniques
4. Cardboard and paper
5. Found objects
  1. Assemblage
  2. Installation
6. Other intermediate-level materials

Lab Content

Creation in various media
1. Models and maquettes
  1. Designing
  2. Fabricating
  3. Assembling
2. Wood
  1. Safety
  2. Additive
  3. Intermediate-level problem solving exercises that require exploration and manipulation of the material
  4. Fabrication
3. Plaster
  1. Casting
  2. Subtractive through carving
  3. Intermediate-level problem solving exercises that require exploration and manipulation of the material
4. Metal and wire
  1. Fabrication
  2. Addition
  3. Subtraction
  4. Intermediate-level problem solving exercises that require exploration and manipulation of the material
5. Cardboard, paper, found objects, and other appropriate sculptural materials
  1. Fabrication
  2. Additive
  3. Subtractive
  4. Intermediate-level problem solving exercises that require exploration and manipulation of the material
6. Additional intermediate-level materials and fabrication techniques
  1. Mold making
  2. Fabrication of armatures
  3. Duplication techniques on studio equipment
7. Group and individual critiques and analysis of in-progress and completed artwork
8. Portfolio of completed work

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Reading Assignments

Read and respond to assigned readings with intermediate-level information about the physical properties and conceptual properties of three-dimensional artworks. Additional Instructor provided materials including readings on sculpture.

Writing Assignments

Students will work on creating intermediate-level designs for their sculptures, implementing their designs, and researching historical and contemporary sculptors and their works. Students may write reflective essays following their virtual or in person visits to museums to view works of three-dimensional art. Written artist's statements.

Out-of-class Assignments

Students may visit a gallery or museum in person or online to view works of three-dimensional art. Take home written exams on knowledge of intermediate-level sculptural processes, vocabulary and problem solving. Drafting an artist's statement.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

Methods of Student Evaluation

Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Short Quizzes
Written Assignments
Essay Examinations
Objective Examinations
Report
Projects (Individual/Group)
Problem Solving Exercises
Oral Presentations
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

The student will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving by applying the elements and principles of design to various intermediate-level sculptural techniques and materials in the creation of three-dimensional works of art. They will also evaluate their work and the work of their peers and express reasoned judgments during oral and written critiques.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will construct a series of sculptures exploring various intermediate-level building techniques and materials. Students will have written assignments that include the critical evaluations of sculptures presented in class.

Resources Subscreen

Textbook: Oliver Andrews. Living Materials: A Sculptor's Handbook. University of California Press (1998 (Classic)).
Textbook: Herbert George. The Elements of Sculpture: A Viewer's Guide. Phaidon (2014 (Classic)).
Textbook: Cristina Cordova. Mastering Sculpture: The Figure in Clay: A Guide to Capturing the Human Form for Ceramic Artists. Quarry Books (2022).

Eligible Discipline(s)

Art: Master’s degree in fine arts, art, or art history OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in humanities OR the equivalent. NOTE: “Master’s in fine arts” as used here refers to any master’s degree in the subject matter of fine arts, which is defined to include visual studio arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and metal and jewelry art; and also, art education and art therapy. It does not refer to the “Master of Fine Arts” (MFA) degree when that degree is based on specialization in performing arts or dance, film, creative writing or other non plastic arts.

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