Organic Materials, Properties and Ageing (5 ECTS)

Objective

The student identifies the most common organic materials used in the production of cultural, indigenous, and archaeological artifacts and masters their characteristics and behavior. These materials include: wood, leather, textiles, paper, bone, horn, as well as any adhesives, varnishes, and dyes present in the artifacts.

Learning objectives: The student understands the history of organic materials usage and their aging and deterioration processes. Material expertise.

Content

Characteristics and behavior of organic materials
The most common materials used in the production of cultural, indigenous, and archaeological artifacts
Deterioration of materials and artifacts, as well as preventive conservation
Deepening and development of expertise

Location and time

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Hämeentie 135 D, Degree Programme in Conservation's premises.

Materials

Literature list and study hand-outs given by the lecturer before the course start and during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, contact teaching, problem based learning, guided assignments, work assignments, independent work with literature.

Employer connections

Working life collaboration takes place through visits and visiting lecturers and professional discussions. Objects for the study modules will be acquired through museums, institutions and private clients.

Completion alternatives

No other course in conservation cleaning will not replace this course as this is aimed for textile conservation purposes for further studies.

Student workload

The weekly working hours of a student is 1,5 cr which is equivalent to 40 hours of studies. 40 hours is formed from approx. 15 - 20 hours of contact studies with a lecturer. The remaining hours is spent by independent literature survey or practical work. 1 credit (cr) is equivalent to 27 hours (h).

Further information

The course will be implemented as a project based learning. The idea is learning through making practical work. Student has a role as an investigative learner.

During the study module the student should read up on the given literature together with practical work and give a PowerPoint presentation on a given subject.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student has a lot of absences from the teaching sessions. Activity during the teaching sessions and learning assignments is unsatisfactory. The student should improve her/his group working abilities. The capacity to formulate relevant problems associated with the work is limited and therefore the problem solving and ability to apply theoretical studies to a practical work need to be improved. The student does not work independently and there is a lot of need for teacher’s further guidance. The student has not given a requisite amount of attention for the subject and the result of the course is unbalanced. The student needs to improve her/his skills and knowledge in many areas.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has taken part to all of the teaching sessions and learning assignments and the activity for the course is good. The student acts flexibly as a group member. The studies proceed coherently. The student is able to understand the basic motifs of the course and is able to apply theoretical studies to a practical work. The reasoning of the rehearsal works is competent and the student understands causes and consequences of one's choice. The student works independently but there is still need for teacher’s further guidance. The student has given a requisite amount of attention for the subject and the result of the course is balanced. The student has achieved a good level at her/his skills and knowledge.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The course objectives have been achieved in a competent manner. Student has taken actively and constructively part to the teaching and learning assignments. Student’s function enhances group activities. The student masters the motifs of the course and prerequisites and is able to apply theoretical studies to a practical work. The reasoning of the rehearsal works is professional and the student can validate causes and consequences of one's choice. The student works independently enough. The student is able to master the whole of subject both in theory and practice. The student has achieved an excellent level at her/his skills and knowledge.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student has a lot of absences from the teaching sessions. Activity during the teaching sessions and learning assignments is unsatisfactory. The student should improve her/his group working abilities. The capacity to formulate relevant problems associated with the work is limited and therefore the problem solving and ability to apply theoretical studies to a practical work need to be improved. The student does not work independently and there is a lot of need for teacher’s further guidance. The student has not given a requisite amount of attention for the subject and the result of the course is unbalanced. The student needs to improve her/his skills and knowledge in many areas.

Assessment methods and criteria

Learning assignment 70 %, continuous assessment 30 %.
Assessment is based on continuous assessment of a student, attendance, practical exercises and their assessment. Each student is assessed from the starting point of her/his abilities. All given assignments must be done according to given instructions.

Minimum 80 % presence of contact studies must fulfill.

Further information

The course is conducted in a project-based learning format. The starting point is the act of working and learning through it. The student themselves play the role of an investigative learner.

Further information

The course is conducted in a project-based learning format. The starting point is the act of working and learning through it. The student themselves play the role of an investigative learner.