Request for New Course
EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
REQUEST FOR NEW COURSE
DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL:
ART
COLLEGE:
ARTS & SCIENCES
CONTACT PERSON: John DeHoog
CONTACT PHONE: 7.1268
CONTACT EMAIL: JDEHOOG@EMICH.EDU
REQUESTED START DATE: TERM
WINTER
YEAR 2015
A. Rationale/Justification for the Course
Currently graduate sections of courses in Furniture Design are offered only as electives (ARTS 592) co-listed with corresponding
undergraduate courses or independent study. The purpose of this proposal is to create graduate course numbers of regularly offered classes in
lieu of electives.
B. Course Information
1. Subject Code and Course Number:
2. Course Title:
Furniture Design
3. Credit Hours:
2
4. Repeatable for Credit? Yes
ARTS 546
X
No
If “Yes”, how many total credits may be earned?
12
5. Catalog Description (Limit to approximately 50 words.):
This course is an exploration of concepts and techniques commonly used in the design and making of furniture within the context of production
and singular object making. The course focuses on wood as the primary construction material, and introduces a variety of joinery techniques,
wood manipulation techniques, and the aesthetic implications of both. The course also introduces students to both historic and contemporary
practitioners, and is intended for graduate students not concentrating in Furniture Design.
6. Method of Delivery (Check all that apply.)
a. Standard (lecture/lab) X
On Campus
X
Off Campus
b. Fully Online
c. Hybrid/ Web Enhanced
7. Grading Mode:
Miller, New Course
Sept. 09
Normal (A-E)
X
Credit/No Credit
New Course Form
8. Prerequisites: Courses that MUST be completed before a student can take this course. (List by Subject Code, Number and Title.)
A basic understanding for working with three-dimensional materials.
9. Concurrent Prerequisites: Courses listed in #5 that MAY also be taken at the same time as a student is taking this course. (List by Subject
Code, Number and Title.)
NA
10. Corequisites: Courses that MUST be taken at the same time as a student in taking this course.
(List by Subject Code, Number and
Title.)
NA
11. Equivalent Courses. A student may not earn credit for both a course and its equivalent. A course will count as a repeat if an equivalent
course has already been taken. (List by Subject Code, Number and Title)
12. Course Restrictions:
a. Restriction by College. Is admission to a specific College Required?
College of Business
Yes
No
College of Education
Yes
No
b. Restriction by Major/Program. Will only students in certain majors/programs be allowed to take this course?
Yes
No
X
If “Yes”, list the majors/programs
c. Restriction by Class Level Check all those who will be allowed to take the course:
Undergraduate
Graduate
All undergraduates_______
All graduate students X
Freshperson
Certificate
Sophomore
Masters
Junior
Specialist
Senior
Doctoral
Second Bachelor________
UG Degree Pending_____
Post-Bac. Tchr. Cert._____
Low GPA Admit_______
Note: If this is a 400-level course to be offered for graduate credit, attach Approval Form for 400-level Course for Graduate
Credit. Only “Approved for Graduate Credit” undergraduate courses may be included on graduate programs of study.
Note: Only 500-level graduate courses can be taken by undergraduate students. Undergraduate students may not register for
600-level courses
Miller, New Course
Sept. ‘09
Page 2 of 5
New Course Form
d. Restriction by Permission. Will Departmental Permission be required?
Yes
X
No
(Note: Department permission requires the department to enter authorization for every student registering.)
13. Will the course be offered as part of the General Education Program?
Yes
No
X
If “Yes”, attach Request for Inclusion of a Course in the General Education Program: Education for Participation in the Global Community
form. Note: All new courses proposed for inclusion in this program will be reviewed by the General Education Advisory Committee. If this
course is NOT approved for inclusion in the General Education program, will it still be offered? Yes
No
C. Relationship to Existing Courses
Within the Department:
14. Will this course will be a requirement or restricted elective in any existing program(s)? Yes
No
X
If “Yes”, list the programs and attach a copy of the programs that clearly shows the place the new course will have in the curriculum.
Program
Required
Restricted Elective
Program
Required
Restricted Elective
15. Will this course replace an existing course? Yes
No
X
16. (Complete only if the answer to #15 is “Yes.”)
a. Subject Code, Number and Title of course to be replaced:
NA
b. Will the course to be replaced be deleted?
Yes
No
17. (Complete only if the answer #16b is “Yes.”) If the replaced course is to be deleted, it is not necessary to submit a Request for
Graduate and Undergraduate Course Deletion.
a. When is the last time it will be offered?
Term
Year
b. Is the course to be deleted required by programs in other departments?
Contact the Course and Program Development Office if necessary.
Yes
No
c. If “Yes”, do the affected departments support this change?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of support, if available.
Outside the Department: The following information must be provided. Contact the Course and Program Development office for
assistance if necessary.
18. Are there similar courses offered in other University Departments?
If “Yes”, list courses by Subject Code, Number and Title
Yes
No
X
19. If similar courses exist, do the departments in which they are offered support the proposed course?
Yes
No
If “Yes”, attach letters of support from the affected departments. If “No”, attach letters from the affected department explaining the lack of
support, if available.
Miller, New Course
Sept. ‘09
Page 3 of 5
New Course Form
D. Course Requirements
20. Attach a detailed Sample Course Syllabus including:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Course goals, objectives and/or student learning outcomes
Outline of the content to be covered
Student assignments including presentations, research papers, exams, etc.
Method of evaluation
Grading scale (if a graduate course, include graduate grading scale)
Special requirements
Bibliography, supplemental reading list
Other pertinent information.
NOTE: COURSES BEING PROPOSED FOR INCLUSION IN THE EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL
COMMUNITY PROGRAM MUST USE THE SYLLABUS TEMPLATE PROVIDED BY THE GENERAL EDUCATION
ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE TEMPLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE REQUEST FOR INCLUSION OF A COURSE IN THE
GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM: EDUCATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY FORM.
E. Cost Analysis (Complete only if the course will require additional University resources.
Fill in Estimated Resources for the
sponsoring department(s). Attach separate estimates for other affected departments.)
There is no expected change in cost of the course. Course is currently offered as ARTS 592.
Estimated Resources:
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Faculty / Staff
$_________
$_________
$_________
SS&M
$_________
$_________
$_________
Equipment
$_________
$_________
$_________
Total
$_________
$_________
$_________
F. Action of the Department/School and College
1. Department/School
Vote of faculty:
For
Against
Abstentions
(Enter the number of votes cast in each category.)
Department Head/School Director Signature
Date
2. College/Graduate School
A. College
College Dean Signature
Date
B. Graduate School (if Graduate Course)
Graduate Dean Signature
Miller, New Course
Sept. ‘09
Date
Page 4 of 5
New Course Form
G. Approval
Associate Vice-President for Academic Programming Signature
Miller, New Course
Sept. ‘09
Date
Page 5 of 5
ARTS 546 FURNITURE DESIGN
Pre-req: A basic understanding for working with three-dimensional materials.
Sample syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an exploration of concepts and techniques commonly used in the design and making of
furniture within the context of production and singular object making. The course focuses on wood as the
primary construction material, and introduces a variety of joinery techniques, wood manipulation
techniques, and the aesthetic implications of both. The course also introduces students to both historic and
contemporary practitioners, and is intended for graduate students not concentrating in Furniture Design.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES
By completion of this course, students will:
1. Have an understanding for the use and care of hand woodworking tools, including planes,
chisels, and marking tools.
2. Have an understanding for the safe operation of several woodworking machines, including
bands-saw, slot-mortiser, drill press and sanding machines.
3. Have an understanding of the making and application of a variety of joinery types including
mortise/tenon, and lap joints.
4. Develop an understanding of the interconnection between furniture design aesthetics,
material characteristics, and fabrication techniques.
5. Develop a small body of work that reflects a sophisticated understanding for how materials,
tools, and design principles work together.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This course is a studio-based course supplemented by occasional demonstrations, lectures, and readings.
This course will require a great amount of commitment on your part. You will be required to spend at least
as much time working outside of class as we spend in class, if not considerably more. Class meetings will
be devoted to:
! Group critique, demonstrations, reading discussions, and lectures
! Studio time for developing projects
! Individual meetings with instructor to discuss work in progress
ASSIGNMENTS
Project 1
The first project consists of completing a series of skill building exercises that foster an understanding of
both hand tools and machines. These exercises include tools sharpening, wood shaping, wood joinery
(mortise and tenon, half- lap, and variants), and surface planning.
Project 2
Graduate students will be allowed to have some degree of independence in project 2, provided it focuses on
how to use the above skill exercises in a sensitive, skillful, and interesting way. It is recommended that the
student select a common furniture form, and tailor their project around that form, while bringing in their
own sensibilities and experience.
Project 3
In project 3, graduate students will be given full freedom to design their project as it suits their interest,
experience, and potential. In preparation for deciding how to proceed, students will be exposed to a variety
ways of working, including designing for production, designing to reflect personal vision, and how to work
in a sculptural manner.
EXPECTATIONS OF GRADUATE STUDENTS
As graduate students you are expected to demonstrate a high level of commitment to your coursework and
research. This commitment is demonstrated through in-depth research and the development and
incorporation of a strong conceptual framework with each assignment.
Art majors should form connections between the work produced in this class and their larger body of work.
Non-majors should draw inspiration and form connections to their own disciplines.
For both projects 2 and 3, graduate students are expected to consult with the instructor regularly during
both the investigatory and production phases of the projects.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
Each assignment will be given a grade based on how it fulfilled the given parameters. Sketchbooks will be
graded on both the quantity and the relevance/quality of images, sketches, notes, and research. Skill
exercises will be graded on proficiency with tools as well as accuracy with dimensions. Furniture projects
will be graded according to multiple criterion including craft, composition, concept, and creativity.
GRADING:
Projects will receive a letter grades. The skill exercises are approximately 1/3 of the overall course grade.
Project 2 is approximately 1/3 of the overall course grade. Project 3 is approximately 1/3 of the overall
course grade. The sketchbook and written paper will be graded and inform the overall course grade as
well.
Project 1: Skill Exercises
Project 2
Project 3
Written Paper
Sketchbook
A = Outstanding. Demonstrates an exceptional quality of work, a high level of comprehension, goes
above and beyond basic requirements.
B = Above Average. Good work and competent demonstration of course material, goes slightly above
basic requirements.
C = Average. Meets all basic requirements.
D = Below Average. Work is marginal in quality, craft, or comprehension.
F = Unsatisfactory. Work is severely lacking in quality, craft, or comprehension.
Images of student work may be collected by the instructor and used for informational and educational
purposes. Any student who does not wish to have his or her artwork used for such purposes should
contact the instructor in writing.
Late Items:
Assignments will be lowered one letter grade for each class period late.
Attendance:
Attendance is expected. When you miss class you are still accountable for what happened during that class
time. If you miss 3 class meetings, there is no penalty, beyond that your final grade will be lowered by one
third of a grade for each full absence. Attendance is taken once at the beginning of class, and once at the
end. 3 late arrivals or early departures, equals one full absence.
If extraordinary circumstances arise, contact instructor immediately to discuss arrangements.
THE ISSUE OF TALENT
Art making is a learned activity. The more effort and commitment one puts into it, the more rewarding the
learned experience will be. It is important for you to acknowledge and accept your own pace of
development as well as what your strengths and weaknesses are.
MATERIALS
Basic materials needed for the class:
sketchbook
X-acto knife
16 foot tape measure
basic drafting tools
lock for tool cabinet
sandpaper
wood glue
rags
dust mask
ear and eye protection
all construction materials
While there are some community hand tools available for students to share, it is highly recommended that
any students who plan to continue to work in this field, purchases their own set of hand tools, prioritized as
follows:
set of chisels
combination square
Japanese handsaw (dozuki)
block plane
#4 smoothing plane
marking knife
marking gauge
bevel gauge
wooden mallet
scraper set
file/rasp set
EQUIPMENT/CLASSROOM/LAB
The machine room houses a fine collection of woodworking equipment, but all can be dangerous if not
used properly. The instructor will provide training on equipment throughout the semester, but it is
incumbent on the student to never use a machine they have not been trained on. Likewise a student
needing/wanting to try a new technique must be shown how to properly do so by the instructor before
proceeding.
ACADEMICS
Academic policies can be found in the University Catalogues available through the Office of the Registrar
and online at: http://catalog.emich.edu/. Be sure to review the University’s policy on academic dishonesty
if you have not already. Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade for the course and referral to
Student Judicial Services. The policy can be found at the Student Judicial Services web site at:
http://www.emich.edu/sjs/. In addition to plagiarism as defined by University guidelines, work used or
created for other classes will not be counted towards your grade.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fitzgerald, Oscar P. Studio Furniture of the Renwick Gallery. East Petersburg, PA: Fox Chapel, 2007
Frid, Tage. Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking. Newtown, CT: Taunton, 1993.
Mehlhose, Andrea. Modern Furniture: 150 Years of Design. Potsdam, Germany: H. F. Ullmann, 2013.
Postell, Jim. Furniture Design. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2007.
Pye, David. The Nature and Art of Workmanship. Bethel, CT: Cambium, 1971.