COURSE SPECIFICATION
Course code
Course title
Department
DVA 391
AFRICAN CRAFTS TECHNIQUES
LANGUAGES, LINGUISTICS, LITERALLY
STUDIES AND VISUAL ARTS
Credit unit
2 UNITS
Level (UG)
300
Course Coordinator
MS NNODI, CHIAKA A.
Official phone number and email GSM: 08034739647
address
E-MAIL: chicchiaka@yahoo.co.nz
Office Hours
MONDAYS 8.30AM – 4PM, WEDNESDAYS
8.30AM – 2PM
FRIDAYS 9AM – 4PM AND BY
APPOINTMENT.
Other staff (if applicable)
Official phone number and email
address
Office Hours
Lecture Time
WEDNESDAYS 9AM – 11AM
Lecture Venue
BLOCK B5
Tutorial Time
Tutorial Venue
For academic year
2014 / 2015
Contact hours for the semester
24 HOURS
Assessment
COURSEWORK – 15%
MID SEMESTER TEST – 15%
EXAMINATION – 70%
This course is to be taken as part of the B.A. VISUAL ARTS
following programmes:
Directorate of Academic Planning, FUNAI
COURSE AIMS- ALIGNMENT WITH FUNAI’S VISION, MISSION AND PROGRAMME
OBJECTIVE
The course is a comparative study design that aims to give students basic understanding of
African crafts materials, tools, design ideas and techniques through personalized
experimentation with indigenous materials.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Having completed this course the student is expected to know:
 Some major forms of African craft
 The materials and tools used in production
 Sourcing and preparation of materials used
 Some techniques used in production
 How to make / re-produce some African craft works
 How to experiment with their own design ideas
 Experimenting with contemporary, yet indigenous materials
 Applying modern techniques to traditional crafts
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures/discussions, demonstrations
and practical projects. Researching related textbooks and visitation to art centres will be
encouraged.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Lecture/seminar programme
FUNAI
WEEK
Topic/Reading for private study
Tasks/Think points for private
study
Lecturer
Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI)
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4
What is African Crafts? Definition
of Craft. Importance of studying
African crafts. Major forms of
African crafts – pottery/ceramics,
basketry, beadwork, calabash
decoration, dolls, metal wares,
leather works etc, (an overview).
Techniques to be explored –
weaving, carving, painting/printing,
beading, etc.
Basketry/ basket weaving/ basket
making – definition. A brief
history. Functions/uses. Materials
used in basketry. Preparation of
materials. Techniques – weaving
techniques.
Research the difference between
arts and craft. In the African
context how are they viewed?
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Class demonstration: Illustrate
weaving techniques on the board
and let the students replicate them
on cardboard using a different
colour for the weft
Assignment: make a paper mat
with a full cardboard or embossed
paper, using two colours. Using
two or more weaving techniques
make an interesting pattern or
patterns on the mat. It should
have a good finishing.
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
6
Basketry construction. Explore
basketry in making things – simple
baskets, place mats, hats, hand fans,
curtain holders, bracelets, etc, using
different kinds of materials, and
also paper boxes.
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
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Class demonstration/work:
engraving, painting and carving
calabash.
Take home project: research
new and easier ways of designing
calabashes and bamboos.
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
9
Working with bamboo and coconut
shell. Techniques used in designing
them – burning, carving, painting,
engraving, etc. Examples of
decorative objects that can be made
out of bamboo and coconut shell.
Working with calabashes. Uses of
calabashes. Preparing calabashes
(gourds). Calabash decoration –
painting,
burning,
inlaying,
engraving and carving. Tools used
in
designing
calabashes.
Experiment new methods that can
be used in designing calabashes.
Revision.
Class demonstrations:
experimenting with raffia (and
dyeing of raffia), bamboo stripes,
grasses, palm fronds, broom
sticks, plastic fibres, metal wires
(pliable), etc.
Assignment: using raffia in two
or more colours make a round
placemat using the coil technique.
Assignment: make a decorative
cup with handle out of bamboo.
Use African motifs to design the
body.
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Mid –Semester Test
Reviewing all the works
produced.
Mid–Semester Test
11
Beads-work. Background history –
location,
function/importance.
Materials for beads design work.
Products – belts, earrings, necklace,
bracelets,
handbags,
pictorial
compositions, etc.
Class work: make a bead
necklace with an intricate design
(to be assessed).
Assignment: make any beadwork
of your choice (it should not be
necklace, bracelet or earring).
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
5
8
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI)
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Beads-work continued.
Experimenting with different
materials, for example, shells,
seeds, buttons and paper beads.
Using silk/embroidery thread to
make designs – silk-thread pictorial
analysis and yarn-board. Materials
needed and technique.
Group assessment: each student
to make a presentation of their
bead work (materials used,
technique and place a price tag).
Assignment: using thread choose
one from the themes listed to
make a work:
basket of fruits,
- African traditional pots,
- A drummer
- Traditional dancing
figure.
The works can be
stylized or done in
abstract.
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Class work: making of a simple
hamper basket.
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
19
Cane weaving (an aspect of
basketry). Materials and tools.
Techniques and styles of weaving.
Experimentation with unusual
materials – bottle covers, metal
foils, twigs, match sticks, copper
wire, plastic stripes, etc.
Revision.
20
Revision.
21
22
23
Exams
Exams
13
14
18
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
Ms Nnodi,
Chiaka
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Core reading list
This course is in part based around notions and/or material that can be found in the core
text(s) listed below. It is therefore likely that you will use, or refer to, in your lecture/seminar
sessions the notions and/or material in the books listed here. You will likely be directed to
study aspects of these texts in your out-of-classroom time, that is, in your private study.

Contemporary African Arts and Crafts (On-site Working with Art Forms and
Processes) – by Thelma R. Newman. Crown publishers, Inc. New York, 1974.

A Comprehensive Approach to Creative and Visual Arts for Schools and
Colleges – by H.O. Babatunde. Publishers, HOB Designs (Nig) Limited, 1999.

African Art in Detail – by Chris Spring. The British Museum Press, 2009.
Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI)
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Supplementary reading





Ethnic by Design – by Dinah Hall
Understanding Art (5th edition) – by Lois Fichner Rathus
Techniques and Styles of Maryland Cane Village (unpublished thesis by Nnodi,
Chiaka A., 2004)
Ghana: Where the Bead Speaks – by Esi Sutherland, Ama Ata Aidoo and Kati Torda
Dagadu
Card and Thread Greeting Cards – by Polly Pinder

CONTINIOUS ASSESSMENT
The Intended Learning Outcomes are assessed through:
Assessment
Mid semester Exams
Coursework (Assignment)
Semester Exams
Weight
15%
15%
70%
Deliverables - important dates
Ensure that you make a careful note of when the assessment tasks are due in for this course. Try not to
leave working on these tasks until the last minute – this is stressful for you and tends to lead to poor
quality work. Remember that you have several assessments (for different courses) due the same week
and you will need to plan for this.
Assessment
Mid semester exam-
Due date
FUNAI WEEK 10
To be held at the regular
class time and venue
Coursework
Semester Exam
TO BE DETERMINED BY
COURSE
COORDINATOR
FUNAI WEEK 22-23
Feedback & Result
14 working days after the
assessment
14 working days after the
assessment
Feedback on your work
The university is committed to providing you with written feedback for all assessed coursework within
14 working days from the submission date. You will get feedback on your performance on a feedback
form which will be returned to you. If you do not receive feedback within this time, then you should
first contact the course leader. If it proves necessary, you should then contact the Head of Department.
Submitted coursework, including your final year project, will not be returned to you. This is true for
all coursework, in all courses and at all levels, and does not apply to only this course. We must keep
Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI)
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the original copy of all coursework to provide the external examiners with a complete record of your
work.
Late coursework
It is the University policy to accept and grade all late items of coursework (up to the published latest
date for submission). There is no such thing as 'an extension'. You cannot negotiate new deadlines,
and you do not need to get agreement about handing in your work late from the course leader or any
other member of staff. Late coursework submissions are, however, subject to penalties (capping) that
determine the maximum grade that you can achieve depending upon how late the work is. The current
penalty scale can be found below:
The following caps to be uniformly applied, in the absence of relevant mitigating circumstances
accepted by the BoE:
Up to 1 working day late
Up to 2 working days late
Up to 5 working days late
Up to 10 working days late
Up to 15 working days late
More than 15 working days late
Mark capped at 90%
Mark capped at 80%;
Mark capped at 70%;
Mark capped at 60%;
Mark capped at 50%;
Mark capped at 0%.
A working day is here defined as Monday to Friday at any time of year, with the exception of Nigeria
national holidays. Students with mitigating circumstances can apply to have penalties removed via
submission of the appropriate form and evidence within 7 days of the submission deadline. How to do
this can be found in the University Assessment Policy and Procedure.
Planning your time
i.
Students are expected to attend all classes including seminars and laboratory
sessions for each course. It is mandatory for students to have a minimum attendance of
75% in this course to be eligible to take the final semester examination.
ii.
Note: Instructors are not required to provide mid semester test make-up.
Directorate of Academic Planning, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI)
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