Junior Certificate Art, Craft, Design
rebalanced syllabus
Summary of proposed amendments to the syllabus
April 2008
The rebalanced Art, Craft, Design syllabus
The rebalanced Junior Certificate Art, Craft, Design syllabus is presented as follows:
Introduction
General principles on which the syllabus is based and an indication of how the syllabus
enhances the aims, intended outcomes and areas of experience associated with junior cycle.
Aims of the syllabus
These are broad statements of the changes that are brought about by the study of the
syllabus and should match the general aims / intended outcomes of the junior cycle.
Objectives of the syllabus
These describe the learning that will take place during the study of the subject.
Syllabus overview
This outlines the structure of the syllabus and contains an overview table/graphic.
Differentiation
This provides information on how the needs of all students can be met through the use of
different approaches to learning, teaching, and assessment.
Assessment
This sets out broad principles of educational assessment and describes how the syllabus will
be assessed for certification purposes.
Topics and learning outcomes
This contains key headings of content, brief descriptions of topics, and associated learning
outcomes. Learning outcomes provide clear statements on precisely what students are
expected to know and be able to do as a result of studying the subject.
Statement of links
This shows how the subject relates to other areas of junior cycle curriculum. It also describes
how the subject builds on the student’s learning at primary school and how it links to the
curriculum at senior cycle.
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Outline of changes
The syllabus continues to combine the necessary breadth and depth of study with the
freedom of choice required to accommodate a wide range of abilities, material resources,
and teacher specialisation. However, a greater emphasis has been placed on the
appreciation of art, craft, design and the built environment in order to rebalance the nature
and use of the material within the course. It is imperative that in the teaching and learning
students engage with the appreciation element, make it part of their habitual art learning
activities at all stages of the course and where possible integrate ICT into their class and
project work. The appreciation element is now redefined to include an emphasis on the craft,
design and the built environment as well as fine art. The balance between perceptual,
cultural and aesthetic education, with artistic education is facilitated by the appreciation
component and a fresh approach is taken in presenting this form of art/design knowledge.
Re-defined content
The review of the subject presented an opportunity to address issues of overload in Section
1 Drawing, Section 2 2D Studies, and Section 3 3D Studies of the syllabus. As part of the
review some areas were re-defined in order to clarify certain aspects of the course. Care has
been taken not only to ensure that the integrity of the course has not been compromised but
also to bring the course closer to what was envisioned in the original syllabus document in
terms of learning outcomes for students.
ICT
The use of ICT is encouraged in all areas of the revised syllabus. This can support student’s
learning in art by:
-
facilitating experimentation, reducing resource requirements and recording
different stages of ideas electronically for review
-
providing modern, motivational tools to plan, create and communicate ideas
-
enabling the production of electronically generated artefacts
As a result of the rebalancing process, the Art, Craft, Design syllabus shows some changes
from the current syllabus. These changes are described below. In considering the changes
you might wish to refer to the current syllabus, which is available at www.ncca.ie/juniorcycle.
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Section: 1 Drawing
Topic
Topic revised
1.1 Drawing
Ordinary level students will do either a life drawing or a drawing
of a natural/man-made form
Assessment of
drawing
Higher level students must do life drawing
Section 2: 2D Studies
Topic
Topic revised
2.1 Fine Art
2.3 Graphic Design
Assessment of Fine
Art/Graphic Design
Higher level students may choose between Fine Art or Graphic
Design
Photography and
printing
Photography and printing no longer appear as topics within this
section. However, both still feature as choices in the 2D Craft
topic.
Appreciation/
Preparatory Work
For assessment purposes, appreciation and preparatory work to
be presented together on same sheet (Ordinary and Higher
levels).
Section 3: 3D Studies
Topic
Topic revised
3D
Submission of preparatory work The requirement that students at
Ordinary level submit 3D preparatory work is removed.
Section 4: Appreciation of Art Craft Design and the Built Environment
Topic
Topic revised
Appreciation
A greater emphasis has been placed on the appreciation of art,
craft, design and the built environment in order to re-balance the
nature and use of the material within the course.
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