Introduction
KONS4032 conservation of inorganic materials and KONS4034 conservation of organic materials are two 20 point courses taught over two semesters. Each course is divided into 10 points per semester and evaluated by a portfolio. These are examined and given a grade at the end of the second semester of the Masters in Object Conservation. A SEPARATE PORTFOLIO MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR EACH COURSE.
Each of the courses is taught using a variety of methods including:
- Lectures covering material science, technology, analysis, mechanisms of deterioration and modern and past methods of remedial treatment
- Demonstrations of decay mechanisms, analysis and treatment processes
- Laboratory exercises and practical object conservation under supervision.
- Site visits
Mappeevaluering has been selected for these courses because the subject matter covers a wide variety of materials and activities. During each course students will be required to produce a variety of reports and essays demonstrating that they have understood the lectures, read the literature supporting the subject and carried out the practical work to a satisfactory standard. Examples of the types of materials include, for KONS4032: ceramics, glass, stone, iron, copper alloys, non-ferrous metals etc, and for KONS4034: wood, leather, bone antler ivory and horn etc.
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In order to obtain maximum benefit from a these intensive courses, each material group, for example, ceramics, is taught in a single intensive block with reading and independent study days between each block – this means that the teaching is offered only once – it is therefore strongly recommended that students attend all lectures, demonstrations and practical laboratory sessions associated with each material group. There is a minimum attendance requirement of 80% and it will be up to the student to catch up on any work that is missed. On occasion where students have, due to sickness or other unavoidable problems, missed a substantial part of the teaching for a particular material topic it has been necessary in the past for the lecturers to set additional work in order for the student to prove that they have gained the appropriate competence in the subject. This additional work is done in the students own time and included in their portfolio. If for whatever reason a number of students have a problem with a particular lecture or practical session that is not given by a guest lecturer – please report this to the appropriate teacher in plenty of time and we will endeavor to find an alternative timetable slot.
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The layout of the portfolio at the discretion of the student, however it must contain the following:
- A title page including course number, course title, candidate number, University, title of Master and year of submission.
- A contents page
- Consecutively numbered pages
- Essays: Each student will be required to include 3 essays in their KONS4032 and KONS4034 portfolios respectively. A list of essay topics will be handed out at the start of each semester. Students are required to write three essays per semester.
The first essay must be submitted for review approximately 3 weeks after the subject has been taught and returned to the student within three weeks. The two remaining essays will be included with the first essay in the portfolio at the end of the semester; these will be commented on as part of the portfolio review over the Christmas holiday. No grade will be given for the work submitted at this time. This process will allow each student to make changes to their first semester essays before they finally submit their portfolio. The length of each essay is set to no less than 1400 words, no more than 1600 words. Follow further the guidelines given in: Anbefalt standard for oppgaveskriving, handed out to you in KONS3000.
- Reports: Clearly written reports are required for all conservation processes, analysis, laboratory experiments and demonstrated techniques. Where applicable the reports should contain appropriate photographs, drawings, diagrams etc.
- Laboratory reports: All laboratory exercises and experiments need to be written up using the IMRAD reporting format.
- Conservation reports: Throughout the two courses each student will be given a range of museum objects, modern objects and test samples for treatment and analysis. All analysis and treatment carried out on these objects must be recorded using the standard conservation report format. See guidelines on conservation reports given out in KONS3000. A draft copy of your first report should be given to the tutor responsible for the course for comment. This will be returned to the student within three weeks, a revised copy of the report should be placed in the portfolio. An additional copy of the report must accompany objects when they are returned to their respective museum.
- CD/DVD A CD/DVD should be prepared at the end of each semester containing all the photographs included in the portfolio. Ensure that the photographs are saved with a 400dpi resolution.
Evaluation
A single copy of the work completed during the 1st semester must be submitted at the reception desk of Blindernveien 11 by 6th December before15.00 for KONS4032 and 7th December before 15.00 for KONS4034.
REMEMBER - that apart from academic excellence, presentation is also important and will be evaluated. Ensure that the work submitted is clearly laid out and has legible photographs, drawings and diagrams. The course tutor will return the portfolio to you at the beginning of the 2nd semester with comments. No grade will be given for the work submitted at this time. The comments can be used to improve your portfolios prior to the final submission.
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Each student is required to submit two copies of the final portfolio, containing the work of both semesters at the end of the 2nd semester (the date of submission will be given by IAKH administration during that semester). The final portfolio will be graded with a letter grade. See IAKH web site for the explanation of each grade.