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Ethnography

Course developer

Course abstract

Applied Arts and design in Latvian industry. Latvian (ancient Balts) signs and usage of those in nowadays design and art. Formation of Latvian ethnographic patterns. Latvian regions ethnographic diversity of national costumes, traditions of wearing and the most characteristic features of fabrication, materials and color harmony, usage in former times and now. Latvian county homestead characteristics, household items and tools. Material and nonmaterial cultural values of Latvian folk art. The value of Latvian folk art in Latvia and Europe, folk art and culture environment interaction in today.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

After completing the course student will have:
knowledges – and understanding of the Latvian (ancient Balts) signs; nation's spiritual, material and nonmaterial values of Latvian traditional cultural heritage, it’s link with art and design; folk art value in Latvia and in the context of Europe; relationship between folk art and culture environment in nowadays. Test.
skills - to analyze, synthesize and evaluate interrelations and interconnections of traditional and professional art; able to apply potentialities of Latvian national cultural heritage in creations of art, design and pedagogy; to work independently with sources of information; to use gained competence of IT in developing of independent work; to evaluate role of ethnography in art, design and pedagogy for the development of intellectually rich, creative, harmonious and competitive personality - 1., 2., 3. home works.
competence - to define and explain with ethnography, design and art science related terms, to distinguish, count, analyze and argue between common and uncommon in different counties of Latvia; to work independently and to use knowledge, skills un gained competence in IT in developing of independent work; to think logical and to work active alone and in group to contribute toward group’s preparation of the solution; to provide clear, well-founded and argumented presentations.

Course Content(Calendar)

Full time intramural studies:
I part (0.5 KP, 8 h - lectures 5h, practical works 3 h, guest lecturer)
1. Balt signs, use of them in contemporary design and art (5h).
1.1. Pattern as model of universe formation.
1.2. Usage of Balt signs in nowadays.
1.3. Development of Balt’s civilization. History of pattern.
1.4. Basic element- sign and its’ geometric formation. Signs’ origin in nature, static and dynamic of them. Symbolic of basic signs and there structural meaning.
1.5. Signs’ energetical principles in art.
List of practical works (3h):
1. Usage of Balt signs in nowadays.
2. Development of draft for design product or art object, model of universe formation with Balt signs have to be included.
3. Signs’ derivations-drafts. Workshop/practical work.

II part (1.5 KP, 24 h - lectures 11 h, practical works 13 h):
1. Conceptions: archaeology, ethnography, folk art, crafts, professional art, design. Latvia regions, division of them.
2. Latvian’s farmstead, differences in regions. Household objects, instruments, tools, culture of work. Latvia ethnographical open art museum visit.
3. Composition modifications of ethnographic pattern. Ways to connect corners in textile works, color compositions, principles of matching, usage in contemporary design and art.
4. Archaeologic costume, special features and wearing traditions.
5. Ethnographic costumes of Latvia regions, special features and wearing traditions. Foot-wear in latvian traditional folk costume’.
6. Material culture values of latvian folk art. Applied art. Fine art.
7. Latvian folk art- inspiration source for professional artist. Applied art and design.
8. Nonmaterial culture values of latvian folk art.
9. Importance and evaluation of manual labour in latvian folk art in the age of globalisation.
10. Folk art and care of owns’ Latvian’s, inheritance through generations. Latvian in Europe. Folk art and culture environment. Interaction between culture environment and material and nonmaterial folk art. Mental contribution of Latvian folk art.
11. Phenomenon of Song festival in Latvia and Baltic. Inclusion of Song festival in UNESCO world nonmaterial culture heritage fund in 21 st century.
Test. Latvian folk costumes. Patterns. Composition. Color compositions.
List of practical works (13 h):
1. What I know about ethnography and applied art? – 2h.
2. Division of Latvia in regions. Peculiarities of latvian farmstead, household objects and tools-2h.
3. Womens’ folk costume of Latvia regions, its’ parts, special features, wearing traditions-2h.
4. Mans’ folk costume of Latvia regions, its’ parts, special features, wearing traditions-2h.
5. Culture values of Latvian material and nonmaterial folk art.
6. Formation of ethnographic pattern.
7. Formation principles of ethnographic pattern by use of birth dates.
8. Rhythm of lines and color matches in skirt fabrics in different regions of Latvia.

Part time extramural studies:

All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar

Requirements for awarding credit points

• 85% participation in lectures and practical classes.
• Developed and defended practical and homework.
• Successfully written test.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

1st home work. To carry out a study about ethnographical signs of own native region (to prepare a presentation, amount appr.20 slides, to be submitted electronically).
2nd home work. Drawing of sign by own birth dates (to prepare a presentation, amount appr.15 slides, to be submitted electronically).
3rd home work. To carry out a study about man’s and women’s folk costumes and wearing traditions of own native region (to prepare a presentation, amount appr.25 slides, to be submitted electronically).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The evaluation should be performed throughout the all course.
I part (0.5 KP)
Final work 50%- total 5 points.
Participation in lectures, discussions and workshops 40% - for each lecture, participation in discussion and workshop 0.5 points – total 4 points.
Independent works - sketches are rated at 1 point 10%.
II part (1.5 KP)
The test is evaluated according to the criteria laid down in the study regulations – a qualitative rating in the 10 points system.
Independent works are evaluated by qualitative rating of 10 points system obtained from the total score for individual rating positions:
• systematic work (participation in activities, discussions, submission of works, etc. – for each lecture and practical work 0.2 points) – 4.8 points;
• content, versatility of researched material (technical quality of work, level of achievement of the study target) – 5 points;
• Technological performance of information collected in electronic form (there are/no defects, background choices, selection of letters, image quality, grammar errors etc.) – 0.2 points.
At the end of the course of study, the final assessment shall be calculated on the basis of the weighted average rating (taking into account the assessment of Parts I and II).

Compulsory reading

1. Grasmane M. Latviešu tautas tērpi. Raksti. Izšūšana. Rīga: Senā klēts, 2013. 296 lpp.
2. Celms V. Latvju raksts un zīmes. Baltu pasaules modelis, uzbūve, tēli, simbolika. Rīga: Folkloras informācijas centrs, 2008. 272 lpp.
3. Jansone A. Apģerba attīstība Zemgalē 19. gadsimtā. Rīga: Sana Solaris, 2018. 576 lpp.
6. Kraukle D. Ornaments. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2014. 40 lpp.
7. Kraukle D. Dienvidlatgalē austās segas. Rīga: LNKC, 2020. 366 lpp.

Further reading

1. Ektermane B. Latviešu zīmju spēks. Tradīcijas. Lietojums. Padomi. Rīga: Latvijas mediji, 2018. 144 lpp.
2. Strode R. Latviešu rotas: Saktas. No senatnes līdz mūsdienām. Rīga: J.L.V., 2017. 200 lpp.
3. Latviešu tautas tērpi. I Vidzeme. V. Rozenberga (teksts). Rīga: Jāņa sēta, 1995. 319 lpp.
4. Latviešu tautas tērpi. II Kurzeme. Z.Bremze , V.Rozenberga u.c. Rīga: Jāņa sēta, 1997. 398 lpp.
5. Bremze Z., Rozenberga V. u.c. Latviešu tautas tērpi. III Zemgale, Augšzeme, Latgale. Rīga: Latvijas vēstures muzejs, 2013. 365 lpp.
6. Latvju raksti. 1., 2., 3.sēj. Rīga: Apgāts Latvijas grāmata, 1999.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Laikraksts “Izglītība un kultūra”. ISSN 1407-4036.

Notes

Compulsory Course in TF Professional Higher Education Bachelor Study Programs "Home Environment in Education" and "Design and Crafts" in Full-Time and Part-time Studies