COURSE OUTLINE FROM YEAR 1- 4

Year One Semester One

IRAI 151        Introduction to Rattan and Bamboo (1, 2, 2)

Introduction to rattan and bamboo; History of rattan and bamboo, their traditional uses, taxonomy, morphology, types, growth characteristics, distribution in Ghana and other parts of the world; Introduction to rattan and bamboo working tools and equipment.

IRAI 153        Introduction to Wood (1, 2, 2)

History of wood, woodcarving and furniture; Description and handling of hand-held woodworking tools; Shapes made with the aid of cutting tools; Safety measures in the use of tools; Types of wood, their properties and uses; methods of seasoning; Common wood defects.

 

IRAI 155        Introduction to Clay I (1, 2, 2)

History of pottery; Existing indigenous process in pottery making; Types of local clay; Production development; Fundamental investigation into raw materials and basic testing; Forming techniques – hand modelling, coiling, slab making and mould building.

 

IRAI 157        Introduction to Leather (1, 2, 2)

History of Leather craft; Preparation of Leather – Abattoir practices and skinning; Storage of pelt; Storage of skinned and cleaned carcass; Curing -- saltation and putrefaction; Tanning, tannery equipment and processes; Unhairing, fleshing and picking; Oiling and drying; Variation of fibre structure; Physical and chemical properties of pelt; Uses of leather; Leatherwork as a vocation; Tools and equipment.

 

IRAI 159        Introduction to Fibres and Fabrics I (1, 2, 2)

History of Clothing and Textiles; Composition of Fabrics – Fibres, Yarns and Construction; Yarn characteristics; Natural fibres, man-made fibres; Spinning; Non-yarn fibres and their adaptation for use; Consumer tastes; Fibre tests and identification; Basic studio skills; Introduction to Macramé.

 

IRAI 161        Introduction to Metals I (1, 2, 2)

Introduction to Metals – History of metal discovery and early uses; Basic Metallurgy; Derivation of metal from the ores, extraction, refining and usage; Some common metals, their properties and qualities – Copper, Silver, Gold, Iron, Bronze; Alloys – common alloys and their economic importance; Basic metal working tools and equipment – the rolling mill, saw frames, soldering torches etc.  Basic metal working principles, procedures and processes – Annealing Pickling, Sawing, Filing etc.