Catalog Description
- Transfer Status
- CSU/UC
- Prerequisite
- ART 50
- Unit(s)
- 3.00
- Lecture: 34.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/102.00 Total hours/2.00 Unit(s)
- Lab: 51.00 Contact hours/0.00 Out of class hours/51.00 Total hours/1.00 Unit(s)
- Total: 85.00 Contact hours/68.00 Out of class hours/153.00 Total hours/3.00 Unit(s)
Course Description: This course is an exploration of clay as a medium of expression, using the potter's wheel and/or hand-building techniques to create sculptural and functional forms. Students will continue to develop techniques in basic wheel-throwing and/or hand-building, clay body formulation, surface enrichment techniques, and kiln firing. Students will also become familiar with historical as well as contemporary ceramic artworks.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Describe the various types of clays, glazes, firing techniques, and elements of kiln design used in ceramics.
- Design and create clay forms using a variety of forming techniques, such as wheel-throwing, coil, slab, pinch, extrusions, and combination methods.
- Utilize glaze formulation and techniques of application to successfully achieve finished surfaces with desired colors, textures, and design elements.
- Create artworks that are informed by the historical and contemporary uses of the ceramic medium for sculpture and pottery.
- Create a body of finished work that is responsive to assigned projects, and that demonstrates technical proficiency, creative problem-solving, and self-expression.
Course Content
Topic Titles / Suggested Time Topic
Lecture
| Topics | Lec Hrs |
|---|---|
Introduction, Orientation | 1.00 |
Historical and Contemporary Precedents in Ceramics | 4.00 |
Handbuilding Techniques and Terminology | 3.00 |
Introduction to Throwing Larger Forms | 3.00 |
Bowl Forms | 3.00 |
Flat Shapes on the Wheel | 2.00 |
Round Shapes on the Wheel | 2.00 |
Aesthetics of Wheel Thrown Forms | 3.00 |
Glaze Calculation and Application | 4.00 |
Surface Embellishments | 3.00 |
Special Throwing Techniques | 2.00 |
Firing Techniques: Oxidation vs. Reduction | 2.00 |
Portfolio Development: Photo-documentation of artwork for professional quality presentation to secure admission to 4-year programs, scholarships, gallery representation, and/or direct sales | 2.00 |
| Total Hours: | 34.00 |
Lab
| Topics | Lab Hrs |
|---|---|
Visual problem solving exercises that develop ceramic work and require exploration and manipulation of the basic materials used to create ceramic work | 5.00 |
Studio projects that explore the techniques and organizing principles of ceramics including but not limited to pinch, coil, soft slab, hard slab, sgraffito, mishima, modeling, carving, and wheel work | 26.00 |
Development of skills and processes using a variety of surface and firing techniques appropriate to an intermediate study in ceramics, which may include but are not limited to slips, engobe, terra sigilata, glaze, burnishing, in various firing atmospheres and temperatures | 10.00 |
Portfolio Development: Photo-documentation of artwork for professional quality presentation to secure admission to 4-Year programs, scholarships, gallery representation, and/or direct sales | 4.00 |
Critical evaluation and critique of class projects | 6.00 |
| Total Hours: | 51.00 |
Methods of Instruction
- Class Activities
- Homework: Students are required to complete two hours of outside-of-class homework for each hour of lecture
- Instructor Demonstrations
- Lecture
- Multimedia Presentations
- Reading Assignments
Methods of Evaluation
- Exams/Tests
- Portfolios
- Projects
- Class participation
- Practical Evaluations
- Critiques will be given on work in progress as well as finished work.
Examples of Assignments
Reading Assignments
- Read about the uses of clay by early civilizations of Western Asia and the Mediterranean in the textbook "Hands In Clay". Come to class prepared to discuss possible influences that these historical precedents might have on your own work.
- Prior to attending class during which wheel-throwing is demonstrated, read about wheel-throwing techniques in the textbook "Hands in Clay", and write down some questions for the instructor to answer during and after the demonstration.
Writing Assignments
- Keep a journal in which you write entries describing the evolution of form and concept for all assigned clay projects.
- Pick a ceramic artist whose work you find especially intriguing. Write a 1-2 page paper describing, interpreting, and evaluating two of of the artists' best works in comparison. What are the elements of this artist's personal style?
Out-of-Class Assignments
- View the color plates that are presented in the textbook "Hands in Clay". Pick an artwork pictured there that you regard as worthy of emulation. Make a piece that is similar in form but which includes distinctively personal twist.
- Attend a local or regional art show or an exhibition at an art museum to get ideas for sculptural forms. Take photographs (where permitted) or make sketches of forms you are interested in for future reference. Alternative options to complete this assignment will be identified in the instructions.
Recommended Materials of Instruction
Cobb, S. (2018). Mastering Hand Building: Techniques, Tips, and Tricks for Slabs, Coils, and More. Voyageur Press, 1st. 9780141027951.
Taylor, L. (2022). The Ceramics Bible. Chronicle Books, Revised Edition. 9781797215143.
Other Learning Materials
Students will purchase their own clay and tools.
Minimum Qualifications
Art (Masters Required)
Ceramic Technology