ART-141: Ceramics I

School
Liberal Arts
Division
Fine & Performing Arts
Department
Art (Art History)
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Art
Course Number
141
Course Title
Ceramics I
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
92.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
92.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
Eligible to take ENG courses at HFC
Catalog Course Description

A beginning level college course in ceramic materials and processes. Covers various hand-building techniques, basic surface and glazing techniques, and the differences between gas and electric firing. This class meets for six (6) hours a week.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement

To provide the beginning construction and glazing skills necessary for a student to design, construct and glaze both challenging and aesthetically pleasing ceramics, and to encourage the development of creative problem solving skills.

Core Course Topics
  1. Pinch construction

    Create a group of pinch constructed pieces utilizing a variety of themes.

  2. Coil construction

    Create a thematically based piece utilizing the coil construction technique.

  3. Slab construction

    Create pieces utilizing both soft slab and stiff slab construction techniques.

  4. Mold construction

    Create a ceramic piece utilizing one or more press molds.

  5. Slip decoration

    Employ colored slips as a decorating vehicle in high fire ceramics.

  6. Iron oxide stain decoration

    Employ iron oxide stain as a decorating vehicle in high fire ceramics.

  7. High fire glazing

    Utilize a variety of high fire glaze techniques on ceramic pieces.

  8. Low fire glazing.

    Apply low fire glazing glazes on one or more of ceramic pieces.

  9. Ceramic aesthetics

    Analyze and contrast different themes and construction techniques in one's work and how discuss how these fit into a historical and/or contemporary overview of the media.

  10. Vocabulary

    Define a basic vocabulary list pertaining to the operation of making and firing ceramics.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement
  • Evaluation of hands-on projects.
  • Class discussions
  • Class participation
  • Critiques.
  • Written quizzes and/or exams as determined by the instructor and described in the course syllabus
Texts

No "text" required, but students do outside of class research on pottery.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Effective Term
Winter 2022