Course Number:
ART 252
Transcript Title:
Ceramics I
Created:
Jul 25, 2022
Updated:
Oct 06, 2022
Total Credits:
3
Lecture Hours:
0
Lecture / Lab Hours:
60
Lab Hours:
3
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
Yes
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0

Course Description

Introduces ceramic processes, techniques and concepts through demonstrations and hands-on studio experience. Develops strategies for creative problem solving in the creation of original work. Establishes critical skills necessary to evaluate personal and formal ceramic works, explore artistic intent, examine aesthetic and structural solutions, and expand perceptual awareness. Explores historical and contemporary issues related to materials and form. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply creative processes to solve problems using a progressive variety of strategies.
  2. Create personal works in clay which demonstrate a basic understanding of ceramic ideas, materials and techniques.
  3. Ask meaningful questions, identify ideas and issues, and develop a basic vocabulary for an active participation in critical dialogue about the ceramic process.
  4. Understand, interpret, and appreciate ceramics from different cultures and times, facilitating a lifelong engagement with the diversity of perspectives in the human experience.
  5. Employ self-critiquing skills.

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major
1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)
Major
2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)
Not Addressed
3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)
Minor
4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)
Not Addressed
5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Some additional suggestions from your department:

Presentations of individual works, peer and instructor critiques, observation of studio habits, use of vocabulary when communicating within the studio environment, sketch books, journals, maquettes, and models.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Themes/Concepts

  • Aesthetic and scientific aspects of ceramics
  • Problem solving in creation of ceramic form – asking questions and finding new solutions using vocabulary, relevant ideas, materials, ceramic technique, and application
  • Introducing relationship of form, content and function
  • Exploration of artist intent
  • Examination of aesthetic and structural solutions
  • Introduction of perceptual awareness
  • Critical analysis to deepen understanding of level of quality, possible improvements, and high standards of achievement
  • The history and culture of ceramics as a part of the diverse human experience

Skills/Techniques

  • Ceramics vocabulary
  • Safe practices in regards to the handling of tools, chemicals and machinery in a communal studio space
  • Clay formation, properties – china clay, ball kaolins
  • Clay preparation - wedging
  • Hand building – forming ceramics without a wheel, including coil pots, pinch pots, slab pots, forming pots in Slump and Mump molds
  • Throwing- hand forming of hollow shapes on a revolving wheel head
  • Glazing techniques – pour dipping, brushing (from pieces of clay one half inches wide by 4 inches tall to test application and flow of the glaze)
    • Basic glaze chemistry
    • Visual and verbal language used in discussion of practical, functional and artistic qualities of glazes
    • Enhancing both the technical and artistic merit of Glaze Chemistry
  • Kiln technology, bisque, glaze and cones
  • Use of sketch book or journal to record visual and physical effects of eutectics on ceramic form, structure and glaze surface.

Department Notes

A minimum of 3 hours of homework per week in the form of private exploration of the concepts and processes introduced in class will be required.