ART 186 - INTRO TO CERAMICS
INSTRUCTORS:
COURSE SYLLABUS
PREREQUISITE: NONE
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course in ceramics designed for those who have had little or no experience working in clay. If you have had a semester or more of college ceramics you are in the wrong class and you should transfer to a more advanced section. If you have had high school ceramics, but spent little time on the potter's wheel, you are probably in the right class. Talk with me after class if you are unsure. In this class we will explore hand-construction (slab work) as well as working on the potter's wheel, with the emphasis being wheel work making functional pottery forms. You will learn to throw, trim and glaze pottery using a variety of decorative techniques. You will be introduced to the principles of glaze composition and kiln firing, both gas and electric. TEXT: CERAMICS, A POTTER'S HANDBOOK, by Glenn C. Nelson and Richard Burkett, 6th edition, available at the College Bookstore. Recommended for Art 186, required for Art 187, 188, 189 (advanced ceramics). |
TOOLS:
| Ruler, plastic, wood, or metal (approx. 12") * | Brushes, at least one bamboo type for glazing* |
| Rolling pin, (wood only) | Small sponge, natural or synthetic * |
| Canvas covered clay board, (approx. 24"x30") | Chamois * |
| Cut-off wire * | Wooden modeling tools * |
| Fettling knife * | Trimming tool * |
| Assorted texture tools | Calipers * (optional) |
| Sheets of soft plastic for wrapping drying pots | Rubber spatula |
| Old cloth towel | Needle tool * |
| Sponge for clean-up | plastic bowl for water |
***** TOOLS MARKED WITH AN ASTERISK (*) ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COLLEGE BOOKSTORE. |
LABORATORY MATERIALS FEE: There will be many glazes and other materials provided to you for use in glazing and firing your pottery. The lab materials fee will pay for all glazing and firing costs. This fee will be discussed fully by your instructor, but basically you have two choices: 1. Purchasing a laboratory materials voucher from the College Bookstore. This voucher entitles the student full access to our studio glazes, glaze chemicals, and firing. Vouchers will be passed out at the first class meeting, filled out by the student, and taken to the Bookstore for payment and returned to the instructor by the next class meeting. OR 2. If you choose not to purchase the voucher, you will not be allowed to use studio glazes or glaze chemicals, and must purchase your own from ceramic supply houses. By purchasing our glaze materials in large quantity, we are able to reduce the cost to you significantly with the lab materials voucher. A full list of the available glaze chemicals and firing supplies provided by the voucher can be viewed by clicking on CHEMICALS LIST.
PURCHASE OF CLAY RECEIPTS: Clay is purchased at the College Bookstore in 25lb. bags. Due to the extreme variations in clay quality, workability, and firing temperatures it is essential that you use only clay purchased through the Bookstore. Bringing in clays from outside sources can easily result in your pottery melting in the very high temperatures we fire our kilns. We will not fire pottery made from unknown clay sources. Pay for the clay at the bookstore, save the receipt they give you, bring the receipt to us here in the lab and we will issue the clay to you. We can not issue clay without a receipt; so please don't ask. Here are the clays we will be using in this class: |
B-MIX STONEWARE WITH SAND: Gray-white, fine-grained clay, suitable for wheel or slab. Glaze colors show brightest color on white clays.
FAT RED STONEWARE: A dark brown, fine-grained clay, suitable for wheel and slab. Glaze colors will be somewhat more muted on a darker clay. |
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LOCKERS: Lockers are available in the hallway outside the lab. You provide your own lock, find an empty locker, put your lock on it, and then sign the locker sign-up sheet in my office. See the lab assistant to sign up: Richard McColl in the daytime, Roger Porter in the evenings. Failure to sign the locker list will result in your lock being cut off! This is done to ensure that only art students use the lockers. LABORATORY HOURS: You are welcome and encouraged to use the open lab hours we provide. These hours are exactly that, lab hours, uninstructed. This is valuable time you will need to complete your projects required in the class. Four hours minimum per week in addition to class time seems necessary if you wish to have any real success. If your schedule does not permit such a time commitment you might find the class difficult and unrewarding. Lab hours will be announced each semester by your instructor. LAB RULES: Due to insurance regulations, we are unable to accommodate your children or friends. Please do not bring them with you to class. They may stop in for a brief visit, but cannot stay with you. If you need to make a phone call, please use the pay phones at the Campus Center snack area or at the Library. Do not use our phones to make or receive personal calls. If you have a family emergency, we will accept incoming calls for you. Our phone number is 818-240-1000 ext. 3059. No radios/tape/CD players. No bare feet! All work you make in class must be signed legibly with your last name only. Unsigned work will not be fired or graded. If you attempt to turn in work for grading without a signature, I will not accept it. Any student caught stealing work from another student will reported to Campus Security and the Dean of Students. You are responsible for cleaning your own messes. Students who do not will have their lab privileges revoked. HOW TO REACH YOUR INSTRUCTOR: On the first day of classes, your instructor will give you his or her email and voice mail information and office hours. |
ART 186 PROJECTS, TESTS, GRADING POLICY MID-TERM PROJECTS: _____ 1. Two soft slab cups with stamped texture _____ 2. Two slab tiles, 6" x 6," carved texture _____ 3. Three wheel-thrown bowls FINAL PROJECTS: _____ 4. Two cups, wheel thrown, handles required _____ 5. One pitcher, wheel thrown, handle required _____ 6. One lidded jar, wheel thrown _____ 7. One plate, wheel thrown, 5" minimum _____ 8. Two projects of your own choice, any technique
The above projects must include at least one example of each of the following surface design techniques: _____ stamped texture _____ carved texture _____ sgraffito _____ glaze overlaps _____ oxide painting _____ wax resist
TESTS AND GRADING PROCEDURES: The mid-term projects' grade will be 30% of your final grade, the final projects' grade will be 30% of your final grade, and there will be two written tests which together will constitute 30% of your final grade for the semester. The remaining 10% of your grade is based on class participation. This includes attendance during class and your laboratory clean up practices. Projects will be graded on both technical execution and design quality. Cheating on a test will result in a grade of F for that test and your name and a report of the cheating being forwarded to the Dean of Instruction according to the Glendale Community College policy on cheating and academic dishonesty. Make-up exams will be given only by prior arrangement. If you must miss a written test or a project grading, you must schedule a make-up with me in advance or you will receive a grade of F on that test or project grading. Three unexcused absences are the maximum allowable. You will be dropped from the class if you exceed this. Personal emergencies that require your absence for an extended period of time should be discussed with me in order to retain your seat in class. |
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