Syllabus: ART 155, 156, 254, 255, 256 - Ceramics 2-6
Spring term 2004, all sections meet: T-TH 8:00am-10:50 in Pence 24.
Peter Meyer - Instructor of ceramics 383-7701 ext. 2119 pmeyer@cocc.edu
ART 155 CRN 40083 Ceramics II
ART 156 CRN 40084 Ceramics III
ART 254 CRN 40085 Ceramics IV
ART 255 CRN 40086 Ceramics V
ART 256 CRN 40087 Ceramics VI
ART 155, 156, 254, 255, & 256 - Ceramics II-VI
Ceramics classes include developing designs for both functional and nonfunctional work, mastering hand building and throwing skills, texturing, and glaze application. Glaze formulation and the firing process may be included in the upper-level classes. Development of imaginative ideas for expression in clay media is expected. An understanding of 3-D design and drawing skills will be useful in conceptualizing and completing projects. Must be taken in sequence.
Pre-requisite: ART 154 or equivalent, (talk to the instructor if you have experience from institutions other than COCC), ART 117, ART 131.
The outcomes of ART 155, 156, 254, 255, and 256 - Ceramics 2-6 are to:
1. Be able to successfully and safely glaze pieces of bisqueware using a variety of application techniques.
2. Be able to work through the appropriate steps to manipulate a lump of wet clay in order to turn it into a well-crafted vessel using wheel throwing.
3. Understand, recognize and know the possibilities and limitations of working with clay at its various stages between wet and dry.
4. Be able to recognize flaws in construction and suggest solutions to avoid repeating the flaws.
5. Be able to produce a series of at least 4 items that are similar and consistent in size, shape, surface and color.
6. Have a basic understanding of the components in a glaze and how they work together to melt into a useful glaze.
7. Be able to sketch an idea for a piece that indicates proportion, scale and method of construction, and to execute the idea in a well-crafted manner.
8. Recognize and be able to create a variety of surface decoration techniques.
Instructional Methods: Concepts will be conveyed through lectures, demonstrations, activities, class discussions, slides/videos, and most importantly; hands on effort and work.
There will be three areas of focus: skill development and refinement, vocabulary and terms, and content.
Skill – Develop and refine ceramic technique: throwing, hand building, surface treatment, glazing, form, scale. Skills are basic to actualizing ideas.
Terms – Demonstrate a working understanding of the terms of ceramics and 3-D design. This aids in evaluating your progress, allows dialog with other students and gives you the means of conveying knowledge to others.
Content – The translation of ideas into form. It is important to have a personal investment in the process, to employ ideas that are meaningful and have significance to you. It is important you be purposeful in your actions on the material. As your technical skills improve you will be challenged to materialize ideas of depth and complexity in clay.
Assignments will be specific to areas being studied and tailored to skill level. There will be three to four assignments per review with three reviews throughout the term. At least one paper of 3-5 pages will be assigned during the term. Put all assignment sheets in the three ring binders, which will be used during reviews.
Class critiques (peer review), will play an important part of exercises and reviews. A review sheet will be issued with all assignments listed, quantities required, due date, and area for sketches of completed works. I will give verbal and written feedback on completed work.
Ceramics is a skill that requires time, effort and concentration. There will not be enough time during regular class hours to complete all the material to be covered in the class and it is assumed you will spend time outside of class to successfully complete projects. It is important you arrive on time, use the full class time, and spend time in the studio outside class. To get full credit when working during open lab times sign in with your name, hours worked and work accomplished.
Studio Rules – These rules address the safety and functioning of the studio and must be observed.
- No whining. If you whine about assignments, clean up or anything regarding the class or studio it will be assumed you do not want to be in class and will be asked to leave. Consistent whining will result in everyone doing extra work.
- Labeling. All your pieces must be labeled with: (1), your name, initial, or logo, (2), your locker # and, (3), the term, Winter 2004, or W-04.
- Deadlines. We will have a greenware deadline, a glaze deadline and deadlines for assignments due. These deadlines are to insure that all work started during the term gets finished during the term. You must observe these deadlines or it will be assumed you do not want finished work and that will be reflected in your grade.
- Final. The final is mandatory. The final for Winter 2004 will be: Tues., June 8, 8-10am
Supplies: Soldate 60 or Pinelake White Clay
Tool Packet
Sketchbook or 3 ring binder, 9 x 12.
Optional: rubber ribs, small or large, metal serrated rib, 6.5 inch cleanup tool, elephant ear sponge, wood modeling tools. Common household implements can be very useful and you are encouraged to bring them to class.
Text: No text will be required for this class, however excerpts from some texts will be issued as handouts and students will be encouraged to seek information from ceramic textbooks available in the library.
Topics and Assignments: Assignment topics will be presented sequentially and are structured to address desired outcomes.
Assessment: Student’s progress will be assessed on completed projects, technical improvement, and originality of projects, in-class critiques, exercises, papers and quizzes/exams. Final projects should show an understanding of all material covered during the term. The final will include an in-class critique of final projects, a clean up of the studio and an exam of terms and procedures.
Policies:
Late Work: Projects are expected to be completed on the due date unless previous arrangements are made. An in-class critique is considered as part of a ‘completed project’. No credit will be given to projects completed one week after the due date.
Missed Exams: Missed exams can be made up within one week at the discretion of the instructor.
Absences: You are allowed one un-excused absence, for any absences after that please call my voice mail before class or it will be considered an un-excused absence.
Extra Credit: Any project or projects completed over and above required assignments will be considered extra credit and may play a factor in your grade.
Cheating/Plagiarism: Inspiration from art history and contemporary art is part of the approach to learning in this class. Freely acknowledge the source of your inspiration, don’t call it your own idea.
ADA Statement: Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have any emergency medical information the instructor should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with the instructor as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term. Students may also wish to contact the COCC Disability Services Office in BEC, ext 7583.
“Actual personalities, institutions, and beliefs do not fit into neat logical categories”
“Neat logical categories are necessary if man is to think profitably about the real world in which he lives and to derive from it lessons for broader application and use.”
Samuel Huntington