ARTS 124 Introduction to Ceramics

Designed for non-art majors, this course will introduce students to the basic hand building skills that are necessary to effectively use clay as a sculptural medium of artistic expression. The course will emphasize a thorough understanding of basic design principles as related to ceramics, and students will use this knowledge to critically evaluate work both verbally and in writing. Students will gain knowledge and skills in the use of ceramic tools, techniques, and processes sufficient to produce work from concept to finished product. This includes knowledge of raw materials and technical procedures such as clay-making, glazing, and firing.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

4

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories, concepts, and specialized vocabulary related to past and contemporary issues of aesthetics and creativity specific to the ceramic arts.
2. Carefully plan and then create original art that shows an understanding of the fundamental design principles and incorporates risk-taking and creativity into problem-solving for each project.
3. Identify and apply basic art and design concepts, posing and addressing questions on social and cultural perspectives, contexts, and assumptions to establish one’s own critical assessment of an artwork.
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of ceramics as an expression of the human condition.
5. Identify and utilize appropriate ceramics sculptural, decoration, and glazing techniques and tools to efficiently and creatively complete the requirements of each project.
6. Engage in an exploration of various worldviews through study of the ceramics of artists of many cultures.
7. Communicate clear design ideas by using written and symbolic forms of communication to convey concepts creatively through the use of a sketchbook.
8. Identify and understand scientific concepts involved in the changing nature of clay forms – green ware, bisque, and glaze – using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
9. Demonstrate mastery of course objectives through a final portfolio of glazed work.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and apply critical theories, concepts, and specialized vocabulary related to past and contemporary issues of aesthetics and creativity specific to the ceramic arts.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP1
2. Carefully plan and then create original art that shows an understanding of the fundamental design principles and incorporates risk-taking and creativity into problem-solving for each project.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Ceramic project

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP2
3. Identify and apply basic art and design concepts, posing and addressing questions on social and cultural perspectives, contexts, and assumptions to establish one’s own critical assessment of an artwork.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Weekly verbal or written critiques

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP3
4. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of ceramics as an expression of the human condition.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

   Creative Process

   • CP4
5. Identify and utilize appropriate ceramics sculptural, decoration, and glazing techniques and tools to efficiently and creatively complete the requirements of each project.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. Engage in an exploration of various worldviews through study of the ceramics of artists of many cultures.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

7. Communicate clear design ideas by using written and symbolic forms of communication to convey concepts creatively through the use of a sketchbook.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

8. Identify and understand scientific concepts involved in the changing nature of clay forms – green ware, bisque, and glaze – using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

9. Demonstrate mastery of course objectives through a final portfolio of glazed work.

   This objective is a course Goal Only