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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ARTS D018E
Course Title (CB02)
Ceramics (Advanced Wheel Throwing)
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2022
Course Description
This course provides students with advanced techniques of throwing on the potter's wheel, as well as an introduction to combined forms and developing the vessel as an aesthetic object. Students will learn the development of shapes, functions, and individual expressions with clay.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
FD - Ceramic Wheel Throwing

Course Justification

This course is UC and CSU transferable. It is part of the Liberal Arts: Arts and Letters Emphasis A.A. Degree. This course is the advanced level of study in wheel-thrown ceramics.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
72.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

ARTS D018C

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Laboratory experience which involves students in formal exercises of idea and skill development, within the study of ceramics

Laboratory safety demonstrations

Assignments

  1. Readings: Assigned class readings.
  2. Hands on projects: Construction and fishing/glazing high fire of all works.
    1. Make two sets of seven matching forms that are the same shape, form, and size. One set will be visually heavy and the other light.
    2. Select a wheel thrown master ceramic work and duplicate it. Study the history and techniques of the potter who made the work.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Assess oral reports and classroom discussion.
  2. Evaluation of the student’s idea development and process with projects based on class lab demonstrations and lectures. Evaluation of craftsmanship as demonstrated by construction and finishing techniques covered during the course (repetition and masterwork projects). Evaluation of a completed ceramic portfolio as final project.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Ceramic tools to include:
  • Potters ribs and cut off needle
  • Clay
  • Fettling knife
  • Toggle clay cutter
  • Plastic wrap material
  • Ware bats
  • Various brushes
  • Surface decoration tools
  • Water bucket
Essential College Facilities:
  • Studio space with appropriate pottery wheels
  • Wedging tables
  • Ware storage racks
  • Clay mixer
  • Pugmill
  • Glaze spray booth
  • Glaze storage containers (dry and wet)
  • Clay and glaze scales
  • Electric kilns
  • Gas fired kilns
  • Raku kiln
  • Sink with clay trap
  • Glaze disposal container

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Carter, BenMastering the Potter's WheelMinneapolis: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.2016

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Peterson, Susan, The Craft and Art of Clay. New Jersey: Prentis Hall Inc, 2012 (5th Edition)
Britt, John. "The Complete Guide to High Fire Glazes". New York: Lark Crafts., 2007

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Develop advanced skills in wheel thrown techniques of ceramic construction.
  • Evaluate wheel throwing as a process for making multiples.
  • Recognize students' individual expression in wheel thrown forms.
  • Complete a series of advanced wheel thrown finished clay pieces.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate competency in advanced wheel throwing techniques including centering, opening, pulling, shaping and trimming. Students will also demonstrate advanced levels of repetition with wheel forming.

  • Demonstrate competency in finishing their work with advanced high fire glazes and surface techniques while incorporating advanced design principles into their objects.

Outline

  1. Develop advanced skills in wheel thrown techniques of ceramic construction.
    1. Shape control, throwing multiples and developing personal expression
    2. Advanced trimming techniques associated with potters wheel and clay tools.
    3. Study various cultures adaptation of the throwing process and aesthetic ideas
  2. Evaluate wheel throwing as a process for making multiples.
    1. Clay preparation, large mass, exact weight.
    2. Selection of ribs and measurement devises.
    3. Execution, throwing off the hump, individual pieces.
    4. Trimming techniques.
    5. Decoration process.
    6. Kiln preparation and firing process.
    7. Evaluation and critique.
    8. History.
  3. Recognize students' individual expression in wheel thrown forms.
    1. Clay selection and firing preference.
    2. Non-functional or functional preferences.
    3. Surface and color preference.
    4. Methods for form, and shape development.
    5. Incorporate intermediate design principles that define the student's intention.
  4. Complete a series of advanced wheel thrown finished clay pieces.
    1. Make repeating light and heavy forms.
    2. Study a master potter from history and duplicate one of their works.

Lab Topics

  1. Use the potter’s wheel to construct a variety of utilitarian and/or sculptural objects.
  2. Use the potter’s wheel to investigate a variety of throwing styles.
  3. Use the potter’s wheel as means of creating a prototype for duplication.
  4. Practice throwing with different clay bodies as investigation.
  5. Practice different glazing techniques on thrown objects.
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