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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ARTS D019J
Course Title (CB02)
Ceramics Techniques
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2021
Course Description
Techniques of hand building and wheel construction combined: experimental glazing and texturing treatments.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
FD - Ceramic Surface

Course Justification

This course is UC and CSU transferable. It is part of the Ceramics A.A. Degree. This course is beginning level ceramic techniques.

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 D018B

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 and present oral report.
  2. Hands on projects: Construction and fishing/glazing techniques of all works.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Assess oral reports and classroom discussion. Evaluate student comprehension of assigned readings.
  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. Evaluation of a completed ceramic portfolio as final project.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • Potters ribs and cut off needle
  • Clay
  • Fettling knife
  • Toggle clay cutter
  • Plastic wrap material
  • Ware storage boards
  • Various brushes
  • Surface decoration tools
  • Water bucket
Essential College Facilities:
  • Studio space with appropriate tables
  • Potters 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
None.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Watkins, James and Wandless, Paul. "Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques." New York: Lark Books, 2006
Carter, Ben. "Mastering the Potter's Wheel". Minneapolis: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 2016
Lazo, Eduardo, "Naked Raku and Related Bare Clay Techniques." Westerville: American Ceramic Society, 2012
Standen, Kathleen, "Additions to Clay Bodies." Ohio: The American Ceramic Society, 2013

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Integrate hand building, wheel construction, and surface techniques.
  • Identify and utilize glaze and texturing treatments.
  • Compare and contrast processes when combining various construction and surface techniques in the same ceramic piece.
  • Study ceramic pieces from various cultures and understand the development of design and materials selected by the artists.
  • Develop a series of clay forms that demonstrate ceramic techniques.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate competency in a variety of ceramic surface techniques.

  • Demonstrate competency in combining ceramic construction and surface techniques within the same ceramic form.

Outline

  1. Integrate hand building, wheel construction, and surface techniques.
    1. Wheel throwing and coil construction while incorporating different surface treatments.
    2. Wheel construction and slab combination while incorporating different surface treatments.
    3. Pinch techniques with functional wheel thrown forms while incorporating different surface treatments.
  2. Identify and utilize glaze and texturing treatments.
    1. To accentuate movement
    2. Rhythm
    3. Balance
    4. Volume
  3. Compare and contrast processes when combining various construction and surface techniques in the same ceramic piece.
    1. Idea (planning, invention, technique)
    2. Skill (craftsmanship, execution)
    3. Evaluation (critique)
  4. Study ceramic pieces from various cultures and understand the development of design and materials selected by the artists.
    1. Historical
    2. Cultural
  5. Develop a series of clay forms that demonstrate ceramic techniques.
    1. Burnout
    2. Dry throwing for surface texture.
    3. Glazed and sandblasted.
    4. Sodium silicate.
    5. Feldspar inclusions.
    6. Colored clay.
    7. Textured forms using wood bits.

Lab Topics

  1. Use the clay mixer and pug machine to make a unique clay body with burnout material.
  2. Fire kilns specific to burnout process.
  3. Experiment with the glaze lab colorants as inclusions to clay body.
  4. Use alternative tools and materials in the studio to construct finished pieces.
  5. Operate soda kiln.
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