ARTS 251: Ceramics I (3-D)
Credit Hours: (3)
Instructional Method: One hour demonstration, lecture or critique; three hours studio
Introduction to hand building and wheel throwing skills; techniques of glaze formulation,
development and application.
Detailed Description of Course Content
Art 207 will meet for six hours weekly. Two hours of demonstration, lecture, or criticism
and fours hours of laboratory work will be the weekly requirements. The course will
teach basic skills of hand building and wheel throwing. Students will be expected
to complete a minimum number of hand built and wheel thrown pots in addition to learning
to load, unload, and assist in firing of kilns. The course is designed to increase
student's personal development by introducing the student to works of the past and
present in Ceramics and invite invention in the area of the ceramic arts. The student
will be encouraged to explore basic forms, structures, and ideas using visual cognition
and perception.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The student will be expected to attend two hours demonstration, lecture or criticism
and four hours of laboratory work weekly. The ceramics course will include introduction
to hand building, wheel throwing and techniques of glaze formulation, development
and their application will be explored. (This course may be repeated until six hours
of credit are earned). The student will be required to complete the following projects:
• pinch pot
• coil pot
• slab pot
• six inch tall thrown cylinder
• minimum of four thrown pots in addition to the above which will include:
o thrown lid
o pulled handle
o spout
o bottle form
All pottery will be graded only after it is glazed. All students will be expected
to fulfill the following class responsibilities:
• Each student will be responsible for taking care of one part of the studio.
• Each student will load, unload, and assist with firing the kilns (both bisque and
glaze firing).
• Each student will also be held responsible for their own equipment, tools, clay
and their storage.
• Students will be required to put their name on all pottery.
• All wheel thrown pots must have a foot cut on the wheel.
• By the last day of class, students will have all pots ready to be graded (glazed
and fired).
Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the conclusion of the course the student will demonstrate the various techniques
of ceramic art. The student will demonstrate the ability to create a pinch pot, a
coil pot, a slab pot, a six inch tall wheel thrown cylinder, and four additional thrown
pots which will include a spout, a bottle form, a thrown lid and a pulled handle.
Each of the pieces will demonstrate glazing techniques. Art 207 is the introductory
course in ceramics at the undergraduate level. It is open to art majors and art minors
and any student who elects to enroll.
Assessment Measures
Periodic critiques will be used to assess the student's individual progress and growth.
Students will present their work for review by their peers and the instructor. Specific
ceramic pieces are assigned to establish the student's abilities to complete design
specific work.
Other Course Information
This course fulfills are requirements for the three dimensional area in all art undergraduate
degree requirements. The course is highly recommended for interior design majors,
leisure studies majors, and special education majors.
Review and Approval
October 2, 2012
March 18, 2005 Reviewed by Steve Arbury, Chair
June, 2023