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ARTS 451

ARTS 451: Ceramics III (3-D)

Prerequisites: ARTS 251

Credits: (3) One hour lecture, demonstration or critique; three hours studio. (3-D)

Emphasis on original glazes and clay bodies and kiln firing techniques.

Note(s): May be taken multiple times for credit.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Art 407 will meet for six hours weekly. Two hours will be lecture, demonstration, or conference and four hours will be laboratory work. The course will include wheel throwing, various ceramic sculptural techniques, techniques of glaze formulation, development and application, history of ceramics, kiln design and construction, techniques of industrial (production) ceramics, ceramic design, sketchbooks, ceramic safety, studio equipment construction and maintenance. The course will be designed to increase students personal development such as visual cognitive potential, stimulate observation, imagination, and invite invention in the area of the ceramic arts. The course will be designed to help the students find their way to new visual experiences through ceramics. The course will introduce the students to works of both the past and the present and will show how these works relate to their work. The students will be encouraged to explore basic forms, structures and ideas which unite the arts. The course will try to stress visual cognition and perception. The course will give recognition of the idea that ceramic art is the process of giving plastic form to visual thought. The course is designed to assist the student in utilizing those techniques of Art 207 - Ceramics or its equivalent to develop proficiency which will enable the student to do independent study of the principles and theories of ceramic sculpture and pottery. The laboratory work will provide experience in development, formulation, and application of original glazes and clay bodies. The course will also be designed to give instruction in kiln firing techniques and maintenance of the kilns.
 

Detailed Description of the Conduct of the Course

All students are expected to have competency in glazing and firing and in construction techniques - hand building and throwing, verbal and conceptual skills in criticizing and analyzing modern ceramic art as related to the history of ceramic art. The student will be expected to submit a program which will be agreed upon by the instructor and the student and will be selected from the following areas of concentration:

1. A study of the principles and application of original glazes and clay bodies.
2. Instruction in kiln firing techniques.
The student will be expected to present sketchbooks, a glaze notebook, comply with project deadlines, be prepared for and participate in critiques, be familiar with studio procedures, and will be graded on individual projects.
1. Method of forming: how well the student completes each method of forming.
2. Follow through with the student's ideas and design of his/her project.
3. Execution of the given project.
 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to independently work as a ceramic artist. The student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in wheel thrown techniques, ceramic sculptural techniques, glaze formulation, development and application, kiln design and construction, studio equipment construction and maintenance, ceramic design. The student will explain studio safety and techniques of industrial ceramics. Art 407 is the advanced course in ceramics at the undergraduate level. It is open to art majors and art minors and any student who has completed Art 207.
 

Assessment Measures

Critiques will be used to assess the student's progress. Students will present notebooks and sketchbooks at regular intervals as requested. Participation in the firing schedule and other studio operations and maintenance will be expected. Examinations will also be given at intervals to assess the student's comprehension.
 

Other Course Information

This course fulfills the graduate course requirements for the M.S. in Art degree.
 

Review and Approval

October 2, 2012

March 25, 2005 Reviewed by Steve Arbury, Chair