College of the Redwoods
SELECTED TOPICS CURRICULUM PROPOSAL
1.
Division: Arts, Languages, and Social Sciences
2.
Course ID and Number: Art 99
3.
Course Title: Firing Techniques
4.
Discipline(s): (Select from CCC System Office Minimum Qualification for Faculty [copy following web
address and paste into web browser http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/esed/aa_ir/psmq/min_qual/min_quals%20_revApr406.pdf]
Course may fit more than one discipline; identify all that apply): Art
5.
New
Change to existing course
(Indicate changes on "Summary of Curriculum Changes" form)
Replacing existing course
6.
(Course to be inactivated)
Provide explanation and justification for addition/change/deletion:
Recent improvements and new equipment in the ceramics studio at the Eureka
campus have expanded the possibilities of creative ceramic research. Increased
enrollment and student interest has reflected the need for a more sophisticated
ceramics curriculum. Culturally influenced firing techniques should be made available
to students and incorporated into ceramics pedagogy at CR in order to transcend
restrictions made by modern technology.
7.
List any special materials, equipment, tools, etc. that students must purchase:
pottery tool kit
8.
This course will have an instructional materials fee. No
Fee: $35
Submitted by:
David Zdrazil
Yes
Tel. Ext. 3044
Division Chair/Director: Justine Shaw
Date: 09/20/07
Review Date: 09/20/07
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE USE ONLY
Approved by Curriculum Committee: No
Board of Trustees Approval Date: 10/9/07
Yes
Date: 9/28/07
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 1 of 7
SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM CHANGES
FOR AN EXISTING COURSE
FEATURES
Catalog Description
(Please include text of
old catalog description.)
Grading Standard
NEW
OLD
Select
Select
Total Units
Lecture Units
Lab Units
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Recommended
Preparation
Maximum Class Size
Repeatability—
Maximum Enrollments
Other
If any of the listed features have been modified in the new proposal, indicate the "old" (current) information and
proposed changes.
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 2 of 7
College of the Redwoods
SELECTED TOPICS COURSE OUTLINE
DATE: 9/28/07
COURSE ID AND NUMBER: Art 99 Special Topics
FORMER ID AND NUMBER (if previously offered):
COURSE TITLE: Firing Techniques
Is this the first time this course has been offered?
The second time?
The third time?
FIRST TERM NEW OR REVISED COURSE MAY BE OFFERED:
TOTAL UNITS: 2
TOTAL HOURS: 72
[Lecture Units: 1
[Lecture Hours: 18
Lab Units: 1]
Lab Hours: 54]
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 30
GRADING STANDARD
Letter Grade Only
CR/NC Only
Is this course repeatable for additional credit units?: No
Grade-CR/NC Option
Yes
how many total enrollments?
2
DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED TOPIC
Clearly state the scope of the course, its level, and what kinds of student goals the course is designed to fulfill.
A course presenting an opportunity for students of all levels to research a variety of
traditional and experimental ceramic firing techniques. Course includes basic
thermodynamics/kiln atmospheres, problem-solving specific firing needs, aesthetics of
different firing techniques and ceramic process.
PREREQUISITES
No
Yes
Course(s):
Rationale for Prerequisite:
Describe representative skills without which the student would be highly unlikely to succeed .
COREQUISITES
No
Yes
Rationale for Corequisite:
Course(s):
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION
No
Yes
Course(s): Art 31A (Intro to Ceramics) or Art 31B Ceramics-Wheel
Rationale for Recommended Preparation:
some prior knowledge of ceramics will enhance the learning outcomes of students
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 3 of 7
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
What should the student be able to do as a result of taking this course? State some of the objectives in terms of
specific, measurable student accomplishments.
1. Theorize about multiple firing techniques and applications.
2. Show a basic comprehension of kiln operation and fire control.
3. Use the proper safety precautions necessary.
4. Efficiently and safely navigate the ceramics studio and ceramic tools.
5. Respond to philosophies and practices in contemporary, historical and multicultural
ceramic firing techniques.
6. Solve problems during the creation of ceramic work related to the process of using
clay.
7. Theorize about, verbally describe and respond in writing to peer artwork during
critique and classroom sessions.
REPRESENTATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES
What will students be doing (e.g., listening to lectures, participating in discussions and/or group activities, attending
a field trip)? Relate the activities directly to the Course Learning Outcomes.
1. Listening to lectures concerning all aspects of the class.
2. Participating in group activities involving locating and gathering the necessary
materials for specific firing techniques.
3. Completing a body of ceramic work to be completed by using multiple firing
techniques.
4. Participate in firing ceramic work.
5. Exhibit and critique the completed, fired ceramic work.
6. Complete outside of class laboratory assignments.
7. Complete outside of class research.
ASSESSMENT TASKS
How will students show evidence of achieving the Course Learning Outcomes? Indicate which assessments (if any)
are required for all sections.
Representative assessment tasks:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Group firing tasks.
Individual and group critique of ceramic pieces.
Verbal presentation given to the class concerning personal research.
Group discussions.
Required assessments for all sections – to include but not limited to:
1. Regularly scheduled critiques.
2. Portfolio review.
COURSE CONTENT
To justify repeatability, describe course content and list texts for two representative selected topics, demonstrating
clearly that each will provide significantly different content.
Representative Topic #1
Course Title: Kiln Building and Wood-firing
Themes: What themes, if any, are threaded throughout the learning experiences in this course?
1. Research in kiln design and the related ceramic work.
2. Investigation of appropriate ceramic vessels/sculpture forms for wood firing.
3. Experimentation with the wood-firing process.
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 4 of 7
4. Selection and use of refractory materials.
5. Environmental awareness and wood as a renewable fuel.
6. Proper safety precautions necessary for wood-firing.
Concepts: What concepts do students need to understand to demonstrate course outcomes?
1. Aesthetics of wood-fired ceramics versus other firing processes.
2. The role of wood-fired ceramics within contemporary fine art and craft
3. Past movements in arts and crafts.
4. Functional and conceptual issues in ceramic fine art and craft.
Issues: What primary issues or problems, if any, must students understand to achieve course outcomes (including
such issues as gender, diversity, multi-culturalism, and class)?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Kiln design and the selection of an appropriate model to achieve desired effects.
The need for shared responsibility in preparation and firing a wood kiln
Environmental awareness and wood as a renewable fuel.
Cultural variations in wood-firing traditions.
Skills: What skills must students master to demonstrate course outcomes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Listen during lectures, critiques and demonstrations and respond to questions.
Adequately prepare for firing the wood-fired kiln.
Properly load the wood-fired kiln.
Operate the wood-fired kiln.
Identify, compare and contrast ceramics produced from a variety of firing techniques..
Cooperate in a group setting.
Create ceramic vessels/sculptures.
Examples of Appropriate Texts or Other Readings: Title, Author, and Date are required.
Author Olsen Title
Author Troy Title
Wood-Fired Stoneware and Porcelain Date 1995
Author Kusakabe
Author Zug Title
The Kiln Book Date 2001
and Lancet Title Japanese Wood-Fired Ceramics Date 2005
Turners and Burners, The Folk Potters of North Carolina Date 1986
Other Appropriate Readings:
Course packet of information created by the instructor.
Representative Topic #2
Course Title: Atmospheric Firing
Themes: What themes, if any, are threaded throughout the learning experiences in this course?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Research in atmospheric firing techniques including: raku, pit, saggar, wood and salt.
Vessels and sculpture fired in atmospheric conditions.
Experimentation with atmospheric firing and fire control.
Selection and use of fuels and vaporous materials.
Environmental awareness.
Proper safety precautions necessary for specific firing conditions.
Surface treatments and glazes conducive to specific firing conditions.
Ceramic work related to atmopheric firing processes.
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 5 of 7
Concepts: What concepts do students need to understand to demonstrate course outcomes?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Aesthetics of ceramics fired in atmospheric conditions versus other firing processes.
The role of ceramics within contemporary fine art and craft.
Past movements in arts and crafts.
Functional and conceptual issues in ceramic fine art and craft.
Issues: What primary issues or problems, if any, must students understand to achieve course outcomes (including
such issues as gender, diversity, multi-culturalism, and class)?
1. The need for shared responsibility in preparation and firing a wood kiln.
2. Environmental awareness and renewable fuel sources.
3. Restrictions to certain firing practices.
4. Cultural variations in firing traditions.
Skills: What skills must students master to demonstrate course outcomes?
1.
2.
3.
5.
6.
7.
Listen during lectures, critiques and demonstrations and respond to questions.
Adequately prepare for firing ceramic work.
Properly stack ceramic pieces to be fired.
Identify, compare and contrast ceramics produced from a variety of firing techniques.
Cooperate in a group setting.
Create ceramic vessels/sculptures.
Examples of Appropriate Texts or Other Readings: Title, Author, and Date are required.
Author Troy Title
Wood-Fired Stoneware and Porcelain Date 1995
Author Jones Title
Advanced Raku Techniques Date 2004
Author Nichols Title
Author Von
Soda, Clay and Fire Date 2006
Dassow Title Barrel, Pit, and Saggar Firing Date 2001
Other Appropriate Readings:
Course packet of information created by the instructor.
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 6 of 7
FOR VPAA USE ONLY
PROGRAM AND COURSE NUMBER
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
1. Department: Choose One:
16. CoRequisite Course:
2. Subject:
17. CoRequisite Noncourse:
Course No:
3. Credit Type: Choose One:
4. Min/Maximum Units:
18. Maximum Class Size:
to
variable units
19. Repeat/Retake: Choose One:
5. Course Level: Choose One:
20. Count Retakes for Credit:
yes
no
6. Academic Level: UG Undergraduate
21. Only Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
7. Grade Scheme: UG Undergraduate
22. Allow Pass/No Pass:
yes
no
8. Short Title:
23. VATEA Funded Course:
yes
no
9. Long Title:
24. Accounting Method: Choose One:
10. National ID (CIP):
25. Disability Status: Choose One:
11. Local ID (TOPS):
26. Billing Method: T-Term
12. Course Types:
 Level One Basic Skills: Choose One:
27. Billing Period: R-Reporting Term
28. Billing Credits:

Level Two Work Experience: Choose One:

Level Three:
29. Purpose: Choose One:
Placeholder for GE OR
30. Articulation No. (CAN):
Choose One:
31. Articulation Seq. (CAN):

Level Four: If GE : Choose One:
13. Instructional Method: Choose One:
32. Transfer Status: Choose One:
33. Equates to another course?
course number.
14. Lec TLUs:
Contact Hours:
Lab TLUs:
Contact Hours:
Lecture/Lab TLUs:
Contact Hours:
15. Prerequisite:
Particular Comments for Printed Schedule.
.
Selected Topics Courses Form (rev. 9.5.06)
Revised and approved: February 11, 2005/Academic Senate: March 2, 2005
Page 7 of 7