Course Description: Cultural History of Ceramics Art 10A 3 Units
Spring 2009
Instructor: Jane Rekedal
Office Hours: Portable Office building Q-11, MW 8:00-8:40a.m., 2:30-3:00p.m., and by arrangement
Class meets in Portable Building (PB) 9. Hours are MW 8:45-11:10 a.m. with optional lab session
Office telephone is (408) 848-4833
email: jrekedal@gavilan.edu
General Education Transfer Course- no prerequisite
Required Text: Hands in Clay, an Introduction to Ceramics, third or later edition, by Charlotte F. Speight and John
Toki from Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View, California
Additional optional reading list includes Emmanuel Cooper, Stephen Trimble, Susan Peterson, Bernard Leach,
Michael Cardew, Ronald Larsen, articles from Ceramics Monthly, Clay Times, and Pottery Making Illustrated.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, successful students will demonstrate their ability to:
* Articulate how ceramics and cultural development are interrelated and interdependent.
* Recognize major ethnic styles and significant works of ceramic art.
* Analyze historical and contemporary artwork through criticism, both orally and in written form.
* Express themselves creatively in the ceramic medium, combining traditional forms and styles with personal ideas
and aesthetics.
Method:
The course is designed for lecture, discussion, reading, and demonstration. Slides and videos will be used
throughout the entire course. Time will be allotted also for sharing of examples, practice, and critiques. Students
will be given a variety of assignments, including written homework, papers, and projects, to demonstrate their
knowledge of the material.
Graded Assignments:
45% Projects demonstrating personal artistic expression using the ceramic medium,
selected from project course options.
12%
Four written homework assignments, one per unit, which cover vocabulary, technique,
historical context, and identification of ceramic styles.
10%
One research paper, minimum length three pages using standard college form (see
assignment sheet). This paper may be presented by the student to the class in oral
form for extra credit.
3%
Studio Management
5%
One written critique, minimum length one page, of artwork using the ceramic
medium, after a gallery visit.
5%
Oral critique of own and peer work (may substitute a written critique of own work)
5%
Sketchbooks/glaze notebooks
5%
Participation in student display of artwork
10%
Effort and participation, noted by participation in classroom discussion, activities,
attentiveness to assignments and willingness to engage in learning.
Course Materials:
Text as listed above. Also, see recommended tool list. Clay is purchased in class, through the Gavilan Art Guild.
Evaluation of Individual Projects: The following criteria are used:
Originality, imagination, quality of communication
Application of design principles and historical relevance
Craftsmanship (tool usage, materials application, quality of construction) and presentation
Grading criteria is as follows:
100-90 points = A
89-80 points = B
79-70 points = C
69-60 points = D
Less than 60 points = F
Extra credit may be granted as following:
Additional essay, up to 10 points
Oral presentation of research paper to class, up to 5 points
Help with ceramics sale in December, up to 10 points
Donation of pots to Art Guild, 1 point per saleable item, up to 10 points
Extra studio management, 1 point per job or item completed, up to 10 points
Attendance is extremely important in a studio class as artistic skills develop over hours of practical application.
Four (4) absences will be allowed without lowering a grade. Further absences may be made up with additional
studio time outside of class. Student effort within and without the classroom will be included for evaluation.
Students must participate in class, and must earn 60 points in order to pass. Papers must be turned in by the due
dates or grades will be lowered accordingly, to the point of failure. All students are responsible for maintaining the
classroom in an orderly, clean condition. Students who fail in this will be required to do extra studio maintenance
work and may lose studio privileges. All students are expected to treat each other’s work with the utmost respect
and every effort must be made to avoid damage or loss.
Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact
their instructor, counselor, or the Disabled Student Services Office.
Occupational/Vocational Students: Limited English skills will not be a barrier to admittance to and participation
in vocational education programs.
Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism
will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.
Course Learning Outcomes (ILO):
1. The student will describe the terminology of ceramics. ILO: 3,1
Measure: tests, discussion, critiques
2. The student will recognize the unique contributions various cultures have made to ceramic history. ILO: 3,1,6,2
Measure: tests, discussion, critiques
3. The student will apply appropriate and effective ceramic design. ILO: 5,6,2,7
Measure: project
4. The student will utilize safe and proper techniques and procedures for ceramic production. ILO: 3,2,7 Measure: project,
demonstration
5. The student will recognize the forms and conventions of ceramic art. ILO: 2,1,4,5
Measure: oral and written critiques
6. The student will create a unique, personal communication and effectively use the ceramic medium of expression.
ILO: 5,1,6,7
Measure: project
7. The student will appraise and criticize ceramic works created by his peers and himself. ILO: 2,1,5,4,6
Measure: oral critiques, written critiques
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