Syllabus
Ceramics 1
ARTS 2346
Summer 2011
Instructor: Carol Schwartz
Phone: 713.717.6600
Email: carol.schwartz@hccs.edu
Office Hours: Before or after class, by appointment
Class Time: M, T, W, Th 5pm – 10pm
Course Description:
All ceramics courses fulfill the fine arts requirement for the core curriculum. They also fulfill the
following core intellectual competencies: reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking,
and computer literacy. Class time will include scheduled and impromptu field trips, slide
lectures, demonstrations, time to work on projects, and critiques. Students will equally share the
work of processing the clay pieces (including kiln loading and unloading) and daily maintenance
of a clean safe studio. In addition, all students will take part in an end-of-the-semester studio
clean up.
Ceramics 1 students will be presented with information on ceramic/ art history, design
aesthetics, and building/ decorating/ firing techniques—all of which will be described in lectures,
slide presentations and demonstrations. Emphasis will be on form and surface experimentation,
as well as development of personal expression.
Student Learning Outcomes:
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Complete a minimum of 1000 words in writing assignments
Demonstrate safe studio habits, materials handling, and equipment operation
Build a clay form using the pinch technique
Build a clay form using the coil technique
Build a clay form using the slab technique
Make forms on the potter’s wheel
Participate in end of semester clean up
Build a form using a combination of techniques
Explore a variety of slip application techniques
Explore a variety of glazes and application techniques
Explore a variety of subject matter
Explore a variety of styles (representational, abstract, non-representational)
Demonstrate knowledge of the medium from art historical and cultural contexts
Prepare one work for an exhibition and participate according to instructor or college.
Grade Scale: 90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
0 - 59
A
B
C
D
F
(complete project, excellent quality)
(complete project, good quality)
(complete project, fair quality)
(complete project, but poor quality)
(incomplete project)
Late Work: All assignments must be complete by the beginning of class on the due date. Late
assignments will be deducted one letter grade for each class period it is late.
Attendance: HCC policy states that students who miss more than 12.5% of class time (more
than 12 hours of this class) will be dropped. More than four absences will lower your final grade.
Please speak to me as soon as possible if you have special circumstances that are affecting
your attendance.
Tardiness: Students arriving late, or leaving early, can miss important information and
interfere with other students’ learning. For this reason, both late arrivals and early departures
will be viewed as “tardies” and 3 tardies will be counted as 1 absence.
Withdrawls: Be certain you understand HCCS policies about dropping a course. When
considering withdrawal from a course, remember that:
1. No grade is given and your transcript reflects no record of the course if you withdraw
before the Official Date of Record.
2. A “W” (indicating withdrawal) appears on your transcript if you drop a course after the
Official date of record and before the final deadline.
3. The final deadline to drop a course is four weeks before fall or spring semester finals
and one week before summer semester exams.
4. There are two ways to officially withdraw from a course:
a. Complete an official withdrawal form available at any campus.
b. Write a letter stating your request to withdraw to the Office of Student
Records.
5. The effective date of your withdrawal is the postmarked date of your letter.
Incompletes: An incomplete “I” will only be given in very special circumstances such as a
major emergency at the end of the semester. Students with poor attendance will not be given
an “I”.
Failing Grades: Students with poor attendance and incomplete projects will probably receive
an “F”.
Students who are dependents on insurance plans, students with visas, or students
receiving financial aid are expected to understand the consequences of receiving a “W”, “I”, or
“F”. In some cases, such a grade could cause the loss of financial aid, insurance coverage, or
change in student visa status. Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520,
if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.
Final Grade: potential 100 points
10 points/10%
class participation
Includes attendance, participating in critiques, shared studio jobs, final clean-up, obeying
texting and cell phone policy. An entire 3 hour class period will be dedicated to studio
clean up at the end of the semester. Poor attendance , texting, talking on cell phones,
leaving cell phones on will lower this grade.
10 points/10%
final exam
The exam will cover information given in handouts, lectures, and demonstrations. There
is no make-up exam.
10 points/10%
getting supplies/quizzes
There are no make-up quizzes. Your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Getting proper
supplies counts as one quiz. Students must have required supplies by June 7.
10 points/10%
writing component
Complete a minimum of 1000 words. Also, glaze records and research for final project.
60 points/60%
4 art projects (each valued at 15 points/15%). Each project’s
grade is based on:
1) idea development. Failure to make sketches and or templates will lower your
project grade.
2) ambitiousness
3) a well-designed form & surface
4) craftsmanship
5) glazing technique
College Policies:
Course Repeating: Students who repeat a course three or more times now face significant
tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your
instructor/ counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course
withdrawal, or if you are not receiving passing grades. In the spring, repeating students who
have no desire for semester credits can sign up for this course under “continuing education,” at
the same cost as first-time ceramics students.
Academic Dishonesty: The HCCS policy on scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited
to cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion:
1. Cheating on a test includes:
a. Copying from another student’s test paper; using during a test, materials not
authorized by the person giving the test
b. Collaborating with another student during a test without authorization
c. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in whole or
part the contents of an unadministered test
d. Bribing another person to obtain a test that is to be administered
2. Plagiarism means the appropriation of another’s work and the unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own written work offered for credit. This is especially
true of work taken from sources via the internet.
3. Collusion means the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing work
offered for credit.
Possible punishments for academic dishonesty may include a grade of 0 or F on the particular assignment,
failure in the course, and/or recommendation for probabion or dismissal from the college system.
Disabilities: Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric,
vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the
Disability Services Office (Room 102 SJAC, or call 713-718-6164) at the beginning of each
semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by that office.
Medical Insurance: Information regarding low-cost health insurance for students is available in
the Fine Arts office. Such insurance covers both injury and illness, both on and off campus.
Under Texas state statute, HCCS is immune to liability in the event of accident or injury.
Academic Advising: Academic advisement concerning specific Fine Arts courses and degree
plans for Art is available students during the academic semesters. Please sign up in the Fine
Arts office, FAC 101, to speak to a full time instructor in your area of interest.
Tutoring: Students are encouraged to take advantage of tutoring services offered by the
English Dept located on the 3rd floor of the Fine Arts Center next to the English Office. Torors
will assist writing assignments and are especially helpful for students when English is a second
language. In addition, online tutoring is available 24/7 at www.askonline.net. Submissions are
returned within 24 hours or less.
Studio Policies
Health Policies: The following policies are dictated by safety or health. They are very
important and must be followed:
1) students must follow all safety rules
2) students are responsible for prompt cleaning of all their work areas
3) no food or drink in the studio
4) no children in studio or courtyard
5) Due to the toxic nature of some ceramic materials, the following groups should
consult with the instructor before taking ceramics:
a) persons with a chronic disease of lung, liver, etc.
b) pregnant women
c) women trying to conceive
d) nursing mothers
Open Studio: Like all college courses, work outside class time will be necessary. You will
have access to the ceramics studio. See open studio hours page.
Room Keys: To enter a locked studio, you need to present your key card to the fine arts office
secretary. Please return the key immediately after unlocking the room. However, if you want to
pick up or drop off the room key, you must get to the fine arts office 1/2 hour before the above
closing times. See attachment: Use of Art Studios. There will be a $65 fee for lost or stolen
keys.
Studio Limitations:
 A college ceramic studio is meant to handle the volume of work typically done by
beginning and intermediate students. In this studio, there will be a limited number of kiln
firings per semester. When kiln space is limited, preference will be given to students
who have had fewer pieces fired.
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Kilns and ceramic studio are reserved for:
1) students currently enrolled in Central College ceramics classes
2) other Central College Art students when their teacher arranges studio time for class
projects
3) current Central College Art faculty
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These items are NOT allowed in our Central College ceramic studio:
1) clay that is not on the approved list
2) pieces that have been bisque-fired elsewhere (they can not go in our kilns)
3) slips, glazes, or overglazes that contain lead or cadmium.
(Please show all commercially bought slips & glazes to your instructor—so
he/she can help you check for the Non-toxic label and the proper firing cone.)
Studio Lockers: If you use a locker, please give me the combination or an extra key.
Broken pieces: Because ceramics is a fragile medium it is expected that some pieces might
break during drying, loading, or firing. Please save the broken parts to show me. Oftentimes,
they can be glued together. If you break someone’s piece, leave an apologetic note with your
name signed.
Cell Phones: I consider it extremely rude and disruptive when students use cell phones, send
or receive text messages, or even wear headsets during class. Please turn off your cell phones,
beepers, or any other electronic communication devices upon entering classroom and put them
away. This means don’t even have your phone on vibrate. Turn it off. Do not take or send calls
or text-message during class time. Do not wear cell phone headsets in the classroom or in the
courtyard. Even if your phone is turned off, you are not allowed to wear your phone headset
during class. Do not make phone calls or send text messages during end of class clean up.
You will get a 15 minute break each class. You may make phone calls and send and receive
text messages during the break, outside the classroom and courtyard. I do not want any
interruptions between 1pm and 5pm. Students who do not comply with this policy will be asked
to leave for the day and their final grade will be lowered. This means that if your phone even
rings during class, you will be asked to leave. For emergencies, have people call 713-718-6600
and the office staff will bring you the message.
Guests: You are welcome to bring adult guests to see your work during open studio hours.
Your guests may not use the ceramics facilities to make anything.
Animals: Please do not bring pets to the studio. Service animals, however, are allowed.
Approved Clays
SUMMER 2011
HCC/Central Art Department
The Art Department at Central College/HCCS has approved the following clays for use in our
classes.
 None of these clays is low-fire.
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Low-fire clays (cone 06) can end up in a high fire kiln and create melt-downs.
These clays are Talc-free.
Talc is sometimes contaminated with asbestos (which is highly toxic and difficult to remove from a studio).
Some talc companies use inadequate asbestos-testing techniques, so their safety claims are not always
valid.
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Clays that are NOT on this list MUST be approved through your instructor
BEFORE using.
Note: if a clay can be fired to cone 10, it will be talc-free and can be used in our studio.
Clay bags MUST be marked with your name, the clay name, and the cone number.
Unmarked clay will be removed from the studio.
Approved clays/Ceramic Store:
cone 5 stoneware:
cone 10 stoneware:
cone 10 porcelain:
Cinco Rojo
(NOT Cinco Blanco)
Buffalo Wallow
Red Calico
reddish @ cone 04, plum @ 9-10
Armstone
Balcones Dark
Balcones
Balcones White
Gruene Butter
Dillo White
B-mix 10
(NOT B-mix 5)
brownish @ cone 9-10 reduction, coarse, good for thick pieces
dark brown @ cone 9-10 reduction
light brown @cone 9-10 reduction
lighter than Balcones
reddish @ cone 04, grey @ 9-10, coarser than Cinco Rojo
reddish @ cone 04, plum @ 9-10, darker than Buffalo Wallow
blend of Balcones & Dillo White, smooth
white and smooth
white and smooth
Porcelain
Windsor porcelain
Southern Ice
Toshi Porcelain Slip
eggshell white, fair on the wheel, crack/warp resistant
white in oxidation, off-white in reduction, translucent when thin
a very white and translucent porcelain from New Zealand.
smooth casting slip; Fires white in oxidation/ eggshell in reduction
(NOT Laguna Porcelain Sip—a cone 5 “porcelain” casting slip which has Talc)
Approved clays/Texas Art Supply: on Montrose near Fairview
cone 10 stoneware:
No. 1 Stoneware Clay ($21 for 25 lbs)
Stoneware Special II ($21 for 25 lbs)
[We do NOT recommend these clays because they are twice the cost of the Ceramics store,
and frequently too hard. But the store is close to campus.]
Other Approved
Clays:
recycled cone 9-10 clay from our studio recycling buckets
Any clay you dig up yourself (must be tested first, to determine firing cone.)
Cost of Approved Clays from the Ceramic Store
for HCC/Central students
SUMMER 2011
Below are the approved clays from the Ceramic Store. Different clays can be combined into 1 order. It is
always cheaper to buy in larger quantities. If 2 or more students buy clay together, using only 1 invoice,
you can get this better rate. To pay, you can pool your cash, OR 1 person can write a check or use a
credit card (with others reimbursing that person).
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STONEWARE, CONE 5
25lb
50lb
100lb
CINCO ROJO
12.50 (.50)
BUFFALO WALLOW
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RED CALICO (WC881) ……….
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22.50 (.45)
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37.00 (.37)
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40.00 (.40)
STONEWARE, CONE 10
25lb
50lb
100lb
BALCONES WHITE …………..
BALCONES
BALCONES DARK
ARMSTONE
GRUENE BUTTER
DILLO WHITE
B—MIX 10
.......………..
12.50 (.50)
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12.75 (.51)
22.50 (.45)
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23.00 (.46)
PORCELAIN, CONE 10
25lb
PORCELAIN …………………… 12.50 (.50)
WINDSOR PORCELAIN ….….. 18.25 (.73)
SOUTHERN ICE
22lb = 38.50 (1.75)
TOSHI PORCELAIN SLIP 1 GAL= $10.98
50lb
37.00 (.37)
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43.00 (.43)
100lb
22.50 (.45)
37.00 (.37)
35.50 (.71)
68.00 (.68)
88LB = 146.08 (1.66)
1002 West 11th St.
Houston TX 77008
713.864.6442
outside the Houston area 800.290.8990
Email: ceramicstoreinc@sbcglobal.net
Store hours are:
Monday – Thursday 8:30 to
5:30
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Friday -- Saturday 9:30 to
4:00
Warehouse closes 1/2 hour before
store closes.
Required Materials
Due June 7, beginning of class.
Other materials may be required later in the semester
Pottery tool packet, ceramics store
3 large trash bags
Bucket with handle
Plastic container with a lid
Large sponge, ceramics store
2 small towels
Rubber gloves
Fettling knife, ceramics store
Fork
Modeling tool with a rounded edge, ceramics store
Paint brushes (small and large), ceramics store
25 lb bags of cone 10 clay.
Only purchase your clay from the Ceramic Store Inc.
Monday – Thursday 8:30 to 5:30
Friday -- Saturday 9:30 to 4:00
713 864-6442
1-800 290-8990
Optional materials:
Rasp, hair dryer, spray bottle, red rubber rib, mini rolling pin, wooden paddle
Most materials are available at the ceramic store inc. (1002 West 11th St.) located at W. 11th St,
east of Shepherd or Texas Art Supply on Montrose between West Gray and Fairview.
The ceramic Store will be closed from June 25 @ 4pm till July 5
Summer 2011
Calendar
Week 1
6/6
6/7
6/8
6/9
Intros, pinch pots
sketches due, begin project #1, surface decoration
work day, slip applications
work day, slab demonstration, project #1 due at end of class
Week 2
6/13
6/14
6/15
6/16
sketches for project #2 due, work day
work day
work day, potter’s wheel demo
project #2 due and end of class
Week 3
6/20
6/21
6/22
6/23
6/24
work day
work day, begin glazing
work day, glazing, raku firing if ready
last class day to work on project #3 and #4
(not a class day) last day to work on wet clay
Week 4
6/27
6/28
6/29
6/30
last bisque, potluck dinner
glazing
glazing
finish glazing, load kilns, raku
Week 5
7/4
7/5
7/7
no class
final clean up
final, critique