Waubonsee Community College
Ceramics I
ART 130.002 Sp. 2013
T & TH: 9:30-12:15
Ceramics Bld.
Office Hours:
Doug Jeppesen
Associate Professor of Art/Ceramics
Office: Ceramics, 102
Telephone: 630-466-7900 x2505
djeppesen@waubonsee.edu
M&W noon-12:30, 5:30-6:30
T&TH 9:00-9:30, 12:15-12:45
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to the processes and techniques involved in making clay objects utilizing both the potter's wheel
and hand building techniques. Various forms will be explored. Issues related to functional and sculptural
aesthetics will be addressed.
REQUIRED TOOLS
Pottery Tool Kit (available in bookstore)
Plastic Bucket (1gal.)
Masking Tape
Sketchbook
Towel/Apron
Sandpaper 320 wet/dry
Additional tools you may wish to purchase as needed:
Respirator
Dolan Tools
Work Gloves
Fettling Knife
Calipers
Spray gun
Clean Up Sponge
Mud Tools
Elmer’s Glue
"Elephant Ear" Sponge Welding Gloves
Brushes (various)
Dremel Bits
Most items are available in WCC Bookstore, however some items may be found elsewhere, (Neil Estrick Gallery,
ART Studio Clay Company, Great Lakes, Harbor Freight, or any hardware store).
LAB FEE
The lab fee for this course covers the cost of glaze materials, firing expenses (natural gas and electricity,) wear
and tear on equipment, and miscellaneous consumables. Additionally, your lab fee covers the cost of clay for the
semester. No outside clay is allowed in the studio unless approved by me!
CLASS SCHEDULE
The first 30-45 minutes will be reserved for lectures and demonstrations. I will begin class promptly and will not
repeat demonstrations for your benefit because of tardiness. The last 15-20 minutes of each class is reserved for
clean up. Failure to clean up after yourself will adversely affect your final grade. Please turn off your cell
phone during class or set the ring feature to vibrate. It is annoying to have 15 different phones ringing during
class. While you are in class you cannot be on your telephone, you will need to make your calls or texts during
your break. Failure to abide by this will result in you being removed from the studio. Excessive problems will
result in the student being brought before the Student Conduct Board. Additionally, you will be allotted one 15minute break during class.
TEXT
Ceramics Handbook, Jeppesen
SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS AND RELATED MATERIALS
Ceramics Monthly
Ceramics: Art and Perception
New Art Examiner
American Craft
STUDIO HOURS
Monday
11:00-9:30
Tuesday
9:00-10:00
Wednesday
11:00-9:30
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
9:00-5:00
10:00-5:00
10:00-4:00
Studio Potter
The Log Book
Sunday 10-5
To all students working during another class, scheduled classes have priority of all workspace. Outside of class
time, space is on a first-come first-serve basis. Just because you work at a particular wheel or table does not
mean it is yours. Failure to adhere to studio policies will result in loss of studio time outside of class. The studio
schedule is posted on-line as well as next to the LCD Monitor at the front of the studio; you should check for any
changes during the semester.
There is NO studio time during the Thursday Night Community Ed. Class!
THIS MEANS THE STUDIO IS CLOSED TO YOU ON THURSDAY FROM 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
1
GRADING
Assignments 60%
Quizzes
10%
Skill Tests
10%
Attendance
20%
Total
100%
Semester Assignments
Sketch Book
Spheres
Self Portrait
10 Cylinders
6 Bowls
4 Mugs
2 Bottles
TOTAL
GRADING SCALE
A
90 - 100%
B
80 - 89%
C
70- 79%
D
60 - 69%
F
0 - 59%
Points
500
500
1000
500
600
600
800
4500
On-Line Resources
http://www.waubonsee.edu/faculty/djeppesen/index.html
The following objects will not be fired and discarded immediately:
Incense burners, ashtrays, doorstops, paperweights, or drug paraphernalia.
As the instructor, I have the right to alter the educational process as needed during the semester.
ASSIGNMENTS
Students will be graded on how much time/effort was put forth, were the minimum requirements met, and how
well the object was executed (level of craftsmanship.) Objects are not restricted to utilitarian forms; sculptural
forms may be explored (consult instructor). The assigned items listed above are minimum requirements for the
class; you should create more than the minimum if you expect to earn an A in this class. Assignments are due at
the end of class period listed unless otherwise posted. I have the right to discard any object I do not think is worth
firing, i.e. objects that are too thick, cracked, or of poor craftsmanship. This class meets for 2 hours and 45
minutes twice a week, you will need to plan your schedule and allow for outside studio time to come in and work.
For every hour you are in class, you should spend an additional 2 hours per week studying. So, I should see you
an additional 10 hours per week. Remember, this is not a material you can take home; you will need to schedule
time to come in and work in the studio. Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for me.
Assignments should be created as they are scheduled during the semester, and not completed in two-weeks so
you may work on other objects.
OBJECTS THAT ARE CRACKED OR UNSIGNED WILL NOT BE FIRED; WE DON’T NEED ANOTHER
OBJECT OF POOR QUALITY IN THE WORLD.
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
Students will be required to ask questions during lectures and demonstrations, keep the studio in a clean/healthy
environment, and be a constructive member of the class. Please arrive at the allotted time and stay for the
duration. Do not come in as class begins, drop off your things and go take your break. Lectures and
demonstrations will begin promptly, any missed instruction due to tardiness or absence will not be repeated and
becomes the responsibility of the student to obtain the information from another class member. While I am
demonstrating, lecturing, or leading a critique, students are expected to listen and not carry on personal
conversations or be using your phone. You will be given one warning to cease your chatting/texting,
after that you will be asked to leave the class resulting in an absence for the day. You will be allowed one
(1) absence, after that, your participation grade will drop eight (8) points per absence. Every two (2) late arrivals
or early leaves equal one absence. Missing a scheduled review will count as two (2) absences. At this point you
should reschedule any doctor's appointments or vacations planned during class time. Remember, I did not enroll
you in this class, if you stop attending you must drop yourself from the class.
2
SKILL TESTS
Will be administered twice during the semester to determine the progress of each student, and discuss any
technical problems being encountered. For the 1st skill test the student will be required to throw one (1) cylinder
5" tall. The 2nd will be carried out during the 12th week and will require one 10" tall cylinder. If you miss a skill
test, it is the student’s responsibility to make it up during the next class attended, failure to do so will result in loss
of all points for that skill test.
SKETCH BOOK
You will be required to keep a sketchbook for this class; in it you should record your ideas, thoughts, notes, glaze
applications, formulas, basically anything that pertains to this class. Telling me you didn't know what to sketch is
not an excuse for not keeping a sketchbook, you’re a living breathing, thinking individual, put those funny,
interesting, confusing, irrelevant, obscure, intriguing, fill in the adjective here and put it in your sketchbook! Also,
you could use your sketchbook to take notes, please be aware that if I’m talking about it in class, you
might want to know it. It is not my responsibility to tell you what to write down during class discussions.
QUIZZES
There will be two quizzes during the semester, which will test your knowledge of the material covered in course
lectures and demonstrations. It is your responsibility to take notes, don’t expect me to tell you to write down the
information. Quizzes will be administered during mid-term, and week 16. If you miss a quiz, it is the student’s
responsibility to contact the professor to schedule a make up quiz during the next class attended. Example, if a
quiz is given on Thursday and you are absent, when you return to class on Tuesday, you must take the quiz.
Failure to take the quiz the next day you are present will result in no credit. Make up quizzes will not be the same
format as the in class quiz.
WOOD FIRING
During the semester we fire our Train and Anagama wood fired kilns, and as a student enrolled in
Ceramics I, you will be required to be involved in the process. The dates are listed in the Tentative
Outline of the syllabus and a schedule will be posted in the studio to the left of the whiteboard below the
clock a few weeks prior to the firing. As mentioned, you will be required to assist with the process; this
includes the loading/unloading of the kiln, and signing up for at least one 4.5-hour shift during the
scheduled firing. Shifts run round the clock from 11:00 am – 3:30 pm, 3:00 pm – 7:30 pm, 7:00 pm – 11:30
pm, 11:00 pm – 3:30 am, 3:00 am – 7:30 am, and 7:00 am – 11:30 am. Depending on the firing time,
students will work in groups of 2-4 to fire the kiln. You will be required to read the section on wood firing
in your Handbook, this will help you better understand the process along with the proper attire for safety.
You may earn extra credit by participating in more than one kiln shift during the firing.
WOOD PREP
During the semester we will have scheduled wood prep times that you should plan to attend. These will normally
occur on a Friday/Saturday. During this time, we will need help splitting and stacking wood that we will use to fire
the wood kilns this semester. If you wish to fire a kiln that will utilize wood as a source of fuel or glaze element,
you must split wood. It does not matter how much wood you split last year, unless you’re storing it elsewhere,
you must help out. If I’d take that kind of attitude, then I’d never have to touch another piece of wood from the
amount I’ve cut in the last ten years. Firing with wood is hard work, but if we get each person to give a couple of
hours during the prep time, it really is not that much work. Your cooperation is much appreciated.
INDIVIDUAL REVIEWS
Students will be reviewed once at mid-term and during the final week of class. A comprehensive review of work
produced during the semester will be scheduled during the last week of the semester; students will be reviewed
on an individual basis. All work must be finished appropriately, (trimmed & glazed) or it will not be graded. A signup sheet will be posted towards the end of the semester. Failing to attend will result in failure of the course.
STUDIO CLEAN-UP/FINAL REVIEW
You must participate in the studio clean up at the end of the semester; failure to attend will result in the glorious
opportunity of cleaning the clay trap, if you refuse to clean the trap, your final grade will drop one letter grade.
Failing to attend the final review will result in the automatic failure of the course.
3
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Even though this is a fine arts studio class, which promotes creativity and freedom of expression, students are
expected to conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner at all times while working in the
ceramics studio. This means using appropriate language, being respectful of others, wearing your shirt & shoes
at all times, and keeping your conversation to a minimum during class. Cell phones should not be used in the
studio during class time, please turn them off or select vibrate from the phone menu before you arrive.
The last thing I want are multiple cell phones ringing during a demonstration and students scrambling to
answer it. If you need to make a call, please do it on your break. I understand that there are extenuating
circumstances that require a cell phone to be on at some point due to a family emergency, please discuss this
with me at the beginning of class. Again, poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency for me.
Students are bound by the policies set forth in the Waubonsee Community College Student Handbook.
While you are working during class time, you are expected to concentrate on your artwork and not sit and
talk. There is no way that you can concentrate on making the best possible object if you are constantly
talking. I’ll warn you once and if the conversation does not stop, I’ll assign you a permanent seat like in
grade school. You have to remember, there are a lot of students working in the studio, just because this
is not a traditional classroom setting, does not mean you can do as you please. Failure to abide by this
policy will result in being removed from the class and taken to the Student Conduct Board.
Also, if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend in the same class, you are expected to keep you hands, lips, or whatever to
yourself at all times. No one in this class wants to be subjected to your personal affections for one another.
Failure to comply with this statement will result in being removed from my class.
For safety reasons, children are not allowed in the studio during class or open studio times. I understand that you
may need to come in and check on your work, but children cannot be in the studio for prolonged times. Failure to
abide by this rule will result in the suspension of open studio time for the semester.
Appropriate Attire
During this course you will be in different sitting positions than you have experienced in any other class.
Please be aware of this as you are selecting your wardrobe for the day. Please keep your shirts tucked in
and buttoned properly. You may wish to bring a long shirt to wear while working in the studio to cover
this unforeseen event. If a problem arises with your dress, you will be warned confidentially, and if the
problem persists after the warning, you may be removed for the day for conduct detrimental to a learning
environment.
For safety reasons, children are not allowed in the studio during class or open studio times. I understand that you
may need to come in and check on your work, but children cannot be in the studio for prolonged times. Failure to
abide by this rule will result in the suspension of open studio time for the semester.
Failure to abide by these guidelines will result in the student being removed from my course and possible
sanctions through the Student Conduct Board under the direction of the Assistant Vice President of Student
Development.
Food in the Studio
I have no problem with you bringing in lunch, dinner, or a snack to eat in the studio, but you must clean
up after yourself. If you spill something, please clean it up! Do not leave crumbs on the tables, and throw
away your empty drink containers. We are not here to clean up after you. Failure to abide by this will
result in food being prohibited in the studio.
PERSONAL STORAGE CABINETS
During the semester you have a cabinet where you can store your tools. You will be assigned half a cabinet,
which you will share with another ceramics student. Please note that you get one vertical side and your partner
gets the other half. Please be courteous to one another and do not encroach into the other person’s space. Also,
please do not leave your cabinet doors open as this can be dangerous to others studio members. Ceramics II, III,
and Studio Art students will also have ½ a cabinet next to the wedging table for clay storage.
4
CLASS METAL STORAGE CABINETS
These cabinets are for works in progress, not for student storage of bone dry, bisque or glaze ware (these
items go in your personal cabinet). Each class is assigned a series of cabinets, and you should only be using
the ones assigned to your class. If you put items in another class cabinet, the items will be removed. Also, you
cannot save a shelf as your own space for the semester; this is a community space, please respect your
classmates work. During the semester students drop and leave work behind, if you notice items that have not
been moved in weeks, please let us know and we will discard them. To help with storage problems, every four
weeks at the beginning of class we will purge unclaimed items. To avoid any objects being misplaced, it is each
student’s responsibility to label their work in progress. This can easily be done by putting your name on a piece of
masking tape and affixing it to the plastic. This will also help you identify your work when you come back to it at a
later date. Also, you should never move another student’s work unless you consult them or your instructor.
MUSIC
The studio stereo is intended to serve as background music and at no time should students be turning up or down
the volume as they see fit. If you like, you may wear ear buds/headphones. I have two rules on this, (1) the
volume should be kept low enough that you can hear me at anytime, (2) if the volume is so loud that others can
hear it, you are not abiding by rule 1. If you prefer a quite working environment, you might want to work on the
north side of the studio or build your own studio. We have approximately 60 students working in the studio and it
is impossible to accommodate every ones desired working environment. Also, during open studio times, please
ask the coordinator/lab assistant before changing music, just because you do not like the music does not entitle
you to change it. Open up and discover new music, that’s a pretty cool thing. We don’t live in the 1970’s
anymore; branch out a little. Also, the volume should never be above 30 for any reason.
EXTRA CREDIT
I only offer extra credit for attending visiting artist events outside of scheduled class time and for participating in
an additional wood firing during the semester. The best way to ensure you do not need any extra credit is to be
an active participant in the studio and your own education.
GARBAGE CONTAINERS
Please do not discard artwork in the studio trashcans. This will overload the containers, which can cause the
bags to rip or will make them too heavy for our custodians to lift.
Do not throw pots away in the trashcans that are out in the kiln yard. This makes the containers too
heavy to get into the dumpsters.
IF YOU HAVE OBJECTS YOU DO NOT WANT; TAKE THEM TO THE DUMPSTER BY THE STUDENT
CENTER. YOU CAN LOAD UP A STUDIO CART TO MAKE YOUR TRIP EASIER!
POTTERY WHEELS
Once you have finished throwing, please clean your wheel thoroughly! This includes the tabletop, the side and
underneath of the wheel head, pedal, splash pan and stool. This is important, as there are many students who
work with different clays, and it is imperative to begin with a clean workspace. Please remember to turn off your
wheel, replace the splash pan, place the stool back on the wheel head, and gently place the foot pedal on the
wheel deck. This is imperative, as it will assist out custodial staff in the evening as they clean the studio. Also,
you must clean up any clay scraps of slip on the floor. Clay scraps must be scrapped up with the metal scrapers
from the wedging table. Any clay on the floor must be thrown in the trashcans. Any clay slips must be sponged
up and if necessary, utilize the mop by the back clean up sink. It is imperative to leave the studio clean.
5
PLAGIARISM
Waubonsee Community College Plagiarism Statement
The college is firmly committed to upholding sound principles of academic integrity and responsibility. Plagiarism, one
form of academic dishonesty and misrepresentation, is a serious breach of academic integrity, and, as such, is
considered a breach of the Code of Student Conduct.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is most simply defined as representing another person’s work as your own, whether intentionally through
outright cheating or unintentionally through inaccurate or incomplete documentation. In this sense, plagiarism is more
than the theft of mere words: plagiarism involves ideas, theories, insights, work products, projects and images — all
collectively termed intellectual property. Authors, scientist, and artists own their intellectual property, so any use of this
property without credit is the equivalent of theft. [Refer to Section (I)(B)(1)(b) in Code of Student Conduct.]
Examples of plagiarism include:
n Handing in a paper or assignment (in part or in whole) written by someone else
n Incorporating information from a book or article without documenting the source
n Incorporating information from an electronic source (Web site, listserv, etc.) without documenting the source
n Submitting a paper, assignment or project that was purchased and representing it as your own work
n Inaccurate or incomplete documentation of the source of any information
What is not plagiarism?
The learning process often calls upon students to work collaboratively or seek outside assistance — such work does not
fall within the bounds of plagiarism.
Rules and Regulations 133
Examples of work that is not plagiarism include:
n Working on a group project
n Seeking assistance from the Writing Assistance Center
n Asking another student to read over your work and offer his or her opinion
n Consulting with an instructor on a paper or assignment
Why is plagiarism such a concern?
Plagiarism runs counter to the entire learning process. When a student takes a shortcut to completing an assignment or
hands in someone else’s work, he or she has missed the opportunity to learn. This is a rather disingenuous approach to
education as well as a breach of academic integrity. Furthermore, students who cheat may find that they have really
cheated their own futures, as they may later be called upon to use the very skills and abilities the assignment was
designed for them to learn. Plagiarism is about ownership. Scholars, artists, writers, computer programmers and many
other professionals make their livings through the articulation of ideas. Through publication they have allowed others
access to these ideas but they still own them. Plagiarism robs these individuals not just of their intellectual property but
also of their livelihood.
Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty. Students who plagiarize hurt not only themselves but also other students who have
done the work honestly. Avoiding the sometimes-laborious work of scholarship is not only dishonest; it is also unfair to
those who were willing to put in the time and effort necessary.
What are the consequences for plagiarizing?
The penalty for plagiarizing will be determined by the instructor. Penalties vary based on the severity of the
incident, whether it was outright theft or faulty documentation. However, lack of knowledge regarding
documentation is no excuse for plagiarism. Penalties may include receiving a grade of F in the course,
receiving an F on the assignment and/or referral to the Student Conduct Board.
Penalties for Plagiarizing
If you are caught plagiarizing in this course I will deal with it swiftly and accordingly without any
questions asked.
For the first incident, the student will lose ALL credit for the assignment.
If a second incident occurs, the student will be brought before the Student Conduct Board that will result
in dismissal and failure of the course for the semester.
6
METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Skill tests administered twice during the semester.
Individual evaluation of techniques, production and improvement during semester.
Comprehensive final evaluation at the end of the semester.
For every class period an assignment is not turned in directly to me, it will be lowered one letter grade.
No Exceptions!
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand the role of ceramics and their makers throughout human history.
Demonstrate the skills necessary to successfully manipulate clay using common ceramic tools and equipment.
Understand the physical properties of clay and glazes.
Demonstrate hand and eye coordination while patiently applying theories and techniques widely held in the
ceramics community.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN WORK, ITS SAFETY AND COMPLETION!
ALL WORK MUST BE SIGNED OR IT WILL NOT BE FIRED!
Integrity Statement for Waubonsee Community College
Waubonsee Community College believes that all members of the community have a responsibility to participate in
learning with honesty and integrity. Fundamentally, this principle asserts that all of us – teachers, students, staff,
and administrators – must fulfill the commitments we make as we enter our academic endeavors, and we must
respect the learning process. This respect includes but is not limited to:

A commitment to working hard at learning, both in class and out of class,

A sense of the value that all members of the learning community can bring,

An honest undertaking of all tasks related to the college community.
Students are bound by the policies of the Waubonsee Community College Student Handbook
Class cancellation due to weather will be available on the mywcc web portal.
Or listen to the following stations for announcements:
AM: WMAQ-670, WGN-720, WLS-890, WBIG-1280, WJOL-1340, WLBK-1360,
WFXW-1480, WKKD-1580
FM: WDEK-92.5, WJTW-93.5, WKKD-95.9, WBBM-96, WLLI-96.7, WSPY-107.1
TV: NBC-5, WNG-9, WFLD-3
7
Tentative Outline: Ceramics I T & TH 9:30-12:15
Wk 1
1-22
1-24
Introduction to the studio
Sphere Assignment
Sphere Assignment
Wk 2
1-29
1-31
Discuss Self Portrait
Sphere Due
Demo Self-Portrait
Wk 3
2-5
2-7
work
work
Wk 4
2-12
2-14
Clay & Glaze Discussion
critique
Wk 5
2-19
2-21
work
Fire Train
Load Train Kiln Wednesday
Wk 6
2-26
2-28
Demo Throwing
Cylinder Assignment
Self-Portrait Due
Wk 7
3-5
3-7
Kenyon Hansen Workshop
Kenyon Hansen Workshop
Wk 8
3-12
3-14
Demo Trimming
1st Skill Test
Wk 9
3-19
3-21
SPRING BREAK
SPRING BREAK
Quiz
Wk 10 3-26
3-28
10 Cylinders Due Today!
Demo Bowls & Mugs
Wk 11 4-2
4-4
work
work
Wk 12 4-9
4-11
Finish Loading Anagama
Fire Anagama
Wk 13 4-16
4-18
Demo Bottles
2nd Skill Test
Wk 14 4-23
4-25
Last Class to Work with Wet Clay work
ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE TODAY
Wk 15 4-30
5-2
Glaze
Last Day to Glaze
Wk 16 5-7
5-9
CLASS CLEAN UP
Individual Reviews
Wk 17 5-14
FINAL GROUP CRITIQUE
Demo Handles
Begin Loading Monday April 9th @ 1:00 pm
Quiz
BRING ALL WORK BACK
8