WESTERN NEVADA COLLEGE
Syllabus Fall Semester 2015
CERAMICS 1 / Art 211
Semester – Fall 2015
Days: Mo We 4:00PM-6: 15PM
Tu Th 10:00AM-12: 15PM
Instructor: Jill Brugler
Email: jill.brugler@wnc.edu
Rm: Aspen 213
Tool Kit available at WNC bookstore for $25.00
Extra clay- 25lb bag pursued at registration cashiers window for $14.50
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Ceramics 1 is a course designed to explore clay as a pottery making and sculptural
medium. The various techniques involved in pottery making are the focus of this
course. These include technical aspects such as forming, glazing and firing. Hand
building techniques and wheel throwing are emphasized. Aesthetics and the
making of personally meaningful clay objects are stressed as well.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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To introduce clay as a medium for creating pottery and art objects.
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To learn the various technical aspects of working with clay including glazing
and firing.
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To further develop an understanding of the design elements, which apply to
3 dimensional forms.
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To further develop an appreciation for the relationship between form and
content in creating clay objects.
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To encourage personal style and dialogue with clay.
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To understand how clay objects have been created and used in cultural and
historical references.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
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The student will develop an understanding for the ceramic process.
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The student will develop a personal approach to working with clay.
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The student will develop openness to visual risk taking and new ideas.
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The student will develop an appreciation for clay as a pottery-making and
sculptural medium.
Special Accommodations:
If you have a disability for which you will need to request accommodations, please contact
the Disability Support Services office (Bristlecone building, Room 103) at 445-3266 or
445-3275 as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
ATTENDANCE
 Three absences will drop your final grade one full letter grade.
 Three tardy (arriving after the class has started or leaving before class is
dismissed) will count as one full absence.
 A 3rd unexcused absence will lower your final grade by one full letter grade.
 A 6th absence will result in an “F.”
 It is YOUR responsibility to drop/withdraw from the class through the WNC
website.
GRADING CRITERIA
Finished ceramic projects 100pts
Note books/power points 50pts
Participation / critiques 25pts
Clean up
25pts
A= 190-20pts
B= 180-189pts
C= 170-179pts
D= 160-169pts
F=below 150pts
DESCRIPTION OF ASSESMENT AND EVALUATION
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Completed projects meeting requirements
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Evidence of time commitment – craftsmanship
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Visual risk taking and working with new ideas – originality
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Participation in class discussions and critiques
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Clean up
Academic Integrity:
Students are expected to do their own work. If a student turns in a project done by someone else,
he/she will receive 0 points for that project and will not be allowed to make it up. Students are
expected to maintain a studio class environment and keep personal conversation to a
minimal, respecting others working in the studio classroom.
REQUIREMENTS
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A) Attendance: Three absences will result in one full grade drop.
Three late arrivals will count as one absence.
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B) Complete assignments within the course schedule.
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C) Participate in class discussion and critiques.
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D) Maintain notebook and show one power point.
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E) Clean up.
INSTRUCTOR POLICIES
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Students are expected to attend all class on time. Three absences result in a
drop of one letter grade. Students are responsible for dropping course if
necessary.
All works must be original and made by the student enrolled in the class.
All work must be signed into the clay to ensure academic honesty, or it will
no be fired.
No cell phone use or text messaging during class time. Unless on five minuet
break out of class.
Be respectful of other’s artwork.
No guest, friends, relatives, children allowed during class time.
Smoking is not permitted in any classroom on campus. No food permitted in
the studio. Covered drinks are allowed.
Students are expected to maintain a studio environment, which includes
minimal conversations. Conversation and visiting can take place out of the
classroom, during the five to ten minuet break.
Come on time and be prepared.
Do not come to class on drugs or alcohol.
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This syllabus is intended as a guide and outline. Changes to specific items to
be covered in class may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.
Student will be notified of any changes.
Ceramics 1 Art 211 Syllabus and Course Guide, Fall 2015
Week 1: 8/31-9/3 - Introductions to studio. Project one: Five pinch forms,
different textures unity in relationship to one another.
Week 2: 9/7–9/10 – No class 10/7 LABOR DAY. Continue project one. Project
two: two part pinch pot seed pot with scraffitto.
Week 3: 9/14-9/17 - Continue project two. Project three: Pinched mugs with
coils and handles. Set of two.
Week 4: 9/21-9/24 - Introduction to glazing. Project four: Coil construction.
Form with negative space.
Week 5: 9/28-10/1– Continue on project four and introduction to glazing.
Week 6: 10/5-10/8– Project five: puki effigy jars. Coil construction.
Week 7: 10/12-10/15 - Continue on projects five.
Week 8: 10/19-10/22- Critiques on finished mugs. Project six: Soft slab
facemask.
Week 9: 10/26-10/29 – Finish masks and display.
Week 10: 11/2-11/5- Continue Project six and glazing. Start of power points.
Introduction to potters wheel and throwing.
Week 11: 11/9-11/12 – Project seven: thrown cylinder any size.
Week 12: 11/16-11/19 – Project eight: thrown mugs with handles.
Week 13: 11/24-11/26– Project nine two pinched part whistles. 11/25-11/27
NO CLASSES THANKSGIVIND HOLIDAY.
Week 14: 11/30-12/3 - All work must be bisque.
Week 15: 12/7-12/10- Last week to glaze and last glaze firing.
Week 16: 12/14-12/15– – Final Critique & Potluck. Set up 7 to 10 finished
pieces for display.