Heartland Community College
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ART 105-03
Course Title: Ceramics 1
Fall 2013
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 0
Laboratory Hours: 6
Days and times the course meets: Tuesday and Thursday 1:00-3:50 PM
Introduction:
This is an introductory class to working with clay. Students will learn basic techniques of coil
building, slab construction, working solid, and wheel throwing. Drying projects successfully,
glazing, surface decoration and carving, as well as loading, firing, and unloading kilns are all
part of the course. But this is much more than a technical “how-to” class. I will present you
with assignments that require problem solving and creativity. The projects have requirements
that you must meet, but are presented in an open way so you bring yourself to the project thus
making it personal and unique. It is crucial that you become involved in the assignments by
pursuing them in a way that engages you. We will cover many possibilities of form, surface,
space, and concepts as they relate to ceramic art and you. All assignments will be idea based, and
open to an infinite variety of solutions. During this class you will develop skills for analytically
looking at art and a vocabulary for talking about it. It is vital for you to develop skills to visually
examine your own work as well as others in the class and to verbally express your observations.
Catalog Description:
Pre-requisites: None. An exploratory course designed to introduce students to the basic
sculptural techniques of three-dimensional clay design and glazing.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Dane Sorenson
Phone number to contact instructor: 268-8620 leave a message there (for emergency)
Instructor e-mail address, if one: Dane.Sorenson@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICN 1408 (in classroom)
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: By appointment
Supplies:
You are required to buy the Pottery Tool Kit for this class. The cost is about $20.00. You can get
your basic kit at the Heartland bookstore. For additional tools there a few places: Hobby Lobby
(301 Veterans Parkway) or The Alamo II (next to ISU campus, on School St.). All the clay tools
tend to be by the polymer clay section. These big craft stores have lots of other tools that are fun
to experiment with, such as stamps, stencils, and buttons. I encourage you to buy some extra
tools, but do not require it. Last, if you are an online shopper then check out:
http://www.baileypottery.com or http://www.bigceramicstore.com/.
Required Tools:
Artist sketchbook (at least 8”x11”)
Pottery Tool Kit includes:
*Metal rib
*Wooden rib
*A wooden knife tool
*Two loop trimming tools
*Wire tool
*Small round sponge
*Needle tool (comes in most kits)
Rubber Rib
Metal fork and spoon
Fettling or paring knife (dollar store)
Small Paintbrush
Japanese bamboo brush set
Additional Tools:_________________
Small carving or shaping tools
Plastic trash bags (light weight)
Small Container (for slip)
Newspaper (bring for whole class)
Apron or clothes that can get dirty
Sharpie permanent marker
Anything you feel would be interesting and
creative to use as a tool.
I may ask you to get some other items
during the semester.
Have tools for next class.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
ART 105 fulfills 3 hours of elective credit for the A.A. and A.S. degrees. It should transfer to
most colleges and universities as an elective course. However, since ART 105 is not part of
either the General Education Core Curriculum or a baccalaureate major program described in the
Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should check with an academic advisor for information
about its transferability to other institutions.
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
Students who successfully complete ART 105 should be able to:
1. Understand formal issues in functional ceramics and ceramic sculpture.
2. Grow creatively, technically, and conceptually through the practice and resolution of
assigned problems.
3. Employ an aesthetic vocabulary and verbal skill when discussing artwork.
4. Develop confidence in problem solving through the exercise of aesthetic and technical
options via ceramics.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking skills through the process of analyzing and evaluating
works of art.
6. Identify appropriate topics for scholarly research in the history and practice of ceramics,
utilize standard bibliographic and other research tools, select suitable sources and
methodology, and write papers presenting the results of your research while observing
the conventions of scholarly discourse.
Course/Lab Outlines:
I.
Slab hand building
II.
Coil hand building
III.
Mold making
IV.
Wheel throwing techniques
V.
Clay chemistry
VI.
Glaze chemistry
VII. Kiln firing procedures
Methods of Instruction:
I will give demonstrations, show Powerpoints, show movies, bring in books, examples, and hand out
readings as a source of information. We will look at historical work, contemporary work, and our
everyday world around us to inspire creativity. When possible we will also take advantage of gallery
openings, lectures and visiting artists in town.
Class Participation:
Your participation in discussions and group activities is crucial to the learning process.
Everyone brings with them different knowledge and insight, which is important to incorporate
and share. Participation in critiques is a must. If you do not talk during these you do not get
credit. When there are class trips planned I expect you to be involved (plus you learn and have
fun). Ceramics calls for teamwork and cooperation. Firing kilns is a lot of work and everyone is
required to help out with loading, unloading, and cleaning shelves.
Studio Maintenance and Safety:
It is crucial to your health and safety to keep the studio clean. Clay dust can cause serious lung
problems (silicosis) if you breathe too much. Glazes sometimes contain toxic materials. Use
extreme caution when dealing with hot kilns. It is imperative that you behave responsibly when
dealing with these studio items. Never put scraps of clay into the sinks, there are special buckets
for them. Always put things back where you got them. Clean up is a part of every class and a
good studio practice for any artist. Always wash your hands before you eat.
I will go over how we deal with reclaiming clay scraps. If this is not done properly we will have
problems. It is your clay so take care of it.
Sketchbooks:
You are to keep a sketchbook that will act as a source for ideas and a place to work out problems
conceptually and technically before you begin building. These are a collection of ideas, words,
images, drawings, technical notes, glazing information, due dates, and whatever you feel is
necessary. These will not be shown to the class, but I will ask to see them periodically. On the
first day of a new assignment you will turn in a handout related to the project and have images
printed for me. This is in addition to sketches in your book.
Required Writing and Reading:
Students will write papers and do readings on assigned topics pertaining to the theory, history,
contemporary artists and technical aspects of ceramic production.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Canceled Class Meetings on
the new Heartland portal. Go to http://my.heartland.edu to learn what classes have been
cancelled for that day and the upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might
contain a message from the instructor.
Email:
When you correspond with me using email, always use you’re my.heartland.edu email address so
that I may verify the sender and not delete your email as a potential virus.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory and a significant amount of your grade! I often demonstrate and
discuss important information that is hard or impossible to repeat, so it is crucial that you are
here in class and on time. I will check roll at the beginning and the end of class. Four tardies
(or leaving early) equals an absence. You are permitted three unexcused absences, after
that your grade is lowered by a letter grade. If you are doing “C” work already you cannot
afford to miss a class. Only medical and religious absences are excused (you need to provide
written documentation.) If you leave your work area in a poor state I will consider that a tardy.
Please notify me ahead of time if you know you are going to miss class. This does not excuse
your absence, but does reflect a responsible attitude for the class.
Going to lab time does not make up for missing a class. You are expected to work outside of
class time a minimum of 3 hours a week. If you only work during class time you are not putting
enough time and energy into your pieces, this will be reflected in your grade.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit may be discussed if the situation calls for it or it is offered occasionally for outside
class time exercises and art viewing experiences.
Deadlines:
Due dates are crucial to keep because of group firings and keeping things on schedule. I will
hand out a calendar periodically which you should keep with you in your sketchbook. You will
lose points if the work is not completed on time. This class requires a lot of responsibility,
dedication, and time. Class time is limited, so expect to put in outside work time. This will be
done during lab times. You cannot “cram” with clay. You must properly plan your projects and
be consistent working on them. If you are used to doing assignments at the last minute, this class
is not for you.
Late Policy: For every class period following the due date you fail to complete and turn
in an assignment your grade for that project drops 10% which amounts to a little more
than a grade letter.
Student Conduct:
 This is a shared space; you are not the only ones using these facilities. What you use
should be cleaned and put away when you leave, regardless of the condition when you
started.

You are to respect your fellow students. This includes arriving on time and maintaining
an atmosphere that is conducive to working and learning and using manners, please.

You can bring in music, but it must be approved by me and OK with the class. No
lyrically offensive music. If you use headphones please take them off as soon as I start
talking. If I have to ask you to take them off you will no longer use them during class.

Cell phones off in class!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may take a break at some point during class, but keep it to a ten-minute maximum.

You are ultimately responsible for your pieces getting fired. For me to do this you must
bring your piece into the kiln room. Keep track of your own work.

Write your name on your tools and put them on your shelf.

Be very careful of others pieces, especially your shelf-mate.

Clean up after yourselves
Method of Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on performance in these areas: creativity, concept,
craftsmanship, effort, growth, dedication and the aesthetic qualities of their work. In addition to
your studio work, students will be required to write a paper, give a short presentation, and take a
test on the subject of ceramics.
You will have a midterm individual evaluation with me. Work will often be critiqued “in
progress” however it is important to keep up with glazing.
Ceramics is a process that must allow for accidents, misfiring, etc. I keep this in mind when
evaluating your performance however I expect a certain level of proficiency regardless of clays
inherent difficulties.
Grading Policy:
There will be four main projects in this class. Each project will be individually graded with a
chance of 100 total points for each project.
50% Project average
25% Overall effort, work ethic,
and attitude
10% Paper/Presentation
10% Ceramics Terms Test
5% Additional Assignments
92 to 100% = A
83 to 91% = B
74 to 82 % = C
65 to 73% = D
Below 65% = F
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams, online exams, and exams
for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to complete exams in the Testing Center if
arrangements are made with their instructor. For more information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Disability Services:
“If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please
contact Anita Moore, Director of Disability Support Services at 268-8259 or
anita.moore@heartland.edu
Syllabi Disclaimer:
Any change will be at the discretion of the instructor or to meet changes necessary to effective
instruction.
Incomplete Policy: To receive an “Incomplete” as a grade it must be after the withdrawal
deadline, you have a passing grade and you have a genuine emergency.
Course Calendar:
 Week One:



Class introduction
Demonstrate some methods of building
Get tools
Introduce Assignment #1 Historical

Week Two: Demonstrate coil building
 Discuss slips and under glazes

Week Three: Demonstrate more building techniques
 Slip-trailing and stamping
 Demonstrate glaze tiles

Week Four:





Week Five: Demonstrate slab building
 Discuss glaze tiles

Week Six:



Wet Critique Assignment #1
Introduce Assignment #2 Architecture
Kiln talk/firing methods
Go over vocabulary list
Glaze Tile #1 Due
Review for Vocabulary Test
Work on Assignment #2
Glaze Assignment #1
Week Seven: Midterm Vocabulary Test
 Midterm evaluations

Week Eight:




Wet Critique Assignment #2
Introduce Assignment #3 Abstraction
Lecture on Critiquing
Abstract Sketching
Glaze tile #2 due

Week Nine:

Building in the round demonstration
Get work glazed

Week Ten:

Week Eleven: Throwing demonstration Assignment #4
 Glaze fire Assignment #2

Week Twelve: Trimming demonstration
 Withdrawal Deadline with grade of ‘W’

Week Thirteen: Glaze testing for Assignments #3 and #4
 Last Wet Day

Week Fourteen: Last Bisque
 Presentations

Week Fifteen: Glaze, glaze, glaze
 Presentations

Week Sixteen: Mandatory Studio clean up
 Images of Dane’s work

Final Exam Week:
 Final Critique
Glaze Assignment #2 Due