Core Course Review Documentation
Foundational Component Area: CREATIVE ARTS
Component Area Option? No
Yes – Cultural & Global Understanding
Yes – Undergraduate Inquiry & Creativity
Proposed Course:
Credit Hours:
Proposed by:
Date:
Ceramics for Non-Majors
3
Steve Hilton
June 1, 2013
Content: Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts
and works of the human imagination.
This course is designed to be an introduction to ceramic materials, techniques and historic and
contemporary ceramic aesthetic. Other topics explored will include the history of ceramics,
cultural awareness, and critical contemporary ceramic theory with information being presented
by readings, image lectures, individual and class discussion, and guest artists. No previous
ceramic or artistic knowledge is needed or presumed.
SKILLS: Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable
critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art.
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Demonstrate an increased awareness and understanding of historic and contemporary ceramic
aesthetic and critical theory while gaining an appreciation for this aesthetic and theory
Demonstrate knowledge of the influences of ceramic art on culture
Communicate a more informed, imaginative and innovative personal aesthetic while creating
and subsequently critiquing personal and peers art work
Develop problem solving strategies while using critical thinking skills and taking risks
Develop and demonstrate teamwork and social responsibility with involvement in the Wichita
Falls Empty Bowls event held each October
Demonstrate an understanding of equipment safety and possible health hazards associated with
ceramics, while maintaining a clean working environment
Recognize and understand the proper use of common ceramic tools
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of kiln firings to include oxidation and reduction (atmospheric)
methods
Demonstrate basic skill with select hand building techniques
Demonstrate the procedure for loading kilns: glaze and bisque
Demonstrate basic wheel techniques
Demonstrate basic glazing and surface decorating methods
ASSIGNMENTS: Typical assignments will include:
Wheel Throwing
• 10 cylinders
• 10 cups (3 with handles)
• 15 bowls (5 of the bowls will be donated to the empty bowls event. Students in the fall
semester will be working at the empty bowls even helping the organizers with the setup and
exhibition)
Sculpting (handbuilding) Assignments (these change every semester)
• a non-representational teapot
• a sculpture influenced by nature with no bottom
• a sculpture that has a sense or an illusion of motion
• a sculpture that is influenced by a piece of art that the student does not like, which is then
turned into an object the student does like
ASSESSMENT OF CORE OBJECTIVES: Assessments should be authentic, intentional and
direct. The following four Core Objectives must be addressed in each course approved to fulfill
this category requirement:
Critical Thinking Skills - to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,
evaluation and synthesis of information
The Critical Thinking VALUE Rubric and the Problem Solving VALUE Rubric taken from the
Association of American Colleges and Universities will be applied to the two hand-building
(sculpture) problems the students will be assigned during this course.
Communication Skills - to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas
through written, oral, and visual communication
The Creative Thinking VALUE Rubric taken from the Association of American Colleges and
Universities and the Visual Communication Evaluation Rubric taken from Oregon State
University will be applied to the two hand-building problems the students will be assigned
during this course.
Do you think I can drop the Creative Thinking Value rubric or the Visual Communication
rubric? If I dropped the Visual Communication rubric it would do away with one of the
criticisms . . . see attached
Teamwork - to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively
with others to support a shared purpose or goal
The Teamwork VALUE Rubric taken from the Association of American Colleges and
Universities will be applied to the Empty Bowls involvement to which the students will be
assigned during this course.
It will also be applied to student involvement in the studio through the course of the semester and
will evaluate teamwork concerning the following:
• making of the clay from six different materials
• getting it in a homogenous state (mixing and pugging)
• helping each other through the steps of making . . . whether it is throwing or sculpting
• cleaning up the studio on a daily basis
• mixing glazes
• loading kilns (both bisque and glaze)
• unloading kilns, and cleaning after firings.
Social Responsibility - to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility,
and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities
The Civic Engagement VALUE Rubric taken from the Association of American Colleges and
Universities will be applied to the Empty Bowls involvement to which the students will be
assigned during this course.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Provide any additional information supporting course
inclusion in the core (optional).
While there is currently a Ceramics I course offered, it is not appropriate for non-art majors
because of the prerequisites and time requirement/commitment outside of class.
PLEASE ATTACH THE FOLLOWING
1. Syllabus
2. Assessment for Critical Thinking Skills
3. Assessment for Communication Skills
4. Assessment for Teamwork
5. Assessment for Social Responsibility