Chabot College
Catalog Description:
16A – Introduction to Ceramics I
(May be repeated 3 times)
Course Outline for Art 16A
INTRODUCTION TO CERAMICS I
Fall 2010
3 units
Instruction in the fundamental techniques of wheel-thrown and hand-constructed clay forms. Survey of clay and glaze materials and reaction to fire will be included. Methods of decorating using glazes will be introduced. Influence of Eastern and Western contemporary and historical works and the students' creations. Formulate personal creative process, including inspiration, experimentation, and evaluation. Designed for art majors as well as general education students. 2 hours lecture, 4 hours studio.
[Typical contact hours: lecture 35, studio 70]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1. master basic technical skills of preparing clay for use on the potters' wheel;
2. employ basic technical skills of making forms on the potters' wheel;
3. employ basic technical skills on hand-constructed clay forms using coil methods;
4. demonstrate basic methods of surface enrichment and its relationship to form and function;
5. compare and contrast the basic methods of surface enrichment by using various applications of glazes to enrich the surface;
6. show an awareness of the relationship of contemporary and historical work to the students' ability to express themselves
Course Content (lecture):
1. Surface enrichment techniques on wetware, green ware, and leather hard clay a. Impress a design or shape on a form b. Carve a design on a form c. Apply clay to a form d. Apply texture to a form
2. Surface design and glaze application techniques on thrown forms after bisque firing a. pouring a glaze color over a form or a section of the form b. dipping the form or a partial part of the form into the glaze bucket c. spraying the form with a glaze or an oxide using an air brush or spray gun using the spray booth d. applying wax resist on to sections of the form where glaze is not wanted or to create a design
3. Artistic influences: a. Cultural: Eastern and Western influence on the vessel, design and decoration b. Historical: form, function, design, decoration, and the firing process c. Developing and individual awareness of ceramics, understanding the potentials and the of the media. Experience and appreciation of the craft as an art form
4. Creative Process: a. Inspiration: based on individual expression b. Experimentation: develop technical skills
Course Content (studio):
1. Instruction in the preparation of clay for throwing on a wheel or hand-building a. Wedging used clay for the purpose of removing air pockets from the clay
2. Techniques of wheel-thrown clay forms a. Centering a ball of clay on the wheel b. Opening the clay after it has been centered

Chabot College
Course Outline for Art 16A, page 2
Fall 2010 c. Pulling up the walls of the clay to create a cylinder d. Shaping the clay to the size and shape desired e. Tooling or trimming excess clay off the form when it is leather hard
3. Techniques of hand-constructed clay forms a. instruction in coil building of a cylinder by implementing the extruder or making coils by hand
Methods of Presentation:
1. Classroom lectures and demonstrations of wheel throwing, hand building design techniques and various firing techniques;
2. Video and slide presentations of Masters' and contemporary clay artists' work;
2. Classroom student wheel activities;
3. Classroom critiques done individually and Masters' works in groups.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments: a. Center a ball of clay on the wheel. Open and bring up walls. b. Create a wheel thrown bowl any size completely trimmed and glazed based on instructor's demonstration. c. Create a handbuilt decorative form of 12” or more made by coiled clay based on instructor's demonstration. d. Using the wheel, throw a cylinder 6” to 8” tall, measured by instructor or an assistant.
(This assignment may be done anytime you feel you can achieve this task.)
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress a. Measure improvement growth in skills and craftsmanship of wheel throwing. b. assess pieces to determine if met goals for activity. c. Classroom participation. d. Written mid-term examination on terminology and techniques e. Critique and evaluation of all assignments will be done for final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
None
Special Student Materials:
1. Clay
2. Tool kit (available in bookstore)
3. Bamboo brush
SE:cp
Revised 11/18/09