Heartland Community College
Humanities & Fine Arts
Course Syllabus for Students
Course Prefix and Number: ART 105-03
Course Title: Ceramics I
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Laboratory Hours: 4
Days and times the course meets: Monday and Wednesday 2:00-4:50
Introduction:
This is an introductory class to working with clay. Students will learn basic techniques of coil
building, slab construction, pinch pots, 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 making it personal and unique. It is crucial that you become involved in the assignments
by perusing them in a way that engages you. All assignments will be idea based, and open to an
infinite variety of solutions. You are strongly encouraged to integrate other interests, ideas and
materials into you work. During this class you will develop skills for analytically looking at art
and a vocabulary for talking about it. We will have critiques throughout the semester. It is vital
for you to develop skills for visually examining your own work as well as others in the class and
verbally expressing 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: Erin Furimsky
Phone number to contact instructor: 862-8620 leave a message there
Instructor e-mail address, if one: erin.furimsky@Heartland.edu lady8bugs@yahoo.com
Location of instructor’s office: ICB2601 (in classroom)
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: Monday and Wednesday 5:00-6:00
Supplies:
You can get your supplies at Hobby Lobby Creative Center at 301 Veterans Parkway. You are
required to buy the Potter Tool Kit for this class. The cost is $10.00. It is in the crafts
department two isles from the unfinished woods area. There are other tools available that I
encourage you to buy, but do not require. Also, Jeffrey Allen may have some kits.
Artist sketchbook (at least 5”x8”)
Potter Tool Kit
*Metal rib
*A wooden tool of your choice
*Needle Tool
*Trimming tools
*Wire tool
Rubber rib
Fork
Japanese bamboo brush (larger)
Small Paintbrush (natural soft fiber)
Fetling or Paring Knife
Small Carving or Shaping tool
Plastic trash bags (light weight)
Newspaper
Clothes that can get dirty
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.
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 slides, bring in books, examples, and hand out readings as a source
of information. We will look at historical work, contemporary work, and our every day 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. When there are class trips planed I expect you to
make every effort to be involved (plus you learn and have fun, imagine that).
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.
I will go over how we deal with reclaiming clay scraps. If this is not done properly we will have
issues.
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 what ever you feel
necessary. These will not be shown to the class, but I will ask to see them periodically.
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.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory! 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 one time. I will check roll at
the beginning and the end of class. Three tardies equals and absence. You are permitted two
unexcused absences, after that you grade is lowered by a letter grade. Only medical and
religious absences are excused (I had car trouble is not legitimate.) 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.
Extra Credit:
Extra credit may be discussed if the situation calls for it or 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. You will
loose points if the work is not completed on time (that means working outside of class time is a
must). This class requires a lot of responsibilities, 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 you projects and be consistent working on them. If you are use to
doing assignments at the last minute, this class is not for you.
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 student. This includes arriving on time and maintaining an
atmosphere that is contusive to working and learning. You can bring in music, but it must be
approved by me and OK with the class.
Cell phones off in class!!!!!
You may take a break at some point during class, but keep it to a ten-minute maximum, please.
You are ultimately responsible for you pieces getting fired. For me to do this you must bring
your piece into the kiln room.
Method of Evaluation
Students will be evaluated based on performance in these areas: creativity, concepts,
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
quiz on the subject of ceramics.
Grading Policy:
There will be four main assignments 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
15% Mandatory attendance
5% Quiz
5% Paper
92 to 100% = A
83 to 91% = B
74 to 82 % = C
65 to 73% = D
Below 65% = F
Course Calendar:
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Week One:
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Week Two:
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Week Three:
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Week Four:
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Week Five:
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Week Six:
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Week Seven:
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Class introduction
Demonstrate some methods of building
Get materials
Introduce Assignment #1
Slides and Images
Demonstrate more methods of building
Discuss slips and under glazes
Assignment #1 Due
Introduce Assignment #2
Go over vocabulary list
Bisque Assignment #1
Have your ideas on paper for Assignment #2
Discuss reading and show slides
Kiln talk/firing methods
Begin glaze demonstration
Make test tiles
Glaze demonstration
Introduce Assignment #3
Assignment #2 Due
Glaze and fire Assignment #1
Studio work time for Assignment #3
Study session for vocabulary and technical quiz
Work on Assignment #3 and bisque Assignment #2
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Week Eight: Midterm quiz
 Assignment #3 due/ Midterm critique and evaluation
 Begin throwing demonstration / throwing handout READ IT
 Introduce Assignments #4 and #5 as we split into two groups
 Week Nine: Ideas and sketches due
 Throwing demonstration
 Slide talk
 Get work glazed
 Visiting artist
 Week Ten:
Trimming demonstration
 Research time
 Go to ISU Gallery
 Week Eleven: Glaze fire Assignment #2
 Assignments #4 and #5 due
 Groups switch
 Demo stamps and slip trailing
 Week Twelve: Throwing demonstration
 Ideas and sketches due
 Week Thirteen:Bisque Assignments #4 and #5
 Glaze testing for Assignments #4 and #5
 Trimming demonstration
 Week Fourteen: Can only do surface work on projects no wet clay
 Individual talks about presentations
 Assignments #4 and #5 due for other half of the class
 Do research
 Week Fifteen: Presentations
 Glaze all work that is left
 Last Bisque
 Week Sixteen: Slides of my work
 Class clean up
 Final critique
*this is subject to change