Session 2014-1 Fall
Saturday 8:30-12:30
Room: Dawson Hall D18-1
Email: cdixon@ben.edu
Instructor: Bob Dixon
Available by appointment
217-414-9475
FNAR 161-SP 70 - CERAMICS I
Pre-Assignment: There are no pre-assignments for this class.
I.
FNAR 161-SP70 (3). Ceramics I
Introduction to various hand-building techniques, decorative methods, firing processes and use of
the potter’s wheel.
II.
Textbook and Materials
Listing of recommended not required texts.
Art Pottery of America, by Henzke
Coiled Pottery, by Llandino
Electric Kiln Ceramics, by Zakin
Glazes and Glazing techniques, by Daly
Out of the Earth, into Fire, by Obstler
Ceramics: A Potter’s Handbook, by Glen Nelson, 6th edition.
Extruding Ceramics: by Latka
The Craft and Art of Clay, by Susan Peterson
Materials
Most materials will be paid for by the lab fee, occasionally the student will be responsible to purchase items
necessary for class, ie. Pottery tool kit.
III.
Mission Statement
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse,
ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and
professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine heritage,
we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders in the world
community.
IV. GOALS, Objectives, and Student Learning Outcomes for FNAR 161:
A. Goals
Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly
interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad
range of learning goals, listed below:
1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include
 the relationship of the individual to society: participation in groups and institutions,
 artistic and literary heritage.
5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in
society.
B. Course Objectives and Outcomes. Upon successful completion of FNAR 161, the student will be able
to demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes:
1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of ceramics, both hand-building and wheel throwing
techniques, as well as glazing techniques.
2. Understand the basic technical qualities of ceramics and clay techniques.
3. Demonstrate their understanding of clay bodies, hand-building techniques, glaze application, and
oriental techniques of forming clay.
4. Develop a critical sensibility.
5. Learn self-discipline through independent work.
6. Take the learned information, as a whole, and apply it to their personal style
7. The student will develop spontaneity and allow the discovery of new shape possibilities,
proportional relationships and the potential of subconscious as a source of information
8. Learn the art vocabulary in peer reviews.
9. Understand the chemical formulation of glazes and kiln firing techniques.
10. Develop the ability to communicate through critique of one’s own work.
V.
Teaching Methods/Delivery System
This course is a combination of lecture, in-class discussion, hands on demonstrations of methods,
films, slides, specific assignments, and evaluations and critiques. The class is very interactive. In
order to complete the course successfully, students must come to class and do the assignments in
class. Studio responsibilities are necessary to ensure cleanliness.
VI.
Course Requirements
Critique
All work will be due the day of the critique. Any work not handed in on that day will result in one
letter grade less each day it is late. All assignments that pertain to the in-class work will also be
due on this critique date.
Class Assignments
There will be 10 assignments that will be worth 5 points each, totaling 50 points for the semester.
There will be handouts on terminology and technical information that will be on the final exam,
totaling 50 points. Combined with the assignments, points for the assignment and exam will
constitute the grade for the semester.
Attendance Policy
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their own
learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any absence
must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation for it to be considered excused.
Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any, accommodations are
reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and each undocumented
absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents you
from attending any class(s), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately so it may be
determined what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Reading assignments
Handouts on the assignments will be given during the proposed work. All work must be
completed for the given due date.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman
Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all
University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification,
destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations
and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to
exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may
result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding
the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses
normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic
dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the
members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class
have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to approach
the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic dishonesty:
a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
dismissal from the Institution.
VII.
Means of Evaluation
There will be 5 assignments that will be worth 10 points each, totaling 50 points for the semester.
There will be handouts and discussions on terminology and technical information, that will be on
the final exam, totaling 50 points. Combined with the assignments, points for the assignment and
exam will constitute the grade for the semester.
A – Strong scholarship and initiative, exceeding my expectations; (which are very high)
independently resourceful; personally motivated to perform, improve, and take risks; open and
responsive to criticism; productive self analysis; creative effective choices and effort exceeding
my expectations; marked improvement and artistic growth. Routinely shows unusual attention to
detail, craftsmanship, and presentation. He/she made significant accomplishments in personal
growth, skill, and understanding. Excellent attendance, exceeded expectations in assigned work,
and contributed to the class as a whole.
B – Accurate and complete grasp of assignments; initiative to perform well in class; responds well
to criticism without expanding beyond it or being stubborn in some areas; expected degree of
creativity and effort; improvement in most areas with some artistic growth. Cleanly crafted
assignments with an uneven attention to detail with limited creative choices. Some accomplished
work with uneven evidence of interest, skill and/or understanding.
C – Only barely meets expectations and assignment criteria often mechanically; often without
grasp or purpose. Little initiative to perform well; looks to instructor to define effort needed;
unresponsive to criticism or driven only to find the easiest solution; little or no investment in extra
effort or creativity; minimal skill improvement without artistic growth; B student chronically
inattentive, absent or unprepared for class; assignments are completed but executed without
concern for craft, accomplishment or creative choices. No accomplished work, showing only
basic grasp of course concepts.
D – Missing work or work consistently ignores assignment goals and parameters. No investment;
avoids instruction or criticism; cooperates and work only to avoid failure; C students with
attendance problems. No improvement, no accomplishment, minimal concern for class.
F – Insufficient work or contact to evaluate. Serious attendance problems.
Effort and progress is appreciated and noted. The ultimate evaluation is on the actual work
produced, not on good intentions. Adventure and risk taking are encouraged, but again, the
resulting incident/object must carry itself effectively and address the central principles and issues
of the assignment.
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in
writing to the instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for
which the grade in question was reported. The appeal should contain specific information on why
it is believed the grade reported is inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C”
or better, and a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the
Registrar’s Office. The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the
student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary
signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate
form, with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please
refer to the Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII.
Topical Course Outline: Ceramics I
Introduction
Hand-building
Basic textural techniques
Functional ware
Non-functional ware
Glazing Techniques
Experimentation
Throwing techniques
Trimming and decorating
Safety
IX.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to
participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course
requirements, should contact the Resource Center as early as possible: springaccess@ben.edu or (217)
717-9253.
X.
ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus.
Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other
Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of
instruction.
XI. Calendar: Ceramics FNAR161 will be required to complete all listed assignments and instructor
will assign one new assignment to all assignments due. Quality will be a factor in assessing the work.
Week
Day
Week 1
Sat
Critique
Discussion Topic
Introduction/ safety/ clay forming/film: History of American
Ceramics
8/30
Demonstration on hand-building pinch pots
Week 2
Sat
Lecture on geology of clay/Demonstration on primitive clay,
hand-building assignment.
9/6
X
Week 3
Sat
Critque/ glaze demo for test tiles
9/13
Lecture on kilns/firings/types of glazes/Slides
Assignment on low fire clay and glaze work
Week 4
Sat
9/20
X
Critique/ Demonstration/slides/lecture on chemicals for glazes
Assignment on combining clay forms/alternative color approaches
Week 5
Sat
9/27
Demonstration on throwing on the wheel. Glaze assignment
X
Week 6
Sat
10/4
Assignment due/Critique
Demonstration on joining of handles/appendages/decoration
Slides/Assignment on sculptural additions
Week 7
Sat
10/11
Lecture on the vessel as art/slides/demonstration on form
Assignment to finish with individual approach to glazes
combinations
Week 8
Sat
10/18
X
Film on projects in ceramics Critique on final glazed
assignment/clean up