Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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Course Title: Intermediate Ceramics
Course Prefix & No.: ARTS 2150 LEC: 2.5
LAB: 6
Credit Hours: 4.5
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course continues and deepens the exploration of skills, concepts and history of studio ceramics begun in
ARTS 2050. Students will be coached in problem-seeking/solving and encouraged to identify and negotiate the
path(s) they wish to take forward. In addition to learning to plan and fabricate more complex forms, students
will participate in loading and firing electric and gas (when available) kilns, discuss material and equipment
sourcing and opportunities for continuing their studio practice inside and outside the academic setting.
COURSE PREREQUISITE (S):
ARTS 2050
RATIONALE:
This course fulfills a requirement of the Associate of Arts Degree. Skills acquired will help enable the student
to continue and develop personal art practice and add to the knowledge of process and studio management
required for teaching ceramics.
(Optional) TEXTBOOK(S)
Title: A Potter’s Workbook
Author:
Clary Illian
Publisher: University of Iowa Press
AND/OR
Title: Hands in Clay
Authors: Speight, Toki
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
REQUIRED MATERIALS/TOOLS: clay/glaze materials are provided by the studio with negotiated class fee
Kemper Pottery Tool Kit (or comparable Doo-Woo set)
Stanley Sur-form pocket plane replacement blade or other Sur-form styles
Serrated rib
Short-bladed paring knife or fettling knife
Notebook, pencil
Terrycloth towel
Hair tie, clothing appropriate for claywork, fingernail clipper
Decent quality plastic bags (e.g. leaf bags, tall kitchen garbage bags)
Other materials as needed
Attached course outline written by: Susan McGilvrey
Reviewed/Revised by:
Effective quarter of course outline: Winter 2009
Academic Dean: Thomas McDonnell
Date: 16 Oct 09
Date:
Date:
Date:
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
(Page 2 of 3)
TITLE: Intermediate Ceramics
PREFIX/NO: ARTS 2150
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explore historical and contemporary examples of claywork for problem-seeking/problem-solving and
negotiate personal course goals with instructor.
2. Plan, visualize, fabricate hand-built, wheel-thrown or sculptural claywork as negotiated. Use tools and
materials to create work in series to develop ideas and skills to express personal artistic goals. Use
demonstrated and researched techniques to finish and process surfaces.
3. Exhibit understanding of studio practice, materials management, firing, health & safety issues
4. Gain knowledge of historical and contemporary studio ceramics, claybodies, firing/glazing techniques
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
Unit 1—Review studio practices/learning strategies
1. Clay-making
2. Studio procedures, etiquette
3. Health and safety concerns
4. Creativity—problem seeking
5. Craftsmanship—problem solving
6. Time management
7. Listening and questioning skills
Unit 2—Review and expand wheel-throwing skills
1. Choose standard forms to explore through researching historical/contemporary examples
2. Create several series of vessel forms based on research
3. Vary forms in series to explore alternative answers
4. Identify options for personal stylistic progress beyond standard forms
Unit 3—Review and expand hand-building and sculptural skills
1. Choose forms to explore through researching historical/contemporary examples
2. Create several series of vessel or sculptural forms based on research
3. Vary forms in series to explore alternative answers
4. Identify options for personal stylistic progress beyond standard forms
Unit 4—Loading and firing skills, studio management
1. Understand when and where to move finished claywork in the studio
2. Learn basic concepts of firing electric and gas kilns
3. Observe/load (with supervision) greenware into electric kiln
4. Observe/load (with supervision) glazed bisqueware into gas kiln
5. Discuss local and regional sources for materials and equipment
Metropolitan Community College
COURSE OUTLINE FORM
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to fabricate a variety of objects with clay
using techniques and skills appropriate to the intermediate level of studio ceramics to manage finishing/drying,
to understand and participate in firing procedures.
Grades are based on demonstrated mastery of course content (development of skills, craftsmanship, problemsolving), attendance and participation in studio activities.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/ASSESSMENT MEASURES
COURSE OBJECTIVES
ASSESSMENT MEASURES
1. Explore historical and contemporary examples
of claywork for problem-seeking/problem-solving
to begin negotiation with instructor on course
content
1. discussion with instructor
2. Plan, visualize, fabricate hand-built, wheelthrown or sculptural claywork as assigned. Use
tools and materials to create work in series to
develop ideas and skills to express personal artistic
goals. Use demonstrated and researched
techniques to finish and process surfaces.
2. portfolio/critique
3. Exhibit understanding of studio practice,
materials management, firing, health & safety
issues
3. discussion/quiz, record of attendance,
observation of students in studio
4. Gain knowledge of historical and contemporary
studio ceramics, claybodies, firing/glazing
techniques
4. documented participation in field-trips,
gallery/studio/library visits, audio/visual materials