Course Description

This course provides an advanced exploration into the ceramic art medium, building upon the foundational and intermediate skills acquired in Ceramics I and II. Students will significantly refine their technical abilities in both hand-building and wheel-throwing, tackling more complex forms and ambitious projects. A strong emphasis will be placed on cultivating individual artistic voice and developing sophisticated aesthetic sensibilities through in-depth discussions of historic and contemporary ceramic art, critical analysis, and self-reflection. Students will also further their understanding of glaze application, surface treatment, and firing techniques to support their increasingly complex artistic visions. Expect to push the boundaries of your personal creative language and engage in a rigorous pursuit of ceramic excellence. Group 2 course.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

4

Lecture Hours

2

Lab Hours

2

Required Prerequisites

ART 152

Recommended Prerequisites or Skills Competencies

ART 132

General Education Outcomes supported by this course

Critical Thinking - Direct

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

• Demonstrate an understanding of material properties and apply suitable tools and techniques for working with ceramics, sculpture, and plaster.
• Recall a logical sequence of steps in ceramics and sculptural construction.
• Develop professional art practices by applying to juried exhibitions, articulating a personal artistic vision through a written statement, and demonstrating best practices in the packaging and shipment of artwork.

Application:

• Skillfully execute various ceramic construction techniques (coil building, soft and hard slab).
• Operate a pottery wheel, extruder, slab roller, and clay pug mill.
• Perform mathematical equations as demonstrated (e.g., for slip casting material or plaster/alginate measurement).
• Problem-solve design challenges through pen-and-paper sketches and orthographic drawings.
• Repair cracks in clay.
• Follow instructions to load and unload kilns, and assist in gas kiln firing methodology.

Integration:

• Integrate thinking, designing, and glazing bisque ware, or painting/applying color to sculpture while considering the environment as part of the piece.
• Dismantle and re-assemble various project components, demonstrating an understanding of how parts relate.

Human Dimension:

• Recognize their own abilities and limitations in the context of ceramic and sculptural work.

Caring - Civic Learning:

• Demonstrate eagerness and responsibility by having projects ready, listening to announcements, and actively engaging with project details.
• Demonstrate a developing interest in experimenting with various measurement techniques for different materials.

Learning How to Learn:

• Reflect on your performance on course projects and develop an action plan for continued growth and development.