Course Syllabus

Southeast Missouri State University

Department of Art AR 443

Ceramics 4 New

I. Catalog Description and Credit Hours of Course:

Explores clay and glazes and their formulation, both in practice and in theory, and their significance to creating ceramic art.

3 credit hours

II. Prerequisite: AR 442 or consent of professor

III. Purposes or Objectives of the Course:

A.  To increase the art student’s knowledge of clay bodies and glazes and how they are formulated, both in practice and in theory.

B.  To enable art students to visualize finished ceramic art by testing clay and glaze formulas first.

C.  To enable art students to create complex clay bodies and glazes for specific applications as it pertains to their personal research in the ceramic arts.

D.  To enable art students to be versed in ceramic materials and their limits in various kiln temperatures and atmospheres.

E.  To inform students of the health and safety policies in the ceramic’s lab including proper clean-up procedures.

IV. Expectations of Students:

A.  Attend class and participate in class discussion.

B.  Read all assigned materials.

C.  Participation in hands on assignments and demonstrations.

D.  Work outside of class to complete assignments.

E.  Complete all assignments according to due dates.

F.  Clean up their workspace in lab.

V. Course Content or Outline (Indicate number of class hours per unit or section):

A.  Evaluation will be based on participation during class discussions, studio participation, lab assignments, written exams, and formal class presentations throughout the semester.

B.  Course Outline: (96 hrs total for semester)

a.  Unit 1 – (6 hrs) – Overview of Clay and Glaze Calculation, Health and

Safety with Materials

b.  Unit 2 – (6 hrs) – Simple Clay Bodies

c.  Unit 3 – (9 hrs) – Specific Clay Bodies

d.  Unit 4 – (6 hrs) – Slips, Engobes, Casting slip, Deflocculants

e.  Unit 5 – (9 hrs) – Simple Glaze Calculation

f.  Unit 6 – (9 hrs) – Making a Base Glaze

g.  Unit 7 – (9 hrs) – Single Oxide Line Blend with Base Glaze

h.  Unit 8 – (6 hrs) – Midterm Exam

i.  Unit 8 – (9 hrs) – Multiple Color Test with Base Glaze

j.  Unit 9 – (9 hrs) – Triaxial Blend with One Base Glaze and Colorants

k.  Unit 10 – (9 hrs) – Triaxial Blend with Three Base Glazes with

Colorants

l.  Unit 11 – (3 hrs) – Class Course Clay and Glaze Notebook

m.  Unit 12 – (6 hrs) – Final Exam

VI. Textbook(s) and/or Other Required Materials or Equipment:

A.  The Ceramic Spectrum: A Simplified Approach to Glaze & Color Development, Robin Hopper, 2001, Krause Publications, ISBN 0873418212

B.  It is expected that each student will need to purchase an estimated minimum of $60 in supplies and ceramic materials

VII. Basis for Student Evaluation:

A.  Assignments (cumulative) 600 points

Participation 100 points

Mid Term Exam 100 points

Final Exam 100 points

Studio Clean Up 100 points

Total 1000 points