Fall 201
August 25-December 8Monday & Wednesday1:00-3:55
CERAMICS I
ART 23504-01
School of Fine Arts
Professor: Kevin Lyles
Phone: 245.7363/7417Email:
Office: Greer Museum-2nd floor
Office Hours: T,Th 9-11:30
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the fundamental techniques of working with clay, glaze, and firing processes.
PREREQUISITES: Foundations Sequence
CREDIT HOURS: 4
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Text: No required text.
Additional Readings/Materials: Make weekly perusal of Ceramics Monthly magazine available in our library.
All of the clay and glaze materials will be provided by the instructor with lab fees. You will need to acquire by the second class meeting the following items: dust masks, homemade tools, plastic bags, notebook (always bring to class), large sponge, apron or towel, a small bucket, and clay working tools. One way to acquire these tools is to purchase a pottery tool kit. Pottery tool kits can be ordered online, purchased at large art stores, or by calling Columbus Clay at 614-488-9600. You can get by for a week or so until you procure one.
Web Resources: Thousands available by doing a google search.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES--The following outcomes have been adopted for the degree program for which this course is required:
- Student is able to plan and install a professional exhibition of his or her work.
- Demonstrate technical proficiency in their area of study.
- Student is able to document their work and experiences professionally, and engage in professional practice.
- Explain the historical, cultural and conceptual aspects of their work.
- Student is able to conduct independent research in the arts.
COURSE OUTCOMES: The following outcomes have been adopted for this course. Alloutcomes listed below have direct relevance to course material. Upon completion of this course students are expected to:
1. To explore, through the creation of ceramic objects the possibilities of clay and glazes as a means of self expression.
- To acquire a basic understanding of clay and glaze materials.
- To learn the basic techniques and terminology of clay fabrication through constructive techniques including slab and coil building, slumping, decorating, and the firing of ceramics.
Methods of instruction: We will utilize lecture, demonstration, peer evaluation, portfolio/journal, possible tests, class outings and most importantly the creation of work as methods to learn in this course.
Class Work: During Ceramics one you will create works of art without using the potters wheel. Although the wheel is a viable tool for creating works of art, it is also one that is not necessary and will be saved for Ceramics II and above. The following objects are suggested as a required minimum in order to pass this course. There should also be plenty of additional work created.....the point is to develop a work ethic.
slab box with lid12 inch tall finished work
sculptural works 10 high fire works
raku work a work based on an art history reference
Functional work that has a sculptural component.
Keep all of the work that you finish this semester before giving it away or taking it home. During finals week there will be individual appointments to assess the progress you have made over the semester and I will need to see that work to grade fairly. Besides the work each student should have demonstrated their ability to mix clay and glazes, stack and fire a kiln, the application of a certain amount of craftsmanship and studio work ethic.
Grading for the Course: Grading will be base upon a number of criteria. The attached assessment rubric will be utilized to help you understand more clearly the grading process. It will also be used to help me arrive at your final grade. Please keep this rubric available so that you may assess your own progress.
Creativity; This reflects the originality of your work. Are you taking chances, thinking of new ideas, exploring options? Or are you copying works you have seen?
Quality and Quantity;Is you’re the craftsmanship of your work to the best of your ability? And/or do you have an impressive body of work?
Work Ethic& Lab work; Your diligence and persistence of work during and outside of class will make you a better artist and will have consequences for your grade.
Studio Etiquette; This term is used to describe your part in maintaining the integrity of the studio. This includes putting your work away, restocking tools, taking care of facilities and most importantly cleaning up after any mess made.
AQIP Images:As part of the Art Department’s assessment program, each student taking art classes is required to submit a flash drive documenting their work. A separate rubric will be used to determine your grade here.
Portfolio/Journal; The portfolio/journal should be an artist’s compilation of ideas, reflections, technical notes, influences, class notes, museum visits, internet searches, etc... that helps them to become a better artist and/or educator.
Attendance; Missing more than three unexcused absences and/or being consistently late or leaving early will also have an adverse affect on one’s grade.
At the end of the course we will have a group studio cleanup as part of the final. Any student missing this cleanup without making previous arrangements will be dropped one letter grade.
TOPICAL OUTLINE and/or SCHEDULE
This is not a typical lecture and test course. Most of the learning for this course will take place through demonstration by the instructor and then practice by the student. There are however important general dates to remember.
Week 1: Syllabi and Introduction
Weeks 3 and 4: Our first firings
Week 8: Mid-term (reflect on your production)
Week 13: Thanksgiving, the last week to begin new work in wet clay
Week 15: Final firings
Week 16: Final meetings and cleanup
AQIP As part of the Art Department’s assessment measures, each student will be required to hand in a Flash Drive with the following images and naming files. More will be explained about this later.
C1slaboxwithlid_yourname.jpg
C1sculpture_yourname.jpg
C1raku_yourname.jpg
C1highfire_yourname.jpg
C112inchwork_yourname.jpg
C1AH_yourname.jpg
C1AH_yourname.doc
C1project1_yourname.jpg
C1project2_yourname.jpg
C1artstatement_yourname.doc
*museum_yourname.doc
*exhibition_yourname.doc
*These two AQIP files are only required for those majoring in art, or art education.
If you are an Art Major or Art Education Major you also have the additional requirements of;
2. visiting a museum and
3. of entering your work into an exhibition.
Detailed information for all of three of the AQIP requirements can be found at on the department webpage.
Failure to complete these last two requirements in a satisfactory manner will result in a 5% grade reduction for each requirement neglected on your final grade.
SAFETY: The Art Department has recently gone through a major safety review and are implementing those findings. Part of this process is to keep both faculty and students informed. Please go to this link on the department webpage: and read the safety procedures for the ceramics area. Once you have done that please print off the waiver that can also be obtained at this link on the department webpage:
When you have printed that off and signed it, bring it back to the instructor. NO STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO WORK IN THE STUDIO WITHOUT A SIGNED SAFETY WAIVER ON FILE.
FERPA: The University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College are committed to fully respecting and protecting the rights of students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These rights generally include the right to inspect, review and seek amendment to the student's education records and the right to provide written consent before personally identifiable information from education records is disclosed. Under FERPA, students have the right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education concerning alleged failures to comply with FERPA. Please see the Student Records Confidentiality/Rights Under FERPA section of the Student Handbook for details and more information.
ADA POLICY: If a student wishes to be identified as having a physical, mental, or learning disability, that may or may not require reasonable accommodation(s), he/she must register with the Office of Accessibility. These registered students should identify themselves to their instructors and provide a written statement from the Accessibility Office that indicates the appropriate accommodations. The process of a student self-proclaiming the need for accommodation should occur as early in the semester as possible. The Office of Accessibility phone is 245-7339 and is located in Rhodes Hall, Room 116, University of Rio Grande.
*There will be no classes that are cancelled except for school announced inclement weather or other emergency. In the case of instructor absence for reasons of illness or a University function, please utilize this time to work on your projects or your semester portfolio.
** This syllabus is not to be construed as a contract with the student
and may be subject to change**
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Security Officer,
Please allow ______access to the Art Annex for the Fall Semester of 2014 from the hours of 8am to 11pm to work on their projects.
Thank you,
Kevin Lyles, Professor of Art
Ceramics I, Fall 2014