Ceramics 1

Course Description:

This is a one semester course in which students can earn 2 credits. Working in a collaborative, studio environment, students will be introduced to the foundations of a variety of hand-building techniques and the potter's wheel. Everyone will learn the properties and stages of clay, safe and proper use of a variety of tools and equipment, proper form building strategies, surface texture techniques, and glazing techniques. Teaching concepts will include traditional techniques of pinching, coiling, slabbing, and/or draping clay to create functional or decorative sculpture and pottery. Students will develop their envisioning skills through developing design plans before each long-term project. Students will be challenged to solve visual, thematic and constructional challenges throughout the development of each piece. Students will learn the basics of how to carefully reflect upon and critique personal work using the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Please note that this course will require persistence, a consistent work ethic, and participation in a rotating studio maintenance system. Students should be prepared to get dirty in this class and may not want to wear valued clothing or accessories that may either get in the way of working with clay or be ruined. Students should bring a spiral-bound sketchbook to class for notes and design plans. Students must take a final written exam at the end of the semester.