ART 142: Experimental Ceramics

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

A course for beginning to advanced students to explore the creative possibilities of clay in a workshop setting. Individual projects using hand building or the potter's wheel will be used to create sculpture or pottery. Material fee. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Evaluate previous experience with clay
  • determine personal goals for the semester based on need, skill development and creative expansion
  • Create projects in clay that demonstrate improved and expanded construction skills and technical knowledge
  • Demonstrate increased creative awareness
  • Design, construct and decorate several pieces using clay as an expressive medium while incorporating various handbuilding and throwing techniques on the potter's wheel
  • Show an appreciation for clay as an art and craft medium
  • Analyze and evaluate various aspects of the student's previous work in terms of form, decoration and functional details
  • Demonstrate improvement in design and construction skills
  • Show examples of creative solutions to semester projects

Major Course Content

  1. Description of Course Content, Requirements, Tools and Materials
  2. Maintenance of Personal Daily Log That Will Be a Part of Notebook That is Due at Final Time
  3. Analysis of Individual Learning Needs; Establish Individual Direction for Intermediate and Advanced Students
  4. Design and Construction of Group Assignment; Due at Final
  5. Lectures and Demonstrations in Handbuilding, Glazing and Throwing On the Potter's Wheel
  6. Media Presentations Showing Techniques In Clay and Information About Studio Potters
  7. Render Two Hours of Studio Assistance Time
  8. Visit Craft Galleries and Special Exhibits as Available
  9. Final Semester Review and Individual Evaluation

Lab Content

  1. Wheel throwing
  2. Hand building
    1. hard slab
      1. tile
      2. vessels
    2. soft slab
      1. drape mold
      2. slump mold
    3. pinch
    4. coil
    5. additive techniques
    6. subtractive techniques
  3. Glazing
  4. Studio maintenance
    1. mixing of glazes
    2. creation and pugging of clay
    3. firing of kiln
    4. loading and unload kilns for firing
    5. clean up

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Clay and glazes for the potter, Make it in clay, Clay times, Ceramics Monthly

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

2-3 pp. essays for journal project, museum and gallery visits, and internet project

Examples of Outside Assignments

Over a 16 week presentation of the course three hours per week are required for each unit of credit. Two hours of independent work done out of class are required for each hour of lecture. Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time: Visit ceramics related galleries, shows or museums and do a report on the visit. This could include the Los Angeles County museum of Art-Japanese Pavilion, The American Museum of Ceramics Arts in Pomona, or the Williamson Gallery in Claremont. DEGREE APPLICABLE COURSE: 2 hours of independent work done out of class per each hour of lecture or class work, or 3 hours lab, practicum, or the equivalent, per unit.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab