Academic Catalogs

ART G122: Ceramics 2

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/18/2025
Top Code 100230 - Ceramics
Units 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 1.5;  Lab/Other Units 1.5)
Hours 108 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; Lab Hours 81)
Total Outside of Class Hours 54
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)

Course Description

This course is an intermediate level ceramics class following Art G121. The principles of ceramic materials, techniques, and design of hand built and thrown work will be emphasized along with the introduction of mold making, glaze making and kiln loading. Specific aesthetic and technical criteria of ceramic design including historical applications will be emphasized. PREREQUISITE: ART G121. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Identify the historical significance of ceramics.
  2. Integrate intermediate skills of pottery-making, sculptural forms, glazing, and glaze formulation.
  3. Use a broad range of intermediate ceramic vocabulary.

Course Objectives

  • Explain the historical significance of ceramics.
  • Analyze the principles of ceramic materials, techniques, and design.
  • Apply individual aesthetic decisions and judgments related to their own work.
  • Compare contemporary and historical pieces of ceramic work.
  • Produce intermediate ceramic work such as a teapot, molds and mold casting.

Lecture Content

  1. Historical Significance of Ceramics
    1. Japan
    2. China
    3. England
      1. Pottery
        1. Sculptural
        2. Industrial
        3. Porcelain
  2. Contemporary Ceramics
    1. Japan
    2. China
    3. England
    4. United States
      1. Pottery
      2. Sculptural
      3. Industrial
      4. Porcelain
      5. Local clay bodies
  3. Getting Started
    1. Health and safety
    2. The creative process
    3. Sources of imagery
    4. Drawing
    5. Aesthetics/Technique
    6. Tools
    7. Choice of a clay body
    8. Clay recycling
  4. Advanced Surface Techniques
    1. Underglazes
    2. Slips
    3. Engobes
    4. Oxides
    5. Carving techniques
  5. Setting Up Your Studio
    1. Wheel
    2. Tools
    3. Kiln
    4. Health and safety

Lab Content

  1. Throwing a Series of Work
    1. Mugs
    2. Bowls
    3. Vases
    4. Teapot  
  2. Handbuilding a Series of Work
    1. Teapot
    2. Architectural pieces
  3. Glazing
    1. Research Glazes
    2. Develop a palette of glazes
    3. Mix glazes
    4. Understand firing temperatures
  4. Develop a Personal Visual Language
    1. Style
    2. Aesthetics
    3. Functionality
  5. Mold Making
    1. Press mold
    2. Multiple part plaster mold
    3. Pouring a mold

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Instructor prepared handouts.

Writing Assignments

Students will visit art galleries and museums, and prepare a written report of the visit.

Out-of-class Assignments

Field trips to art galleries and art museums to view ceramic works of art.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

54

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Oral Presentations
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Given a set of criteria, students will create free standing ceramic structures using appropriate construction techniques and determine appropriate glazes.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will visit art galleries and museums, and prepare a written report of the visit. Students will demonstrate and use building techniques to create hand built or wheel thrown pieces that are at least 18 inches tall.

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: Charlotte Speight and John Toki. Hands in Clay: An Interoductiin to Ceramics. McGraw Hill (2003 (Classic)).
  • Textbook: Susan Peterson. The Craft and Art of Clay. Overlook Hardcover (2012 (Classic)).
  • Textbook: Louisa Taylor. The Ceramics Bible - Revised Edition. Chronicle Books (2022).

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Art: Master’s degree in fine arts, art, or art history OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in humanities OR the equivalent. NOTE: “Master’s in fine arts” as used here refers to any master’s degree in the subject matter of fine arts, which is defined to include visual studio arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and metal and jewelry art; and also, art education and art therapy. It does not refer to the “Master of Fine Arts” (MFA) degree when that degree is based on specialization in performing arts or dance, film, creative writing or other non plastic arts.