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)

Course Description

This course is an intermediate-advanced level course involving further development of ceramic building techniques. Historical and contemporary works will be emphasized. The student will also learn to safely and efficiently calculate a glaze. The safe preparation and use of electric and gas kilns will be covered. PREREQUISITE: ART G122. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Examine examples of historical and contemporary ceramics as a stimulus and a point of departure.
2. Utilize complex details of clay management in their art, when demonstrating an ability to make aesthetic and technical judgments about ones work and the work of others.
3. Integrate intermediate-advanced knowledge of pottery making, sculptural forms, glazing and glaze formulation.

Course Objectives

• Apply aesthetic decisions and technical judgments about one's work and the work of others.
• Define health and safety issues that arise from the use of ceramic materials and equipment.
• Create a body of finished artwork that demonstrates expanded proficiency in the ceramic medium.
• Develop an idea from concept to finished work.
• Create a successful sculptural ceramics piece.

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Lecture Content

1. Historical Content
   1. Review of historical and contemporary works
   2. Build upon previous historical knowledge
   3. Significance of current ceramic trends
2. Ancient Traditions
   1. Mediterranean
   2. Asia
   3. Africa
   4. Americas
   5. Europe
3. The Artist's Vision
   1. Creative process
   2. Sources of imagery
   3. Drawing
   4. Aesthetics & techniques
4. Getting Started
   1. Workspace
   2. Health and safety
   3. Tools
   4. Types of clay
   5. Formulated clay bodies
   6. Choice of a clay body
   7. Mixing of clay bodies
   8. Glaze calculations
5. Handbuilding
   1. Drying sculpture
   2. Repairing dry clay
   3. Architectural building

Lab Content

1. Throwing on the Wheel
   1. Form
   2. Altered form
   3. Postfire construction
2. Molds
   1. Using hump molds
   2. Making plaster molds
   3. Slip casting
3. Texture, Color, Glaze
   1. Precautions
   2. Color
   3. Underglazes
   4. Glazing the work
   5. Glaze calculations
   6. Mixing glazes
   7. Applying glazes
   8. Common glaze problems
4. Firing
   1. Safety
   2. Bisque
   3. Glaze
   4. Low fire
   5. High fire
5. Setting up Your Studio
   1. Wheels
   2. Kilns
   3. Clay processing and equipment
   4. Spray booth
   5. Health and safety

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Instructor generated handouts.

Writing Assignments

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

Out-of-class Assignments

Fields 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
• Objective Examinations
• Report
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• 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 appropriate glazes.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students will visit art galleries and museums, and prepare a written report for each of the visits. Students will demonstrate and use building techniques to create hand built or wheel thrown pieces that are finished with glazes created by the student and subsequently fired.

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: Charlotte Speight and John Toki. Hands in Clay: An Introduction to Ceramics. McGraw Hill (2003 (Classic)).
• Textbook: Susan Peterson. The Craft and Art of Clay: A Complete Potter's Handbook. Overlock 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.