CERAMICS III Syllabus                         Office Phone   410-543-6273

Marie Cavallaro                                                  Office Hours    M W 1-3 T 1-2

Revised Fall 2001                                         other by appointment

                                                                        Home Phone   410-546-1068

 

1.            Suggested Reading Material:            Ceramics Monthly Magazine

                                                            Ceramics Books by Glen Nelson

                                                            Ceramics Books by Daniel Rhodes

                                                            The Complete Book of Ceramics Art,

                                                            by Rothenberg (on reserve in the library)

                                                            The Complete Guide to Sculpture, Modeling and

                                                            Ceramic Techniques and Materials, by Midgley.

            Suggested Texts:                       Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel, by Thomas Sellers

            Required Texts:                        Pottery on the Wheel, by Elisabeth S. Woody

 

2.         BASIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

a)      Maintenance of a notebook with notes to be kept on day-by-day encounters with the Experience of clay (projects attempted, clay used, forming techniques concerning the wheel, decorative methods and materials, cones used, aesthetic and technical analysis, assessments of work and creating ability with clay on the wheel).

b)      Varied collection of products advanced from basic cylinder and bowls. Emphasis on combination of like-thrown forms and repetitive forms (sets).

c)       Display of productions at the end of the semester.

d)      Evidence of comprehension of the subject, and insight into the possibilities of the materials.

e)      One combination thrown and hand-built sculpture through independent study using advanced techniques. (Project subject to change according to needs of class)

f)        A lecture and slide presentation based on a review and interview of a ceramics artist and/or exhibition. Due Date: 8th week. Possible guest artist.

g)      Firing an electric gas kiln. (done in groups of two persons) Assist basic classes

h)      Assistance to CI and CII in making glazes, firing kilns, etc. SIGN UP.

i)        You will be assigned clean up days. Take 10 minutes at the end of class to aid students in clean up.

***** Projects are subject to change to meet the need of the class*****

 

3.            GRADES:

Generally, grades will be based on a number system ranging from 1 to 10 on each project for each area as follows: Craftsmanship – maximum of 10 points; Design – maximum of 10 points. Late work will be reduced in grading by 1 point. Projects may be reworked after the group critique and grading session. Additional credits may be earned for an improved art piece. New assignments and their deadlines will be given by the end of each critique to make way for individual growth. Ceramics II and III may vary as there is more weight placed on craftsmanship (due to the technical nature of the course). Explanation of good craftsmanship and design will be offered through use of visual aids and the particular piece being attempted. Extra points may be earned for outstanding performance in both class participation and final projects throughout the semester.

 

 

4.            MATERIALS:

            Text (Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel suggested) order thru The Book Store

            Set of throwing tools (available at The Book Store)

            Sponge (elephant ear)

            Large clean up sponge

            Small bucket

            Rubber sole shoes

            1 large garbage can with lock

            Cotton or duck cloth canvas 36” x 36”

            Small paint brush (1”) for slip

            Old clothing

            Tape and scissors (masking tape/exacto knife)

            Clay (available at The Book Store) (#153)

 

5.            ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Attendance is required in all classes. Lectures and demonstrations will not be repeated. Three (3) or more absences will result in a reduction of your final grade. The last regularly scheduled class meeting will be a clean up day and double attendance will be taken. Perfect attendance during the semester will gain you points toward your final grade. However, more than three (3) latenesses may result in a lowering of final grade points.

           

In case of inclement weather serious enough to warrant the closing of public schools, classes will continue to meet as scheduled unless announced. If a critique or exam is scheduled for that particular day, it will be subject to postponement until the next scheduled class meeting.

 

NOTE:   Project for extra credit will be accepted for review only after all other works are submitted first.

 

            **********IMPORTANT FOR SAFETY**********

 

Health and Safety            Be sure to read “Safety in Glazing” “Making Clay” “Kiln Loading” “Firing Clay” “Specs on Firing” (TEST)

Each student may receive a copy of the ACMI (Art & Creative Materials Institute) booklet and Xeroxed information particularly pertaining to ceramics. A release form will be distributed.

 

I will review the material pertinent to this course and expect each student to return the form signed by the end of Drop/Add.

 

Sheets are available in the ceramic studio along with safety posters and labels describing chemicals and or the potentially hazardous equipment.

 

Students are expected to act in a responsible manner at all times when working with or around ceramic equipment, chemicals or materials in the room (ex: sink area, water and maintenance).

Assignment Schedule and Corresponding Point Values                   for student use-subject to change

 

                                                                                    Possible

                                                Date Due                   Grade Pts        Grade Pts

 

1. Large dog dish-tooled            Week 2__                   ___5___            ________

    7” diam, 3” tall walls.

 

2. 4 large vessels (pitchers),            ________                     ___10__            ________

    varied forms & tooled, with handles approx. 10”x3 ½”-4” diam

    critique on basic shapes complete, tooled & handles

 

3. 4 large bowls, varied forms             ________                     ___10__            ________

    & tooled approx 8” diam, 5” high

    critique on shapes completed

 

4. Participation project-TBA            ________                     ___10__            ________

    Demo – spouts & stems

 

5. 2 pitchers (spouts)                        ________                     ___10__            ________

 

6. 20 spouts (minimum) 4” tall            ________                     ___10__            ________

    all or nothing (stems)

    may save 6 for project #7

 

7. 6 like goblets-(combine            ________                     ___10__            ________

    small bowl & spout)

    critique on shapes completed

 

8. Final Practical/Written           

 

   a) 1 large vessel (casserole)            ________                     ___10__            ________

     w/ handles & lid-min 6” diam, 4” high-

     suggest making three test-no later than

 

   b) Ceramics review/paper/&            _______                      ___10__            ________

     visuals. Slides or video to be presented to a

    ceramics class. Must be on Exhibition Outside

    Eastern Shore of Maryland. Presented by 9th week

 

   c) One hand built or thrown            _______                      ___10___            ________

      work influenced by artist or exhibit.

      Glazed and completed.

 

   Final Glaze Firing

   Load and fire kiln

   (may have partner) pg.

 

   Final Critique/Double              _______                      ___5___            ________

   Attendance/Attitude/Participation/Clean Up/Assistance to

   CI and CII in kilns/glazes/all glaze fired/other                                               

 

****EXTRA CREDIT****

Completed any   “ x   “ project

or set with 4 or more cups-teach/

workshop (Greenware accepted)-

other (see instructor) accepted only

after all other projects have been

completed-graded last day            ________                     ___5___            ________

 

                                                                         TOTAL __105__            ________

 

 

 

GRADE SCALE:

 

                                    93 – 100  A

                                    80 -   92   B

                                    70 -   79   C

                                    60 -   69   D

                                    0   -   59   F