Suffolk County Community College

SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE
VA61 –CERAMICS I


Professor Edward J. Burke
Summer 2007

OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
Upon the completion of this course, the student will memorize and use the correct terminology for the following:

1.    Demonstrate the fundamentals of hand building:
a.    Clay preparation, prepare the clay to the correct consistency for wedging and hand building which employs:
•    Correct coil techniques
•    Constructing techniques
•    Shaping techniques utilizing both graduated and silhouette templates
•    Identifying wall thickness
•    Trimming techniques
•    Scoring and the use of slip for attachment methods
•    Surface treatments including but not limited to:
Embossing, burnishing, carving, looping, appliqué, and porcelain slips.
b.    Solve both homework and studio assignments creatively
c.    Identifying stages of greenware (e.g. moist, leather hard, bone dry)

2.    Prepare for firing techniques.  Learn and use correct terminology for:
a.    Bisque firing (first firing)
b.    Glaze firing (second firing)
c.    Glazing application methodology.
d.    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how and why glazes function.
e.    Employ and utilize on your work (hand built objects) the four methods of glazing.

3.    To acquire an understanding of the historical and contemporary use of hand building.

a.  Utilize  library research in order to make useful decisions during the design phase.
b. Visits to museums and galleries, by participating in our bus trips.

PROCEDURES FOR LEARNING
a.    Participation in demonstrations
b.    Hand building demonstrations (coils, slab, and pinch)
c.    Discussion of tool techniques
d.    Slide lectures
e.    Participate in discussions

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
a.    Regular attendance is mandatory.
b.    Students are expected to devote at least 8 hours a week of additional time (outside of class).  These times are posted in the classroom.
c.    Students must present all semester’s work at final critique as part of their grade along with all homework assignments.
d.    Students must complete all assigned studio problems and demonstrate a basic degree of skill in handling the material.
e.    Students must keep a notebook of demonstrations and lectures, i.e. various clay bodies, colorant tests, glaze lectures, hand building demonstrations and information gained from reading assignments.
f.    Students will be expected to record the application of glazes on every object produced this semester.  This may be done by a quick sketch of the piece.
g.    It is the duty of every student to perform assigned clean-up responsibilities after each class meeting, i.e. clean wheels, wedging tables, sinks, and glazes.  Students who do not take part in these activities will be penalized by reducing their final grade a half letter grade.
h.    YOU ARE EXPECTED TO RESPECT YOUR CLASSMATES’ RIGHT TO AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO CONCENTRATION.

ATTENDANCE
The rules covering attendance appear in the catalog.  Excessive absences or lateness will lead to failure of this class.  The college defines excessive absences as more than one week of classes.  Therefore only two absences are allowed.  More than 2 absences will cause a withdrawal from class.  If the student is late twice, this counts as one absence.    This is a studio course.  The knowledge that is gained in this course comes almost exclusively from working in class with your instructor.  This cannot be made up outside of class.  Therefore, it is absolutely essential that you be in class.  However, you are responsible for all information that transpired in class should you happen to be absent.  This includes such things as the homework and materials you are required to have for the next class.  Disruption in class such as talking (other than relating to studio assignments), eating, leaving and reentering the room regularly, and arriving late to class will not be tolerated.  The instructor reserves the right (by college policy) to ask a disruptive student to leave the classroom.  This will count as an absence.  All beepers and cellular phones must be turned off before entering the studio for the duration of the class.  Headphones of any kind are not permitted.  It is important for the student to contact the instructor in the event of illness, etc.  The student should call the art department secretary at 451-4093 and make sure to leave a message.


GUILDELINES FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS
A college education, like all learning, should be a challenging and rewarding experience.  Learning changes us, enhances our understanding of the world, forces us to make choices and take risks, and provides lifelong benefits.  Your academic attitude will make the difference.  You share responsibility, along with your professors, for your education.  These responsibilities include behaving courteously and respectfully toward your professors and your classmates and becoming self-disciplined in your learning.  For a successful college experience you will need to:
•    Attend all your classes,
•    Come to class fully prepared and ready to participate,
•    Meet the requirements established by the professor,
•    Listen, question and respond in class,
•    Allocate adequate study time for two to three hours for every hour spend in class,
•    Avoid last-minute cramming,
•    Create a weekly study schedule and study every day,
•    Make academic responsibilities a priority in your daily life.

GRADING PRACTICES
While each student will be graded on an individual basis in terms of their own personal potential, there are a number of objective criteria that will be used in determining a final grade.  They are:
a.    Completion of all assigned projects and all homework assignments.
b.    Participation within group critiques.
c.    Personal production.
d.    Degree of skill in handling clay defined here as craftsmanship
e.    Evidence of forethought and investigation in solving problems.
f.    Progress from the Beginning of the semester until the end.
g.    70% of your grade will be the completion of all class assignments
10% Attendance
10% Participation in group critiques, preparation for class, studio maintenance and compliance to class rules as well as all homework.
10% ADULT BEHAVIOR.  Appropriate manners and respect for your peers and your professor.
h.    Do not assume that if you complete all class assignments, have perfect attendance,
      show effort and class involvement; this means an automatic grade of A.  In fact
      this is standard for an average grade.

SUGGESTED BOOKS FOR READING

The Craft and Art of Clay, Susan Peterson       
Ceramics, Glen C. Nelson               
Hands in Clay, Charlotte F. Speight           

CERAMIC STUDIO PROCEDURES:

1.    Do not handle other student’s work unless instructed by the professor
2.    Clean tables, wheels and floor around work area at the end of all sessions.
3.    Return all tools, bats, rolling pins molds, back to original location.
4.    Bats should be scraped with wood rib and wiped with damp sponge.
5.    Wash-up.  Wash all tools in the large sink only.
6.    Observe all rules in glazing area.
7.    Ceramic studio is open to all students who are currently registered for a ceramic course only.
8.    All pots must be signed with your name and section number.
9.    All tools and equipment should be labeled with your name in permanent magic marker.

LOCKERS

Each student in Ceramics, Sculpture, and or Painting classes will be issued part of a locker (shared) for each of the classes she/he is in.

HOMEWORK

30 texture objects

MATERIALS

Basic Ceramic Tools:  - Kemper Tool Kit
1.    cutting wire
2.    trimming tools
3.    elephant ear sponge
4.    throwing rib
5.    household sponge
6.    teasing needle
7.    12 inch ruler
8.    fettling knife – Kemper #97 – 4 ½ inch blade
9.    household fork (stainless steel)
10.    rubber rib (rubber kidney)
11.    one kit of natural bristle brushes
12.    six plastic dry cleaning bags
13.    terry cloth towel or roll of paper towels
14.    hand cream
15.    apron or oversized shirt
16.    (5) quart plastic bucket