COURSE SYLLABUS – CERAMICS 109

South Suburban College, South Holland, Illinois

The mission of South Suburban College is to Serve our Students and the Community through lifelong learning.

Instructor: Jack Kirkpatrick

Office 4435E hours:  M-T-W-Th. 9-10 AM or by appointment.

Studio: 4348 M-W, 12-3PM & 3-6 PM; T-Th. 10-1PM

Phone: 708-596-2000 ext. 2445

Email: jkirkpatrick@ssc.edu

INTRODUCTION:

Ceramics is an ancient art form that is profoundly related to humanity’s cultural growth and creative expression.  Pottery is resonate with diverse cultural sources and parallels Man’s technological progress. Ceramic’s basic form, the vessel, has a blend of utilitarian function and aesthetic that is undeniably unique in the history of Man. As an artist and teacher, my focus is on the subtle relationship of the human form and vessel. By the end of this course you will become aware of the overlay of form, function, and aesthetic that makes pottery so important to our humanity.

        

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to the art and craft of ceramics. Demonstrated techniques of ceramic forming and decoration are the fundamental elements that will allow students to realize their ideas. The assigned projects will develop an appreciation of technique, function, conceptualization, and the aesthetic of ceramic form.  A practical knowledge of clay and glaze will also be imparted.

 

THIS COURSE IS A STUDIO COURSE. YOU MUST ATTEND AND WORK EVERY DAY AND SCHEDULE STUDIO TIME OUTSIDE OF CLASS.

 

Grade Points

Sketchbook:  The sketchbook will function as a repository for ideas and images that will become source material for projects. The sketchbook will contain; (1) notes on; lectures, techniques, & assignments (3%). (2) Written self-evaluations of your projects (4%). (3) Source material image assignment (3%). = 10% of total grade.

Reading:  There will be assigned reading from various sources.

Exams: = 10% of total grade.

Participation = 10% total grade.  2 excused absences

3 late arrivals or early leaves = 1 absence, 1 absence = (-1%) grade)

Projects: =  70% of total grade. Studio Projects will develop fundamental skills, form, and conceptual content in the student work. Projects may be augmented or deleted by the instructor.

Extra credit: The student may improve their grade by completing extra work in deficient projects.

Required articles:  A small serrated paring knife, fork, 5-10 large plastic bags, plastic bucket, large sponge, and washcloth.

Optional items: Pottery took kit, brushes, band-aids.

EXCESSIVE  ABSENCES MAY CAUSE FAILURE

FOLLOW  EYE  AND  RESPIRATORY  SAFETY  PROCEDURES  IN  ALL AREAS

WORK THAT IS LATE FOR PORTFOLIO REVIEW WILL BE PENALIZED.

NO CHILDREN MAY BE BROUGHT TO CLASS.

ALL STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT WORK FOR THE STUDENT ART EXHIBITION.

ALL PROJECTS MUST BE SIGNED AND DATED ON BOTTOM BEFORE FIRING

SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS:  Contact the Services for Students with Disabilities Office, Room 2268, ext. 2572 for assistance and/or accommodation requests.

CHILD CARE:  Contact the Child Development Center, Room L233, ext. 2210 for assistance with your on-campus child care needs.

                                              

COURSE SYLLABUS – CERAMICS 109

South Suburban College, South Holland, Illinois

The mission of South Suburban College is to Serve our Students and the Community through lifelong learning.

PROJECT OUTLINE FOR CERAMICS 109

This class will cover hand building and wheel thrown clay-forming techniques.

All assignments must be in their final finished state to be eligible for grading or grades may be lowered.

The instructor may vary the assignments and project scheduling or content during the semester.

Work that is turned in late or incomplete will be penalized grade points.

STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING TRACK OF WORK IN PROGRESS, ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES AND TURNING WORK IN PROMPTLY FOR PORTFOLIO AND CRITIQUE.

Projects

(subject to change)

Handbuilt

1. Coil Introduction. This assignment will introduce the technique of coiling. You will produce a coil pot(s) that is/are bigger than the size of your head.

2. Soft slab assignment will explore the use slabs for making bowls and or cylinders or boxes.

Potters Wheel.

3. Vase Form: A thematic study of form using the basic relationships of pottery form’s aesthetics.

4. Bowls: The bowl as a study in form with respect to its function & aesthetic.

5. “Cupology” The cup as a functional object, this assignment will explore the nature of the concepts of functional pottery through the design of a set of cups. This project may be done as thrown project.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

You will be graded upon skill, ability, and creativity demonstrated in your work.  Participation in group discussions and the level of energy put forth during studio activity will also be credited.

All assignments will conform to the guidelines of the assignment and be evaluated accordingly.

1. Construction – The craft of how the pot is put together. Well-finished pots are essential. They speak of the care of the maker.

2. Form – Each pot’s form should be fully developed and have concise attention paid to its basic components and their aesthetic relationship

3. Decoration – This includes the basic design constraints of the assignments as well as the application of decoration.

4. Overall aesthetic – This is an overall balancing of the various components of the pot and how well they compliment each other.

JkSSC/S-13