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Course Syllabus

ART 2650 Ceramic Sculpture

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 3
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 16

Course Description

A beginning course designed to introduce students to the basic processes involved in creating ceramic sculpture. The course introduces a variety of clay techniques, such as pinch forming, coil building, and slab construction, as well as basic wheel throwing processes. A lab fee is required.

Justification

This course is a standard introduction to ceramic skills and is similar to courses taught at other colleges or universities in the USHE system. It fills an elective for all art majors and is required for ceramic and sculpture majors.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Material Proficiency: An improved understanding of the technical processes and materials involved in creating ceramic sculpture will ultimately lead to a more capable and informed artist.
  2. Conceptual Principles: This knowledge will enhance their formal and conceptual sensibilities. As students develop more refined sensibilities they will be better prepared to effectively communicate complex conceptual ideas by being fluent in the visual language.
  3. Historical Context: The understanding of historical context will be manifested in class discussions and oral critiques at the completion of each project. Students who understand the factors affecting contemporary design will be able to find their place as an active contributor to visual culture, and will be better prepared to thrive in the competitive art market.
  4. Critical Analysis: This imperative aspect of the problem-solving process pushes students to improve at each level. Students who are capable of articulating complex ideas, and receiving critical feedback are better able to contribute to a rich and productive artistic dialogue preparing them to work as professional artists in the future.

Course Content

This course will include lecture, discussion, material demonstrations, independent and collaborative studio practice, critiques, and how each relates to: the design process and its application to the creation of ceramic objects; three-dimensional problem solving; materials and ceramic construction techniques; individual and group critiques, designed to promote constructive analysis of each student's own work, the work of their peers, and historical works of art; professional standards and craftsmanship required in the industry.