Course Description
An introductory course on pottery/vessel forms and aesthetics made on the potters wheel. Will include glazing and firing technology.
Athena Title
Ceramics Introductory Pottery
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To gain a greater understanding and appreciation of pottery forms, both historical and contemporary. Skill on the potters wheel is emphasized. All pottery forms will be demonstrated and assigned. Students are required to participate in group critiques regularly throughout the semester. They will learn to articulate and orally defend aesthetic points of view. They will also learn to constructively criticize their own work and the work of their peers.
Topical Outline
Week One: Thrown Pottery Forms/History. Clay formation and mixing, wedging clay. Week Two: Centering and throwing cylinders. Week Three: Cup forms; handles; saucers; trimming/finishing techniques. Week Four: Bottles and closed forms. Week Five: Surface treatment; slips and glazes; carving, incising, inlay, etc. Week Six: Bisquing and electric kiln loading and firing. Week Seven: Pitchers and pouring vessels. Week Eight: Sectional throwing and construction of forms using components. Week Nine: Throwing large forms. Week Ten: Platters; plates; slab-thrown plates. Week Eleven: Covered forms; jars; designs for lids and covers. Week Twelve: Tea pots and tea sets; spouts; handles and lids. Week Thirteen: Combination thrown and handbuilt forms. Week Fourteen: Atmospheric firing techniques. Week Fifteen: Glazing and final evaluations and critiques.
Syllabus
Public CV