Adams State University

Beginning Ceramics AR 370

Instructor: Blanca Guerra
E-mail: blanca_guerra@adams.edu

Office: 108
Office hours: Mon/Wed 11am - 1pm
Fri 11am 12pm

Credit Hours: 3
Class Website: www.ASUceramics.weebly.com
Classroom: 169
(can be accessed through Blackboard)
Class Time: Tue/Thurs 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Catalog Description
Problems in utilitarian and non-utilitarian ceramic forms, hand building and throwing
techniques, ceramic materials, and glaze composition in clay. This course is a
continuation and progression from the Beginning Ceramics course. This course has a
course specific fee to cover the costs of some materials.
Curricular Relationships
AR 370 is required for BA in Art and BFA students with an emphasis in ceramics. This
course serves as an option for elective credit for students in all majors.
Objectives
Technical Skill
1. Students will demonstrate a variety of hand-building and throwing techniques and the
ability to choose the most appropriate method for their chosen project.
2. Students will demonstrate slip and glaze surface treatment techniques that enhance
the form and meaning of their chosen project.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of firing techniques bisque and glaze kilns.
Concept
1. Students will create ceramic pieces that communicate their concepts effectively while
expressing their creativity and originality.
2. Students will show development in pursing their own creative ideas and a personal
approach to ceramics.
3. Students will demonstrate creative, aesthetic, and technical growth.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Critical Thinking
1. Students will analyze and evaluate the characteristics, merits and meaning of historical
and contemporary works of ceramic art.
2. Students will demonstrate the ability to think and discuss ceramic work critically in a
Fine Art context.
3. Students will be able to apply appropriate critical language to artworks verbally and in
writing.
4. Students will develop the ability to effectively analyze ceramic works in writing.
COURSE OUTLINE:
AR 370 will include the following topics during the course of the 15-week semester:
A. Wheel Work
1. Sets-Cup forms
2. Sectioned Forms
3. Other Utilitarian Forms Based on Artists Interests.
4. Historical and Contemporary Trimming Techniques
B. Hand building Techniques
1. Coiling
2. Slabs
3. Pinch
4. Surface Decoration:
1. Slip Techniques: Sgraffito, Inlay, Painting
2. Glazing Techniques: Dipping, Layering, Painting, Wax Resist
C. Ceramic Techniques
1. Use of Low-fire, Mid-range, High Fire Clay Bodies (depending on Concept of
Student).
2. Glaze Chemistry
3. Firing Atmospheres-Oxidation, Reduction, Salt, Wood, Raku (depending on
the Concept of the Student).
D. Ceramic History and Development
1. Historical Ceramic Pieces
2. Contemporary Ceramic Artwork

Participation and Academ ic Expectations

Attend all classes, care about the work you are doing in class, see it through, visit the
ceramics studio between classes to move your work along, help others in the class to
succeed, and keep the studio clean.
To get all of the available points you must be ready to work when class begins for any
demos or announcements, and be actively engaged in your work for the entire period.
You must also clean up your workspaces. Students must travel to the library to conduct
their research for all assignments. Students m ust also help load and unload
bisque and glaze kilns throughout the sem ester. An integral part of learning
how to make objects is learning how to look at them. We will have group critiques
throughout the semester. You will be expected to develop your skills as a careful, critical
observer. We will have in-progress critiques for some assignment as well as final
critiques on all completed projects. These will be student initiated and will be a time to
exchange ideas and observations concerning each others work. It is very important that
you make every effort to fully participate in our group critiques. Always be thinking
about how you can participate in the discussion and about what kind of helpful feedback
can you give to the artist we are considering. All participation will be accounted and will
be part of your daily/overall grade.
Grading
Each studio project will be graded on the basis of concept, creativity, craftsmanship, and
effort. All projects must be completed and glaze fired to be evaluated for your final
grade. Grades will not be given or discussed during class time, please make an
appointment during my office hours or check blackboard for Midterm/Final grade.
50%

10%
5%
10%
10%
5%
10%

Assignments
Personal Concepts and Originality
Technical Skill
Level of Craftsmanship
Surface Treatment
Written assignments / Individual Written Critiques
Class Presentation/Research Paper
Class & Lab attendance
Final critique- students display of all fired work
Clean up: Daily and End of the Semester
Event Attendance/Journal

*You are responsible for additional 4 hours of work in the studio outside of class. You will
fill out an individual form for the hours that you work and will receive points for those
hours. Each hour will be worth 5 points (20 points per week). In addition each class
period = 10 pts. (10 x 30 classes).

Description
Overall Effort and Class Participation
(During and outside of class)

Points Available
10 pts. x 30 = 300 pts.
+ 20 points per week = 280 pts.

Preparation: Assignment research

and sketchbook drawings

300 pts.

Creation: Quality and Craftsmanship

of Completed Assignments

900 pts.

Critical Thinking: Quality of

written/verbal critiques
Event Attendance/Journal

300 pts.

Final Critique

150 pts.

Clean Up

300 pts.

Sketchbook

200 pts.

Total:

3030 pts.

300 pts.

Each Assignm ent:

Preparation (research, designs, meaning) 100 pts.
Creation (handling of materials, craftsmanship) 300 pts.
Critical thinking (final evaluation of design and awareness of decisions and
meaning) 100 pts
Total points per project = 500 pts.
Grading Scale:
Letter
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF

Percentage
100-93
92.9-90
89.9-87
86.9-83
82.9-80
79.9-77
76.9-73
72.9-70
69.9-67
66.9-63
62.9-60
Below 60

Required/Recom m ended Reading

Students are not required to purchase a text for AR 370.
Recommended reading and resource publications are available at the ASC library.
Ceramics Monthly, American Craft, Clay Times and Studio Potter all contain a unlimited
source of ideas, glaze recipes, decorations, glazing and firing techniques, kiln design,
interviews with artists and advertisement products.
Issues Unique to this Course
The student is responsible for purchasing additional supplies such as clay in addition to
those covered by the $ 76.00 lab fee. In addition, some of the course content may
include imagery of a controversial nature.
The Ceram ics Studio
Ceramic studios are almost always communal and this one is no exception. Cooperation
between everyone who is sharing this space is of the utmost importance. All members of
this class are expected to respect themselves and all others who use this facility,
including students and instructors of other classes. This includes, but is not limited to
keeping the entire space clean, not exposing yourself or other students to toxic
materials and respecting the workspace of others.
Class Routine
I want you all to think of this class as an instructional class period and as your art studio.
Therefore, our class routine is going to be structured and organized so that you can
have a lot of individual work time. You will grow as artists and critical thinkers if you have
time to create. We will start every class with a group meeting, to go over any important
class business, due dates, if any equipment is in repair, any technical demonstrations,
and assignment presentations.
ART DEPARTM ENT PO LICIES (Revised August 2015)
Event Attendance and Visual Journal Policy
As an Art Department policy 10% of the course grade for all art classes (with the
exception of AR 103 Art Appreciation) is to be derived from attendance at art openings
and lectures and keeping a Visual Journal. The Art Department will supply each student
a journal. The following rubric explains how the grade will be calculated. No more than
two events may be attendance at scheduled movies. (NOTE: Scheduled movies are for
students who need an event to fulfill course requirements for event attendance; other
students, friends or family members are not permitted to attend due to copyright law).
Students who attend every student ART League meeting will be considered to have met
the requirements for one event. Additional events may be scheduled by the
department. A schedule of approved events will be provided early in the semester.

Students who are unable to attend the required number of events for a reason approved
by the instructor must make alternative arrangements to meet this component of the
grade. Alternative requirements are at the discretion of the instructor and must be
approved by each instructor.
10%
10%
5%
5%
5%
0%
0%

4 event stamps (including one L stamp), plus 20 pages per art class in the journal
3 event stamps (including one L stamp), plus 20 pages per art class in the journal
3 event stamps, plus 10 pages per art class in the journal
4 events stamps (including one L stamp), and no journal
Less than 3 events stamps, plus 10 pages per art class in the journal
One event stamp, plus 10 pages per art class in the journal
No event stamps, plus no journal work

ADA Policy
Adams State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Adams State University is committed to achieving equal
educational opportunities, providing students with documented disabilities access to all
university programs, services and activities. In order for this course to be equally
accessible to all students, different accommodations or adjustments may need to be
implemented. The O ffice of Accessibility Services (O AS) is located in
Richardson Hall 3-100, or available at OAS@adams.edu, and 719-587-7746.
They are your primary resource on campus to discuss the qualifying disability, help you
develop an accessibility plan, and achieve success in your courses this semester. They
may provide you with letters of accommodation, which can be delivered in two ways.
You may give them to me in person, or have the Office of Accessibility Services email
them. Please make an appointment with their office as early as possible this semester so
that we can discuss how potential accommodations can be provided and carried out for
this course. If you have already received letters of accommodation for this course from
OAS, please provide me with that information privately so that we can review your
accommodations together and discuss how best to help you achieve equal access in this
course this semester.
Attendance Policies:
Excused Absences
Students are responsible for all information covered in class. Absences will result in
missing critical information, lectures, and demonstrations that may not be repeated.
Missing more than 3 classes will result in unsatisfactory class participation resulting in a
grade drop of one letter grade. All excused absence verifications (except for regularly
schedule athletic travel) will be processed by the Office of Student Affairs Upon
verification of the excused absence, the Office of Student Affairs will notify each of the
students instructors via email. Announcements via Portal are not acceptable forms of
notification for any excused absence. The student must make specific arrangements
with each instructor to make up any missed assignments or examinations. Excused
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absences must also be approved by the professor. Students are expected to put in at
least 6 hours outside of class a week on studio classes and 3 hours a week outside of
class on lecture classes.
Students should be reminded that an excused absence does not exempt them from the
missed assignment or examination, but provides them with the opportunity to make up
the assignment or examination without penalty.
Regularly Scheduled Athletics Travel
The Athletic Director or Head Coach for each sport will provide each student-athlete
with written copies of their travel schedule at the beginning of the semester. Enough
copies should be provided to each student-athlete for each of their instructors. The
written notifications should include the names of all student-athletes likely to travel, the
date and approximate time of departure, and date and approximate time of return to
campus. In the case of unscheduled events such as playoffs or tournaments, notification
should be provided as soon as possible in the same written format. The student-athlete
should provide each of their instructors with this written notification at the beginning of
the semester. The student-athlete must make up any missed assignments or
examinations.
Academ ic Integrity Policy
In the event that an instructor discovers a student has intentionally violated the
academic integrity provisions of the Student Handbook, the instructor may assign a
failing grade for the assignment or course. If a failing grade is assigned, the instructor
will provide supporting documentation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs
(VPAA). The VPAA will create a confidential file concerning the matter. In the
unfortunate event that a student has violated the academic integrity policy on more than
one occasion, the file will reflect all additional episodes. The VPAA may determine what
action is warranted beyond the instructor level.
Children & Pets Policy
As an Art Department policy no children or pets (with the exception of service animals)
will be allowed in any studio classroom at any time. Children will be permitted in lecture
classes only in an emergency situation and only with the instructors prior approval.
Children must be supervised at all times but may not be in the studios. Children are not
allowed to be on their own exploring the art building. Reading or working in the student
lounge is acceptable if the parent/guardian of the child is regularly checking on their
child.
Studio Use Policy
Only students enrolled in a studio class are authorized to use those studio facilities.
Students must obtain a Late Pass, authorizing studio use, before using studios during
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evening hours and on weekends. No undergraduate students may use studio facilities
between semesters or during the summer months under any circumstances, except
during a summer class session. Graduate students must obtain permission from their
major area professor, and may only use facilities in their major area if approved.
W eekend & Evening Access
Students are permitted access only to studios in which they are enrolled in a class.
Weekend access is for art students taking studio classes only (No spouses, relatives,
friends, or children). Exceptions include: models for lighting studio projects and
professor approved exceptions. Students requesting exceptions must provide a
rationale to the relevant professor. Any individuals approved under the exceptions
component must sign a liability waiver in order to be in the building. All persons in the
building on the weekend (both students and those falling under approved exceptions)
must sign in when they arrive and sign out when they leave the building. This allows the
art guard to know where you are in case of emergency.
The art building will be open until 10pm weekdays; students must leave the building by
midnight. After 5pm all doors, except the front door will be locked. Students must
enter through that door. Side doors MUST NOT be blocked open or after hours access
privileges will be removed for all students. Weekend access will be allowed between
11am and 4pm. The east doors will be open for student access; students must turn the
knob to open the door.
M AC Lab Policy
The MAC lab is used for both scheduled classes and for open lab hours. Classes and
open lab hours will be posted on the door each semester. Students must check the
schedule to make sure the lab is available for open use. Students wishing to use the lab
during scheduled class hours must request permission from the instructor prior to using
the lab.
Cell Phone Policy
Cell phones should be set to Silent or turned off during class. Please do not use your cell
phone during class. No cell phones or music on earphones may be used
during class. If this rule is violated there will be a negative affect on your participation
grade. However music may be quietly played from the class radio or from CD/iPod from
the communal radio during work time but only with everyones consent
Health and Safety
Every student is responsible for the safety of themselves, the other students, and the
tools an equipment in this ceramics classroom. The tools and equipment that we will be
using can be dangerous if used incorrectly and that will not be tolerated. If there is any
reason to suspect that a student is being dangerous with the tools or others the student
will be asked to immediately leave the classroom. This includes students that come to
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class under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Each student will be taught how to
use the tools and equipment correctly with many different demonstrations and a written
description of the correct procedures. The pieces of equipment that pose the most
danger are the slab roller, electric wheels, both kilns, the sharp hand tools, and the
chisels for the kiln shelves.
Required M aterials
Please write your name on ALL your tools- you will inevitably leave them in the studio,
and by labeling them, others may properly return them.
Ceram ic Tools:
Ceramic tool kit* ($20)
- small sponge
- loop tool
- ribbon tool
- needle tool
- wire tool
- wooden rib
- flexible steel rib
- wooden tool
Mud tool-shredder* ($12)

Non Ceramic Tools:

Big Sponge (for cleanup)
Bucket
Chip brushes
Spray bottle
Garbage bags
Notebook/sketchbook
Metal fork
1 Lock
X-acto knife*

Optional Supplies
Rubber rib* ($10)
Sumi ink brushes
Flexible serrated rib
Small carving tools
Rubber modeling tools

Industrial grade respirator **

Apron or old towel
Wooden spoon

*Available in the book store

**one disposable respirator will we provided in the start of the semester.
Notebook/sketchbook
Your sketchbook is an indispensible tool. It is the place for you to sketch out your ideas
for your project and to take notes on slide presentations, critiques, weekly topics, kiln
firings, glaze results and techniques. I require you to have a notebook reserved solely for
this class. Your sketchbook may be a three-ring binder or a traditional sketchbook; you
can even make your own with blank sheets of paper. You m ay also use your Event
Journal.