VAFA181 Ceramics- Hand-Building
Department of Arts and Communication: Ceramics
- I. Course Number and Title
- VAFA181 Ceramics- Hand-Building
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 4050
- IV. Prerequisites
- None
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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Safe shop practices are emphasized. In addition to class studio time, students are expected to work outside of class each week under the supervision of a lab assistant. It is required that all work be glazed fired by the date of the final. There is a material supply cost for this course. Safe shop practices are emphasized.
This course meets the General Education requirement for Arts/Humanities.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- Emphasis is placed on developing a body of work focused on hand-building techniques. Laboratory and practical study of clays and glazes are explored. Students are exposed to the history of world ceramics and current techniques used by today's ceramic artists and industry. Developing a personal viewpoint as an outgrowth of the ceramic process is encouraged. This course focuses on hand-built ceramic forms.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- Apply ceramic hand-building techniques [Arts/Humanities];
- apply technical knowledge of working with clays and glazes to design projects;
- complete a series of projects that use hand-building techniques; and
- apply safe studio practices.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- hand-building techniques, such as coil construction, slab construction, solid building, and pinching
- knowledge of ceramic raw material
- glaze firing techniques
- historical developments and accomplishments within the field of ceramics
- safe shop practices
- use appropriate vocabulary to evaluate and critique personal work and that of their peers in a group critique.
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
- Works are assessed through critiques, based on the successful conceptualization, design, execution, and completion of specific assignments.
- Individual meetings with instructor are held to assess students' overall progress, artistic growth, and safe practices.
- Additional evaluative tools may include one or more of the following: performance-based tasks, discussions, exercises, written assignments, research-based reports, presentations, online activities, quizzes and/or exams.
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Digital images and technology as selected by instructor are incorporated. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 12/04; Revised 6/09; Revised 4/2012; New Core 8/2015; Revised 5/20/24; Revised 6/4/2025