Course Syllabus

Spring 2023 | ART-1231-VR01 - Ceramics I

In Person Class

Standard courses meet in person at CCV centers, typically once each week for the duration of the semester.

Faculty

Maya Zelkin
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Collin Lee

General Education Requirements

Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students explore the design and aesthetics of clay and practice fundamental production techniques including hand-building, wheel-throwing, glazing, and firing.

Essential Objectives

1. Discuss the nature of ceramic materials, their history, and their uses in different cultures.
2. Apply visual considerations such as form, texture, and color to the design of utilitarian and non-utilitarian ceramic forms.
3. Design and construct hand-built ceramic forms using pinch, coil, and slab construction techniques.
4. Demonstrate basic wheel-throwing techniques.
5. Discuss types of glazes and other surface decoration, and apply basic glazing techniques.
6. Describe and employ low-fire and stoneware firing techniques.
7. Discuss and apply ceramic studio safety practices.
8. Examine, discuss and critique art work, including some reference to the art historical, social, and cultural context.
9. Design and complete individual projects.
10. Create a portfolio of clay projects.
11. Display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

During this course students will be taught a variety of clay forming techniques that will cultivate progressive control with the medium. Hand building techniques will be continuously practiced in conjunction with basic wheel throwing. Instruction will include the geologic origins of clay and glaze materials and the process of firing, as well as cultural and historic references. Learning will be primarily hands on and participatory, with a limited amount of lecture and reading.

Evaluation Criteria

This course uses a weighted categories system to calculate final grades:

Participation : 60%

Completion of weekly assignments : 25%

Final project : 15%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Full participation requires active and thoughtful engagement in class each week. The following habits and skills are important. You will have the opportunity to self-assess and receive instructor feedback on each of these areas at the midpoint and at the end of the semester.

1) Attend class regularly and on time for the full semester.

2) Complete each week's assignment before the beginning of the next class.

3) Positively contribute to class discussions and activities.

4) Ask questions and seek help when you need it.

5) Challenge yourself to make the best effort.

Missing & Late Work Policy

If a student cannot be in class, they are responsible for scheduling studio access time independently to complete each week's assignment.

Late work will be accepted up to a week from the missed class. Otherwise it will be considered a lack of participation and will lower the final grade.

You are responsible for checking Canvas for each week's assignment, and/or for contacting me with any questions.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity