Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students will be able to:Explore and develop beginning intermediate level creative ways to solve ceramic process problems using a variety of strategies for making ceramics.Create personal works in clay, which demonstrate a beginning level of understanding of ceramic ideas, materials and techniques.Ask meaningful questions, identify ideas and issues, and be able to actively participate in a critical dialogue about ceramics with others using beginning intermediate level vocabulary.Evaluate and appreciate ceramics of the past and the present from different cultures to initiate a lifelong process of expanding knowledge on the diversity of perspectives in the human experience.Develop a heightened awareness of the physical world, the nature of the relationship of human beings to it, and our impact on it via and experience of making and studying ceramics.Employ self-critiquing skills to develop autonomous expression in ceramics while recognizing the standards and definitions already established by both contemporary and historical works of art from different cultures.

1) Create ceramics that incorporate a variety of technical skills with anawareness of the inherent characteristics of different ceramic processes.2) Begin to generate ideas/concepts with an awareness of the intendedcontent of the produced work.3) Build upon current skill sets with the intent of working towards technicalproficiency.4) Develop safe studio practices in regards to the handling of tools, chemicalsand machinery within a communal studio space.5) Further expand and utilize the necessary vocabulary specific to ceramicswhen participating in class critiques and discussions.6) Begin to assess and self-critique personal work to strategize creativesolutions.7) Begin to develop personal work with an awareness of historical andcontemporary artists working in ceramics.

Complete and present the individual work within a professional studio critique.Begin to understand the vocabulary and concepts necessary to engage within a studio environmentDemonstrate appropriate techniques in beginning intermediate level ceramics and studio habits beyond the classroom studio Demonstrate ability to meet deadlines with proper time management and craftsmanship.Prepare portfolios for professional presentation.

1. Visual awareness and ability to see.2. Methodologies for designing and creating a ceramic work which may include hand building and wheel throwing techniques, and the use of plaster molds.3. Challenges of translating vision to form specific to ceramics.4. Language of ceramics and the qualities that distinguish it from other three dimensional media.5. Ceramics in history.6. Options and possibilities for original work.7. Evaluating ceramics.8. Safety.9. Environmental concerns related to recycling and proper disposal of waste.10. Non-traditional media and combined techniques (e.g., paint, metal, wood, glass).SKILLS AND METHODOLOGIES1. Pinch Pot: effectively create works using the pinch method. Address issues concerning dexterity and moisture control.2. Coiling: effectively create works using the coiling method. Address issues concerning gravity in relation to moist clay.3. Wet Slab Construction: demonstrate various techniques for making moist clay slabs; become familiar with the different qualities of surfaces (rough, smooth, stamped, impressed, inclusions); exercise safe and effective use of tools (knives, pin tools, slab roller, etc.) and maintain tools; successfully demonstrate various wet slab techniques such as slump and hump molds, etc.4. Stiff Slab Construction: demonstrate sound techniques for stiff slab construction; properly prepare the clay (wedging); demonstrate sound procedures for rolling out slabs; demonstrate knowledge of the stages of clay by knowing when to cut and connect.5. Demonstrate ability to successfully create a variety of thrown forms on the potter's wheel.6. Investigate process and alternative solutions for creating complex forms.7. Demonstrate sound glazing techniques such as dip, dunk, pouring, sponging, brushing and spraying.8. Demonstrate familiarity with historical styles by comparing ceramic works to those of other periods.