Ceramics Minor

This course will introduce students to ceramics as an artform. Subjects will include basic hand-building techniques, a variety of finishing processes, surface development, as well as historical and contemporary perspectives. Through assigned projects, students will demonstrate their enhanced understanding of ceramics. **Fee: a course fee applied via student account.** Studio 5 (Fall or Spring).

This course will examine the evolution of 18th-century European ceramics under the influence of Josiah Wedgwood’s innovative spirit. Considered widely to be the father of modern marketing and manufacturing, potter, social activist, and politician Josiah Wedgwood built an empire from utilitarian objects underpinned by complex relationships between ceramics, technology, and culture. Through a combination of research-based exploration and hands-on, immersive learning, students will develop an understanding of the impact ceramics manufacturing had on such phenomena as social dynamics, social class, business practices, technologies that spurred advanced manufacturing, division of labor, and Neoclassical style. At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the significance of clay within history, the impact of pottery on culture in the age of imperialism, and how Wedgwood’s innovations endure today in the contemporary practices of studio pottery, ceramic manufacturing, and art. **This course requires a lab fee.** (This course is available to undergraduate students.) Studio 5 (Fall or Spring).

This introductory course is designed to give the student an understanding of a variety of basic processes involved in creating hand-built ceramic objects, sculpture, and pottery vessels. There will be an emphasis on manipulating clay using forming techniques such as pinch, coil, solid, and slab building. Students will learn surface finishing processes such as textures and surface carving and decorating with slips, glaze applications, and gain a perspective on material science. The historical, cultural, and technical concerns of ceramics will be explored. These experiences will broaden the students' perspectives of ceramic art and its relationship to the larger world of art. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** (Prerequisites: FDTN-111 or CCER-124 or CCER-128 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Fall).

This course will introduce the student to beginning wheel forming techniques used in the ideation and creation of utilitarian vessels. There will be a focus on form, function and surface development. Students will engage in a variety finishing processes for surface development as well as slip and glaze application. Students will gain an understanding of a variety of firing techniques, as well as an introduction to material science to better understand the properties clay and glaze composition. The historical, cultural, and technical concerns of ceramics will be explored. These experiences will broaden the students' perspectives of ceramic art and its relationship to the larger world of art. Students will be expected to research areas of interest within ceramic history.**Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** (Prerequisites: FDTN-111 or CCER-124 or CCER-128 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Fall or Spring).

Students will build upon their experience to further advance the technical, aesthetic and conceptual understanding of ceramic form and surface. This course will work from a set of prompts which will provide parameters for building individual bodies of work in a variety of different forming processes. Students will work from conceptual and contextual prompts to gain insight and build skills with advanced forming processes, surface investigation, idea development, and documentation. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** (Prerequisites: CCER-206 or CCER-211 or CCER-507 or CCER-512 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Fall or Spring).

This course will introduce students to intermediate forming techniques used in the ideation and creation of both utilitarian and sculptural vessels. There will be a focus on form, surface development, and aesthetics. The student will gain experience with firing methodologies. The students will also work with material science to better understand clay and glaze chemistry. The historical, cultural, and technical concerns of ceramics will be explored. These experiences will broaden the students' perspectives of ceramic art and its relationship to the larger world of art. Students will be expected to research areas of interest within ceramic history or the field at large. This course will introduce students to the skills that are necessary for creating a variety of forms through assigned projects. **Fee: A materials fee is required for this course, and an additional course fee applied via student account** (Prerequisites: FDTN-111 or CCER-124 or CCER-128 or equivalent course.) Studio 6 (Fall or Spring).

This is a class specifically designed for non-majors covering the fundamental techniques and aesthetics of working with clay. Topics covered include the forming techniques, clay mixing, basic properties of clay, glazing and firing techniques and fundamental understanding of historical and contemporary practices and applications. The course includes prescribed projects based on the number of studio hours. **Fee: There is a lab fee required for this course** (This course is available to RIT degree-seeking undergraduate students.) Studio 5 (Fall, Spring).