Course Syllabus Functional Pottery II

PC 230 Functional Pottery II

Class Hours Per Week: 3

Laboratory Hours Per Week: 16

Semester Credit Hours: 7

Contact Hour/Lab Credit Ratio: 4:1

Prerequisites: Functional Pottery I

Description: This course expands on wheel throwing skills developed in Functional Pottery I and involves larger, more complicated forms and production skills, slip and glaze theory, kiln theory, and glaze firing. Topics include centering and throwing larger amounts of clay, and advanced production techniques. This course also provides the student with an opportunity to research and plan a personal clay studio and anticipate associated costs. Topics will include appropriate locations and layout, supply needs, equipment priorities, safety issues, investment needs, and income projection.

• Produce technically competent pots in weight, balance, and proportion
• Design and throw forms in series that match in size and shape
• Produce advanced lids and handles demonstrating personal design ideas and preferences
• Trim and finish projects with personal design preferences
• Apply glazes with personal design preferences
• Load and fire glaze kilns without supervision
• Identify kiln properties and burner types
• Construct and/or supervise the construction of at least two types of kilns.
• Identify suitable locations for a safe personal studio
• Develop a personal studio plan with inventory of needed supplies, materials, equipment, and space
• Set priorities for expenditures and estimate costs and income potential for a personal studio.
• Select materials and tools necessary to make one’s own pottery tools, obtain materials, and construct several basic pottery tools.

Course Outline

I. TIME KEEPING PROJECT

II. RECORD KEEPING PROJECT

III. SAFETY

1. Mixing and applying glazes
2. Safely loading and firing kilns
3. Documentation of the firing process

IV.SEQUENCE OF 8 PROJECTS CHOSEN FROM INSTRUCTOR LIST

V. RESEARCH OF DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SKILLS

1. Slip & Glaze decoration

VI. TOOL MAKING

1. Choosing Tool Projects
1. Retail cost versus construction cost
2. Availability of materials
3. Availability of tools
2. Planning for Tool Construction
1. Sketches and dimensions
2. List of materials
3. Construction process
3. Constructing Tool Projects
1. Tools needed
2. Necessary safety equipment
3. Review process for building

VII. KILN BUILDING

1. Burners
2. Fuel types
3. Design & construction
4. Gas
5. Coal
6. Wood
7. Salt
8. Raku

VIII. STUDIO AND PERSONAL BUDGET PLANNING

1. Location
2. Layout & design
3. Startup costs
4. Operating costs
5. Personal budget

IX. INDEPENDENT GAS KILN FIRING

1. Demonstration of safety
2. Gas
3. Oxidation or reduction
4. Stacking process
5. Firing theory
6. Unloading and cleanup

X. ADDING TO THE PERSONAL NOTEBOOK

Students will complete;