California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Art & Languages
UCC Approval date: 5/2/2020
A. Protocol
Course Name: Ceramics Studio
Course Number: ART 382
Credits: 3 crs. Repeatable up to 18 credits.
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 18
Maximum Class Size (online): N/A
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

develop skills in forming and finishing ceramic works using the potter’s wheel and hand forming
techniques.
demonstrate proficiencies in designing and “re-designing” utilitarian vessels.
demonstrate the skills needed to perform the ceramic procedures of surface embellishment, glazing and
the firing of ceramic works in various kinds of kilns.
produce a body of works representing a series of studies based on form, an idea, a technical process or an
expression in the context of art.
identify ceramic works of historical significance, the processes used to form and fire the pieces and the
cultures that produced them.
demonstrate a working knowledge of contemporary artists, techniques and movements in the ceramic
arts.

C. Catalog Description:
Ceramics is an exploration of clay through hand building techniques and the potter's wheel. Students will
examine the various forms and functions of the ceramic vessel. The course will focus on forming
processes and the glazing and firing of pieces made in the studio. (3 crs.) Repeatable up to 18 credits.
D. Outline of the Course:
1. History of ceramics in various and their significance to contemporary clay objects.
2. Processes used in the past with comparisons to contemporary techniques.
3. Demonstrations of hand-building techniques including coiling, pinching, and slab processes.
4. Throwing on the potter's wheel and making pottery after gaining skills in centering, opening, and pulling
the clay.
5. Trimming and finishing techniques including application of handles and decorative slip surfaces.
6. Finishing techniques through firing including non- traditional firing processes such as pit-firing and Raku.
E. Teaching Methodology:
1. Traditional Classroom Methodology
The teaching methods used include lectures with support by the use of slides, films, and examples. In addition
to demonstrations of various techniques and processes of forming and finishing the students will make use of
the studio equipment and be challenged with problem solving assignments in making their own pieces. Field
trips to nearby potteries and galleries will supplement the students’ exposure to special and individual
techniques.

2. Online Methodology
N/A
F. Text
A lecture text will not be required; however, the following will be recommended for reference:
Clay and Glazes for the Potter - D. Rhodes Pottery Form - Daniel Rhodes
Finding One's Way with Clay - Berenson
Hands in Clay - Charlotte Speight
Ceramics - Glenn C. Nelson
G. Assessment Activities:
Traditional Classroom Assessment
Students will be evaluated by their performance in completing pieces in given problem solving assignments.
They will be required to accomplish basic skills in the forming and finishing of clay objects. The evaluation
of their work will be an individual critique, with the student's participation of the completed work. The work
will be evaluated on the basis of original and creative work completed with accomplished skills and care in
craftsmanship.
H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
•
•
•
•
•
I.

Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

Title IX Syllabus Addendum

Revised December 2019
California University of Pennsylvania

Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX

of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant for EEEO, Office of Human Resources, Dixon Hall, Room 408, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-5425. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.

The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are
available to victims of sexual violence is set forth at:

·

Office of Human Resources, 724-938-5425

o

Social Equity Home Page

www.calu.edu/SocialEquity

o

Social Equity Policies

www.calu.edu/SEpolicies

o

Social Equity Complaint Form

www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint

·

Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056

·

End Violence Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5707

·

Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439

·

Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232

·

Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857

·

Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety & University
Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299
o

EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P

J.

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
The Library has an outstanding collection of materials on the history, procedures and techniques of working
in clay.
Additional Information for Course Proposals

K. Proposed Instructors:
Qualified instructor as approved by the Department of Art & Languages.
L. Rationale for the Course:
This course is required for the BA in Art and the BFA majors.
M. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
This course needs to be taught in the existing ceramics studio.
N. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
No
2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No
3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course)
No
5) How often will the course be taught?
Each semester as needed.
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No
O. If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another discipline, you must
request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that discipline.
N/A
P. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC.
The course is already on the General Education menu for Fine Arts.
Q. Approval Form

Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department Chair AND
college Dean (electronically).