Ceramics
Students can declare a ceramics major in the spring of their foundation year and then as sophomores, juniors and seniors will experience a curriculum that includes 15 to 18 credit hours per semester in a combination of ceremics courses, studio electives, professional practicee and liberal arts.
Ceramics electives include DISH:Dinnerware Design, Fundamentals of Kiln-Formed Glass, Tile, and Dimensional Mosaic.
The sophomore year establishes a foundation in forming and firing methodologies, including sculptural building techniques, throwing on the potter's wheel, mold-making and slip-casting. Students experience glazing and finishing methods, china paints, decals and lusters, oxidation and atmospheric glazing methods. Two technical courses offer sophomors and junior transfer students a comprehensive understanding of clay and glaze formulation.
The junior-year studio curriculum guides students into focused areas of activity, expanding technical skills while emphasizing the development of a personal vision.
In the senior year, students define and create a body of work for exhibition. Seniors participate in a thesis seminar and professional practice course, preparing to present their work and initiate a career in the professional world.
The ceramics curriculum develops critical thinking, research and writing in all three years.
Ceramics students work in a studio equipped with clay mixers, an area for mold-making, a glaze facility that includes spray and sandblast guns and a new kiln room equipped with electric kilns and gas downdraft, updraft and salt kilns.
New and noteworthy programs in 2007-2008
Richard J.Stern Ceramics building
Student Jo Kamm working in his studio
