Academic Catalog

ART 444: CERAMIC SCULPTURE NONCREDIT FOR OLDER ADULTS

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Units: 0
Hours: 3 lecture, 3 laboratory per week (72 total per quarter)
Prerequisite: ART 45A or 445A.
Degree & Credit Status: Non-Degree-Applicable Non-Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: None
Grade Type: Non-Credit Course (Receives no Grade)
Repeatability: Unlimited Repeatability
Formerly: NCAL 407A

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Conceptualize and design original ceramic sculpture through drawing or maquette.
  • Create ceramic sculptures using additive and subtractive building methods, armatures, and various techniques to achieve a finished surface.
  • Create sculpture from a visual reference, and from their imagination.

Description

This noncredit course is targeted towards older adults. Studio practice in designing and creating original ceramic sculpture.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Conceptualize and design original ceramic sculpture.
  2. Create ceramic sculpture by using additive and subtractive building methods, armatures, and methods of surface decoration.
  3. Use several techniques to create a finished surface for these works.
  4. Produce ceramic sculptures that creatively apply subjective matter that reflects personal and culturally diverse imagery.

Course Content

  1. Conceptualize and design original ceramic sculpture
    1. The principles and elements of design
      1. Balance, form, surface, rhythm, use of color, and visual terminations
  2. Create ceramic sculptures
    1. Technical methods
      1. Additive and subtractive techniques of hand-building
      2. The use of armatures
  3. Use several techniques to create a finished surface for these works
    1. Glazing
    2. Decorating techniques
  4. Produce ceramic sculptures that creatively apply subjective matter that reflects personal and culturally diverse imagery
    1. Expressive forms
    2. Conceptual forms
    3. Realistic forms
    4. Abstract forms

Lab Content

  1. Supervised studio practice in ceramics processes, related to skills and materials. Students work independently, with individual guidance from an instructor on a need or request basis.
  2. Produce ceramic sculptures that creatively apply subjective matter that reflects personal and culturally diverse imagery.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Clay, ceramic extruder, slab roller, kilns, glaze materials, sculpting tools, banding wheels, spray booth, potters wheel.
2. When taught via Foothill Global Access: ongoing access to computer with email software and capabilities; email address; JavaScript-enabled internet browsing software.

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Critique of works in progress and finished pieces using criteria of design and technique presented in class. All assigned projects will be graded by instructor

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Lecture
Discussion
Laboratory
Demonstration
Field trips

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Faraut, Philippe, and Charisse Faraut. Figure Sculpting Volume 2: Gesture and Drapery Techniques in Clay. 2018.

Although this text is older than the suggested "5 years or newer" standard, it remains a seminal text in this area of study.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

  1. Weekly reading assignments from selected contemporary ceramic books and periodicals
  2. Research and writing assignments about specific ceramic sculptures or hand-build ceramic pottery from an art gallery or museum
  3. Weekly process video viewing assignments
  4. Sketchbook of forms and ideas applicable for classroom assignments

Discipline(s)

Art