Kit Davenport's Course Syllabi

Art 31-A, Introduction to Ceramics

This beginning level ceramics course (appropriate for students with no background as well as those with some experience with clay) introduces students to the basic hand-building methods of pinch, coil, slab and leatherhard slab construction. Various materials and techniques for surface treatment of clay are covered, including use of high and low fire glazes, engobes, underglazes, oxides and some non-fired materials.

Periodic slide presentations present examples of ceramic art across cultures and eras, as well as art from other media that is pertinent to conceptual issues explored in assignments.

Assignments are fairly challenging technical problems and are designed to provoke imaginative, personal thinking in order to create works that are expressive and meaningful. Projects include both vessel and sculptural forms.