About the Program
The Ceramics program offers a solid foundation in the technical and aesthetic aspects of the medium. Students are taught the importance of minute details as well as overall excellence. Many specific skills are emphasized including handbuilding, wheel throwing, clay and glaze chemistry, mold making, kiln firings, and the specialized techniques of raku and primitive firings. Students have access to a fully equipped studio and have the opportunity to learn the operational requirements of the facility. Although ceramics as an art medium is emphasized, students also study the inter-relationship between industry, business and ceramics. The program offers a well rounded art education including the ability to install exhibitions. A working portfolio for employment purposes is developed. The Ceramics Department offers courses which satisfy lower division requirements in many of the CSUs.
Many job opportunities exist for the individual proficient in ceramics. These include, but are not limited to: artist, art teacher or therapist, self-employed craft-person, mold maker, glaze technician, ceramic restorer, industrial ceramist, gallery or art shop manager, museum employee, interior design specialist, tile decorator, dental ceramist, and production designer. Students interested in pursuing a four-year degree are provided with a strong foundation for further coursework.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Local
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 11128.00AA
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Employ technical skills, creativity, critical thinking, and conceptual problem solving in completing independent visual art projects in the medium of ceramics.
Analyze, compare, and synthesize significant global ideas and primary original works of ceramic art from diverse cultures and time periods.
Produce, present, and describe a portfolio consisting of original ceramic artworks.
Demonstrate proficient and safe use of a variety of equipment, materials, and tools when creating works of ceramic art.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study of the basic principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion. Students develop visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem solving, and written assignments. (C-ID ARTS 100).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical references related to three-dimensional design and spatial composition, including the study of the elements and organizing principles of design as they apply to three-dimensional space and form. Development of a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations and use of appropriate materials for non-representational three-dimensional studio projects. (C-ID ARTS 101).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to principles, elements, and practices of drawing, employing a wide range of subject matter and drawing media. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses is placed on materials and subject matter. (C-ID ARTS 110)
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to ceramics materials, concepts, and processes, including basic design principles, creative development, hand-building, throwing (potter's wheel), glaze techniques, firing and ceramic terminology. Students will experiment with a variety of forms, glazes, and other surface treatments, and will be introduced to historical as well as contemporary ceramic artworks.
Prerequisite(s): ART 50
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an exploration of clay as a medium of expression, using the potter's wheel and/or hand-building techniques to create sculptural and functional forms. Students will continue to develop techniques in basic wheel-throwing and/or hand-building, clay body formulation, surface enrichment techniques, and kiln firing. Students will also become familiar with historical as well as contemporary ceramic artworks.
Prerequisite(s): ART 50
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course expands on the hand-building and wheel-throwing skills learned in the introductory class, with an emphasis on a variety of low-fire glaze and surface techniques, setting up additional possibilities for creative expression.
Prerequisite(s): ART 52
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course is an in-depth exploration of clay as a medium of expression, with emphasis on individual ideas and directions. Students will concentrate on creating a personal vocabulary of imagery, construction methods, and surface treatments, and will develop and draw upon a broad awareness of historical as well as contemporary ceramic artworks.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 76.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 102.00
This course is an introduction to three-dimensional sculptural principles, techniques, and concepts utilizing a wide range of materials and practices. Various sculpture methods are practiced with attention to creative self-expression and historical context.
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
25.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course will deal with the various aspects of operating an educationally directed art gallery including scheduling, lighting, publicity, security, budget, receptions, show themes and reviews. The Butte College Coyote Gallery will function as the class laboratory, and approximately two to three shows will be organized and installed each semester. (Annual student show in Spring semester). In addition, students will learn the business of art in order to be able to successfully compete in the professional market place.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides an overview of western art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval period within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an Honors level Survey of the major visual arts of the Ancient World through the Middle Ages. Through a process of thorough analysis, critical thinking, extended discussions, and original oral and written responses, students will examine the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture within their historical and cultural contexts. Graded only. (C-ID ARTH 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the Contemporary period within their historical and cultural contexts. (C-ID ARTH 120).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an Honors level survey of the major visual arts of the Renaissance and the Modern World. Through a process of thorough analysis, critical thinking, extended discussions, and original oral and written responses, students will examine the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture within their historical and cultural contexts. Graded only. (C-ID ARTH 120).
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Contacts
Daniel Donnelly, Chair
(530) 895-2880
Department Office: ARTS 224
(530) 895-2404
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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