Ceramics, BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics (C10009BFA)
The ceramics program at the Mary Schiller Myers School of Art is assembled on the belief that students can learn through doing: assembling hand-skills through practice, thinking through sketching and growing as artists by undertaking rigorous driven practice.
Education pioneer John Dewey wrote in Art as Experience, “we do not learn from experiences, we truly learn by reflecting on our experiences.” In keeping with this thinking, the curriculum at the Myers School of Art explores the history of ceramics and uses that knowledge to consider the future of the medium. Clay and ceramics as a material have developed alongside humanity since the earliest periods of civilization. In that time knowledge has been passed on through demonstration, practical instruction and the exchange that comes with the discussion of novel ideas.
The program at the Myers School of Art explores art making by considering the historical and cultural meaning of ceramic materials, as well as examining the importance of objects. Students are asked to draw on their personal experience with the world of things and then consider new possibility and uses for such items. In support of the creation of individual work, we include lectures, demonstrations, hands-on experiences and experimentation which allow students to develop the knowledge of processes and the skills necessary to production of their ceramic works.
Purpose
The ceramics program at the University of Akron’s Myers School of Art offers a comprehensive forward-thinking undergraduate education, which will prepare students for work as visual artists and independent thinkers. The program is structured so students may consider careers in ceramics, or further graduate education in the visual arts at the countries leading Masters of Fine Arts Programs.
The program aims to offer students a wide range of ceramic techniques and firing methods. The ceramics program at the Myers School of Art provides the highest quality of instruction and support to facilitate students learning and the development of their personal artistic voice.
Goals
Students majoring in Ceramics at the University of Akron will develop:
- Skills for a useful future in the field of fine art.
- A focused understanding of the contemporary continuum of clay.
- Knowledge of the historical uses, importance, and aesthetics of ceramics.
- A tactile understanding of clay materials and their potential.
- Develop a set of problem-solving skills, methods of critical thinking, ideation, and the ability to talk about artwork.
- Reflective ways to self-evaluate and consider developing their own artwork.
- Develop the ability to transfer tactile skills to other media while figuring out how to draw in skills from other areas.
- The ability to operate and control a wide range of ceramics’ firing temperatures and atmospheres in various kilns including bisque, glaze, oxidation, reduction, salt firing, and raku firing.
- Skills of building ceramic forms by hand, on a potter’s wheel, by slipcasting and employing digital technology.
- Knowledge about the formulation of clay bodies, glazes and ceramics coatings for the widest range of color choices.
- Synthesize periodic assignments, and individual ideas into a unique voice and style of producing individual ceramic artwork.
Distinctions
Students at The University of Akron are presented with a broad range of skills and opportunities to develop their personal voice while pursuing a BFA in Ceramics, including:
- Large open studio spaces programmed to facilitate collaboration and a sense of community.
- More than 15 kilns able to fire in the widest range of oxidation, reduction, salt/soda atmosphere, as well as raku and smoke firing.
- A highly functional fully stocked glaze laboratory.
- Clay making facilities replete with a wide range of clay types.
- Access to cutting edge technology like 3D stereolithographic printing, decal printers, vinyl cutters, and a laser cutter.
- Access to a wide range of exhibition opportunities.
- Assistance finding and developing grant proposals.
- Opportunities to develop an understanding of the social aspects of the world's oldest three-dimensional material.
The following information has official approval of The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art and The Buchtel College of Arts & Sciences, but is intended only as a supplemental guide. Official degree requirements are established at the time of transfer and admission to the degree-granting college. Students should refer to the Degree Progress Report (DPR) which is definitive for graduation requirements. Completion of this degree within the identified time frame below is contingent upon many factors, including but not limited to: class availability, total number of required credits, work schedule, finances, family, course drops/withdrawals, successfully passing courses, prerequisites, among others. The transfer process is completed through an appointment with your academic advisor.
Students are encouraged to visit the The Mary Schiller Myers School of Art their freshman year to obtain preliminary information regarding the program requirements and to learn more about on-campus opportunities available to students.
Three year accelerated option: for first time students who have earned credits for at least the first year of courses. Credits can be earned through qualifying scores on appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) exams or through College Credit Plus Program (CCP) courses. Credits for qualifying AP scores or CCP courses are determined by the appropriate academic department. Departments may assign varied course credit, depending on the student’s score on an AP exam or grade in a CCP course. Students may also receive credit by examination or via placement tests, where appropriate.
Requirements
Summary
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General Education Requirements | 36 | |
Foundation Core | 12 | |
Art History Requirements | 15 | |
Ceramics Requirements | 15 | |
Advanced Ceramics Requirement | 12 | |
Studio Electives | 24 | |
Electives | 6 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA in all ART courses is required for graduation.
Recommended General Education Courses
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must complete the following General Education coursework. Diversity courses may also fulfill major or Breadth of Knowledge requirements. Integrated and Applied Learning courses may also fulfill requirements in the major. | ||
Students are not required to enroll in the specific courses listed below. However, to facilitate successful degree completion, the academic department strongly encourages completion of the following recommendations. | ||
Academic Foundations | 12 | |
Mathematics, Statistics and Logic: 3 credit hours | ||
Speaking: 3 credit hours | ||
Writing: 6 credit hours | ||
Breadth of Knowledge | 22 | |
Arts/Humanities: 9 credit hours | ||
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | ||
History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | ||
Natural Sciences: 7 credit hours | ||
Social Sciences: 6 credit hours | ||
Diversity | ||
Domestic Diversity | ||
Global Diversity | ||
Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | ||
Integrated and Applied Learning | 2 | |
Select one class from one of the following subcategories: | ||
Complex Issues Facing Society | ||
Capstone | ||
Review the General Education Requirements page for detailed course listings. | ||
Total Hours | 36 |
College of Arts & Sciences Requirement
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Students must also complete a minimum of 40 credits (excluding workshops) consisting of either: | ||
Upper-level (300/400) courses both in and outside of the student’s major; | ||
or other courses outside the major department approved by the student’s major department chair (permission should be obtained prior to enrollment); these may not include workshops |
Foundation Core
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:100 | Arts Orientation | 0 |
ART:131 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
ART:144 | Foundation 2D Design | 3 |
ART:145 | Foundation 3D Design | 3 |
ART:250 | Foundation Lecture | 1 |
ART:252 | Foundation Studio | 2 |
Total Hours | 12 |
Art History Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:101 | Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | 3 |
ART:102 | History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | 3 |
ART:103 | History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today | 3 |
ART XXX | Advanced Level Art History | 3 |
Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
Art Since 1945 | ||
Art and Critical Theory | ||
Contemporary Art Issues | ||
Total Hours | 15 |
Ceramics Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
ART:222 | Introduction to Sculpture | 3 |
ART:254 | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
ART:489 | Special Topics in Studio Art | 3 |
ART:353 | Throwing | 3 |
ART:457 | Professional Practices | 3 |
or ART:430 | Professional Practices for Creative Careers | |
ART:456 | Ceramic Portfolio Review | 0 |
ART:495 | Senior Exhibition | 0 |
Total Hours | 15 |
Advanced Ceramics Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete 12 credits: 1 | 12 | |
Advanced Ceramics | ||
Advanced Throwing | ||
Total Hours | 12 |
1 | Advanced Ceramics must be repeated for a minimum of 9, and may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. |
Studio Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete 24 Credits | 24 | |
Emerging Technologies | ||
Introduction to Design | ||
Production I | ||
Introduction to Printmaking | ||
Relief/Screenprint | ||
Intaglio/Lithography | ||
Sculpture: Stone | ||
Introduction to Life Drawing | ||
Anatomy for Artists | ||
Introduction to Painting | ||
Color Concepts | ||
Introduction to Water-based Media | ||
Watercolor | ||
Introduction to Metalsmithing | ||
Introduction to Digital Photography | ||
Introduction to Photography | ||
Introduction to Commercial Photography | ||
Digital Media | ||
Web and Devices I | ||
Drawing Techniques | ||
Print Matrix | ||
Portrait Lighting | ||
Product Photography | ||
Sculpture II | ||
Lost Wax Casting | ||
Installation Art | ||
Intermediate Life Drawing | ||
Intermediate Painting | ||
Intermediate Jewelry | ||
Metalsmithing II | ||
Color in Metals | ||
Production for Jewelry | ||
Medium and Large Format Photography | ||
Illustration | ||
Digital Imaging II | ||
3D Modeling, Printing and Prototyping | ||
Multiples and Multiplicity | ||
Special Topics in Print | ||
Advanced Sculpture | ||
Art Bomb Brigade: Methods for Creating Public Art | ||
Advanced Drawing/Life Drawing | ||
Advanced Painting | ||
Color in Metals II | ||
Advanced Metalsmithing | ||
Photography III: Color | ||
Advanced Photography | ||
Professional Photographic Practices | ||
Advanced Illustration | ||
Special Topics in Studio Art | ||
Advanced Photography: Digital Printing | ||
Art Internship/Professional Experience | ||
Honors in Art | ||
Total Hours | 24 |
Electives
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Complete 6 Credits | 6 | |
Total Hours | 6 |
Recommended Sequence
1st Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Hours | |
ART:100 | Arts Orientation | 0 |
ART:131 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
ART:144 | Foundation 2D Design | 3 |
ART:145 | Foundation 3D Design | 3 |
Writing Requirement | 3 | |
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:250 | Foundation Lecture | 1 |
ART:252 | Foundation Studio | 2 |
ART:254 | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
ART:101 | Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE | 3 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Writing II Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
2nd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:102 | History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE | 3 |
ART:222 | Introduction to Sculpture | 3 |
ART:489 | Special Topics in Studio Art | 3 |
COMM:105 or COMM:106 | Introduction to Public Speaking or Effective Oral Communication | 3 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:103 | History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today | 3 |
ART:353 | Throwing | 3 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
3rd Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:453 or ART:454 | Advanced Throwing or Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
ART:457 or ART:430 | Professional Practices or Professional Practices for Creative Careers | 3 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Natural Science Requirement | 3 | |
ART 3XX/4XX Contemporary Art History Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:454 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
ART:456 | Ceramic Portfolio Review | 0 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
ART 3XX/4XX Art History Elective | 3 | |
Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
4th Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ART:454 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Social Science Requirement and Domestic Diversity | 3 | |
Social Science Requirement and Complex Issues | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ART:454 | Advanced Ceramics | 3 |
ART:495 | Senior Exhibition | 0 |
ART XXX Art Studio Elective | 3 | |
Natural Science with Lab Requirement | 3 | |
Open Elective | 3 | |
Open Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Total Hours | 120 |