Ceramics, BFA

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics (C10009BFA)

More on the Ceramics major

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.

Requirements for Admission

Students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.5 in all ART courses.

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 (Stellic) 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

General Education Requirements36
Foundation Core12
Art History Requirements15
Ceramics Requirements15
Advanced Ceramics Requirement12
Studio Electives24
Electives6
Total Hours120

Note: A 2.5 cumulative GPA in all ART courses is required for graduation.

Recommended General Education Courses

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 Foundations12
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 Learning2
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 Hours36

College of Arts & Sciences Requirement

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

ART 100Arts Orientation0
ART 131Foundation Drawing I3
ART 144Foundation 2D Design3
ART 145Foundation 3D Design3
ART 250Foundation Lecture1
ART 252Foundation Studio2
Total Hours12

Art History Requirements 

ART 101Survey of Global Art 1: Prehistory to 1250 CE3
ART 102History of Global Art 2: 1250 CE - 1850 CE3
ART 103History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today3
ART XXXAdvanced Level Art History3
Choose one of the following:3
ART 300Art Since 1945
ART 403Art and Critical Theory
ART 435Contemporary Art Issues
Total Hours15

Ceramics Requirements

ART 222Introduction to Sculpture3
ART 254Introduction to Ceramics3
ART 489Special Topics in Studio Art3
ART 353Intermediate Ceramics3
ART 457Professional Practices3
ART 456Ceramic Portfolio Review0
ART 495Senior Exhibition0
Total Hours15

Advanced Ceramics Requirements

Complete 12 credits: 112
ART 454Advanced Ceramics
ART 453Advanced Throwing
Total Hours12
1

Advanced Ceramics must be repeated for a minimum of 9, and may be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits.
Advanced Throwing may be substituted for 3 credits only.

Studio Electives  

Complete 24 Credits 24
ART 111Emerging Technologies
ART 132Introduction to Design
ART 189Production I
ART 213Introduction to Printmaking
ART 214Relief/Screenprint
ART 216Intaglio/Lithography
ART 223Sculpture: Stone
ART 233Introduction to Life Drawing
ART 234Anatomy for Artists
ART 243Introduction to Painting
ART 244Color Concepts
ART 246Introduction to Water-based Media
ART 251Watercolor
ART 266Introduction to Metalsmithing
ART 273Introduction to Digital Photography
ART 275Introduction to Photography
ART 276Introduction to Commercial Photography
ART 280Digital Media
ART 281Web and Devices I
ART 283Drawing Techniques
ART 317Print Matrix
ART 318Portrait Lighting
ART 320Product Photography
ART 322Sculpture II
ART 323Lost Wax Casting
ART 324Installation Art
ART 335Intermediate Life Drawing
ART 348Intermediate Painting
ART 365Intermediate Jewelry
ART 366Metalsmithing II
ART 368Color in Metals
ART 369Production for Jewelry
ART 377Medium and Large Format Photography
ART 380Illustration
ART 381Digital Imaging II
ART 3853D Modeling, Printing and Prototyping
ART 418Multiples and Multiplicity
ART 419Special Topics in Print
ART 422Advanced Sculpture
ART 423Art Bomb Brigade: Methods for Creating Public Art
ART 450Advanced Drawing/Life Drawing
ART 455Advanced Painting
ART 465Color in Metals II
ART 466Advanced Metalsmithing
ART 473Photography III: Color
ART 475Advanced Photography
ART 479Professional Photographic Practices
ART 485Advanced Illustration
ART 489Special Topics in Studio Art
ART 493Advanced Photography: Digital Printing
ART 496Art Internship/Professional Experience
ART 499Honors in Art
Total Hours24

Electives

Complete 6 Credits 6
Total Hours6

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
1st Year
Fall SemesterHours
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
 Hours15
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 XXXArt Studio Elective 3
Writing II Requirement 3
 Hours15
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
Introduction to Public Speaking
or Effective Oral Communication
3
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ART 103 History of Global Art 3: 1850 CE - Today 3
ART 353 Intermediate Ceramics 3
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
Social Science Requirement 3
 Hours15
3rd Year
Fall Semester
ART 453
Advanced Throwing
or Advanced Ceramics
3
ART 457 Professional Practices 3
ART XXX Art Studio Elective 3
ART 3XX/4XXContemporary Art History Elective 3
Natural Science Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ART 454 Advanced Ceramics 3
ART 456 Ceramic Portfolio Review 0
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
ART 3XX/4XXArt History Elective 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Humanities Requirement 3
 Hours15
4th Year
Fall Semester
ART 454 Advanced Ceramics 3
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
Social Science Requirement and Domestic Diversity 3
Social Science Requirement and Complex Issues 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ART 454 Advanced Ceramics 3
ART 495 Senior Exhibition 0
ART XXXArt Studio Elective 3
Natural Science with Lab Requirement 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours120