Course detail

Basics of Ceramics

FaVU-ZKTAcad. year: 2022/2023

A course on the basics of ceramics introduces the principles of ceramics making and basic techniques such as modelling, molding, casting and creation on a potter's wheel, as well as the issue of glazing and firing in the form of lectures and practical exercises. It acquaints students with the specific properties of ceramic materials according to the method of processing, firing temperature, plasticity, etc. The acquisition of basic techniques of ceramic creation and the acquisition of the necessary skills will be mediated by work on students’ own projects or exercises.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

doc. Mgr. Tomáš Medek

Department

Department of 3D Technology (K3D)

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students will gain a basic orientation in the field of ceramics. They will learn the basic techniques of ceramic creation and learn to choose a suitable procedure for creating specific objects from ceramic clay and their decoration.

Prerequisites

Elementary manual dexterity, effort and desire to work.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures accompanied by practical instructions; workshops leading to the acquisition of specific skills.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Credit awarded on the basis of attendance (compulsory attendance at classes) and submission of assigned tasks.

Course curriculum

1) Introduction to ceramic materials and basic principles of their processing.
2) Basic modelling techniques: freehand modelling, plating, gluing.
3) Advanced modelling techniques 1: Matrix and template as the oldest ways of programming.
4) Advanced Modelling Techniques 2: Potter's Wheel
5) Implementation of student proposals and practical exercises.
6) Glazing and decoration.
7) Firing.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The course objective is to acquaint students with the technologies and principles of ceramic creation, with the specifics of individual materials and ways of working with them. Students should, on the basis of practical exercises supplemented by lectures, acquire the necessary skills for independent work with ceramic clay. They should be able to correctly choose glazes corresponding to the type of used ceramic clay and estimate the appearance of their work after firing.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance is necessary, therefore mandatory, teaching will take place in the form of lectures and exercises, where students will be led to work independently on exercise tasks.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Type of course unit

Lecture

6 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

doc. Mgr. Tomáš Medek

Technological exercise

18 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

MgA. Dušan Váňa, Ph.D.