Courses

Censorship, Art, & the Law

Course No. HCS386.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Cynthia McGrae

This course will cover the history of censorship in America. We will begin with the language of the First Amendment. We will then study the evolution of the definition of obscenity starting with the Comstack Laws and moving through the current Supreme Court test for determining whether an expression is obscene. We will look at the laws surrounding child pornography as well as hate speech and art that incite violence. For each of these categories of expression, we will discuss anecdotal applications of the First Amendment using artists such as Mapplethorpe, Serrano, Ligon, Zimmerman, Scott, Diana and Finley. While the primary focus of the class will be on government action, we will also look at examples of self censorship by the entertainment industry and public galleries. Finally, we will finish with an overview of the Patriot Act, its current applications and its implications for our future freedom of expression. The question underlying all of the historical context, anecdotal applications and the current law is why do we censor? Are there ever legitimate justifications for censorship and if so, how do we, as a society, draw those lines? In addressing these issues, we will study in depth the feminist anti-pornography movement, excerpts from Susan Sontag's On Photography, and the outcry over music lyrics post Columbine. 3 credits.

Ceramics Vessel Utility

Course No. CER253.1  Credits: 3

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterÕs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods. Open to all. 3 credits.

Ceramics Vessel Utility

Course No. CER353.1  Credits: 3

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterÕs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods. Open to all. 3 credits.

Ceramics Vessel Utility

Course No. CER453.1  Credits: 3

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterÕs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods. Open to all. 3 credits.

Ceramics: Major Day/Special Projects

Course No. CER442M.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Judith Salomon | Matthew Hollern

Students will work on self-proposed projects, which explore content, meaning and material in two and three dimensions. Conceptual and critical thinking will be addressed in weekly ÒWork in Progress ReviewsÓ. Lectures will address historical and contemporary work in art, design and ceramics. Previous clay work required. 3 credits.

Ceramics: Advanced Handbuilding

Course No. CER243.1  Credits: 3

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments. Open to all. 3 credits.

Ceramics: Advanced Handbuilding

Course No. CER343.1  Credits: 3

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments. Open to all. 3 credits.

Ceramics: Advanced Handbuilding

Course No. CER443.1  Credits: 3

This course will explore basic and advanced hand-building techniques to explore individual investigation of clay for personal ideation and concepts. We will make glazes, fire kilns and explore ceramic history. We will cover all types of work from utility to sculpture and its relationship to site and place. The class will research and test various ceramic materials, clay bodies and surface treatments. Open to all. 3 credits.