In this course, students will investigate a range of approaches to working with and thinking about clay. Students will explore multiple ceramics methods including construction, surface treatment and decoration, as well as the processes and technologies concerned. Students will also be encouraged to consider the material of clay in relation to contemporary conceptual concerns and other art modalities. Through project-based explorations, students will create a unique body of work with a focus on developing a research framework, whilst also developing skills and knowledge of clay and ceramics in relation to the transformation of three dimensional ideas. Self-direction is emphasized in the development of skills that investigate, ideate and execute solutions. Students are expected to evidence substantial research, sophistication of design ideas and planning.
Students may complete this course up to four times for a maximum credit value of 24 units, provided they enrol in a different topic in each instance/semester. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.
Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Glaze and Colour
Glaze and Colour explores the practical and theoretical frameworks of glazing in ceramics practice. This includes the sourcing, mixing and testing of glaze recipes for earthenware and stoneware clays, as well as researching and testing out alternative, ‘low-waste’ materials to use in glaze development. Included in this subject is a research project in which students examine the raw materials of certain glazes, mapping out some of the geological, cultural and political intricacies. There are weekly lectures which incorporate examples of artists who work with conventional and alternative materials to develop glazes. The aim of this course is not only to gain experience in making ceramic glazes, but to think creatively about what constitutes a glaze, to experiment with raw materials and to explore the politics and poetics of material origins and transformations that are inherent in ceramic practices.
- Expanded Ceramics
- Ceramic Design
- Ceramic Mouldmaking and Casting
Mouldmaking and casting is centred around the practices of embossing, embedding and creating multiples using clay and other materials. This includes but is not limited to, mixing and pouring plaster, slip casting, and press moulding. There are weekly lectures which incorporate examples of artists who use mouldmaking and casting in their artistic practice. Students will be encouraged to use divergent thinking when considering what it means to take impressions, record and duplicate objects, and to experiment with both the construction of moulds and the material used in the casting process.
- Ceramic Surface
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- demonstrate competency with a range of advancing technical skills in relation to studio area & contemporary art practice;
- independently explore the potential of material/s & methods relevant to the studio area and set projects;
- recognise and analyse precedents and influences on artistic practice; and
- evaluate chosen studio methodologies on the outcomes of studio projects.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.
This course will have a Materials Fee. At the ANU School of Art & Design, each workshop sources appropriate specialist?materials,?which are made available to students?to facilitate their working?effectively,?efficiently and safely?within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. The Materials Fee ?is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU.?These materials are also WHS compliant. The exact cost of the Materials Fee will be updated in the Class Summary for each semester in which the course is offered. The full SOAD policy can be read here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.
Indicative Assessment
- Portfolio of Studio Work (Project 1) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Portfolio of Studio Work (Project 2) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Critical Summary (500 words) (10) [LO 3,4]
- Contextual Research (500 words) (10) [LO 3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks: lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice; and
b) 82 hours of independent studio practice, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4020 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $5580 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glaze and Colour | ||||||
| 3992 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic Mouldmaking and Casting | ||||||
| 9003 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |