The Art and Science of Chinese Ceramics

By integrating modern scientific analysis with approaches from art history and anthropology, this course interprets the manufacturing techniques and artistic expressions of exquisite ancient ceramics. It invites students to understand and appreciate ceramic art from a broader, interdisciplinary perspective. This is a distinctive course in ceramic aesthetics: rather than focusing solely on form and decoration, it places particular emphasis on the science and artistry of kiln firing and glaze colors, where subtle variations emerge through the interaction of fire and material. Throughout the course, scientific and aesthetic concepts are presented in a clear and accessible manner, ensuring that students from diverse academic backgrounds can follow the content and develop a deeper interest in the art of ancient ceramics.