F. Visual & Performing Arts (2 courses required)
One unit (equivalent to one year) required, chosen from one of the following categories: dance, music, theater, interdisciplinary arts, or visual arts (e.g., painting, web/graphic design, film/video, inter/multimedia arts).
DANCE [549Dance]
Dance 1 class introduces students to beginning and advanced beginning dance skills, including ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, and hip hop genres. Through daily structured exercises, video examples of past and current productions, peer critiques, performances, lectures, critical analysis papers, class discussions, and exposure to a variety of choreographic styles, students will establish improved dance techniques, alignment, self confidence, physical articulation and control, spatial awareness, discernment of various rhythmic components, interpretation of style, strength and endurance, creative and aesthetic capacity, coordination, flexibility, sequence retention, improvisational skills, dance vocabulary, collaboration abilities, a relevant appreciation for the performing arts and the importance it plays in our culture, and an ability to incorporate an individual artistic voice within the choreographic material provided.
Throughout this course, students will need to both create their own movement patterns, and learn established techniques and forms. At the end of the course, students will produce their own dance production which will showcase every one of their dance pieces, demonstrating a refined understanding of dance elements: time, space, and energy, and additional tools such as motifs and variations, and choreographic forms, and how these tools affect appeal and conveying meaning.
DESIGN, SCULPTURE & MIXED MEDIA [549DecArt]
This course is an introduction to three-dimensional art work, and focuses on establishing theoretical and manual skills in sculpture, mixed media, and design, in order to create well-crafted, unified pieces of art. Through demonstrations, viewing professional examples, a brief art history study, application of the elements of art, experimentation with found objects, and critiques and reviews, students will explore form and space and learn how they operate in three dimensional art.
INTRODUCTION TO GUITAR & MUSIC APPRECIATION [549Guita]
The objective of this course is to introduce students to basic music knowledge and skills, apply that knowledge to beginning level guitar playing, and introduce students to the appreciation of the development of guitar playing. Appreciation for the development of guitar and some of its important figures will be put in the context of the application of their genres to the basic guitar skills taught in the course. The development of musical knowledge and its application to guitar will take place alongside the narrative of these genres and musicians. The three focuses of the class will be musical knowledge/application, the study of guitar genres and its application to guitar playing, and the study of musicians that represent and influenced these genres.
The purpose of this course is the development of guitar skills and fundamentals within the above mentioned genres, focusing on:
• Instruction on basic music fundamentals and music theory
• Application of fundamentals and theory to guitar playing
• Guitar playing skills development
• Application of genres to guitar playing skills
In regard to focusing on these various genres, the following issues regarding the musical development of each will be addressed:
• How did each genre originate?
• Who were the important guitar players within this genre?
• How was the music developed and perpetuated over time?
• How did outside influences become a factor not only in a particular genre’s development, but also in terms of accelerated mainstream acceptance?
• What cultural ramifications resulted as a by product in the development of a particular genre? In addition, what were the resulting sub-cultures
that would anticipate mainstream acceptance?
• How in most cases, did a particular period of musical development reach its logical artistic limit?
• The mainstream component: at what point do these genres achieve mass, mainstream appeal and why?
• What became the musical legacy – and in some cases the cultural legacy -- of these 10 distinct genres?
MEDIA PRODUCTION [549MedProd]
Media Production is designed for students interested in the digital arts. Students will focus on the three components of film making (pre- production, production, post-production). Students will be introduced to the creative elements and technical skills necessary to produce high quality media (script writing, story boards, camera work, lighting, sound, editing, etc.) that enables students to convey their own unique point of view. Students will alternate between roles as director, producer, editor and other various roles which will enhance the student’s understanding of how to create high quality media.
PHOTOGRAPHY [549Photo]
Photography I focuses on fundamental camera handling skills, aesthetics of photography, and an introduction to photography styles, history, and careers. Through photographic exercises, lectures, critical analysis papers, extensive projects, written assessments, homework, presentations, and class discussions, students will refine their abilities in the following areas: development of composition and content, art appreciation and how art affects culture, photography vocabulary and tool discernment, critical thinking skills, project management, introspection, comprehension and the application of the elements of art/design, and the development of a personal voice as it relates to photography.
STUDIO ART [549ART1]
Studio Art 1 provides education in two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting, and an introduction to design and mixed media arts. Students examine how the use of color, shape, space, texture, value, and lines affect the content of various artwork shown in class. By viewing past and current artwork via Internet, books, prints, and local exhibits, students can glean from a variety of styles, cultural influences, intentions, art rules and rebellions, skills, and creativity. This type of examination fosters inspiration and opens up new avenues of exploration for novice and experienced artists. Through art exercises, lectures, critical analysis papers, extensive projects, written assessments, homework, presentations, and class discussions, students will refine their abilities in the following areas: coordination, accuracy, development of composition and content, art appreciation and how art affects culture, art vocabulary and tool discernment, critical thinking skills, project management, introspection, comprehension and the relevance of the elements of art, and the development of a personal voice as it relates to art and expression. After successful completion of this course, students will have acquired the skills, experience, and knowledge to enroll in Studio Art 2, or Design & Sculpture in subsequent years.
THEATER AND PERFORMING ARTS 1 [549TheaPA1]
Theatre 1 introduces students to the many facets of live theatre including: acting, design, playwriting, script analysis and research, directing, presentation and concentration skills. Projects give students historical and cultural context and open their minds to different perspectives and deeper understanding of the world around them. Artistic perception and creative expression help theatre students build verbal and non-verbal communication, presentation and collaboration skills. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination while fostering aesthetic values. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre 1 apply to both arts and academic disciplines.
THEATER AND PERFORMING ARTS 2 [549TheaPa2]
Theatre 2 builds on skills introduced in Theatre 1. Students develop more specific elements of: acting, design, playwriting, script analysis, research, directing, and presentation skills. Theatre 2 gives students historical and cultural context through connections to classical and contemporary texts. Artistic perception and creative expression help theatre students build verbal and non-verbal communication, presentation and collaboration skills. Public performance is a requirement. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination while fostering aesthetic values. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre 1 and 2 apply to both arts and academic disciplines. In Theatre 2 students gain knowledge and demonstrate higher level thinking using a variety of methods and assessments.
THEATER PRODUCTION [549TheaPD]
Theatre Production incorporates all aspects of producing a play from inception to strike. Students put into practice elements that were introduced in Theatre 1 & 2 by selecting a play appropriate to the group. They then plan, produce, rehearse, and build all aspects of the play. Artistic perception and creative expression drive student choice. Historical and cultural context inform the research for set and costume design. Marketing and advertising tools develop aesthetic value for the students’ work as well as appreciation for others’ work. Public performance is a requirement. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre Production apply across arts and academic disciplines.
Dance 1 class introduces students to beginning and advanced beginning dance skills, including ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, and hip hop genres. Through daily structured exercises, video examples of past and current productions, peer critiques, performances, lectures, critical analysis papers, class discussions, and exposure to a variety of choreographic styles, students will establish improved dance techniques, alignment, self confidence, physical articulation and control, spatial awareness, discernment of various rhythmic components, interpretation of style, strength and endurance, creative and aesthetic capacity, coordination, flexibility, sequence retention, improvisational skills, dance vocabulary, collaboration abilities, a relevant appreciation for the performing arts and the importance it plays in our culture, and an ability to incorporate an individual artistic voice within the choreographic material provided.
Throughout this course, students will need to both create their own movement patterns, and learn established techniques and forms. At the end of the course, students will produce their own dance production which will showcase every one of their dance pieces, demonstrating a refined understanding of dance elements: time, space, and energy, and additional tools such as motifs and variations, and choreographic forms, and how these tools affect appeal and conveying meaning.
DESIGN, SCULPTURE & MIXED MEDIA [549DecArt]
This course is an introduction to three-dimensional art work, and focuses on establishing theoretical and manual skills in sculpture, mixed media, and design, in order to create well-crafted, unified pieces of art. Through demonstrations, viewing professional examples, a brief art history study, application of the elements of art, experimentation with found objects, and critiques and reviews, students will explore form and space and learn how they operate in three dimensional art.
INTRODUCTION TO GUITAR & MUSIC APPRECIATION [549Guita]
The objective of this course is to introduce students to basic music knowledge and skills, apply that knowledge to beginning level guitar playing, and introduce students to the appreciation of the development of guitar playing. Appreciation for the development of guitar and some of its important figures will be put in the context of the application of their genres to the basic guitar skills taught in the course. The development of musical knowledge and its application to guitar will take place alongside the narrative of these genres and musicians. The three focuses of the class will be musical knowledge/application, the study of guitar genres and its application to guitar playing, and the study of musicians that represent and influenced these genres.
The purpose of this course is the development of guitar skills and fundamentals within the above mentioned genres, focusing on:
• Instruction on basic music fundamentals and music theory
• Application of fundamentals and theory to guitar playing
• Guitar playing skills development
• Application of genres to guitar playing skills
In regard to focusing on these various genres, the following issues regarding the musical development of each will be addressed:
• How did each genre originate?
• Who were the important guitar players within this genre?
• How was the music developed and perpetuated over time?
• How did outside influences become a factor not only in a particular genre’s development, but also in terms of accelerated mainstream acceptance?
• What cultural ramifications resulted as a by product in the development of a particular genre? In addition, what were the resulting sub-cultures
that would anticipate mainstream acceptance?
• How in most cases, did a particular period of musical development reach its logical artistic limit?
• The mainstream component: at what point do these genres achieve mass, mainstream appeal and why?
• What became the musical legacy – and in some cases the cultural legacy -- of these 10 distinct genres?
MEDIA PRODUCTION [549MedProd]
Media Production is designed for students interested in the digital arts. Students will focus on the three components of film making (pre- production, production, post-production). Students will be introduced to the creative elements and technical skills necessary to produce high quality media (script writing, story boards, camera work, lighting, sound, editing, etc.) that enables students to convey their own unique point of view. Students will alternate between roles as director, producer, editor and other various roles which will enhance the student’s understanding of how to create high quality media.
PHOTOGRAPHY [549Photo]
Photography I focuses on fundamental camera handling skills, aesthetics of photography, and an introduction to photography styles, history, and careers. Through photographic exercises, lectures, critical analysis papers, extensive projects, written assessments, homework, presentations, and class discussions, students will refine their abilities in the following areas: development of composition and content, art appreciation and how art affects culture, photography vocabulary and tool discernment, critical thinking skills, project management, introspection, comprehension and the application of the elements of art/design, and the development of a personal voice as it relates to photography.
STUDIO ART [549ART1]
Studio Art 1 provides education in two-dimensional media, including drawing and painting, and an introduction to design and mixed media arts. Students examine how the use of color, shape, space, texture, value, and lines affect the content of various artwork shown in class. By viewing past and current artwork via Internet, books, prints, and local exhibits, students can glean from a variety of styles, cultural influences, intentions, art rules and rebellions, skills, and creativity. This type of examination fosters inspiration and opens up new avenues of exploration for novice and experienced artists. Through art exercises, lectures, critical analysis papers, extensive projects, written assessments, homework, presentations, and class discussions, students will refine their abilities in the following areas: coordination, accuracy, development of composition and content, art appreciation and how art affects culture, art vocabulary and tool discernment, critical thinking skills, project management, introspection, comprehension and the relevance of the elements of art, and the development of a personal voice as it relates to art and expression. After successful completion of this course, students will have acquired the skills, experience, and knowledge to enroll in Studio Art 2, or Design & Sculpture in subsequent years.
THEATER AND PERFORMING ARTS 1 [549TheaPA1]
Theatre 1 introduces students to the many facets of live theatre including: acting, design, playwriting, script analysis and research, directing, presentation and concentration skills. Projects give students historical and cultural context and open their minds to different perspectives and deeper understanding of the world around them. Artistic perception and creative expression help theatre students build verbal and non-verbal communication, presentation and collaboration skills. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination while fostering aesthetic values. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre 1 apply to both arts and academic disciplines.
THEATER AND PERFORMING ARTS 2 [549TheaPa2]
Theatre 2 builds on skills introduced in Theatre 1. Students develop more specific elements of: acting, design, playwriting, script analysis, research, directing, and presentation skills. Theatre 2 gives students historical and cultural context through connections to classical and contemporary texts. Artistic perception and creative expression help theatre students build verbal and non-verbal communication, presentation and collaboration skills. Public performance is a requirement. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination while fostering aesthetic values. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre 1 and 2 apply to both arts and academic disciplines. In Theatre 2 students gain knowledge and demonstrate higher level thinking using a variety of methods and assessments.
THEATER PRODUCTION [549TheaPD]
Theatre Production incorporates all aspects of producing a play from inception to strike. Students put into practice elements that were introduced in Theatre 1 & 2 by selecting a play appropriate to the group. They then plan, produce, rehearse, and build all aspects of the play. Artistic perception and creative expression drive student choice. Historical and cultural context inform the research for set and costume design. Marketing and advertising tools develop aesthetic value for the students’ work as well as appreciation for others’ work. Public performance is a requirement. Students develop creativity, confidence, self-awareness and imagination. Concepts, practices and tactics from Theatre Production apply across arts and academic disciplines.