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Art Fundamentals
SEMESTERS: 2
CREDIT: 1
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets the fine arts graduation requirement. It is intended as a full year course.
COURSE SEQUENCE: This is the first class in the Art Department course sequence.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional classroom arrangement utilizing large group, small group, and completely individualized experiences.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Art Fundamentals is designed to provide a variety of experiences in the visual arts for both students who plan to continue in art and students who wish to take only one year of art. Students will explore in the areas of drawing and shading, perspective, design, painting, sculpture, art history, and various other art forms. These areas will be studied through a variety of media such as pencil, pen and ink, marker, pastels, paint, clay, and other materials. Art talent is not required. Through these experiences, students will gain both a basic knowledge of the visual arts and a set of skills necessary for entry into the Selected Art Studio program. Students are required to pay a lab fee for materials. Curriculum Guide

Individualized Art Fundamentals
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: This course is designed for the student with special needs. Advancement into Art Fundamentals or Selected Art Studio with consent of instructor.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: IEP, Special Services staff recommendation.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individualized instruction.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Individualized Art Fundamentals is designed to provide art experiences for the student with special needs in a classroom situation which allows for a high degree of individualized instruction. Students will receive exposure to a wide variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional experiences. Students will be developing and improving fine motor skills, problem-solving techniques, visual and tactile awareness, and communicative and expressive abilities, as well as experiencing a learning situation with a high degree of creative success. Students are required to pay a lab fee for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Drawing I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Drawing I will be a continuation of the drawing skills learned in Art Fundamentals. Emphasis will be placed on mastering the basic mechanics of drawing and improving skills. Students will be expected to develop ability with more than one drawing media. Instruction will cover a variety of subject matter. Students will be required to draw from real life. The course is designed to build towards producing complete, finished drawings with a high level of craftsmanship. Students will have to pay for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Drawing II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Drawing I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Open to students with above average drawing ability.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: The Drawing II course will be a continuation of projects and techniques studied in Drawing I. The materials and techniques, however, will be more sophisticated and professionalism will be stressed. Drawing II is a highly individualized course. Students are expected to generate many of their own drawing problems, improve compositional skills, and work towards the development of personal style and self-expression. Students will have to pay for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Animation I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Students will be introduced to basic drawing and illustration techniques as they apply to animation and cartooning. Students will also be exposed to “cel,” clay, and computer animation. A high level of craftsmanship and professionalism is expected. Students will have to pay for some materials in addition to a lab fee. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Animation II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals & Animation I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: To further promote and expand on concepts and techniques learned in Animation I. This course will emphasize building individual skills in the areas of “cel,” animation, clay animation, computer animation, and illustration. This course will focus on creating high quality animation work suitable for a portfolio. Students will draw, paint, sculpt, and be exposed to a diverse sampling of computer software. Creativity, independent work and time outside of class on work is expected. Students will have to pay for some materials in addition to a lab fee. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Painting I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals. A suggested sequence would be Art Fundamentals, Drawing I, Drawing II, Painting I, Painting II.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Drawing skill is required although a Selected Art Studio drawing course is not a prerequisite.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Painting I is a basic introduction to acrylic painting for beginning painters. Color theory and mixing will be stressed along with paint application techniques. Watercolor painting may also be explored. Students will also learn how to stretch a canvas. A minimum of four paintings will be required. Students are required to pay a lab fee for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Painting II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Painting I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: A deep interest in painting and sincere desire to learn and to develop are required. Students should be creative and willing to experiment with various media and styles.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual work and experimentation.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Painting II is a continuation and expansion of the basic techniques introduced in Painting I. Emphasis will be placed on experimentation with techniques, subject matter, and composition. Development of an individual style will be stressed. The history of painting and its various styles will be explored with a written report required of each student. Students will have to pay for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Graphic Design I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Graphic Design I will give the student a better insight into the practices and techniques of visual advertising and communication. A variety of media will be used. Emphasis will be placed on professionalism, creativity and execution in designing various aspects of media identify such as typography, corporate logo design and magazine layout. A major portion of the course will be devoted to practical application whereby the student will progress step-by-step through the projects designing all aspects including idea, layout, typography, artwork, and final execution. The course will help prepare the student interested in pursuing a field in any of the numerous areas of graphic design. Students will have to pay for some materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Graphic Design II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Graphic Design I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Graphic Design II is a continuation of the Graphic Design I curriculum with more emphasis on technical expertise in working with a variety of media. Students will further explore typography, package design and illustration. Computer programs such as Adobe Pagemaker and Photoshop may be utilized. This course is highly recommended for the student who plans a career in the field of graphic design. Students will have to pay for some materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Jewelry /Metalworking I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals, however, seniors may waive this prerequisite.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Students will explore basic jewelry-making processes and design techniques. Professional jewelry techniques such as sawing, sanding, filing, buffing, soldering, etching, and stone setting will be taught. Some of the basic projects to choose from include pins, rings, keychains, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. A variety of materials and metals will be available for student use including sterling silver. Professional tools and equipment will be provided and safe and careful use is stressed. Students are required to pay a lab fee. Reading assignments are given which require completion of worksheets. Sketches will be required for each project. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Jewelry/Metalworking for the Art Student
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets 1/2 of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and a studio level class, or Jewelry I and teacher recommendation.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course is designed for the serious art student who wishes to pursue the three-dimensional aspect of art through professional jewelry making techniques. Students will explore the possibilities of fabrication methods while developing original ideas. Students will use soldering skills with such projects as combining two metals, setting stones and wood inlays. Professional jewelry techniques such as lost-wax casting will be taught. Craftsmanship and high quality design will be emphasized. Students will be required to pay for their supplies. A variety of materials and metals will be available for students to use including sterling silver. Tools and equipment will be provided and safety procedures will be stressed. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Ceramics I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals, however, seniors may waive this prerequisite.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Ceramics I is designed to give students a chance to express themselves in clay using a variety of hand-building construction techniques, including pinch, coil, and slab. A variety of vessels and sculptural forms will be explored. Sketches will be required for each project. Glazes and other finishing methods will complete pieces to a professional quality. Craftsmanship and design are emphasized. Students will be required to pay a lab fee. Tools and equipment will be provided. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Ceramics II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDITS: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 10, 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Ceramics I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: Ceramics II is a continuation of the skills and techniques studied in Ceramics I with an emphasis on craftsmanship and surface texture. Projects will center around handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques will be introduced. Sincere dedication to creating a unique personal style and working independently is essential. Sketches will be required for each project. Students will be required to pay a lab fee. Tools and equipment will be provided. Limited space per class hour. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Photography I
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Must have access to a manual 35mm camera.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual and small group work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course is designed to teach students the basic photographic skills needed to succeed in this art form. This goal is achieved through lectures and hands-on activities. Student assignments include tests, homework and art production. In this challenging and exciting course, students will become competent in taking photographs, developing film and using darkroom techniques. Basic digital photography skills may also be explored. Assignments allow students to take photographs of their favorite subjects while simultaneously learning techniques and exploring ways to produce more creative photographs. Students will be required to pay a lab fee. Students may have to purchase additional materials. Students must have access to a manual 35 mm camera. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Photography II
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Photography I.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Must have access to a manual 35 mm camera.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Individual and small group instruction.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course will be a continuation of the techniques and materials studied in Photography I. The techniques and materials used will be more sophisticated; therefore, greater refinement in their application will be stressed. Higher levels of creativity will be expected of students as they apply familiar as well as new techniques. Students will also be required to demonstrate better compositional skills and work towards the development of a personal style and self expression. Students will have the opportunity to work on more individualized projects and explore photo manipulation on the computer using the Adobe Photoshop program. Students will be required to pay a lab fee. Students may need to purchase additional materials. Students must have access to a manual 35 mm camera. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Computer Graphics
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and Graphic Design I.
OTHER PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Individual.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This highly individualized course is designed for the serious art student who wishes to pursue the art of computer graphics. After several weeks of instruction, students will be given particular problems to solve using the programs Pagemaker, Freehand, and Photoshop on the Macintosh. Projects will include commercial design, illustration, web page design and movie animation. Emphasis will be on self-direction and experimentation. Previous computer experience is not required. Limited space per class hour. Students are required to pay a lab fee for materials. Curriculum Guide

Selected Art Studio/Advanced Junior/Senior Studio
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals and a Selected Art Studio Level I, II (and III if applicable) course with a grade of "B" or above in the Level II (Level III, if applicable) course.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Completed application form and consent of instructor.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Individual.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This highly individualized course is designed for the serious art student who wishes to further pursue one area of art such as drawing, painting, ceramics, graphic design, animation or computer graphics. Emphasis will be on self-direction and motivation, self-expression, experimentation, and in-depth study of a particular area. For the first nine weeks, students will be responsible for developing their own goals and objectives under the direction of the instructor and then creating assignments to fulfill these goals. For the second nine weeks, students will develop three or more sequential assignments based on a particular theme. One-on-one critiques with the instructor will be scheduled periodically. Two written papers will be required. Students will have to pay for some materials. Curriculum Guide

Applied Design and Portfolio Production
SEMESTERS: 2
CREDIT: 1
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11, 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: Successful completion of Art Fundamentals, a studio level course and teacher recommendation.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: Completed application form and consent of instructor.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional. Emphasis on individual work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course is designed for the serious and talented art student who wishes to improve his/her art skills and techniques while gaining practical knowledge and experience producing actual artwork for the school and community. A portion of the course will simulate "on-the-job" work experiences similar to an advertising agency. Students will develop communication and interaction skills by working directly with "clients" (i.e. administrators, teachers, community members, club sponsors, etc.) to produce projects. Projects will be assigned on an individual or group basis. Examples of such projects could include play posters, school report covers, designing logos and letterhead, community banners, murals, etc. Students will also be required to work on their own portfolio development. Students will only be required to pay for materials for their personal use. Curriculum Guide

Exploring the Arts Through the Ages
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12 (recommended for 10, 11, 12)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: None.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course will explore the development of the arts from the prehistoric era through the 19th century, including, but not exclusive to, painting, sculpture and architecture. Instruction will focus on helping students identify various forms of the visual arts, artists, and their historical periods. Special emphasis will be given to help students develop higher-order thinking skills through the understanding, comparing and analyzing of particular art forms. These forms of art will be studied with the use of slides, video and audiotape, and selected readings. Students will also be required to create their own artwork. This class is designed for both students with no artistic background as well as art students who wish to further their backgrounds in the fine arts field. Exploring and Appreciating Modern Art would be an excellent follow-up course. Students will have to pay for some materials. Curriculum Guide

Exploring and Appreciating Modern Art
SEMESTERS: 1
CREDIT: 1/2
GRADE PLACEMENT: 9, 10, 11, 12 (recommended for 10, 11, 12)
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective. Meets one-half of the fine arts graduation requirement.
COURSE SEQUENCE: None.
OTHER PREREQUISITES: None.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course will explore the development of the arts of the late 19th century through the 20th century including, but not exclusive to, painting and sculpture. Emphasis will be placed on understanding modern art -- its origins, methods, and meanings. Students will work on developing higher order thinking skills by comparing and analyzing particular art forms. These forms of art will be studied with the use of slides, video and audio tape, and selected readings. Students also will be required to create their own artwork. This class is designed for both students with no artistic background as well as art students who wish to further their backgrounds in the fine arts field. Although this class would be an excellent follow-up to Exploring the Arts Through the Ages, that course is not a prerequisite. Students will have to pay for some materials. Curriculum Guide

AP Studio Art
SEMESTER: 2
CREDIT: 1
GRADE PLACEMENT: 11 or 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Elective
COURSE SEQUENCE: Art Fundamentals and at least one studio course
OTHER PRE-REQUISITES: Must qualify for, or be invited for admission to an indexed course in this academic department. For specific information on indexed courses, see the handbook section titled ‘GRADE POINT AVERAGE INDEXING.’ Teacher recommendation.
STUDENT AND STAFF ORGANIZATION: Conventional with emphasis on individual work.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course is comparable to the first year of college coursework in studio art. AP Studio Art is for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art; the course demands significant commitment. It is highly recommended that students have previous coursework in art. Students will focus on developing their work in three major areas: quality of work, breadth of experience in the formal, technical and expressive means of the artist, and concentration on a particular visual interest or problem. Students will be responsible for producing a large volume of quality work, participating in group and individual critiques and developing their technical and expressive abilities. Students will be highly encouraged to submit a portfolio for the AP Studio Art exam in the spring for college credit.