Fine Arts
Art I (Elective/Requirement)
Grade(s): 9- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
This course is an overview of art, artists and techniques. Students will be creating artworks based on the Elements and Principles of Art. Projects will include line drawings, positive/negative shape artworks, value drawings, texture drawings and or mixed media projects, projects using color theory and a final project including all the Elements and Principles of Art. Media include graphite, pen, mixed media, watercolor and acrylics.Students will improve drawing skills through the application of several drawing methodologies and critique significant artworks throughout history as they relate to the Elements and Principles of Art. Finally, you will participate in portfolio development and self and peer critiques to further develop your own aesthetic and skill set. A project and fully written critique is part of the final course evaluation.
Art II
Grade(s): 10-12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Art I
Visual Art will give students a solid foundation in printmaking and painting. The course will expand students’ creative abilities and self expression. By the end of the course, students will gain the visual and technical abilities of objective drawing and receive a foundation in printmaking, including monoprints, relief, collograph, and intaglio. Students will expand their foundation skills in painting including watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. Additionally, students will gain exposure to eras in art history as they relate to the elements and principles of art. Students will culminate their work through the development of a digital portfolio and the completion of several artworks prepared for exhibition.
Band
Grade(s): 9-12
Credits: 5
** credits can be applied to fine arts requirement
Band is a large ensemble that performs concert and marching band music. Instrumentation includes wind and percussion instruments. Activities involve developing performance techniques, general musicianship and creative/critical thinking. Membership satisfies the participation requirement for county, regional and all-state honors ensembles. Course prerequisites: because the ensemble is focused on performing more challenging music, all students must be proficient at reading music and need to apply for a seat through an audition/selection process.
Digital Photography I
Grade(s): 10- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
Digital Photography I is a year long course in which students are introduced to photographic compositional elements, principles of design, layout and lighting. Students will learn basic camera techniques, editing workflow, and creative thinking. They will explore the history of photography, learning about technological developments, important innovators in the field, and relevance within the digital world. Using industry-standard Adobe software, students will learn how to edit and organize images, as well as create graphic based designs using the images they have created. Students will learn to manage and maintain a workflow consisting of multiple projects simultaneously, preparing them for life after graduation. Focusing on time management and self-motivation to help cultivate a disciplined student who will possess the motivation to succeed in the educational journey. With a strong emphasis on learning to manage their workflow, upon completion of the course, students will possess the skill set and creative energy to enter into Photography II as a beginner level photographer!
Digital Photography II (Independent Study)
Grade(s): 11-12, Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Photography I
Photography II is a year long course where students will explore the next level of Photography. This course will allow students to expand photographic competency and aesthetic sensibility while learning techniques to improve their work and build a greater understanding of advanced functions of the digital camera. Using their knowledge of time management, workflow, DSLR camera techniques and creative thinking students will complete various projects in an instructional environment. This course offers students an opportunity to extend their skill set upon prerequisite knowledge covered in Photography I. Students will take the foundational skills covered in Photography I and advance into the world of artificial lighting, Industry standard workflow techniques, and Industry based projects. Working with the Academies at ACIT, students will learn to function as entrepreneurs through a variety of cross-curricular projects. This course will prepare students for opportunities available throughout the photography industry. Students will leave this course with the knowledge and confidence of a young photographer!
Drawing & Painting
Grade(s): 10- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
This course is an in-depth, hands-on exploration of the media and techniques of drawing and painting. Students will communicate ideas and meanings through visual literacy using, achromatic and chromatic drawing media, watercolor, gouache and acrylic. Students will critique historical masterworks in each of the given media in the developmental pursuit of the own personal aesthetic. Methods and techniques include contour drawing, comics/manga, perspective, Right-Brained drawing, value and color drawing. Painting in sumi-e, and western watercolor techniques, and watermedia sketching. Gouache painting using fine and illustration techniques. Painting in acrylics using traditional and mixed media techniques. Students will culminate their work through the development of a digital portfolio and the completion of several artworks prepared for exhibition.
Evolution of Pop & Music Technology
Grade(s): 10- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
Evolution of Pop Music is a historical survey of American popular music with an emphasis on the period from 1950 to the present. Students will develop an awareness of the cultural, social, technological, and musical forces that helped shape each decade. Students will develop their knowledge of musical styles, instrumentation, and song structure. In addition, students will gain insight into the social and cultural aspects of music as formative factors influencing its evolution. Music Technology includes the production of music with Chromebooks and iPads using various music recording applications. Students will experience live recording, editing and mixing music. They will sync various forms of media to create a final product. Students will learn to analyze sounds and create sound effects. Students will also learn to read and create scores for musical compositions. The history of music production and its commercial aspects will also be examined. This is a pairing that will seamlessly allow students to learn about the roots of music while generating sounds of their own in the same style.
Instrumental Music
Grade(s): 10- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
Students entering this class will develop a greater understanding of their instrument, and of reading, writing and performing music. The focus will center on tone production, musicality, ear training, performance protocol as well as rhythm and pitch precision. Students will discover online resources and music technology that will continue to inspire and educate performers even after the course is completed. By the end of this course, students will have developed practice and performance skills and be better prepared to enter college as a music major or pursue a career in music performance.
*Students can take this course for two consecutive years (Instrumental Music II) if they wish; class will be differentiated for various learners
Media I
Grade(s): 10- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed to explore the history, context and production of various media. Video, video editing, photography and graphics skills are developed to take creative ideas from concept to delivery. Students will also engage dynamics of communication, media literacy, and the social impact of media. Reading, writing and listening skills are reinforced in a fun hands-on workshop setting.
Media II (Independent Study)
Grade(s): 11- 12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Media I and/or instructor recommendation
Media II elective is an advanced level course in video and media production. Students will produce media products for a variety of school and community events to expand upon public relations, marketing strategy, studio and field production skills. Students will aim to use advanced filmmaking and editing techniques that produce a professional quality product. The course incorporates 21st century job skills and emphasizes public speaking, writing for the media and presentation skills. Media Literacy knowledge and skills are woven throughout the course and students may engage in cross-curricular projects with other classes or disciplines. ACIT Media is also partnering with PBS and functions as a PBS Newshour Regional Student Reporting Lab. In this capacity, students work on assignments for air on PBS Newshour and have opportunities to earn certification from PBS for news journalism. The course will utilize a business model approach wherein students develop entrepreneurial skills to collaborate, design and create videos for “clients.” A major aspect of the course is time management, meeting deadlines, and self-evaluations.
Music Appreciation
Grade(s): 11-12
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: None
In Music Appreciation, students will focus on learning to play percussion, wind and keyboard instruments. In addition to developing the skills and knowledge to read and write music and lyrics, students will also delve into creating music using some of the latest technology. Through ear training and music history, students will expand their appreciation for one of the most important and fulfilling parts of their life: music.
Yearbook
Grade: 10- 12 - Restricted to 50 students
Credit: 5
Prerequisite: Completed or Currently taking Photography I
** credits can be applied to fine arts requirement
This course is designed to teach yearbook production, including theme, coverage, copywriting, graphic design, photography & photo editing, sales, advertising, status reporting, and project leadership. Students will design, layout, collect the necessary written and visual information, and produce an affordable school yearbook within the projected allotment of pages. Students will assist faculty with senior portrait selection as well as assist with underclassmen picture days. The class will deliver a bi-weekly video update (Yearbook on the Scene) in collaboration with Red Hawk Media. They will create monthly sales reports and meet yearbook page deadlines. The yearbook staff will obtain page submission approval from faculty, and present financial & book status reports as needed to the administration. Working with all of the CTE academies, sports teams, performing arts events and club activities will be important. Students will learn the importance of being self-directed, working as a team to complete multiple tasks successfully, on time, and on budget.