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Arts & Humanities Course Descriptions

Music

Mixed Chorus

Students develop vocal skills in the context of a large choral ensemble as a means to study and perform a variety of styles. These courses are designed to develop students' vocal techniques and their ability to sing parts and include experiences in creating and responding to music. Courses are offered on multiple levels to accommodate proficiency.

Chorale

Students build upon previously developed vocal skills in the context of a large choral ensemble as a means to study and perform a variety of styles. These courses are designed to develop students' vocal techniques and their ability to sing parts and include experiences in creating and responding to music. Courses are offered on multiple levels to accommodate proficiency.

Band

Students study and perform a variety of traditional styles such as traditional chamber music, and contemporary or popular styles, such as jazz and rock, while also cultivating students' technique on instruments appropriate to the style(s) performed -- brass, woodwind, string, percussion instruments, and/or electronic.

Advanced Music Theory (offering depends on interest and availability in schedule)

This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of music and include one or more of the following topics: melody, harmony, composition, arrangement, analysis, aural development, and sight reading.

Art

Visual Arts I

Students are introduced to the basic fundamentals of artistic expression. The course includes experiences in drawing, painting, two-and three-dimensional design, sculpture, and other art forms. The course emphasizes observations, interpretation of the visual environment, visual communication, imagination and symbolism, and an introduction to various visual arts techniques and media. The focus of the course is on application of the fundamental processes of artistic expression and application of the concepts and approaches in the symbolic aspects of art and design to two- and three-dimensional problems so that they demonstrate a range of abilities and versatility with technique, problem solving, and ideation. A study of historical and contemporary art and artists from a worldwide perspective, and instruction and practice in peer review through the critique process, presentation or their, responding to art and connecting their art to the world around them are included.

Sculpture

Sculpture promotes creative expression through three-dimensional works. Students explore representational and abstract sculpture through subtractive (carving), additive (modeling), and assemblage techniques in one or more media. They produce representational and abstract sculptures that communicate personal ideas and messages through the application of the fundamentals of artistic expression while incorporating elements of art and principles of design. A study of historical and contemporary sculpture and sculptors from a worldwide perspective, and instruction and practice in the critique process are addressed.

Ceramics

This course engages students in learning experiences that encompasses the historical and cultural context of ceramics, critiquing their own work and the work of others, aesthetic inquiry, and creative production. They develop knowledge of ceramic techniques and processes with an emphasis on creative design and craftsmanship. Experience includes, but is not limited to, clay modeling, hand building, coil building, casting and throwing on the potter's wheel. Students develop a working knowledge of kiln firing and glazing techniques. Students balance experimentation and safety, freedom and responsibility while developing and creating artworks.

Painting/Drawing

Students focus on the blend and relationships that occur between drawing and painting. Attention is given to two-dimensional work and utilizes one or more mediums, such as pen-and-ink, pencil, chalk, watercolor, tempera, oils, and acrylics. Students extend and refine knowledge in the creative process to visually communicate personal intent. Advanced students extend and refine knowledge in the creative process. They are encouraged to develop their own artistic styles. Students focus on making meaning by investigating and reflecting their awareness of their perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of life. The course may emphasize either drawing or painting or combine both.

Art Portfolio

Art Portfolio is designed to address a variety of factors and methods including evolving technologies when preparing and refining artwork for portfolio presentation and or when deciding if and how to preserve and protect art. Students will create, select, respond to, and present work that clearly reflects newly obtained technical skills, increasing conceptual thinking and is a reflection of their personal interests and may serve as an opportunity for students to expand their expertise in a particular form or style, to explore a topic in greater detail, or to develop more advanced skills. Individual critique and planned peer review will help students prepare for future endeavors. This course covers any identified Visual Arts discipline.

Introduction to Creative Media Arts

An introduction to and survey of the creative and conceptual aspects of designing media arts experiences and products, including techniques, genres and styles from various and combined mediums and forms, including moving image, sound, interactive, spatial and/or interactive design. Typical course topics include: aesthetic meaning, appreciation and analysis; composing, capturing, processing and programming of media arts products, experiences and communications; their transmission, distribution and marketing; as well as contextual, cultural, and historical aspects and considerations. This course covers the conceptual, social and philosophical aspects of the variety, purposes and nature of media arts.

Multimedia Art

The creative and conceptual aspects of designing and producing media arts experiences, products and services that combine imagery, text, sound, motion, interactivity and/or virtuality into a unified presentation. Typical course topics include: aesthetic meaning, appreciation and analysis; composition, development, processing and programming of combined physical, interactive and virtual experiences and environments; their presentation, transmission, distribution and marketing; as well as contextual, cultural, and historical aspects and considerations.

Performing Arts/Cultural Arts

Drama/Theatre

This course is designed to develop a knowledge of theatrical concepts and techniques that will enable students to create new theatre pieces (work-in-progress/complete), perform existing theatre works and respond to both studio exercises and performances. Introduction to Theatre covers multiple styles of dramatic literature and uses a variety of connections to historical and cultural contexts. Introduction to Theatre sets the stage for both a performance and a technical theatre emphasis and students engage on a basic level with skills and knowledge in and of: acting and improvisation, theatre design and technology, theatre history and appreciation, dramatic literature and critique, and theatre administration.

Film as Literature

The course aims to develop students as proficient interpreters of film texts. Through the study and analysis of film texts, students develop critical abilities and appreciation of artistic, cultural, historical and global perspectives in film. They examine concepts, theories, practices and ideas from multiple perspectives, challenging their own views to understand and value those of others. The course emphasizes the importance of an appreciation of the development of film across time and culture.

History of Rock n Roll

Students develop an understanding of Rock n Roll music and its importance in relation to the human experience. Learning experiences include guided listening, analysis, discussion and hands on experimentation including informal performance, improvisation, or composition focused on how various styles of music apply musical elements to create expressive or aesthetic impact.

History of Country Music

Students develop an understanding of Country music and its importance in relation to the human experience. Learning experiences include guided listening, analysis, discussion and hands on experimentation including informal performance, improvisation, or composition focused on how various styles of music apply musical elements to create expressive or aesthetic impact.