Fine Arts Course Offerings

VISUAL ARTS

Honors Art I

9th - 12th

No prerequisite course required. Art 1 is a foundational course in the visual arts designed for both the beginning artist as well as those with elementary school experience in art. This course will engage students in the various ways one can express ideas through visual art production, art appreciation, and art criticism. The course will have three major components: (1) understanding various elements and principles of art (both modern and postmodern) through observation and practice by learning different techniques and using various media, (2) creating art projects that demonstrate content, concept, skills learned, as well as originality/innovation, and (3) general knowledge of how the arts function in society throughout history and in our present day. Students will be assessed through art projects, sketchbooks, tests, written reports and participation on an art class blog.

Honors Photography

9th - 12th

No prerequisite course required. In this digital course, students explore the creative possibilities of photography. 

Honors Graphic Arts

9th - 12th

No prerequisite course required (Honors Photography highly recommended). This course is designed to give students an understanding of and practical application of graphic design and digital media software such as digital photography, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Students will produce and will be assessed on many projects that include creating original designs, digital portraits, ads and art productions. In addition, students gain foundational knowledge of the tools and technologies of digital media. This course emphasizes design elements and principles in the purposeful arrangement of images and text to communicate a message. There is a focus on creating art products such as advertisements, product designs, and identity symbols. Students will utilize computer software to design and develop contemporary works and also study the cultural and historical significance of master design works of different periods and styles. This class will also prepare students for AP 2-D Design (Digital focus).

Honors Drawing & Painting

10th - 12th

Prerequisite: Art 1. In this intermediate level studio course, students explore the creative possibilities of drawing and painting. Students work in a variety of media and techniques including pencil, charcoal, pastel, oil pastel, conté, ink, watercolor, acrylic paint as well as other alternative materials. This course will engage students in the various ways one can express ideas through art production, art appreciation, and art criticism. The course will have three major components: (1) demonstrating understanding of various skills and techniques used for drawing & painting (both modern and postmodern methods/means) through practice with various media, (2) creating drawing & painting projects that demonstrate explorations in various content & concepts as well as originality/innovation, and (3) general knowledge of how drawing & painting function in society throughout history and in contemporary society. You will be assessed through class art projects, sketchbooks, homework, writing projects and final portfolios at the end of each semester. This class will also prepare students for the AP Drawing course.

Honors Studio Mixed Media

10th - 12th 

Prerequisite: Art I. In this intermediate course, students will create works of art combining multiple 2-D and 3-D methods of making. We will explore the juxtaposition of materials and techniques to build meaning in works of art. The first semester will focus on 2-dimensional art forms such as printmaking, fashion illustration, logo design and collage. In second semester students will explore materials such as clay, recycled/found objects, paper mache and wire. Art projects will include traditional as well as modern artworks such as conceptual installations. 

Advanced Placement:  AP Drawing

11th - 12th

Prerequisite: Honors Art 1 then Honors Drawing & Painting (or teacher approval). This is a very independent course for advanced student artist that have taken both Art 1 and Drawing & Painting or have teacher permission.  Students will be encouraged to continue developing their own artistic voice while demonstrating their drawing/painting skills as they investigate their own creative idea(s) through a series of artworks. The students will engage in a sustained investigation of their choice that explores ideas, processes, and materials.   By the end of the course, students will have developed a body of work (portfolio) that will be submitted digitally as well as physically to the AP College Board for potential college credit.

Advanced Placement: AP 2D Design Digital

11th - 12th

Prerequisite: Honors Photography then Honors Graphic Arts (or teacher approval). In this course, artists will be developing their artistic voice while at the same time showing their versatility in digital imaging as they expand on different themes during the creation of 24 original artworks. The artists will engage in a year-long investigation of all three aspects of the AP studio portfolio: Quality, Concentration, and Breadth. The artists will explore how they can articulate different themes and emotions with a versatile approach to digital techniques and design. Artists will also be responsible for examining, investigating, and critiquing works of art.  In semester two, artists will focus on the Concentration and Quality aspects of their portfolios by picking an area or theme to focus on and explore in depth. The class culminates in a final presentation of the AP portfolio to be submitted to the College Board.

MUSIC

Honors Beginning Choir

9th - 12th

Beginning choir is a mixed voice choir for students with limited or no prior music experience required. The course focuses on rehearsal and performance techniques, using a variety of choral literature. Introductory music theory is also incorporated in the study of music. Students will prepare a repertoire for various performances throughout the year.

Honors Mixed Choir

10th - 12th

Concert Choir is a select mixed voice choir by audition only. The choir performs a variety of choral literature in concert and contest; students will begin level 2 music theory, sight-reading, and advanced vocal production techniques. Members of the choir are encouraged to participate in solo and ensemble contests as well as audition for the All-City Festival Choir.

Honors Beginning Band

9th - 12th 

Beginning Band covers the skills needed to develop a mastery of a band instrument. The class will cover music reading skills, performance skills, and students will play and analyze music from many genres. There will be several concerts over the year. We will cover basic note reading skills, rhythms, sound production on all band instruments, the history of the instruments, tools of musical expression, breathing, practice habits, and music interpretation skills. The course is assessed through a variety of tools including essays, formative practice records, and live playing exams. 

Honors Intermediate Band

10th - 12th

Intermediate band is the second level of band at Westinghouse. The course continues where beginning band left off, bringing students to a higher level of performance proficiency on their instrument. Students will perform in three concerts and will attend a local band festival and clinic in the spring. Intermediate band will also perform as a pep band at school athletic events. The course is assessed through a variety of way including formative and summative performance exams, and essays. Intermediate band is a secondary level music course and fulfills the CPS music graduation requirement. Prerequisites: Beginning band or prior band experience with permission of instructor.

Honors Advanced Band

11th - 12th

This audition-based class is for the most advanced instrumental students and is worth honors credit. It is intended for students who have studied their instrument for one or more years. We will perform at 3-4 concerts, and participate in athletic events and regional concert band festivals/competitions. The course is assessed through a variety of way including formative and summative performance exams, and essays. Advanced band is a third level music course and fulfills the CPS music graduation requirement. Prerequisites: Beginning band or prior band experience with permission of instructor.

Honors Beginning Guitar

9th - 12th

This class is intended for students in all grade levels. The course will cover music reading skills, improvisation, history, performance, and composition. It will include elements of the “Little Kids Rock” program which is inspired by immersing students in the music, similar to the approach of a language class. Musical styles covered include blues, reggae, rock, hip-hop, and more.

Honors Intermediate Guitar

10th - 12th 

This class is intended for students who have already completed the Beginning Guitar course. The Intermediate Guitar course will expand on concepts introduced in Beginning Guitar such as musical literacy, improvisation, performance and composition. This course will provide the students with the experience of playing in an ensemble as it will be focused on performance and advancing musicianship through guitar ensemble repertoire and chamber music. Students will also advance their individual technique and musical literacy through solo repertoire for the guitar.

Honors Beginning Piano

9th - 12th

Beginning piano is designed to teach the concepts and fundamentals needed to perform on the piano. It will increase musical understanding beyond reading notes by teaching students a vocabulary of chords and keys as well as accompaniment patterns. Students will play melodies in several positions and have the opportunity to participate in ensemble playing. Further, students will develop strong habits of practice while learning techniques to increase the muscular agility and flexibility of their hands.

Honors Intermediate Piano

10th - 12th

The Westinghouse Intermediate Piano course will continue to develop keyboard skills, basic musicianship skills to include music reading, improvising, transposing, harmonizing, and ear training, taught in Beginning Piano. As a member of the performing arts program, performance skills will also continue to be emphasized. Students will be encourage to participate in the CPS Piano Festival held each year in February.  The Intermediate Piano Course will integrated curriculum that emphasizes graded repertoire, theory, technic, and multiple-key solos. Students will perform in a formal piano recital at the end of each semester, The recital material will be selected with student choice built in the process.

DRAMA

Honors Drama I

9th - 12th

In this course students will participate in activities that develop design and performance skills, as well as the skills necessary for the business of production. The course is taught at the honors level and will include research and analysis in addition to creative products. Students should expect to spend time studying acting, directing, theater history, theater appreciation and evaluation, and technical aspects of theater including: props, sound, lights, set design, make-up and costumes. Students are expected to balance shared responsibility with individual accountability. The course will promote the skills necessary to work professionally in a collaborative environment, as delineated by National Standards.

Honors Drama II

10th - 12th

Drama II will build on the skills learned in Drama I through experimentation and personal expression. The course is taught at the honors level and requires historical research and critical analysis. In addition to studying and critiquing existing plays, students will write, design and perform their own one act plays, develop and present speeches and build a theater resume with headshots. Students in Drama II will develop leadership and communication skills while participating in theatrical roles both on and off stage. The course adheres to the National Standards for Arts Education.

Honors Drama III

11th - 12th

Students in Drama III will take on leadership roles in performance and behind the scenes. They will use the skills learned in Drama I and II to refine their audition, directing, designing and reviewing skills. During the second semester each student will select an area of concentration for an individual study project that will include in-depth research as well as hands-on practice, culminating in a presentation or performance. The course adheres to the National Core Arts Standards.

Honors Drama IV

12th 

Students in Drama IV will select areas of study within the guidelines of the National Core Arts Standards, culminating in projects that fall under the pillars of Creating, Performing, Responding or Connecting. Each quarter will include independent study, as well as guided practice and collaborative events. The course is designed to allow highly motivated students to specialize their study of theater to the career(s) or academic areas that most interest them. This curriculum will result in a portfolio of work samples that illustrate the students' mastery of theatrical skills.

DANCE

Dance- PE                        

11th & 12th

Dance-PE is both a physical and academic study of dance performance, history and artistry. The course will focus on a variety of dance techniques from different cultural backgrounds. Dancers will engage with texts along with video media to learn about and compare how dance is used in different cultures around the world.  Dancers will learn and develop basic dance technique, spatial awareness and kinesthetic intelligence. Dancers will participate in dance-movement activities that are moderate to vigorous in intensity for an average of at least 50% of the class period. This course is appropriate for students with little to no formal dance training, and is inclusive for all who would like to learn dance. Students in this class will perform in assemblies, during the Winter Fine Arts Fest, and in other events on campus to demonstrate their artistry. 

*This course can count as a PE credit OR a Fine Arts credit. 

Honors Photography

10th - 12th

No prerequisite course required. This course students will learn more advanced techniques and methods of creative expression. Students will engage in an in-depth use of the Digital DSLR camera controls, including f/stops (aperture), shutter speeds, focal range and the production of a correct exposure. New techniques include special effects imagery, studio lighting, panoramic imagery, and an introduction to Adobe programs. Skills will include composition, criticism, lighting, and image editing software. Students will engage in creating a visual style or telling a visual story through research, discussion, and exposure to contemporary photographic works; as well as the history and invention of photography. The student will also create individual websites to showcase their portfolios and learn basic web design through wordpress. This class will also prepare students for Honors Graphic Arts then AP 2-D Digital Studio Art course.