New Course Offerings for 2019-2020
Adulting in the 21st Century
Course #: OT331 Grades 11, 12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 3
Prerequisite: None
Adulting in the 21st Century aims to provide students with an opportunity to learn and practice basic life skills. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Digital Citizenship (personal branding, social media footprints, online resumes)
- Financial Literacy (managing money, opening bank accounts, preparing taxes, making online bill payments, applying for loans)
- Nutrition & Meal Preparation (planning meals; following recipes; using kitchen appliances, gadgets and measurement tools)
- Household Maintenance & Safety (power outage survival, Internet of Things devices and privacy, laundry, cleaning, basic mending, basic plumbing solutions)
- Social interactions (phone skills, formal emails, job interviews, making appointments, dressing for work)
- College Success (note-taking, study skills, time management, self-care, living with roommates, living independently)
- Basic day-to-day skills (changing flat tires, checking oil, registering vehicles, mailing letters and packages via snail mail, signing one’s name in cursive)
Texts and Materials: Laptop
Expectations: Students will be expected to participate in class activities and complete regular homework assignments.
Dance II
Course #: PH130 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 (fulfills a fine arts or a PE credit) Length: Semester Expectation Level: 3
Prerequisite: Dance I or teacher approval
This class continues with the work done in Dance I, further improving dance technique, and exploring more creation of choreography adding in elements of partnering and production. Dance history and its relevance to today will be discussed. Dancers, athletes, gymnasts, cheerleaders, or any other movers may take this class after taking Dance I or with teacher approval. Performing is required. Course may be audited.
Expectations: Dance II grades are based on individual improvement and achievements during the semester; participation, comprehension, and effort being the most important factors. Attendance, collaboration, and being prepared for movement (appropriate attire) are also taken into consideration. Final exam requires participation in a performance.
Guitar II
Course #: FAM234 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 3
Prerequisite: Guitar I or audition; must be able to read music notation as well as chord symbols
Materials: You must bring your own Guitar - either acoustic or electric (with a small portable amp). Guitar I or audition. Must be able to read music notation as well as chord symbols.
In Guitar II you will polish up those skills you learned in Guitar I. In addition you will
- Build up dexterity in playing melodies and improve your ability to make smooth chord changes.
- Learn to play melodies and chords in 3rd, 5th and 7th position.
- Explore playing rock, folk, blues, swing, classical styles of music.
- Learn how to play fingerstyle guitar.
History of Film
Course #: FAO233 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 3
Prerequisite: Video Production I or New Media/Broadcast Journalism
History of Film offers students a chance to look at film history spanning the creation of the film camera to the arrival of the CGI Blockbuster films of the 2000s. The course includes a brief but exhaustive overview of cinema history. Throughout the course students will learn how to develop a historical appreciation of film based on a survey of cinematic traditions and the films that are significant throughout history. Students will examine how meaning in films is constructed by the uses of camera, editing, lighting, sound and acting, as well as explore the impact of technological developments on film production, and evaluate the importance of genre and the legacy of individual producers, filmmakers and actors throughout the history of cinema.
Texts and Materials: A Short History of Film
Expectations: Class participation, attendance, research projects, and a positive attitude
Computer Science/Coding II
Course #: IT233 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 3
Prerequisite: Introduction to CS/Coding
Explore a wide variety of new and innovative computing platforms while expanding your understanding of what computering can be. Use circuits, create apps, event-driven programming models and develop an app of your own design.
Text and materials: Laptop
Expectations: Comfortable with computer. Able to work independently and as part of a small group.
Music Production
Course #: FAM236 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 4
Prerequisite: None; space limited to 16 students
Music Production is a semester-long music class. Members will learn the fundamentals of sound, recording techniques, differences between types of hardware and software, and the basics of digital music production. Students will be assessed by daily music reading activities, weekly quizzes, meeting the NCCAS music standards, and Habits of Work & Learning, and several recording projects. Students will occasionally need to record live music, which may or may not take place outside of class hours.
Expectations:
- Respect the equipment: Many students will be sharing the workstation and associated hardware. Damaging any of the class materials or leaving them in disarray will result in disciplinary action.
- Musicianship: Students are expected to progress through regular practice/drills with notation, sight-singing, and ear-training. Tools/strategies include worksheets, tests, and training drills.
Video and Audio Production Basics *
Course #: FAO340 Grades: 11, 12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 4
Prerequisite: None
This class is an introduction to basic video and audio production. Classes are held in a TV studio where students learn the fundamental skills of video production through lectures and demonstrations. Topics include: production organizations and the production environment, camera operation, lighting, use of microphones, audio mixing and the use of special effects and graphics systems.
After successfully completing the course, the student will be able to acquire a thorough understanding of operations in a professional studio environment. This includes basic knowledge of various tools including; cameras, audio devices, video switching and distribution devices, media recorders, lighting equipment. The class will also introduce students to the role of each member of a production team. Students will also complete an oral presentation on a particular subject area within the scope of the course.
Texts and Materials: No text, but weekly readings required. A laptop is also required.
Expectations: Regular attendance is mandatory. Students will be expected to work collaboratively as well as independently to complete projects. In addition to classwork, there will be regular readings and exercises assigned for homework.