Visual Arts & Communication Processes

Students will create works of art in a variety of media, critique those experiences, explore art history, write art reports, investigate art careers, participate in art exhibitions and portfolio display.  During the second semester students will continue to explore a variety of media requiring advanced technical aptitude as well as increased creative application of those techniques. 

• Recommended Grade Level: 9-12

• Recommended prerequisite:  None 

• Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students will create and decorate original three-dimensional artwork from a variety of materials to include: clay, glazes, plaster-treated gauze, and stained glass. They will also learn to operate many different pieces of equipment such as a pottery wheel, slab rolling table, pug mill, and glass cutter.

• Recommended Grade Level:  10-12

• Recommended prerequisite:  Intro. to 2-D Art 

• Credits:  A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Advanced Two-Dimensional Art is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students in this course builds on the sequential learning experiences of Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create two-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. They identify ways to utilize and support art museums, galleries, studios, and community resources. 

• Recommended Grade: 9 - 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Intro to Two-Dimensional Art 

• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester. 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas

Advanced Three-Dimensional Art is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art. Students in this course build on the sequential learning experiences of Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works. Students explore historical and cultural background and connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; create three-dimensional works of art, reflect upon the outcomes, and revise their work; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and presentational skills. 

• Recommended Grade:  10 - 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Introduction to Two-Dimensional Art, Introduction to Three-Dimensional Art  

• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester. 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas 

Students will learn to use and master a variety of equipment which may include band saw, miter box, power-rotary tool, Ringmaster-lathe, cordless drill, glass cutter, pottery wheel, pug mill, and clay extruder. Students will explore careers related to the content area.

• Recommended Grade Level: 10-12

• Recommended prerequisite:  Intro/Adv 2-D Art, Intro/Adv 3-D Art 

• Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students create drawings using a variety of materials. A wide range of subjects and techniques, reflection and critique of personal and historic art, career reviews, and exhibition of work are included in this creative course.

• Recommended Grade Level: 10-12

• Required prerequisite: Intro/Adv 2D Art

• Art Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students will explore the medium of painting and learn how to skillfully render images through paint application. They will apply skills developed in 2D Design to create more advanced and focused works of art. Students will use different types of paint including tempera, acrylic, watercolor, oil pastels, and oil paint. Students will have the opportunity to paint subject matter of their choice and experiment with different styles of painting.

• Recommended Grade Level: 10-12 

• Required prerequisite:  Intro/Adv 2D Art

• Students may be asked to provide/buy special materials.

• Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students in Visual Communication will create print media utilizing graphic design, typography, illustration, and image creation with digital tools and computer technology. Projects will include posters and advertisements for various educational and extracurricular programs at Lawrence North High School. 

• Recommended Grade Level: 11 - 12

• Recommended prerequisite:  Digital Design

• Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Students will study works of art throughout history, in order to gain an understanding and appreciation for visual arts. The course will consist of class discussions, slide study, group activities, hands on projects, and research projects. Each semester students will attend a field trip to a nearby museum or gallery to see works of art that pertain to a movement or style of art studied in class. The non-artist student pursuing the Academic Honors Diploma, or college, may seriously want to consider this fine art class. First semester covers Prehistoric Art through 1492 Art. Second semester covers 1492 Art through Modern Art.

• Recommended Grade Level: 10-12

• Recommended prerequisite:  None 

• Credits: A one or two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

AP Art History is a course based on the content established and copyrighted by the College Board. The AP Art History course is equivalent to a two-semester introductory college course that explores topics such as the nature of art, art making, and responses to art. By investigating a specific image set of 250 works of art characterized by diverse artistic traditions from prehistory to the present, the course fosters in-depth, holistic understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students become active participants in the global art world, engaging with its forms and content, as they experience, research, discuss, read, and write about art, artists, art making, and responses to and interpretations of art.

• Recommended Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

• Recommended Prerequisites: none

• Credits: 2 semester course, 1 credit per semester

• Fulfills a Fine Arts requirement for the Core 40 Academic Honors Diploma

Fine Arts Connections is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art, Music, Theatre, and Dance. In this course, students make connections among experiences in the four arts disciplines and integrate them in studies of all academic disciplines. They create works encompassing multiple disciplines, literacies, and sign systems, reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about works and the nature of the arts. 

• Recommended Grade:  11 - 12 

• Required Prerequisites:  2+ credits in visual art, music, theatre, or dance. 

• Credits: 1 semester course, 1 credit per semester. 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas 

Studio Art is for highly motivated students interested in exploring advanced art materials and techniques. Students will expand on their prior technical skills to create art work that demonstrates a very individualized original approach to art making. Evaluation will be based on the three areas of the AP portfolio, Quality, Breadth and Concentration.  Students will have the opportunity to use advanced art material and techniques. Multi-media processes will be explored to develop individual fine art works. Students also use organizational principles and functions to solve visual problems. Career research and designing an AP quality professional portfolio are part of the course goals. Field experiences may include visits to art museums, galleries and studios.

Students will be expected to articulate their ideas through written and oral critiques, sketchbooks and art journals. Field experiences may include visits to art museums, galleries and participation in art shows.

• Recommended Grade Level:  11 or 12

• Recommended prerequisite:  Intro to 2D Art and four semesters of any other art course. A $30 fee per semester will cover the basic supplies.

• Credits: A two credit course

• Counts as an Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas

Photography is a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for Visual Art.  Students in photography engage in sequential learning experiences that encompass art history, art criticism, aesthetics, and production and lead to the creation of portfolio quality works, creating photographs, films, and videos utilizing a variety of digital tools and dark room processes. They reflect upon and refine their work; explore cultural and historical connections; analyze, interpret, theorize, and make informed judgments about artwork and the nature of art; relate art to other disciplines and discover opportunities for integration; and incorporate literacy and

presentation skills. Students utilize the resources of art museums, galleries, and studios, and identify art-related careers.

• Recommended Grade Level:  10-12

• Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to 2D-Art

• Credits: a 1-semester course for 1 credit. 

• Fulfills requirement for 1 of 2 Fine Arts credits for Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma

Introduction to Photography is a course for the beginning photographer. Students will learn the control of basic photographic principles such as exposure, focus, subject selection and depth of field. This course will also focus on the exploration into composition, stylistic approach, and metering for daylight, studio light and night scenes.  

• Recommended Grade Level: Grade 9 - 12 

• Recommended Prerequisites: None 

• Credits: 1 credit per semester, maximum of 1 semester, maximum 1 credit 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas 

Photography II is a course for the student who wishes to continue on with photography knowledge. Review of basic photographic principles such as exposure, focus, subject selection and depth of field is the primary focus of this course, along with an exploration into composition, stylistic approach, and metering for daylight, studio light and night scenes. Photojournalism students will learn theory and history to obtain and report with a camera under deadline conditions. Assignments will be within the high school and extend into the community. An emphasis will be placed on students publishing assignments to begin portfolios. This course also offers lighting techniques such as back light, side light and natural light. We concentrate on “FUN” projects while learning Adobe Photoshop. The students will learn through lectures, studio workshops, slide shows and field trips. Critiques of student work will stress positive achievements toward instilling the confidence to tackle more challenging photographic work. Students are encouraged to discuss ideas and concepts with both the instructors and fellow students in an environment that welcomes input and exploration. Students will use the school cameras in class; there is no need to bring in your DSLR to school. Kids should have a thumb drive to save or transfer work from home to school.

• Recommended Grade Level: Grade 10 - 12 

• Recommended Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intro to Photography

• Credits: 2 credits, 2 semesters 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for the General, Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors and Core 40 with Technical Honors diplomas 

The purpose of the Principles of Broadcasting course is to provide entry-level fundamental skills for students who wish to seek or pursue opportunities in the field of broadcasting or mass media. Students will explore the technical aspects of audio and sound design for radio production and distribution, as well as, the technical aspects of video production and distribution. 

• Recommended Grade(s): 9, 10, 11 

• Required Prerequisites: none 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diploma

Audio and Video Production Essentials provides an in-depth study on audio and video production techniques for radio, television, and digital technologies. Students will learn skills necessary for audio production and on-air work used in radio and other digital formats. Additionally, experience will be gained in the development of the video production process; including skills in message development, directing, camera, video switcher, and character generator operations. 

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Broadcasting Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas

Mass Media Production will focus on the study of theory and practice in the voice and visual aspects of radio and television performance. In addition, this course introduces the skills used to acquire and deliver news stories in a digital media format. Students will learn how to research issues and events, interview news sources, interact with law enforcement and government officials, along with learning to write in a comprehensive news style.

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Broadcasting; Audio and Video Production Essentials 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas

Principles of Digital Design introduces students to fundamental design theory. Investigations into design theory and color dynamics will provide experiences in applying design theory, ideas and creative problem solving, critical peer evaluation, and presentation skills. Students will have the opportunity to apply the design theory through an understanding of basic photographic theory and technique. Topics will include image capture, processing, various output methods, and light.

• Recommended Grade(s): 9, 10, 11 

• Required Prerequisites: none 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a directed elective or elective for all diploma

Digital Design Graphics will help students to understand and create the most common types of computer graphics used in visual communications. Skills are developed through work with professional vector-based and page layout software used in the industry. Additionally, students will be introduced to a full range of image input technology and manipulation including conventional photography, digital imaging, and computer scanners. Students will learn to communicate concepts and ideas through various imaging devices.

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas

Graphic Design and Layout teaches design process and the proper and creative use of type as a means to develop effective communications for global, corporate and social application. Students will create samples for a portfolio, which may include elements or comprehensive projects in logo, stationery, posters, newspaper, magazine, billboard, and interface design.

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design; Digital Design Graphics 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

• Counts as a Directed Elective or Elective for all diplomas

Interactive Media Design focuses on the tools, strategies, and techniques for interactive design and emerging technologies, like web and social media. Students will learn the basics of planning, shooting, editing and post-producing video and sound. Additionally, students will explore the process of integrating text, graphics, audio and video for effective communication of information.

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design; Digital Design Graphics 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum 

Professional Photography & Videography further develops advanced camera skills and photographic vision. The course introduces special techniques and digital processes while refining printing and processing skills. It will also emphasize good composition and the use of photography as a communication tool. Students will also learn the basics of planning, shooting, editing and post-producing video and sound.

• Recommended Grade(s): 10, 11, 12 

• Required Prerequisites: Principles of Digital Design; Digital Design Graphics 

• Recommended Prerequisites: none 

• Credits: 2 semester course, 2 semesters required, 1 credit per semester, 2 credits maximum