CourseS

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

Art 1 (1.0 credit) Grades 9-12 

Learn to draw, paint, and create! This course exposes students to a variety of two-dimensional art including: drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, book arts and more. Students will learn to use a variety of materials such as charcoal, pencil, watercolor, and acrylic paint. This introductory level course is recommended for all students and is the prerequisite for all other 2D Art courses. 

Ceramics 1 (1.0 credit) Grades 9-12 

This introductory course exposes students to many diverse techniques and elements of three dimensional design using clay. Students learn proper handbuilding and wheel throwing techniques according to thematic activities. Firing, glazing, and surface treatment are also addressed. This course is the prerequisite for all other Ceramics courses.

Graphic Design 1 (1.0 credit) Grades 9-12

Create digital art and graphics with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This entry level course will teach you the menus and toolbars as you create designs that express yourself with digital art. There will be a focus on the Elements of Art & Design. This course is the prerequisite for all other Graphic Design courses.

Digital Photography 1 (1.0 credit) Grades 9-12

Digital Photography 1 is designed to provide basic instruction in the production of photography and video, as well as aesthetic and media literacy strategies that will help students to understand the relationship of visual media to contemporary communications. In photography units, students explore camera and lighting techniques, composition strategies, and digital editing. During video units, students learn the basics of documentary video production, including storyboarding, capturing audio, and video communication strategies. Emphasis shifts between using industry-standard software like the Adobe suite, and using online tools and apps that are available to any user. Students complete this course with a portfolio of photography, digital video, and applications to art and media projects.

INTERMEDIATE COURSES

 Art 2 (1.0 credit)  Grades 10-12 

PREREQUISITE: Art 1

This course is offered to the student who wishes to pursue an in-depth study of painting and printmaking. Building on the knowledge of color theory, painting, and printmaking techniques learned in Art 1, students will explore intermediate levels of art making. Media will include acrylic paint, watercolor, dry-point etching, relief printmaking, and book arts. Students concentrate on developing their own visual language of expression. Students will also develop a sketchbook of solutions to drawing problems and color theory assignments. Cohesive portfolio development is an integral component of this course. 

Ceramics 2 (1.0 credit) Grades 10-12 

PREREQUISITE: Ceramics 1

After successful completion of Ceramics 1, this advanced ceramics course will encourage further development of studio pottery techniques. Advanced handbuilding and wheel throwing approaches will be addressed. Personalized thematic works will be chosen and created according to student interest and teacher discretion. 

Digital Photography 2 (1.0 credit) Grades 10-12 

PREREQUISITE: Digital Photography 1

This course provides students with the opportunity to effectively communicate ideas and information via digital photography, through pursuing projects that extend on concepts introduced in the prerequisite course. Students completing this course successfully will be able to demonstrate proficiency in digital photography through the production of a portfolio-quality body of work, displayed either in a personal exhibition of prints or on a student-designed website. 

Video and Broadcast Production (1.0 credit) Grades 10-12 

PREREQUISITE: Digital Photography 1

Students will learn to create (write, shoot, edit) and produce documentary-style broadcast video stories. The class will focus on documenting school and community programs and events using video and multimedia tools. Students will learn the history of broadcasting, video, audio, and graphic techniques and equipment, as well as writing planning techniques for video production in a project-based learning environment. Students will learn to create professional video stories in a variety of formats from traditional broadcast publishing platforms to social media.

Graphic Design 2 (1.0 credit) Grades 10-12 

PREREQUISITE: Graphic Design 1

This is the next level course using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator with the introduction of InDesign. There will be a focus on the Elements and Principles of Design. The option of using tablets will be introduced for drawing as student’s design posters, short animations, three-dimensional package designs, and digital art. 

ADVANCED COURSES

Art 3: Portfolio Preparation (1.0 credit)  Grades 11-12 

Art 3: Portfolio Preparation is designated for students interested in building a portfolio for college admissions. Students wishing to take this course are required to have successfully completed Art 1 and Art 2 OR Graphic Design 1 and Graphic Design 2 OR Digital Photography 1 and Digital Photography 2/Video and Broadcast Production. This course emphasizes creative self expression and problem-solving along with observational drawing. Students will create a comprehensive art portfolio that they can use as part of their college application. 

PREREQUISITE: Art 1, Art 2 OR Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2, OR Digital Photography 1, Digital Photography 2/Video and Broadcast Production 

Ceramics 3 (1.0 credit) Grades 11-12 

PREREQUISITE: Ceramics 1 and Ceramics 2. 

This course is designed for students who have mastered all of the basic wheel throwing and handbuilding skills previously taught in Ceramics 1 and Ceramics 2. This demanding three-dimensional foray into the world of visual arts and crafts will have students combining techniques to create experimental, sculptural, and highly functional ceramic works of art. Surface treatment and glazing techniques will be an integral part of every work. 

Graphic Design 3 (1.0 credit) Grades 11-12 

PREREQUISITE: Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2. It is helpful but not necessary to have had Art 1 for this class. 

This course is a portfolio-based course using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for students who are considering a post-secondary career in graphic design or would like to expand their advanced skills. Students delve into projects such as advanced poster design and illustration, logo design, business identity, typography, package design and animation. Students also may pursue projects of their own interest as they learn advanced techniques. 

Graphic Design 4 (1.0 credit) Grades 11-12 

PREREQUISITE: Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2, and Graphic Design 3. It is helpful but not necessary to have had Art 1 for this class. 

This advanced class is for students who have mastered the Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator programs. Students will concentrate on digital art and/or a business identity in which they will design an entire business. This work can be used in their college portfolio or as part of their AP Art & Design portfolio. In this class students will concentrate on a body of work that will establish their own style using computer programs. This is for the serious student who wants to go to college for graphic design or who is interested in developing their work to a higher level. 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ART

AP Art & Design 2D  (2.0 credit) Grade 12

NOTE: This is a full-year course offered for two credits.

PREREQUISITES

• AP Art & Design-2D Design or Drawing: Art 1, Art 2, Art 3; 

• AP Art & Design-2D Design: Graphic Design 1, Graphic Design 2, Graphic Design 3; 

• AP Art & Design-2D Design: Digital Photography 1 Digital Photography 2, Video & Broadcast Production; 

• AP Art & Design-3D: Ceramics 1, Ceramics 2, Ceramics 3.

AP Art & Design is the culminating studio art course at Strath Haven High School.  It is intended to offer students a college-level art curriculum within the high school setting.  Studio work and homework assignments are designed to address inquiry-based learning, investigation through practice, experimentation and revision. This course supports the artist’s investigation and exploration of a variety of visual concepts and interests over the duration of two semesters.  Students will be expected to produce 20 works of high quality works of art required by the College Board and AP Art & Design guidelines.  These art works will focus on in-depth, inquiry-based art and design making, explore a synthesis of materials, and investigate processes and ideas. Students will be required to keep and maintain an artist sketchbook.  Students must complete homework assignments and create art work beyond the 80 minute block. Students will create a comprehensive art portfolio that they can use as part of their college application.

For the AP Art & Design portfolio, emphasis will be placed on the following artistic concerns:

• Continued development and mastery of artmaking skills

• Application of color and design principles

• Evolution of a body of artwork that is of the student’s choice

• In-depth exploration and investigation of a thematic visual idea

• Development of an artist sketchbook and documentation of ideas and concepts

• Materials and techniques including painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and design

• Recognition and influence of art history and criticism

• Importance of the artists’ role in society

• Written and oral critique and criticism including proper art vocabulary