The purpose of this college level course is to guide students in preparing a portfolio of quality artwork in 2-D, 3-D or drawing which emphasizes the elements and principles of art.  The exploration of technique, composition and complexity is stressed.  The course also prepares the artist to embrace a sense of decision making, direction and higher-level thinking in the art making process.  The study and research of art history and critiques will aid the student in developing understandable ideas, themes, symbols, and interdisciplinary approaches in their art.  Students are required to submit their portfolios to the College Board in early May at their own expense.  The preparation and participation in art exhibitions and competitions is also encouraged.

Prerequisites: Portfolio I (can be taken concurrently or as a prerequisite); teacher approval
Course Number: 109300 | Semesters: 2 | Credit: 1.0

Art 2-D Comprehensive I

Students will learn concepts and techniques that will give them expressive control over the visual images they will produce.  They will use a variety of media: pencil, charcoal, pen and ink, watercolors, tempera, and acrylic paints.  They will learn the language of art, the elements of art and the principles of design.  The course includes aesthetics, an overview of art history and art criticism, which will enable students to create their own artistic product.

Prerequisites: none
Course Number: 101300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Art 3-D Comprehensive I

Students will learn the fundamentals of sculpture, technique, form and content in order to make a personal statement.  They will learn the elements of design: shape, texture, plane, value and color, and how to arrange these elements using the principles of order.  They will use a variety of media:  paper, clay, wood, wire, plaster, and fabric.  The course will include aesthetics, art criticism, and art history.

Prerequisites: none
Course Number: 101330 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Broadcast

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a knowledge of basic audio/visual skills, both technical and non-technical, and to assist students in generating worthwhile ideas and translating them into effective multimedia  messages.    Students in this course are responsible for the school’s live morning broadcast and other school audio/visual projects.   Class size is limited and seniors have preference.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 1100300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Choir/Band

The purpose of this course is to guide students in the development of vocal and instrumental techniques through liturgical music, including but not limited to contemporary and Christian venues.  This course will aid students in developing leadership skills in music ministry on campus as well as in the community and to present this music at liturgies both on campus and in other Catholic/spiritual communities or functions.  Students will be required to sing or play a musical instrument, as well as develop the understanding and commitment that music ministry is a gift of encouraging others to sing as a prayerful and joyous experience.

Prerequisites: Audition; teacher approval
Course Number: 1303300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Creative Writing

This course is offered for the student who is serious about fine-tuning writing skills.  Students will have the opportunity to write poems, stories, plays, essays, editorials, reviews, and many other forms of writing.   Students will focus on elements that constitute effective writing in these genres.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 1009320 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Digital Photography

The purpose of this course is to aid students to developing fundamental skills and creative approaches to digital photographic imagery, processes, and techniques.  Students will develop an understanding of photography as an art form emphasizing the elements and principals of art/design as they apply to quality composition, light and exposure.  Students will learn to develop skills in computer software to enhance and manipulate digital images.  The preparation and participation in art exhibitions and competitions is also encouraged.  A digital camera and flash drive are required.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 108350 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Drawing and Painting I

Students will have an in-depth understanding of design and composition in drawing and painting.  They will use the elements of line, color, value, space, shape, form and texture, and the principles of emphasis, balance, rhythm, repetition, contract and unity that will enable them to create products of quality composition.  They will further their skills using a wide variety of drawing and painting media.  They will also study art history, aesthetics and how to critique a work of art which will enable them to use self expression in their art work.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 104320 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Drawing and Painting II

Students will continue to investigate a variety of media and further experience skill development in design and composition.  In their study of art history, they will learn the significance of drawing and painting in art and their relationship to other periods of history.  They will learn to critique art and produce work with creative expressive quality.

Prerequisites: Drawing and Painting I
Course Number: 104330 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Film Studies

This course challenges the motivated student to watch movies and consider motion pictures as literary texts.  Students will spend a considerable amount of time in analytical study of the elements of film: direction, cinematography, pacing, shot selection, and visual metaphor.  An emphasis of reading film reviews, critical readings and writing opinion and analysis is stressed.

Prerequisites: Teacher approval
Course Number: 107410 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Honors Portfolio I

The purpose of this course is to guide students in choosing and developing a portfolio which emphasizes the elements and principles of art. The student will investigate and explore ideas, themes, symbols, cultures, origins, and interdisciplinary approaches to art through a wide variety of techniques and media. The art portfolio will show strong evidence of media consistently and appropriately applied with artistic intent. The artwork produced in this class will follow the guidelines of the AP rubric and can be considered for future AP Art class or can be further enhanced and manipulated. The experience of preparation and participation in art exhibitions and competitions is also encouraged.

Prerequisites: Introductory art course; teacher approval
Course Number: 109310 | Semesters: 2 | Credit: 1.0

Honors Portfolio II

The purpose of this course is to guide students in the continuation of developing a quality portfolio emphasizing the elements and principles of art as well as a concentration to prepare for the AP portfolio. Students will develop a portfolio that contains an artist’s statement and a diverse range of the student’s own works of art in quality, concentration and breadth, using elements and principles of art. The artwork created can be used for the AP Studio Art portfolio that will be submitted to the College Board in May.

Prerequisites: Portfolio I
Course Number: 109320 | Semesters: 2 | Credit: 1.0

Jewelry I

This course will enable students to develop knowledge and skills in metalsmithing and other jewelry-making techniques. Emphasis will be placed on methods, tools, forming processes, and design. Students will design jewelry that reflects the elements of art, principles of design and functionality. Students will demonstrate the basic use of metalsmithing and the jewelry-making process to produce works in various media based on finished design sketches.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 107300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Music Appreciation

The purpose of this course is to guide students in the development of knowledge and skills necessary to understand, appreciate, and explore how music is used in one’s personal life as well as in varied cultures, societies, and historical periods. Students will have the opportunity to express and interpret music through journaling, art, or dance. Hands-on activities such as manipulatives will serve as tools to reinforce vocabulary. Students will have the opportunity to create their own music imitating the style of a composer from music history.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 1301310 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Pottery

This course enables students to recognize the properties, possibilities, and limitations of clay by creating functional and nonfunctional works of ceramics and pottery, using basic hand-building techniques. Students will be able to demonstrate use of basic techniques, clay preparation, hand-building, preparing glazes, decorating, surface design and kiln operation, to produce ceramics and pottery. Students will design and create functional and nonfunctional ceramics and pottery that communicate ideas and demonstrate basic craftsmanship.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 102300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5

Printmaking I

The purpose of this course is to enable students to develop knowledge of printmaking processes, techniques, and skills necessary to create and communicate a range of subject matter, symbols, ideas, and concepts. Students will demonstrate the basic use of printmaking processes and techniques (relief printing, etching and engraving, screen printing, lithography) and their unique characteristics to produce prints that reflect the elements of art and principles of design.

Prerequisites: None
Course Number: 110300 | Semesters: 1 | Credit: 0.5