Art (Visual and Performing Arts)
The program of the SCCHS Visual and Performing Arts Department is designed to enrich the lives of our students, to develop in them an awareness of the richness of God's creation, to stimulate and challenge their creative potential, to stress the importance of art in contemporary living and in our cultural heritage, and to respect individual vision and expression.
713. STUDIO IN ART
Full year course, Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: none
Credit: 1 unit
The student is given a variety of studio experiences in which to explore different elements of art, i.e., space, light and color, shape, line, and texture. Movements and trends in art history are also studied.
Objectives:
This course serves to offer the beginning art student direct contact
with the various forms and media of the visual arts. The course is
geared to stimulate and encourage the student with particular
aptitudes for the visual arts.
723. DRAWING AND PAINTING
Full year course, Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Studio in Art
Credit: 1 unit
This is primarily a studio course in which the art student concentrates on exploring the techniques of drawing and painting media such as pencil, pen and ink, pastels, watercolors (both opaque and transparent), and acrylics. Problems in composition and color are considered, as well as the development of individual style.
Objectives:
The course fills the art student's need to explore more sophisticated
media and advanced technique. It helps the student in interpretation
and value judgments of his/her own and others' work.
755. 3D - SCULPTURE AND CERAMICS
Full year course, Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Studio in Art
Credit: 1 unit
Basic sculptural techniques, tools, and vocabulary will be covered within one semester, including carving, molding, and various types of construction. Ceramics will be the concentration of the second semester. Topics to be covered include basic hand building techniques, tools, glazes, and associated vocabulary.
Each area will provide students with opportunities to become familiar with important works of art from a variety of cultures and historical periods in order to increase individual skills and competency within each medium.
Objectives:
- To stimulate and challenge the student's creative abilities.
- To develop the student's understanding of the tools, materials, and techniques used to create 3-D artistic works.
- To provide opportunities for the student to express their perceptual and aesthetic sensitivity and an appreciation and understanding of the 3-D form.
733. ADVERTISING DESIGN
Full year course, Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Studio in Art
Credit: 1 unit
This course introduces the advanced art student to the role of the commercial artist/graphic designer. Assignments are given in designing advertising brochures, book jackets, logos, posters, package designs, etc. The history and aims of advertising and the functions of the advertising agency are explored. Small groups work together during the fourth quarter on an advertising campaign which is later presented to and critiqued by the class.
Objectives:
Advertising Design introduces the art student to the world of visual
communication. He/she becomes acquainted with the aesthetic principles
and skills involved in commercial art and design.
724. MECHANICAL DRAWING AND DESIGN 1
Full year course, Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Math Course 1 or permission of department head
Credit: 1 unit
Mechanical Drawing and Design 1 introduces the student to a universal graphics language through which one can express oneself with clarity and exactness. The fundamentals of this graphic language of drafting are covered. These include: free-hand sketching, use of drafting equipment, lettering, geometric construction, orthographic projections, pictorial representations, dimensioning, and design concepts. Through exercises and problem solving, the student should develop proficiency in these fundamentals.
Objectives:
- To introduce the student to the knowledge, concepts, and techniques involved in a universal drawing language.
- To develop the student's ability to communicate ideas, relationships, and facts graphically.
- To develop the student's imagination and perspective ability.
- To develop effective working habits, a sense of responsibility, and to help the student discover aptitudes and abilities for consideration for future responsibilities.
735. MECHANICAL/ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING AND DESIGN 2
Full year course, Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Mechanical Drawing 1 or permission of the department
Credit: 1 unit
Using fundamentals and skills learned in Mechanical Drawing and Design 1, the student will further his/her ability and expertise through mechanical and design problem solving. Specifics covered include: more complex orthographic drafting, technical accuracy, sectional views, rendering concentrated design, and creative problem-solving exercises.
The Architectural course covers the branch of technical drawing which is devoted to the representation and specification of buildings and structures of various kinds. This includes construction of simple space modules and designs using a variety of materials. It also explores the history of Greek, Roman, Gothic, and Romanesque architecture.
Objectives:
- To stimulate an awareness of form and the interrelationships of appearance, function, perspective, and material or substance.
- To further develop the student's ability to communicate ideas, relationships, and facts graphically.
- To develop the student's creative abilities within specific technical confines.
- To develop the knowledge needed to draw floor plans and elevations.
- To develop effective working habits and a sense of responsibility; and to help students discover aptitudes and abilities for consideration in future experiences.
763. ADVANCED DRAWING AND PAINTING I
One year course, Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: Studio in Art and Drawing and Painting
Credit: 1 unit
In this course, the student will create works of art that explore different kinds of subject matter, topics, themes, and metaphors. The student will work towards a more mature level of drawing and painting skills, building on experiences gained in previous studies and art projects. These experiences will take place in a studio atmosphere where individual style will be emphasized. A variety of art materials, processes, mediums, and techniques will be explored.
Objectives:
- To allow the student to strengthen individual drawing and painting styles.
- To develop and strengthen the creative process through problem solving.
- To demonstrate an increasing level of competence in using the elements and principles of art.
- To create a collection of art work, in a variety of media, based on instructional assignments and individual and collective experiences which explore perceptions, ideas, and viewpoints.
743. ADVANCED DRAWING AND PAINTING II
One year course, Grade 12
Prerequisites: Advanced Drawing and Painting I; teacher recommendation
Credit: 1 unit
This course is offered to art students who have successfully completed Advanced Drawing and Painting I and wish to continue taking art but do not wish to pursue Studio in Art AP.
765. PHOTOGRAPHY - Not Offered 2008-2009
Full year course, Grades 11-12, Grade 10 if class size permits
Prerequisites: Studio in Art plus one additional art course; 35mm manually operated camera with through-the-lens exposure meter; photographic paper, black and white film.
Credit: 1 unit
The student will be introduced to basic elements of photography including: correct use of the camera as an art form, film processing and development. Photography possesses certain significant properties as a medium of communication and as an art form.
Objectives:
Photography, in the hands of a capable, design conscious practitioner,
is an art. Our objective is to develop skills and provide activities
which will help the student broaden and deepen his/her abilities by
using the camera to produce creative photographs.
751. STUDIO IN ART AP
TWO year course, Grades 11-12
Prerequisites: 94% minimum average in Studio in Art and
Drawing and Painting; teacher recommendation
Credit: 3 units/year
This program is geared toward making it possible for the highly motivated student to do college-level work. This is a course that focuses on designing a portfolio for the AP Studio General Portfolio exam. During this course the student will examine the AP Portfolio requirements, review the work created thus far, and evaluate its quality. Newly-generated artistic pieces will be aimed toward fulfilling the requirements of the portfolio exam. Course projects are designed to cover the breadth, concentration, and quality portion of the exam. Exploration and process will be emphasized as a means of developing a concentration that represents growth and understanding.
Note: This course is *three* units/year. (Most year-long courses are one unit.)
Objectives:
This course is geared toward making it possible for the highly
motivated student to do college-level work. This is a course that
focuses on designing a portfolio for the AP Studio General
Portfolio exam. During this course the student will examine the
AP Portfolio requirements, review the work created thus far, and
evaluate its quality. Newly generated artistic pieces will be
aimed toward fulfilling the requirements of the portfolio exam.
Course projects are designed to cover the breadth, concentration,
and quality portions of the exam. Exploration and process will be
emphasized as means of developing a concentration that represents
growth and understanding.
775. DANCE
Full year course, Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: None.
Credit: 1 unit
This is an introductory course to many dance forms and styles. It will begin with baroque minuets and galliards and will also include tap and ballroom dance as well as understanding what goes into choreography. Students will be briefly taught court manners and etiquette of 18th and 19th century France and England. Student will be graded on their efforts, not on their ability. This class is athletically oriented. Students should be in physical education attire for this class.
764. THEATER ARTS
Full year course, Grades 9-12
Prerequisites: An interest in the dramatic arts.
Credit: 1 unit
This course may be used to satisfy one unit of credit either in Art or English, but not both. This is an elective credit course, and may not be used for course credit for English.
Theater Arts is a participation experience in many aspects of the theater, including mime, improvisation, voice development, and play writing. Students will be evaluated on a regular basis and will present dramatic presentations for parents and staff at the end of each quarter or semester.
Objectives:
- Students will increase their levels of self-confidence, particularly with respect to speaking and/or acting in front of a group.
- Students will develop in creativity, imaginatively exploring possibilities for self-expression through the art of theater.
- Students will perform dramatic presentations for the public several times each year.