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Fine ArtsThe visual and dramatic arts play a vital role in education because they are a basic and powerful language for expressing and connecting ideas and feelings. The arts encourage us to take chances, to see with our own eyes and to speak our own words. Students may choose from a variety of courses, that stimulate the ability to see, to express and to invent. Transfer students wishing to enter advanced art courses must submit a portfolio of their creative work to the department for approval, prior to enrollment.
Studio Courses in the Visual Arts
Non-Studio Courses in the Visual Arts
Courses in the Dramatic Arts
Fine Arts Credits Seniors who need one full credit for graduation from the Fine Arts course in which they are enrolled must continue to attend the regularly scheduled class until the end of the year in order to receive one full credit for graduation. Seniors who go onto May Project who have satisfactorily completed their work but do not attend class will receive 7/8 credit for the course.
Studio Art 1 is a comprehensive introductory course in which students are given an opportunity to develop skills in drawing, painting and sculpture using a variety of media. As they are encouraged to refine their techniques, they will also be encouraged to welcome surprises that take them beyond their original goals. During the year we will visit one museum or gallery. Students may not enroll later than the fifth class meeting.
Mixed-Media Art Students explore the combined uses of drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and assemblage to create unique art objects in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. Media may include fibers, fabrics, plastics, papers, wood, found objects, computer generated and photocopied materials, old photographs, and drawings. These materials and techniques are combined to create art objects that explore both perceptual and conceptual issues and ideas. One of a kind art books, relief prints, wall hangings, collaged images, and boxed environments are some of the works produced in this course. A museum or gallery visit may be made during the year. Students must enroll in this course no later than the seventh class meeting.
Advanced Drawing/Painting This course is designed for the advanced student who is ready to focus on individualized work. Traditional and contemporary concerns of painting, drawing, mixed-media art, and three-dimensional paintings are studied along with the accompanying techniques. The purpose is to develop ideas and skills that will bring about a better understanding of art and enhance the personal visual statements of the student. Work may be done using images of figures, landscapes, still life, or historical and personal imagery, expressed through a variety of traditional and exploratory methods of pictorial composition and art media. Contemporary and traditional art will be viewed at museums or galleries. This course may be repeated. Students must enroll in this course by the seventh class meeting.
Beginning Photography Students will learn all the basics of black-and-white photography: the technical aspects of the 35-mm camera, film processing, and black-and-white printing. Through slide presentations and museum and gallery visits, students will be exposed to the contemporary art scene in Chicago and gain an overview of significant historical and contemporary work. Students will also learn to articulate their concerns and insights in critique sessions, developing a greater aesthetic sensibility toward their work and the work of others. During the second quarter, students will experiment with a variety of alternative photographic techniques for changing the image dramatically. During the third quarter, students will build unique, one-of-a-kind pinhole cameras and make images which further enhance their own individual style. Critiques and visits to galleries and museums to view photographic art will continue throughout the year. Students must enroll in this course no later than the fifth class meeting.
Advanced Photography This year-long course is designed for the student with a thorough knowledge of the black-and-white photographic process. Students will investigate a wide range of materials, approaches, and equipment and explore a variety of photographic possibilities including books, collages, and photo constructions. They will use different cameras. Photomurals may also be made, exploring concepts of scale in the image. Computer-enhanced photography and layout techniques for photo publishing may be included. Visiting guest artists will come to speak to students in this seminar environment. Students must enroll in this course no later than the seventh class meeting.
Sculpture: Expressing Ideas in 3-Dimensions This course is designed to introduce students to several areas within the large field of sculpture. Students explore basic sculptural methods and gain competence in the use of a variety of tools and materials. Ideas are initially developed through drawings and later translated to three-dimensional materials. Casting, woodworking, carving, clay modeling and armature construction will be covered. Materials include wood, clay, wire, and a variety of mixed media for surface development. Contemporary art concepts and the history of sculpture are explored by visiting museums and galleries, through slide presentations, readings and discussions. Students must enroll in this course no later than the fifth class meeting,
AP Art History This course is a survey of the history of visual arts. It is designed to cultivate understanding, enjoyment, and appreciation of the arts, past and present. The course traces art history from the art of the ancient world through the art of the modern era and focuses primarily on painting, sculpture and architecture. Included is the history of images and architecture associated with different religions, governments, and the lives of both prominent and ordinary people. Historic trends in philosophy, faith, and social dynamics are uniquely revealed through great works of art. While there is an emphasis on the Western tradition, non-Western traditions and the uniqely Western distinction between fine arts and crafts are explored. The course is taught in a lecture and discussion format. There is a comprehensive course website to compliment the textbook, Gardener's Art Through the Ages. Occasional visits to museums and galleries will occur both as class field trips and as individual assignments. While it is an Advanced Placement course, taking the AP exam is not required. Students must enroll in this course no later than the seventh class meeting.
Independent Study in Fine Arts An independent study project in Fine Arts may be arranged with a consenting member of the Fine Arts Department given the following circumstances: The student must have already fulfilled the Fine Arts requirements from regularly scheduled course offerings. Projects for independent study should concern areas within the Fine Arts that cannot be pursued through regular beginning or advanced course offerings. After receiving the approval from the instructor, the student must submit a written proposal for the approval of the department. Students may also use Independent Study to gain experience in teaching by acting as an assistant in Fine Arts classes with the consent and at the request of the instructor.
Acting Studio This first of three-quarters of a beginning acting course is designed to help a student discover basic acting techniques. Improvisation, acting orientation sessions, and pantomime work form the basis. Creative thinking is stressed. Movement and body control work is included with some scene works. The emphasis of the second quarter in this course is on the development of vocal and physical characterizations. Working with scene cuttings from different modern plays, the student learns a variety of acting methods and techniques. Movement work is continued. Advanced scene cuttings and monologues are developed in the third quarter with emphasis on the psychological characteristics of different characters. An exploration of comedy techniques is included. Students must enroll in this course no later than the ninth class meeting. All acting classes may include a field trip per quarter to a play or to different theatres. The students are required to pay for their own tickets or expenditures.
Drama This course explores the period and the acting styles found in the works of Shakespeare, the Restoration era, and melodrama. Scene cuttings and monologues will be produced to give the flavor of these periods. The course is designed for the advanced acting student. The study of different periods and styles of acting will continue second quarter with scene cuttings and monologue produced from the Realistic, Contemporary and Absurd periods. The students will also present a program based on the first quarter’s work. The periods and styles of the Absurd Theatre and the tragedies and comedies of Greek Theatre will be explored in this course. A production by the students will climax the course’s work. Students must enroll in this course no later than the ninth class meeting.
Technical Theatre and Production A beginning course in theatre, this will be a highly individualized program of study tailored for a beginning set or lighting designer or a student simply interested in learning about various aspects of theatre production. The course is likewise offered for the advanced technical theatre student wishing to develop further skills in his/her chosen area of study. For the designer, this will be a course in the techniques and methods involved in transferring a printed script into a scenic unit as experienced by an audience. The student will be able to exercise his creative talents while developing an understanding of the theatre technician’s job. Drafting tools, scenery equipment, lighting, and sound materials and equipment, water colors, and construction materials for models will be the student’s tools. For the theatre crafts student, the apprentice or master of an area, or the interested beginner the course will afford the opportunity to become familiar with new areas or to further expertise. The students will develop individual and group projects. Practical work on a production will be required outside of the classroom. Set design, costume design, and sound design will be emphasized. The student will be able to study advanced scene design and technical problems. There will be an examination of different artists’ works. There will be several field trips to Chicago area theatres to study their facilities. Individual projects and practical work will be continued. This course will also emphasize property design, makeup design, and publicity design. Lighting, lighting design and theatre management will be areas of emphasis in this course. Functions of stage lighting, familiarity with lighting instruments, methods, and uses of control boards will be stressed. Guidelines for a theatre manager and for a stage manager will be set. This course may be repeated.
Directing This course will be an intense study of the concepts, styles, and techniques of directing for the theatre. The format will be lecture/discussion for two hours per week with the rest of the course work to be done outside of meeting time. The main emphasis will be on the development of a director’s production book. The full concept will be developed from a full-length play chosen by the student. This will involve research into all related areas: movement, art, music, design, psychological character study, and historical periods. The relationship between all these areas and the finished production will be examined. The student will direct two or three scenes from the play. This course will meet by arrangement during part of Fall and all of Winter and Spring Quarters.
Alternative Credit in Drama The student in a practical situation may examine technical and production work. All areas of the theatre may be studied intensively: set construction, lighting, costuming, properties, makeup, sound publicity, stage management, etc. | |
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