Visual and Performing Arts

List of 12 items.

• Advanced Choral I-IV

  In this year-long course, students are at an advanced level that consists of primarily performing in an ensemble. Broad-based musicianship skills will be reinforced and enhanced primarily through the rehearsal and performance of a wide-ranging and challenging repertoire. Extremely complex harmonies enhance a student’s opportunity to study music in this advanced and fast-paced course. Students are required to participate in all performances that includes two outside of school-time dress rehearsals and concerts as well as a weekend overnight retreat. Additional administration approved performances may be added at the discretion of the teacher. This course combines individualized instruction with small ensemble and full choir rehearsal and performances.
  
  Year – 10 units
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list. 
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Students must participate in an audition and receive departmental approval.

  
  
  

• Advanced Studio Art

  In Advanced Studio Art, students begin their progression from proficiency towards mastery. This class builds upon the concepts, theory, and technical skills learned in Studio Art. The curriculum is focused on both 2-D and 3-D advanced projects that include painting, drawing, mixed media techniques, and extractive, additive, or assemblage sculpture. The challenging curriculum provides students with many opportunities to develop progressively higher levels of critical and creative thinking. Students evaluate and compare the suitability of drawing and painting or sculptural materials for expressing concepts. Students develop individual styles in personal artworks. This course emphasizes art criticism practice which creates a strong vocabulary and an astute ability to express ideas and observations. Students consider their personal role in society through an exploration of art history and cultural relationships. Each student will demonstrate progress by developing a body of work and organizing a portfolio.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “g” list. 
  
  

  Additional Information:
  Advanced students are expected to show a higher level of commitment toward a more rigorous study in which there is also a higher level of expectation. This may include additional time outside of class for performance and project work. 

• Advanced Theatre

  This year-long advanced level class, designed for students with a year or more of experience, promotes enjoyment and appreciation for all aspects of theatre through opportunities to build significantly on existing skills. Class work focuses on characterization, directing, and script analysis, while improvisation, creative dramatics, and scene work are used to help students challenge and strengthen their acting skills and explore the technical aspect of scene work. Students will have additional performance opportunities, which may include Shakespeare, one-act plays, children’s or other genres of theatre. Students will develop group and self-assessment skills; problem-solving skills; the ability to connect the literature being studied to a variety of cultures, history, and other content areas; and 21st-century skills in such areas as time management, critical analysis, leadership, and collaboration.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list. 
  
  

  Additional Information: Advanced students are expected to show a higher level of commitment toward a more rigorous study and a higher level of expectation. This may include additional time outside of class for performance and project work.
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Students must have earned a “B” or higher in Theatre

• AP® 2D Studio Art and Design

  AP® Studio Art students work with diverse media, styles, subjects, and content to develop a portfolio to submit to the College Board for the AP® Exam. The portfolio consists of three sections: 1) The Breadth section illustrates a range of ideas and approaches to art making. 2) The Concentration section shows sustained, deep, and multi-perspective investigation of a student-selected topic. 3) The Quality section represents the student’s most successful works with respect to form and content. Works in this section may be selected from the other two sections. Students’ work is informed and guided by observation, research, experimentation, discussion, critical analysis, and reflection, relating individual practices to the art world. Students are asked to document their artistic ideas and practices to demonstrate conceptual and technical development over time.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list. 
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Two years of visual arts classes, and completion of summer assignments. Rising seniors with one year of visual arts course work and demonstrated interest in advanced study of visual art are encouraged to apply for the course.

  
  
  
  
  

  Additional Information: This course requires excellent habits of time management, self-discipline, and independent initiative in order to complete the AP® portfolio over the duration of the course. 

• AP® Drawing

  AP® Studio Art Drawing is a college-level course that deals with painting and drawing. Focus is applied to the development of composition using evidence of mastery in mark making (drawing) and painting, as an ongoing process that involves the student in informed decisions and critical thinking. The AP® Studio Drawing Exam is fulfilled by portfolio submission. There are three portfolios that combined, determine the assessment. The portfolios have a three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding of these visual concerns (and methods). Each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the Concentration (Sustained Investigation). In the Breadth (Range of Approaches) section, the student is asked to demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques. The Quality (Selected Works) section permits the student to select the works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique, and content.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Two years of visual arts classes and completion of summer assignments. Rising seniors with one year of visual arts course work and demonstrated interest in advanced study of visual art are encouraged to apply for the course.

  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list. 
  
  

  Additional Information: As in an introductory college course, students will need to work outside the classroom, as well as in it, and beyond scheduled periods. Students will maintain a sketchbook or a journal, a necessary component of instruction. Critiques, a common structure in the college classroom, are important this course, as well. Group and individual critiques enable students to learn to analyze their own work and their peers’ work. Ongoing critical analysis, through individual critiques, enables both the students and the teacher to assess the strengths and weaknesses in the work.

• Choral I-IV

  Students in Choral I-IV will learn the rudiments of proper vocal technique, music theory, and ear training. Students will experience choral works in many different styles and genres. The choir will perform several times per year and may compete in at least one festival. No prior singing experience is required, however the ability to match pitch and a good attitude is expected. This course combines individualized instruction with small ensemble and full choir rehearsal and performances. Additional time outside of class may be required in preparation for performances. This includes two outside of school time dress rehearsals and concerts.
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list.
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  None

  
  
  

• Film Studies

  Film Studies is a year-long course designed to introduce students to the study and analysis of film. Students will learn how to express critical arguments of film interpretation. With a focus on the history of filmmaking, narrative techniques, and cinematic terminology, students will gain an understanding of how film is used in today’s culture. Film Studies is also designed to encourage students to develop their analytical skills. Film viewing, lecture, creative projects, and participation in group discussion and personal writing responses are the primary method of instruction and assessment.
  
  Year – 10 units
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Students must be at least juniors.
  
  

  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list.

• Graphic Design & Publications I & II

  Graphic Design & Publications is a comprehensive year-long course that places a strong emphasis on creative problem-solving in a collaborative environment. 

  Projects are designed to develop skills and build an understanding of the software used in graphic design supported by the basic fundamentals, principles and elements used in art and design. Working in teams, students will learn how to conceive, plan, and execute spreads for the Justin-Siena Yearbook– working closely with the yearbook company representative and the course instructor to explore the specifics of print design, layout, and digital photography. This process will emphasize the development of imaginative storytelling and photography to visually capture the heart of Justin-Siena community. Team assignments and responsibilities will extend beyond the planning and executing of the yearbook, allowing students to engage in the ongoing production of 

  complementary projects related to the industry. The creative exchange within the class will be further enriched as students generate ideas collectively. Instruction in industry-standard software such as Adobe InDesign™, Adobe Illustrator™, and Adobe Photoshop™ will empower students with the digital skills essential for contemporary graphic design. 

  The collaborative environment, coupled with the diverse project focus, distinguishes this Graphic Design course, preparing students for real-life in the field of design. 

  
  Year – 10 units
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list.
  

• Honors Theatre 4

  Honors Theatre 4 is the culminating course for students who take Theatre each of their four years of high school. The course is conducted in an in-depth, academically rigorous and hands-on workshop environment focused on acting, directing, playwriting, dramaturgy, production, and technical theatre. Although the course incorporates aspects of the broader entertainment industry, the main focus of the course is on live theatre performance and production. Students are challenged to delve deeply into historical and contemporary performance theory and practice, and to explore multi-media trends and styles not addressed in prerequisite classes. Honors Theatre 4 places special emphasis on developing the individual student’s expertise in performance and production, and involves cross-curricular, community, and professional collaboration. The student’s work is tailored to help clearly define and execute post high school plans in relation to the field of theatre arts and other related fields of study. Students attend a minimum of four professional theatre productions and produce detailed written and oral analyses and critiques of all aspects of production. A playwriting/directing/production instructional unit will be conducted in partnership with a local professional theatre.
  
  Year – 10 units
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list. 
  
  

  Additional Information:
  Advanced students are expected to show a higher level of commitment toward a more rigorous study anda higher level of expectation. This may include additional time outside of class for performance and project work. 
  
  

  Prerequisites: 

  Successful completion of three years of theatre arts courses or their equivalent. 

• Studio Art

  Studio Art is a year-long class that focuses on the production of artwork and development of techniques through experimentation in a variety of media. Projects are designed to develop skills and cement an understanding of the basic fundamentals of art, including the elements and principles of visual arts. Quality of design and personal expression are stressed. Art history, art appreciation, and critical analysis frameworks are integral components to the curriculum. Students learn how to examine art critically and express their opinions using appropriate vocabulary to articulate concepts. Along with studio projects, students are regularly assigned homework as well as sketchbook entries, gallery  and museum responses, study guides, quizzes and tests, and a research project. 
  
  Year – 10 units
  
  Prerequisites: 
  None

   

  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list.

• Theatre

  This year-long  foundational class promotes enjoyment and appreciation for all aspects of theatre. Class work focuses on the exploration of theatre literature, performance, historical and cultural connections, and technical requirements. Improvisation, creative dramatics, and beginning scene work are used to introduce students to acting and character development. Theatre provides opportunities for students to develop skills in critical listening and thinking, as well as stage presence, ensemble work, and aesthetic awareness culminating in periodic classroom or public performances. Students additionally learn about the organizational structure of theatre and theatre literature. This course provides opportunities to develop fundamental group and self-assessment skills; problem-solving skills; the ability to connect the literature being studied to a variety of cultures, history, and other content areas; and 21st-century skills that will help students be successful after high school graduation.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “f” list.
  
   Prerequisites: 

  None

  
  
  
  
  

• Theatre in Production

  This course is for the advanced student who wishes to put theatre technique into practice. Students will not only discover the professional side of performance (from auditions to unions to survival), but the production side as well. Students will learn how stage productions move from “page to stage” and assist in producing plays, musicals, and touring productions.
  
  Year – 10 units 
  
  This course is UC-approved on the “g” list. 
  
  Prerequisites: 
  Students must have earned a “B” or higher in Theatre, and/or receive departmental approval. Most students will take this course after Advanced Theatre.
  
  

  Additional Information: Advanced students are expected to show a higher level of commitment toward a more rigorous study anda higher level of expectation. This may include additional time outside of class for performance and project work.