UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM Rye Country Day School Rye, New York 10580

Transcription

1 UPPER SCHOOL ACADEMIC PROGRAM Rye Country Day School Rye, New York

2 CONTENTS Program of Study...2 Selection of a Program of Study...2 Program Patterns Pass/Fail Option...4 Dropping/Adding Courses...5 Academic Evaluation...5 Research Guidelines...6 Special Opportunities/Programs of Independent Study Advanced Placement Senior Term...8 Art Classics Computer Science Dance & Drama English Humanities Mathematics Modern Languages Music Natural Sciences Publications...72 Physical Education Interscholastic Teams

3 THE PROGRAM OF STUDY This booklet contains a complete description of the academic program of the Upper School, Grades In order to provide parents and students guidelines for selecting courses at each grade level, we have included the School s requirements and suggested programs for each year of study. Advanced Placement, Independent Study/Guided Study, the Pass/Fail option, and the Senior Term program are explained here as well. Please note: 1. We occasionally withdraw a course when there is insufficient enrollment or when there is a change in faculty. Students will be notified if they need to make another selection. 2. Placement in any course is dependent upon student performance and the final grade earned in the preceding course. SELECTION OF A PROGRAM OF STUDY 1. Students should first read the Academic Handbook and discuss their interests/options with their parents and then seek the guidance of their advisor. 2. Enrollment in certain courses must be approved by an adult. Grade 8 faculty recommendations are made for entering Grade 9 students. 3. Initial program approval is granted by the advisor. Final approval is issued by the appropriate Grade Level Dean and Principal. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS For graduation, a minimum of sixteen units is required. For promotion to the next grade, a minimum of four academic courses must be passed. A minimum of five academic courses a year is expected. Any student choosing to take more than five homework-bearing courses needs parental approval on the Course Selection Sheet. SUBJECT AREA AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Arts: 1 unit (1/4 in Art Survey and 1/4 in Music Survey in Gr. 9 or 10; plus 1/2 unit earned by taking a course in one of the following departments: Art, Dance & Drama, or Music. English: 4 units + 2 writing labs (Gr. 9 and 10) Foreign Language: must complete the third year of French, Spanish, Chinese, or Latin Health: 1/4 unit (Gr. 10) Humanities: 2 units (World Civ. in Gr. 9 or 10; US History in Gr. 11 or 12) Life Skills: (Gr. 9) Mathematics: 3 units; must complete Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry Natural Sciences: 2 units in laboratory-based sciences (1 physical, 1 biological) Physical Education: 4 years, must pass each trimester unless granted an exemption. In addition, the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education require that pupils demonstrate competency in the basic skills of reading, writing, 2

4 and mathematics in order to obtain a high school diploma. Regents: Competency in reading and writing may be demonstrated by passing the Regents competency tests in each of these subjects, by passing the Regents comprehensive examination in English, or by obtaining minimum acceptable scores on the College Board s Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program (ACT) tests. Competency in mathematics may be demonstrated by passing the Regents competency test in mathematics, by passing any Regents examination in mathematics, including business mathematics, or by obtaining minimum acceptable scores on the SAT or ACT. PROGRAM PATTERNS The typical program of study is five units per year in Grades Successful completion of all requirements is necessary for graduation. Grade 9 Grade 10 English (1) English (1) Biology * Physical Education * Physical Education Other courses to be completed by the end of Grade 10: Algebra 1 (1) World Civilizations Art Survey (1/4) Music Survey (1/4) Health (1/4, Gr. 10) Foreign Language (completion of 1st year) Other courses to choose from in Grades 9 and 10: Photo AP Computer Intensive Language Ceramics Yearbook Wind Ensemble Painting English Electives (Gr. 10) Choir Drawing The Modern World (Gr. 10) Music Electives Adv. & Intermed. Dance Geometry AP Music Theory All Drama Classes Alg. 2 & Trig. Science Electives Public Speaking Precalculus Science Research Stagecraft Modern Language Chemistry All Computer Electives Classical Language Physics 3

5 The program in Grades 11 and 12 allows students to explore interests to a greater extent than is possible in Grades 9 and 10. Independent Study/Advanced Topics and Advanced Placement work are options. Grade 11 Grade 12 English (1) English (1) * Physical Education * Physical Education In addition to those courses that must be completed by the end of Grade 10, other courses that must be completed by the end of Grade 12: Algebra 2 & Trig. (1) Geometry (1) Arts (1/2) Foreign Language (completion of 3rd year) U.S. History (1) A physical science with lab (1) Other courses to choose from in Grades 11 and 12: See catalog for listings under each Department. *Although required, Physical Education is not a credit-bearing course. PASS/FAIL OPTION FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS A junior or senior may choose a Pass/Fail grading option if all of the criteria listed below are met: 1. The course in question is not an AP or Honors level course. 2. The course is not part of the Upper School required curriculum. 3. The course is the only P/F course a student is taking at the time. 4. The student is taking at least five courses The Pass/Fail option is not available to freshmen and sophomores. Students taking a Pass/Fail course will receive regular grades on their tests, papers, and quizzes of their Pass/Fail course, but the grade recorded on quarter and semester grade reports will be limited to a P or an F. A student may not reverse his or her decision to take a course Pass/Fail after the published deadline has passed. Anyone seeking exception to the above criteria must place his or her request (either in writing or through his or her advisor) before the Academic Affairs Committee. The Academic Affairs Committee, excluding its student representatives, will vote based on whether or not the change in grading option makes a positive impact on the student s program. In order for a student to receive approval for a Pass/Fail option from the committee, the student s request must receive support from more than fifty percent of those committee members. 4

6 DROPPING/ADDING COURSES Approximately four weeks after the beginning of a course is the deadline for dropping a semester length course. Approximately seven weeks after the beginning of a year-long course is the deadline for dropping this course. (A course dropped after the applicable deadlines will result in a Withdrew/Fail or Withdrew/Pass on the student s transcript.) Students should discuss the drop with their advisor, the Grade Level Dean, or the Principal. CHANGING COURSE LEVEL A student may change level at any point before the first quarter grades are published, and the grade of the first course is simply dropped. If a student changes levels any time after the first quarter, the student needs to take the major assessments that the student has missed from the start of the second quarter to the point of entering the new class. Students may not change levels after January 31. In individual cases, policy may be appealed directly to the Principal and the Grade Level Dean. ACADEMIC EVALUATION At all marking periods, letter grades are issued. (Numerical grades may be used for tests and papers.) The numerical equivalents are as follows: A+ = (98) B = (85) C- = (71) A = (95) B- = (81) D+ = (68) A- = (91) C+ = (78) D = (65) B+ = (88) C = (75) D- = (61) F = Below 60 Academic Performance: Statistically, the median grade for academic courses is B+. A grade below C- indicates that the student is having difficulty with the material. An F indicates that a student has not met the minimum standard for a particular course and will receive no credit. The Upper School Administration will re-evaluate the placement of a student in an Honors or AP course with a grade below B-. Summer School: No credit towards graduation is given for summer work except in making up a failed course nor is the F removed from the transcript. An exception to this rule is that a student may attend the RCDS summer school to fulfill the Art Survey, Music Survey, and Health requirements. Summer Work for Course Placement: Students seeking changes in their course placement as a result of summer work need to obtain permission from the appropriate Department Chair in advance of enrolling in summer work. Academic Distinction: After careful discussion and evaluation, Rye Country Day School has decided not to have an honor roll, a dean s list, or academic societies. We do not encourage students to compete against each other for grades. Rather, they are encouraged to work up to their potential and to improve on their personal best. Consequently, we do not rank our students. 5

7 Written Comments: In addition to the letter grades, written comments are made available on a scheduled basis throughout the year. Interim reports are written whenever a teacher is concerned about an individual student s performance on a given assignment, test, or over a short period of time. ACADEMIC RESEARCH Research skills and the formal research paper are essential elements in the college preparatory curriculum. College-bound students need to know how to express personal opinions cogently in both writing and speaking. They should be able to find, summarize, synthesize, and acknowledge information available to them from print and non-print sources. In each of the four grades in the Upper School, students will gain some practice with research. They should have experience with different kinds of research strategies, and they should be aware that research findings may be presented in different ways--the traditional paper, the oral report, multimedia presentations, portfolios, and so on. HONORS AND ADVANCED PLACEMENT Each department evaluates individuals who request honors or advanced placement. The criteria for such placements are written in the departmental sections of this guide. Note: Any student requiring regular assistance (once or more per week) from a tutor to maintain a minimum grade should reconsider the appropriateness of the honors level placement. SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAMS OF INDEPENDENT STUDY The overwhelming majority of Upper School students will select all of their courses from among those that appear on the following pages. In a few instances, juniors and seniors may propose to earn academic credit by completing work in an area of study that lies beyond the scope or depth of the RCDS curriculum. There are two ways, detailed below, in which they may seek to do so. Students should be aware that they may not do Independent or Guided Study in a course of study already offered in the curriculum; students who cannot fit all courses that they would like to take into their program must choose among options that fit their schedule. Students may not engage in more than one Independent Study of any kind per semester. The Independent Study should be undertaken along with four or, at the most, five homework-bearing academic courses; i.e. it should be a fifth or sixth course. Students may only receive permission to engage in one semester of Independent Study at a time, and must reapply in cases where they wish to continue a project for a second semester. Independent Study is not eligible for AP distinction on the transcript. 6

8 Independent Study Students seeking to define their own course of study, which they desire to complete with the willing supervision of a member of the RCDS faculty who is qualified in the relevant area, but according to their own direction, may submit a proposal to the Independent Study Committee on the form that committee has designed to help students define their goals and activities. Students must submit the form to the Head of the committee by the date when course selections for the coming semester are due. Guided Study In some instances, a student or group of students may wish to pursue the study of some subject that is not otherwise available in the curriculum, for example a foreign language not otherwise offered or an advanced topic beyond the scope of the curriculum. If an RCDS faculty member has the expertise and willingness to teach this subject, the student or students may apply to study it in Guided Study. To request permission to do so, a form describing the program must be submitted to the Head of the Independent Study Committee by the date when course selections for the coming semester are due. One form per Guided Study application is sufficient in cases where more than one student hopes to participate in the activity. Online and College Courses Students are certainly welcome to take courses online and at local colleges, but in no case can such a course appear on a student transcript as if it were an RCDS offering. Students can submit transcripts from colleges and online programs as part of applications for study beyond RCDS. Those needing assistance should consult the College Counseling Office. ADVANCED PLACEMENT For the very able student, the opportunity to gain college credit and/or placement for work done in the secondary school exists in English; Chinese, French, Latin, and Spanish; Calculus and Statistics; United States Government, Economics, United States and Modern European History, and Psychology; Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Physics; History of Art, Photography, and Studio Art; Music Theory; and Computer Science. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are designed for students who have demonstrated a high level of ability in, and enthusiasm for, a given subject. Such courses make college level texts, pedagogies, and ideas available to high school students who have shown that they can handle them. These courses typically require students to spend an hour or more on homework each night, take an active part in class discussions, and occasionally take over responsibility for teaching a class. Successful completion of the course and exam may lead to the granting of college credit by institutions where RCDS AP graduates matriculate, or placement into sophomore level courses in freshman year of college, or both. 7

9 Students already enrolled in AP classes are required to take the AP examination in the class, and the school takes the responsibility of signing these students up for the AP examination. If a student is NOT enrolled in an AP class and still wishes to take the AP, the student needs to communicate this to his/her current teacher, the Department Chair, and the AP Coordinator by filling out an AP request form by the day before Spring Break. SENIOR TERM During the second semester of the senior year, all seniors are asked to shape a public purpose project that joins personal interests and talents with community needs. Seniors complete a reflective personal inventory of their skills and interests, connect their interests and talents with particular community needs, and then shape their own six-day project either individually or with a small group of classmates. Students prepare for their projects throughout the spring and complete their projects in late May. The seniors are responsible for making the appropriate contacts and setting up the actual project. An RCDS faculty member oversees each project and checks in with the site advisor beforehand and during the project itself. Selected Senior Term projects are shared with the entire Upper School at the end of the year. 8

10 VISUAL ARTS In the Visual Arts, students become aware of their potential to think, act, and learn in diverse and original ways. By re-evaluating the familiar and striving to interpret old ideas and traditions in new ways, students develop a sense of decision-making, a new enthusiasm for the visual arts, and a deep personal involvement in the creative process. Courses in the Visual Arts cover a variety of media in major areas of design, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, photography, and graphic arts. Many Upper School students begin their studies in the visual arts with Painting for Beginners or Intro to Painting, requirements for some but not all of the more specialized semester length elective courses. Students are also introduced to computer imaging and computer graphics through offerings in Digital Photography and Digital Design. As a senior, advanced students may enter the Advanced Placement Studio Art: 2-D or Drawing program. Ceramics/ Sculpture students who have completed the requisite number of semesters working in that medium may enroll in AP Studio Art: 3D. Courses in photography are also available which cover a range of aesthetic and technical areas in both camera usage and digital imaging. The photography band of electives includes A.P. Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography (open to qualified juniors and seniors) and culminates with the yearlong senior course Art as Communication: Advanced Honors Photography. Within the offerings are three possible tracks to creating AP Portfolios. The sequence below is a sample route to fulfilling requirements and adequately preparing for the AP Portfolio. Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 Intro to Drawing Painting 2 Honors Drawing AP Studio Art Painting for Beginners Drawing 2 & Painting or Advanced or or Digital Painting Topics in Art Ceramics 1 Ceramics 2 Ceramics 3 AP Studio Art 3D Advanced Topics in Ceramics Photography 1 Photography 2 Photography 3 AP Photography Photography 3 & Advanced Topics or Advanced or AP Photography Honors Photography 9

11 Although studio experience plays a major role in the curriculum, courses in Art Survey, History of Art, and Advanced Placement Art History are also offered. These classes are enriched by a digital image collection of 2,500 major works of art, and video, CD, and DVD programs. The use of extensive Internet resources dealing with major themes in world cultures encourages students to become familiar with museum collections and current trends in the contemporary art world. In addition, students are encouraged to participate in apprenticeship programs, summer arts programs, museum studies, and a variety of off campus projects. Since a work of art is never fully realized until others experience it, student work is displayed regularly, and two major art shows take place in the fall and spring of the academic year. During this time, student displays provide the school community with a total view of the school s visual creative accomplishments. During the winter months smaller exhibitions highlight specific aspects of student work and the art program. In addition to these exhibitions, the entire school community comes together annually in late April or early May to celebrate the creative spirit at our day long Arts Festival. ART OFFERINGS - SEMESTER 1 ART SURVEY FOR THE 21 st Century The Art Survey course is an introduction to the world of art, art history & design as well as 21 st century thinking skills. Students use the language of art as well as the fundamentals of art and design as they mix traditional materials with contemporary software such as Photoshop for image editing & Weebly for webpage design. Students begin the course by looking at the idea of design thinking and attacking problems like a designer: looking at problems from an array of different views and historical perspectives to find solutions. Students next form groups to focus on specific problems within the community, to research theses problems and to create visual presentations that include inspiration taken from art history and our present day lives. Finally, students use a variety of art materials to build proto-types for a final presentation to the class. Possible design outcomes include business cards, promotional packets, and websites for their groups. (1/4 unit; Grade 9 or 10. This course meets 2 times per cycle and is a requirement for graduation.) PAINTING FOR BEGINNERS There is no prerequisite to this course. All students can enjoy the power of color and its illusionistic effects by taking this course. Students will learn to mix color, be introduced to simple, easy to learn color theory relationships, and will apply color in various forms to various surfaces. Color pencil, Cray-pas, watercolor, and acrylic will be applied to different textured papers and canvas board. This course can be used to satisfy the prerequisites for AP Studio Art. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. This course meets 5 times per cycle.) 10

12 DIGITAL PAINTING There is no prerequisite for this course. Students will learn basic painting and drawing techniques in addition to digital techniques for creating exciting 21 st century imagery. Working with ipads, Photoshop, and Wacom Tablets students will build upon preliminary sketches or photographs or create work directly from a blank digital canvas. The course will explore a wide range of aesthetic concepts while strengthening a clear understanding of the Principles and Elements of Design. This course can be used to satisfy the prerequisites for AP Studio Art. (1/2 unit per semester; Grades 9,10, 11, 12). PAINTING 2 Painting for Beginners is the prerequisite to this course. Students utilize color theories that they learn from Painting for Beginners and apply them to controlling illusions of three-dimensional forms and space on a two-dimensional surface. The student makes use of watercolors and acrylics. This course can be used to satisfy the prerequisites for AP Studio Art. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Painting for Beginners. This course meets 5 times per cycle.) MURAL MAKING There is no prerequisite for this yearlong course. Murals can entail so much more than a large painting! The process of developing a mural for this course blends collaborative work, history, current events and art making. In the Fall Semester students will examine mural making throughout history to contemporary times. Students will have an opportunity to trace the history of a specific region and mural artist of their own. The historic overview in the fall will be a key factor in the development of a mixed media mural as the course advances. The materials used will include, photography, paint, marker, stencils and a variety of other digital medium. Students will work collaboratively to create a mural for public display on the RCDS campus or elsewhere. (1 unit; Grade 12 only, This course meets 3 times per cycle in the First Semester and 4 times per cycle in the Second Semester). INTRO TO DRAWING There is no prerequisite to this course. This is an introductory course for students with little or no formal experience in Drawing. Here, students will have the opportunity to explore both formal as well as experimental concepts of drawing using a variety of traditional and contemporary drawing techniques. The semester will engage students in gesture, contour, shading, expressive mark making, and linear perspective. Students will also learn techniques unique to charcoal, pencil, conte crayon, pastel, & pen and ink. Subject matter will be both realistic and abstract, evolving from life studies and from the students imagination. This course can be used to satisfy the prerequisites for AP Studio Art. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. This course meets 5 times per cycle.) 11

13 DRAWING 2 Introduction to Drawing is a prerequisite to this course. The focus of the course will be on developing skills necessary to express personal ideas through a variety of traditional and experimental media. Students in this course will work on more thematic approaches to the work and be expected to show mastery in both concept and execution of techniques learned in Intro.to Drawing. This course can be used to satisfy the prerequisites for AP Studio Art. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Intro. to Drawing. This course meets 5 times per cycle.) HONORS DRAWING AND PAINTING This yearlong course is designed for the junior or senior interested in creating a portfolio for college review. Students will continue to build drawing and painting skills in a variety of assignments that showcase and develop both technical skill and personal style. Juniors enrolled in this class should expect that the work may also be used for their AP Portfolio in their senior year. This class meets 5 times per cycle. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; prerequisite: Drawing for Beginners, Drawing 2, Painting for Beginners, Painting 2). ADVANCED TOPICS IN ART This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or explore a range of concepts and media in the studio arts, art history or photography. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the advisor and submit a written statement describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. When it is necessary, written and oral competency as well as critiques will be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the visual arts. (1/2 unit per semester; Grade 11, 12; Department approval required. Course may be repeated for credit.) ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART 2-D or Drawing Portfolios A yearlong course, the A.P. program in Drawing or 2-D Studio Art is the equivalent of an introductory Drawing or 2-D course on the college level and is designed for the highly motivated student interested in the serious study of art. Interested students should be aware that the work for this course involves significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. The student will have the opportunity to become involved with a wide range of art media and will pursue three basic areas of work: The Concentration: An area where the student is required to demonstrate a commitment to an intense exploration of a specific idea involving both creative capacities and intellectual understanding; a written commentary form documenting the student s progress is required of this section; 12

14 Breadth: An area involving the exploration of a rich variety of means and media that extends the student s intellectual and perceptual experiences; Quality: Work that emphasizes the quality of the total work of art in concept, composition, and realization of the artist s intentions. (1 unit; Grade 12; Prerequisites: Two introductory courses chosen from Painting for Beginners, Intro to Drawing, or Digital Painting; also Painting 2 and Drawing 2. Department approval is required. All candidates enrolling in the AP Studio Class will be required to execute an assignment to be completed over the summer. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June, and will be designed to develop the candidate s capacity for independent work and technical competency. It is required that all students approved for this course will submit an AP portfolio in May.) CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 1 This course is designed to introduce interested students to a wide variety of approaches that develop an awareness of Three Dimensional Design through clay and sculptural materials. Students are taught the basic techniques of forming clay into both functional and sculptural forms by using hand-building techniques. The student explores form, texture, and volume as they relate to three-dimensional spatial organization. This course is designed to introduce a sensitivity to 3-D design and to prepare students that may be interested in pursuing the AP 3-D portfolio in the senior year. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.) CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 2 Level II ceramics continues to build on the skills and technical information introduced in the first level of Ceramics. While clay is the primary material that will be used in this class, other sculptural materials will also be introduced. At this level, more advanced projects are introduced that are complex in concept and technique. Students are also introduced to the potter s wheel. Students are expected to work independently and to create works that are visually strong and show distinct individual direction as well as mastery of technique. It is expected that students in this class will devote regular out of class time working on their projects. Ceramics II is a pre-requisite for the Advanced Placement 3-D portfolio class. (1/2 unit; Grades 9,10,11, 12.) CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 3 Level III ceramics continues to build on the skills and technical information from previous levels. While clay continues to be the primary material that will be used in this class, other sculptural materials will also be introduced. At this level, more advanced projects are introduced that are complex in concept and technique. Students are expected to work independently and to create works that are visually strong and show distinct individual direction as well as mastery of technique. It is expected that students in this class will devote regular out of class time working on their projects. Students have the opportunity to continue working on the potter s 13

15 wheel in Ceramics 3. Students completing this level will qualify to be a candidate for the Advanced Placement 3-D portfolio class. (1/2 unit; Grades 10,11, 12.) ADVANCED TOPICS IN CERAMICS This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or explore a range of concepts within the medium of ceramics. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the art advisor and submit a written statement describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the ceramic medium. (1/2 unit per semester; Grade 10, 11, 12; Department approval required. Course may be repeated for credit.) ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART- 3-D A yearlong course, the A.P. program in 3-D Studio Art is the equivalent of an introductory 3-D visual art course on the college level and is designed for the highly motivated student interested in the serious study of art. While the medium of clay is the primary emphasis of the course, other sculptural media will be used as well. Interested students should be aware that the work for this course involves significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. The student will have the opportunity to become involved with a wide range of techniques and will pursue three basic areas of work: The Concentration: An area where the student is required to demonstrate a commitment to an intense exploration of a specific idea involving both creative capacities and intellectual understanding; a written commentary form documenting the student s progress is required of this section; Breadth: An area involving the exploration of a rich variety of means and media that extends the student s intellectual and perceptual experiences. Quality: Work that emphasizes the quality of the total work of art in concept, composition, and realization of the artist s intentions. It is required that all students will submit a portfolio to the College Board in May. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisite: For 3-D Studio Art, successful completion of Ceramics/Sculpture 1, Ceramics/Sculpture 2, and Ceramics/ Sculpture 3. All candidates enrolling in the AP 3-D class will be required to execute a sculpture assignment for AP 3-D to be completed over the summer prior to entering the AP level course. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June, and will be designed to develop the candidate s capacity for independent work and technical competency. It is required that all students approved for this course will submit a portfolio in May of their senior year). 14

16 PHOTOGRAPHY 1 This is an introductory course designed for the student with little or no previous knowledge of photography. The course will deal with both creative and technical uses of the digital camera. Basics of picture taking, image development, composition, scanning, printing, and mounting will be covered. On a variety of levels, students will also explore Adobe Photoshop. Specific photographic assignments will be given and a portfolio of work will be required of the student at the end of the semester. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) PHOTOGRAPHY 2 In this course, students explore experimental techniques with the camera and the Photoshop software. Students experience working with studio lighting, image and text, panoramas, environmental portraiture, and digital image manipulation. Students are encouraged to refine their skills with the digital slr camera (available for use during the school day) while advancing expertise in digital editing. (1/2 unit; Grades 9-12; prerequisite: successful completion of Photography 1 or permission of instructor.) PHOTOGRAPHY 3 This is a course for the highly motivated student who has successfully completed the requirements of Photography Level II. With an emphasis on the development of individual style, students explore more sophisticated and experimental techniques and the work of master photographers. Students explore oversized images, time-lapse photography, photo essays, and the collaged manipulation of prints. An important component of the course entails the student s analysis and integration of the work of a mentor master photographer. (1/2 unit: Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: successful completion of Photography 2 or permission of instructor.) ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHOTOGRAPHY This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest. In the semester prior to the course, the student must submit a written statement describing the projects with which they will be engaged. Students must also submit an approximate schedule for the completion of these investigations. (1/2 unit per semester; Department approval required; course may be repeated for credit.) 15

17 A.P. STUDIO ART: DESIGN PORTFOLIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY A yearlong course for the most highly motivated student interested in the serious study of photography. The student will have the opportunity to explore photography in great depth with an emphasis on developing personal style and expression. Each student will pursue three basic areas of work: Area of Breadth: the student is required to demonstrate a rich variety of means of working in the photographic media that extends the student s intellectual and perceptual experiences Area of Concentration: the student is required to demonstrate a commitment to an intense exploration of a specific idea involving both creative capacities and intellectual understanding; a written commentary documenting the student s progress is required of this section; Area of Quality: the student is required to create a series of photographs that achieve quality in concept, composition, and the realization of the artist s intentions. (1 unit; Grade 11, 12; prerequisites: Photography 1, Photography 2, & Photography 3. Department approval is required. In preparation for the course, a summer shooting assignment must be completed for the start of class in September. It is required that all students approved for this course will submit an A.P. portfolio in May.) ADVANCED HONORS PHOTOGRAPHY This yearlong course is for the photography students who have completed the A.P. Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography and want to continue the serious study of photography. In this course students will explore a variety of avenues for communicating visual ideas. Each quarter will be devoted to a specific type of communication including bookmaking, website design, personal exhibitions, and group installation. A highlight of the course is the curating and exhibition of a portfolio of work in the PAC Lobby Gallery and the creation of a book based on the student s work. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisites: Photography 1, 2, 3, and A.P. Studio Art Design Portfolio in Photography. This course meets 3 times per cycle. Department approval is required) INTRO TO VIDEO Learn how to take your ideas from script to screen in this introductory video course. In this semester long course, students will be working on multiple projects that will teach them all aspects of the production process, including script writing, story boarding, shooting, and the power of editing. Through these projects and assigned movie screenings, students will begin to demonstrate a better understanding and knowledge of film history and film/video vocabulary. In-class critiques, written reflections, and homework are also requirements for this course. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. This course is a prerequisite for Video 2 & Honors Filmmaking.) 16

18 VIDEO 2 Intro to Video is the prerequisite for this course. This class is designed for students who are serious about raising the caliber of their video production skills and want to create more sophisticated projects. Students at this level will go deeper into the elements of narrative story telling. Everything from pre-production to editing will be explored more in depth. In-class critiques, written reflections, and homework are also requirements for this course. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12. This course is a prerequisite for Honors Filmmaking. Prerequisite: Intro to Video.) HONORS FILMMAKING In this course, students will spend the entire year working on one film of their choosing. This endeavor will allow students to spend more time on each stage of the filmmaking process including script read-throughs, writing a casting notice and holding auditions, how to write a film budget and film grants, and how to apply for film festivals and create a production reel. Students will also have screenings throughout the year of classic movies to inspire their own work and help expand their filmmaking vocabulary. At the end of the year, students will screen their final films to the RCDS community. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12. This course meets 4 times per cycle. Prerequisite: Intro to Video & Video 2) AP ART HISTORY This course is open to all 11 th and 12 th grade students who would like to study the history of art at an advanced level and who are committed to taking the AP exam in the spring. Interested students should Mrs. Ordway in order to make an appointment to speak about qualifications for placement, as well as the curriculum and requirements of the course. ART HISTORY This course is open to all 11 th and 12 th grade students who are interested in studying the history of art, but who do not choose or who do not qualify to take it at the advanced placement level. Please Mrs. Ordway, should you wish additional information. ART OFFERINGS - SEMESTER 2 ART SURVEY FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY See description Semester 1 (1/4 unit; Grade 9 or 10) CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 1 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.) 17

19 CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 2 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.) CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 3 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12.) ADVANCED TOPICS IN CERAMICS See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12.) PAINTING FOR BEGINNERS See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; This course meets 4 times per cycle. This course is a prerequisite for AP Studio Art.) DIGITAL PAINTING See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; This course meets 4 times per cycle. This course is a prerequisite for AP Studio Art.) PAINTING 2 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Painting 1. This course meets 4 times per cycle. This course is a prerequisite for AP Studio Art.) INTRO TO DRAWING See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; This course meets 4 times per cycle. This course is a prerequisite for AP Studio Art.) DRAWING 2 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Intro to Drawing. This course meets 4 times per cycle. This course is a prerequisite for AP Studio Art.) ADVANCED TOPICS IN ART See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit per semester; Grade 11, 12; Department approval required.) Course may be repeated for credit. PHOTOGRAPHY 1 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12) SMARTPHONE & APP PHOTOGRAPHY This course provides an introduction to camera and editing techniques available for the smartphone, ipod, and ipad through the use of a wide range of apps. Students will learn camera settings for the various devices and will gain the ability to change tonal range, depth of field, and saturation on captured images. 18

20 With other apps students will learn to stitch panoramas, shoot and edit HDR, and apply a variety of filters for expressive purposes. Options for sharing, transferring, and storing the photographs will also be discussed. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.) PHOTOGRAPHY 2 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9-12; prerequisite: successful completion of Photography Level I or permission of instructor.) PHOTOGRAPHY 3 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit: Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: successful completion of Photography level II or permission of instructor.) ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHOTOGRAPHY See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit per semester; Department approval required; course may be repeated for credit) DIGITAL DESIGN WITH DESIGN THINKING Design thinking has the power to change your way of seeing and solving complex problems by thinking as a product designer would. This course will challenge students to find creative and innovative solutions to existing real world problems by utilizing modern technologies and traditional artistic approaches. Throughout the class students will analyze, plan and create prototypes for challenges while exploring digital imaging utilizing Photoshop, Illustrator, Weebly, and Pagemaker. The course will incorporate a variety of approaches for relating the principles of good design to computer-generated art. Students complete the course with the skills they need to create posters, ads, and similar design work. (1/2 unit; Grades 9,10, 11,12. This course meets 4 times per cycle. Course may be repeated for credit.) INTRO TO VIDEO See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. This course is a prerequisite for Video 2 & Honors Filmmaking.) VIDEO 2 See description Semester 1 (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12. This course is a prerequisite for Honors Filmmaking. Prerequisite: Intro to Video.) 19

21 CLASSICS The program of the Classics Department is based on the firm belief that the study of classics - Latin and Greek language and literature - remains one of the strongest foundations of a truly liberal education. The broad objective is to develop understanding of the cultural heritage of Greece and Rome and its influence on the modern world. Through the study of Latin and Greek, students keep alive a vital link with a major source of their culture. The discipline of translation has the added benefit of clarifying thought and expression in English. Furthermore, since Latin and Greek are the major sources of the Romance languages, classics students gain great advantage toward the study of these modern tongues. They also gain an even greater advantage in the expansion of their vocabulary in English, since over 60% of English is derived from Latin and/or Greek. Instruction in Latin includes not only grammar and vocabulary but also readings in Latin that reflect Roman daily life as well as Roman and Greek literary and historical backgrounds. Following this preparation, the study of Latin literature begins with authors such as Caesar and Cicero. With increased sophistication at advanced levels, Vergil, Catullus, Horace, and others are read, along with relevant literary criticism. Advanced Placement program is offered, as well as a post-ap, college-level Latin literature course. Ancient Greek instruction, which may be done as a guided study, focuses on Attic grammar and vocabulary, leading in the upper levels to the study of Greek prose authors, such as Lysias, Plato, and Herodotus, as well as the poetry of Homer. Classics Department policies regarding honors and AP courses: A. For entry from a regular into an Honors or AP Latin course, a student must have: 1. Recommendation from the current teacher. 2. Minimum year grade of A- in a regular course, or year-grade of E in 8th grade. 3. Minimum grade of B+ on the Upper School exam, or E on the Middle School exam. B. For maintenance of placement in an Honors or AP course during the school year, the policy is as follows: 1. If an Honors or AP student receives a grade below B- at either the first quarter or the first semester, his or her situation will be reviewed by the teacher of the course in consultation with the Department head to determine the appropriateness of course placement. 2. AP students are required to take the AP exam as the culmination of the course. As a result of the review in either of the above situations, the student either may not be allowed to continue in the Honors/AP course or may be allowed to continue on a probationary basis. 20

22 C. For entry from an Honors or AP course into another Honors or AP course, a student must have: 1. Recommendation of the current teacher 2. Minimum year grade of B, with B- or better on exam D. Honors Intensive Latin 1. The requirements for entry into this course are as follows: students must have a year grade of A- or better in their first foreign language, the recommendation of their language teacher, and the approval of the Department chair. 2. The requirements to remain in this course are as follows: students with grades below B- at the first quarter or first semester, and/or those whose work is chronically late or otherwise incomplete, may be required to move to Latin 1, after review of the student s performance by the instructor in consultation with the Department head. 3. Upon completion of this course, placement into Honors Latin 3 requires the recommendation of the instructor and a grade of B or above both in the course and on the exam. LATIN 1 Elementary Latin is taught with twin aims in mind: acquisition and, through consistent reinforcement, complete mastery of fundamental grammatical forms, and reading facility. Grammatical principles, morphology (word-endings), and vocabulary are introduced, discussed, applied, and mastered. The reading of narratives about Roman life, culture, and history incorporates and reinforces language instruction. Latin is regularly read aloud, with special attention paid to correct pronunciation. Through study of Latin vocabulary, students learn a great deal about English words derived from Latin; through the study of a highly inflected language, students have the opportunity to strengthen their general grammatical skill set. (1 unit; Grades 9, 10; Grades 11, 12 by permission) LATIN 2 This course extends the acquisition of grammatical, morphological, and vocabulary skills begun in Latin 1. Facility and speed in reading is gradually increased to the level at which students can cope successfully with edited or adapted selections from Roman authors, such as Cicero, Livy, and Ovid. Translating skills are developed and refined. Continued emphasis is placed on topics of Roman and Greek culture and history which are relevant to the reading. Vocabulary study focuses on word building in Latin and derivative study in English. (1 unit; Grades 9, 10; Grades 11, 12 by permission) 21

23 HONORS LATIN 2 This course moves more quickly and covers more material than the regular 2 nd level course. Students begin to read unedited Latin literature from a variety of Roman authors in both prose and poetry, and emphasis is placed on identification and proper translation of increasingly complex grammatical concepts. Students requiring regular assistance (once or more per week) from a tutor to maintain the minimum grade will be counseled to move to Latin 2. (1 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11; Grade 12 by permission) HONORS INTENSIVE LATIN This course is designed for students who have demonstrated mastery of the grammatical principles of one foreign language, and who have an interest in acquiring Latin at an accelerated pace (i.e., covering Latin 1 and 2 in one year). Grammatical forms and constructions are introduced in quick succession, and emphasis is placed on ever-increasing fluency and speed of reading. By the end of the course, students are able to read slightly adapted passages of Latin prose from authors like Caesar, Cicero, and Pliny. Students are expected to continue the sequence in their first foreign language concurrently with Intensive Latin Honors, at least through the fourth year. It is assumed that students in Intensive Latin Honors will demonstrate self-motivation and the ability to work independently. Students requiring regular assistance (once or more per week) from a tutor to maintain the minimum grade will be counseled to move to Latin 1. (1 unit; Grades 9-12, by permission) LATIN 3 This course completes the acquisition of the few remaining grammar skills and begins the reading of Latin authors. The opening focus is on Roman history, with readings from authors such as Eutropius, Asconius, Cicero, and Caesar illustrating the last days of the Roman Republic and the beginnings of the Principate. Emphasis shifts from merely reading and translating to interpreting and commenting on the substance and literary style of the text. Essays, oral reports, projects and debates (in English) on historical, cultural, and literary topics expand on the experience of the texts. When grammar instruction is complete in the second semester, the focus shifts to Latin poetry, with a focus on Catullus, Horace, Ovid, and Vergil. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12) HONORS LATIN 3 This course moves more quickly and covers more material than the regular 3 rd level course. Students read more extensively from a variety of Roman authors in both prose and poetry. Students engage in literary analysis through class discussions and critical essays, while developing facility with advanced grammar and syntax. When grammar instruction is complete, preparation is begun for the AP course, with readings focused on Caesar and Vergil. Students 22