Academics: The Curriculum
The Arts: Visual Arts
Unless specifically stated in the course description, students have the grading system option of A/No Credit or Credit/No Credit.
A-111 Drawing Concepts
Fall .5 unit Hoffer
Drawing is fundamental to visual problem solving and to the production of visual ideas in original work. Students in this beginning level course engage with various processes and mediums of drawing while being challenged to develop their ability to see. The visual vocabulary that is introduced helps students to determine their emphasis in other visual disciplines. This is a semester arts elective with no prerequisite.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-112 2-D and 3-D Design
Spring .5 unit Barbone
Design is an ordering process, an act of taking in information via our senses and quickly sifting through it—recognizing, discerning, and placing. This is how we make sense of our world, by forming patterns and connections. Students in this beginning level design class develop their ability to use a wide range of media while looking quickly beneath the surface of work to understand and analyze its basic structure. This is a semester arts elective with no prerequisite.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-113 Introduction to Weaving
Fall and Spring .5 unit Barbone
Introduction to Weaving provides the student with a fundamental knowledge of four-harness loom weaving. Students become familiar with the basic weave structures and explore color, pattern, texture, and image as it relates to designing hand-woven fabric. This is a semester arts elective with no prerequisite.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-120 Community-Based Art
Fall .5 unit Hapeman
This course is an introduction to community-based art. Students study the emergence of community-based art as a tool for social change and examine the way art can function at every level of society. Through observing, creative problem solving, developing connections, critical analysis, uncovering patterns, experimentation and risk taking, students work collaboratively to define and create community art projects within and beyond the Emma Willard community. This course does not satisfy either the performing or the visual arts graduation requirement.
Prerequisite: Experience in the visual arts.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-125 Ceramics I
Fall and Spring .5 unit Hapeman
This class familiarizes students with the fundamental skills necessary for working with clay and the vocabulary used by potters and ceramic artists. Students develop their visual vocabulary and work with various construction techniques leading to the planning, design and execution of original artwork. Additionally, students are given the opportunity to develop their critical eye and decision-making skills as they begin to form a basis for aesthetic development.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-211 Drawing and Design
Spring .5 unit Hoffer
This course blends an analytical and practical study of the elements and principles of composition with introductory concepts of expressive drawing and problem solving. Drawing and Design provides students with the intellectual and physical experiences necessary to make informed and intentional artwork. This is a semester arts elective open to students who have completed either Drawing Concepts (A-111) or 2-D and 3-D Design (A-112) or who have permission of the instructor.
Prerequisite: Drawing Concepts (A-111) or 2-D and 3-D Design (A-112) or permission of the instructor
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-214 Woven Structures
Fall and Spring .5 unit Barbone
This course offers students the opportunity to continue exploring of 2-D design in weaving. Complex weave structures, color, texture, and imagery are more thoroughly investigated. This course can be repeated and tailored to suit an individual student’s interest. This is a semester arts elective open to students who have completed Introduction to Weaving (A-113).
Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving (A-113)
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-225 Ceramics II
Spring .5 unit Hapeman
In this course students continue to explore clay as a medium for building in three dimensions. The class focuses on the sculptural aspects of clay vessels using various hand building techniques and offers students a chance to develop their technical skills working on the wheel. There are opportunities to explore non-traditional surfaces and mixed media forms. Students are encouraged to use form and material to explore issues of three-dimensional art and add complexity to their visual vocabulary while gaining technical skill in ceramic art. This is a semester arts elective that can be repeated.
Prerequisite: Ceramics I (A-125)
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-270 Photography I
Fall and Spring .5 unit Van Wormer
This introductory course in the art and craft of photography emphasizes the use of the camera as a creative tool. Students learn how to use their cameras, how to expose and develop black and white film, and how to create good black and white prints. We cover composition, perspective, the frame, the shutter, and the lens’ ability to isolate subject matter through depth of field. Once students have acquired these basic technical skills, the emphasis of the course shifts from photographic craft to the art of photography. The subject and structure of the images become the focus of student work and class discussions. Students learn something of photography’s short but rich history, acquire skill in reading photographs, and learn how to photograph their own world and experiences. Students should bring their own fully adjustable 35mm camera. A limited number of rental cameras are available through the school.
Open to: 10/11/12
A-273 Digital Imaging
Spring .5 unit Van Wormer
Computers have had a profound impact on the way we see and record our world and communicate our vision. This course covers the fundamentals of digital scanning, digital capture, and image manipulation. Through an exploration of various imaging programs, industry standard Photoshop in particular, students explore some of the most recent techniques in the two-dimensional creative process. Color and design are emphasized, and both photographic and non-photographic methods of image creation are utilized.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-279 Film and Video
Fall .5 unit Van Wormer
In this course, students explore visual expression through the media of film and video. This course includes an historical introduction to film, a close look at the creative control and techniques of the director or filmmaker, and an introduction to video production. Students explore experimental, documentary, and narrative forms, as well as camera use, sound capture, and digital editing techniques. Active participation in class discussions and film analysis is expected. Members of the class produce short video projects, with an eye toward effective storytelling and communication.
Open to: 9/10/11/12
A-313 Portfolio I in Drawing and Painting
Year 1 unit Hoffer
This course is designed for students who wish to further develop foundation skills in drawing and painting. This course is appropriate for students who are interested in creating an art portfolio for an arts/liberal arts college and/or for student who plan to take the AP Drawing Portfolio course the following year. Through direct teacher instruction and informal critiques—and more formal student-to-student critiques—emphasis is placed on completing a breadth of work. Students use the vocabulary of art analysis and demonstrate an understanding of drawing, composition, and color concepts in original work. This is a year-long arts elective open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 with permission of the instructor. Students interested in completing a college portfolio are encouraged to take Portfolio1 before their senior year.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Open to: 10/11/12
A-325 Ceramics III
Spring .5 unit Hapeman
This course offers the advanced student the opportunity to expand, explore, and refine her skills. More experienced students are offered assignment variations as their strengths emerge. This is a semester arts elective that can be repeated.
Prerequisite: Ceramics II (A-225)
Open to: 10/11/12
A-370 Photography II
Spring .5 unit Van Wormer
This course is a continuation of Photography I (A-270), and its objectives are to refine the student’s visual awareness and to develop further her technical abilities. Students concentrate more on personal photo projects. Photoshop and other non-silver techniques are explored as ways of extending the photographic print, and historical and contemporary trends in photography are examined. If the student has a digital SLR, it may be possible to take this course using that camera. This option should be discussed with the instructor prior to registering.
Prerequisite: Photography I (A-270) or permission of the instructor
Open to: 10/11/12
A-413 AP Portfolio in Drawing and Painting
Year 1.5 units Hoffer
This course is designed for students who are interested in compiling an AP Portfolio in Drawing, as well as completing a concentration of work for a college art portfolio. Through direct teacher instruction and informal critiques—and more formal student-to-student critiques—emphasis is placed on each student’s visual investigation in the completion of original work in two additional categories—concentration and quality.
This is a year-long arts elective open to students in grades 11 and 12 with permission of the instructor. Some summer assignments may be required.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Open to: 11/12
A-470 Photography III
Spring .5 unit Van Wormer
Photography III offers the advanced photo student the opportunity to expand and explore her photographic vision while continuing to refine her skills. Alternative processes, hand coloring, and darkroom and digital manipulation of images are but a few of the areas covered. The course is largely tailored, however, to meet individual student needs. This is a portfolio-based class. Students may elect to create a traditional print portfolio, album-style book, and/or digital portfolio on CD or DVD.
Prerequisite: Photography II (A-370)
Open to: 11/12
