Academics
Fine Arts Course Descriptions
Introduction to Art
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
This course includes aspects of aesthetics, criticism, history and production, in a logical sequence to build artistic skills and knowledge. Students will develop an artistic awareness of natural and human created environments in an effort to look at and respond to works of art. Styles of individual artists, particular movements or periods as well as art heritages of the human race including women, men and non-western cultures of art history are examined. This course stresses imagination and experimentation in manipulating media, images, objects and concepts to gain confidence in expressing personal ideas in visual form. Students are encouraged to draw upon their environment, experiences and feelings as sources for artwork. Development of technical skills and utilization of problem solving skills in the perception and use of principles and elements of design are basic to the creative process. A student will understand and utilize visual art vocabulary and terms in the evaluation of his own art as well as the art of others as a learning experience. Basic drawing, painting, print making and sculpture projects will be designed with themes that tap into student interests, encourage creativity, facilitate problem-solving skills and draw connections to the visual world around us.
Art Traditions
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
Art Traditions deals with the history of the art and architecture of the Western World from the Neolithic period to contemporary times. The course is a general survey of the history of Western culture focusing on painting, sculpture, and architecture. The goal of the course is to develop within the student an appreciation for art in all periods and an understanding of the significant trends in style.
AP Art History
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
This Advanced Placement course presents the study of Western culture from the Art Historical perspective. Influences of Eastern, Primitive, Etuscan, and Northern Renaissance Art greatly broaden our understanding of generally studied Art History. Graphics, photography, and vase-painting will be examined. Contemporary architecture, especially as seen in Chicago, will be examined in depth. A field trip and research project will be required each semester. The AP exam will be given in the second semester as the final exam.
Prerequisites: Minimum 3.5 GPA and departmental approval
Art I
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
Art I is designed to continue the foundation skills built in the Introduction to Art course but with a greater emphasis on building skills and techniques used to create works of art. Pencil, pastel, and charcoal techniques are studied in drawing. Human form as well as figure drawing are also stressed. In painting, tempera paint, acrylic paint and watercolor techniques are utilized with canvas, board, and paper supports. Print making extends beyond basic techniques. Sculpture techniques grow to include wire armatures.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Art or portfolio review by the instructor
2-D Drawing
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
The 2-D Studio course is designed for students seeking advanced study in art. Continued emphasis is placed on building advanced skills and techniques used to create works of art. The following will be covered: pencil, pastel, and charcoal drawing; acrylic and watercolor painting; linoleum, rubbings, and lithography in print making; mixed media is also explored. A main focus of the course is students working on themes directed by their own individual interests. Critique and analysis of student work is stressed. A portfolio is required for completion of the course.
3-D Drawing
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
The 3-D course is an extension of the 2-D course; therefore, many of the projects created are part of the 2-D curriculum. Critiques are also held in combination with 2-D students. As with the other art courses, each lesson in the 3-D Studio course includes history, production and evaluative components. The nature of creating three dimensions requires strong drawing skills and may require knowledge of various 2-D media, although 2-dimensional studio units are removed. Found object sculpture, wire sculpture, ceramics including coil, slab and various hand building techniques, paper mache, relief sculpture, plaster sculpture and mixed media are explored in this course. Students in the 3-D Studio course create a portfolio for continued study of art beyond high school.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Art I and a portfolio review by the instructor
Beginning Band
Grade: 9, 10
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
This course is intended for students who have an interest in playing a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument but have no prior experience in playing a concert band instrument. Students will acquire both an understanding and appreciation of music as well as the expectations and demands of being a band member. Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible for acceptance into Symphonic Band.
Honors Band
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
This course meets in conjunction with Symphonic Band. It is designed for students whose experience and talent have prepared them to be section leaders. They will have the opportunity to arrange and compose pieces of music for the band, as well as perform concert solos. These students will be held to a higher standard of practice, performance, leadership and musical involvement in their lives. Rehearsals outside of class will be required.
Prerequisites: Previous experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument and approval of Band Director
Symphonic Band
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
Students in the band program acquire an understanding and appreciation of music. They also develop critical listening skills through the study and performance of various types and styles of band literature. Performances held at both Notre Dame and Resurrection campuses are scheduled in the evenings and on weekends, depending on the nature of the performance. In addition to performances at sporting events and parades, two to three formal concerts will be required. Occasionally the band will also travel to music festivals and activities in and out of state.
Prerequisites: Previous experience on a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument and approval of Band Director
Jazz Ensemble
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
This course focuses study on the basic fundamentals of jazz, which include the areas of interpretation, improvisation, reading, theory, and other techniques common to jazz performance. The Jazz Ensemble is performance oriented and will be involved in concert appearances and community events. As a co-curricular ensemble, performances and rehearsals outside of regular school hours are required. This course meets for a full year on an every other day basis.
Prerequisites: Recommendation and/or audition by the Band Director
Music Appreciation
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
In this course students will broaden their musical tastes through the study of a variety of musical styles. Also emphasized in this class will be the co-relations of art, architecture and history. Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and current periods will be studied. The course will also examine jazz, popular music and hip hop music as it affects students' lives.
Music Theory I
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
This course is designed for students with previous musical training who are interested in studying theory of music in greater depth or are considering a major in music. Students will study the basic concepts of rhythmic notation, key construction, harmonic analysis, and elementary composition while developing aural skills associated with rhythm reading, sight singing, and harmonic recognition. This course meets for a full year on an every other day basis.
Prerequisites: Previous training in music and approval of Band Director
Music Survey
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
This survey course is intended to expose students to a wide range of music ranging from classical to jazz, to rock, to country. Students will learn how to read music as well as appreciate various contemporary music genres and their influences on subsequent music forms. Activities may include a research project, and a composition and playing/performance requirement. This course will be highly student-centered.
Introduction to Theatre/Dramatic Arts
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
The goal of this course is to introduce students to aspects of theater/dramatic arts including, but not limited to: theater history, dramatic genres, acting techniques, technical theater, critical analysis and dramaturgy. The class will rely heavily on both theoretical and experiential components. To this end, in addition to normal classroom assignments, students will be required to augment their learning by participating in several outside projects and events such as working on set construction for a school-sponsored production or attending a professional performance.
Prerequisites: Permission of department
Fine Arts Appreciation
Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50
One Semester
This survey course is intended to enhance a student's appreciation and understanding of music, art and drama in the diverse world around us. Students will be exposed to the lives of some of the great artists, playwrights, composers and musicians of the past and present as well as their influential works and focus on assessing the messages within the art itself. Contributions of various cultures to the arts will also be examined. Students will be asked to experience and harness the power of creativity and self-expression through fine arts performance, critiquing others work and exploring career opportunities available in the arts.