Fine Arts Courses
Art Spectrum
Abbreviation: 6205 ART SPEC 1
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 9-12
This course can be used to fulfill the “f“ requirement for the University of California and California State University. This is a high school entry level survey course, exploring basic skills, concepts, and history in the visual arts. It is also the foundation course for all other art classes. In the course of a year, the curriculum includes both two- and three-dimensional visual arts experiences, with emphasis on the development of technical, expressive, and critical thinking skills. Lessons in basic drawing, color theory, design, perspective, lettering, ceramics, and sculpture are taught. Additional lessons in jewelry, architecture, stained glass, or printmaking may be included if time permits. Art History units are taught throughout the year. As a result of taking this course, students will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of technical skills needed in the production of art, show an understanding of art (and design) theory, be able to make some judgments related to art, and have an appreciation of art from other times and cultures.
Drawing, Painting
Abbreviation: 6340 PT/DR 1
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Suggested Course Preparation: Art Spectrum or equivalent. Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U. This course can be repeated for credit for three years. Students in the second and third years will be given options with advanced assignments in a “Portfolio Assessment” program, especially for AP art credit assessment.
This course begins with basic drawing and design experiences, exploring materials, techniques and composition theory using pencil, charcoal, brush pen and ink, pastel and colored pencil. From these experiences, color theory is introduced in preparation for the painting units. The painting units are arranged to further develop technical and expressive skills, with the first lessons emphasizing the processes of composition and color techniques; additional painting experiences build on this knowledge by emphasizing expressive and communicative skills. Further experiences in painting and drawing are designed to challenge the student in independent directions. Painting instruction will cover a variety of materials, and may include oil, acrylic, watercolor or tempera and mixed media. Course work will include art history, written reports, homework sketchbooks, gallery/ museum visits and class critiques.
To complete this advanced course successfully, students will be expected to understand and creatively use the media listed, actively participate in discussions and reporting which demonstrate a knowledge of aesthetic perception and valuing, and to have a basic familiarity of the history of drawing and painting.
Graphic Design (Commercial Art)
Abbreviation: 6262 GRAPHDES
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Suggested Course Preparation: Art Spectrum or equivalent.
Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f“ requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
Printmaking, Graphic Design, and Computer Technology are the major focus of instruction in this course. Assignments may include relief printing, etching, drypoint, serigraph, layout techniques, illustration, rendering/painting for the designer, typography, advertising design, and computer graphics. To complete the course successfully, students will be expected to demonstrate through lessons and outside reports, an understanding and use of expressive, technical, and cognitive skills as well as an understanding of the historical and cultural aspects of the art forms presented. Written or oral reports, gallery and museum visits and classroom critiques on student and master work are integrated into the course.
This course satisfies either Fine Arts or Career-Vocational Education Programs requirement.
Ceramics, Sculpture
Abbreviation: 6246 CER/SCUL
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Suggested Course Preparation: Art Spectrum or equivalent. Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
This course provides experiences in the study of ceramics and sculpture. The emphasis of this course is in mixed media and primarily involves the use of clay as a sculptural medium. Materials studied include glass, wood, metal, stone, plaster, and found objects. As a result of taking this course, students will be able to create works of art that reflect an understanding of the three dimensional elements of art and design. Students will learn to appreciate and discuss art of various cultures from past to present based on their understanding of the concepts, ideas, techniques, and materials of those cultures. Written reports, gallery/museum visits and oral critiques are integral parts of the curriculum.
Advanced Sculpture
Abbreviation: 6246 ADV SCULP1
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Course Preparation: Ceramics/Sculpture 6246, 6247.
Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f“ requirement for the University of California and the C.S.U. requirement. This course can be repeated for credit for three years.
Students in Advanced Sculpture continue to explore techniques in a variety of media to express their thoughts, using the visual language of form, space, color, and texture. Three-dimensional media include clay, glass, metal, wood, plaster, and found objects. Students work in sketchbooks designing thematic projects, leading to fabrication and installation of their sculpture. Students are required to exhibit their work in the Norseman Gallery on campus. In depth study of contemporary art and visits to galleries and museums is required study. There is an emphasis on individual artistic expression and aesthetic inquiry.
Art Studio AP
Abbreviation: 6459 ART STUDIO AP
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Course Preparation: Successful completion one full year of Drawing/Painting 1 and approval of instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the visual and Performing Arts requirement for the U.C. and C.S.U. systems. This course can be repeated for two years with credit.
Students who select to do the AP Studio Art course must first successfully complete a review of their portfolio with the instructor. If the quality and quantity of work in the portfolio reflects the necessary preparation, students be given the assignments as outlined in the Advanced Placement Studio Art Curriculum Guide. The assignments in this program consist of approximately 40 pieces in variety of media. The work produces must be completed, photographed, and shipped for evaluation by May 1.
This course is under review for U.C./C.S.U. approval and is already approved for Gunn High School.
Art History
Art History
Abbreviation: 6241 ARTHIST 11
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
or
Abbreviation: 6249 ARTHIST AP
Term: Year
Grade Level(s): Year 10-12
Prerequisite: Approval of Instructor.
This course can be used to fulfill the “f” requirement for the University of California and C.S.U.
It can be taken for AP credit through enrollment for the full year and completion of all additional AP course work.
The great lives and trends of the history of art are surveyed in chronological sequence, together with an examination of art as a reflection of other historical events. First semester consists of a study of art from prehistory through the Renaissance. The second semester is a study of art from mannerism to the present. The arts of non-Western cultures are also studied for appreciation of their unique qualities. Class activities include films, slides, museum visits, lectures and related readings, models of historical monuments, oral presentations and illustrations. One semester of Social Science elective credit may be granted for this course. (See History-Social Science listing p. 32) Students who successfully complete this course will need to demonstrate an understanding of Art History chronology, and how different cultures have aesthetically perceived artistic expressions. They will also need to show expanded ability to make aesthetic judgments about content, techniques, forms, and purposes of art, historically.