Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester (Offered during fall or spring)

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement 
Prerequisite – Prior training and experience in vocal or instrumental music (optional) AND music theory (mandatory).  A Fundamentals of Music Theory entrance exam will be administered the first week of classes to determine eligibility in the course.

Class Meeting Time – Meets during the regular school day, periods 1-7, during either fall OR spring semester.
Criteria for Enrollment – Students who sign up for this class will be contacted by the instructor to take an entrance exam in order to qualify for the course.   

UC/CSU Subject F Approval
Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

Course Description — Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory is a fast-paced course including a substantial amount of homework in preparation for the AP music theory exam in May.  This course prepares students to complete college level work in the areas of reading and analyzing notated music and aural training.  Particular emphasis will be placed upon developing listening skills, sight-singing ability and knowledge of rhythm, melody, harmony, form, and other compositional devices.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
Length - One Semester

Type of Course - Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite - Art and Architecture 1A
Criteria for Enrollment - None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval 

Course Description - Art and Architecture 1B is a follow-up course to Art and Architecture 1A and is designed as a continuing study of the wealth of artistic expression manifested in the architecture, sculpture, painting and artifacts of traditional cultures and modern architectural expressions. An exploration of earth-friendly, sustainable and green architectural techniques will compliment the hands-on approach to building practices and inspire new thinking about shelter and cultural values. Studio assignments in architectural design, drawing and mixed-media architectural structures created from original student designs, will compliment our study of how particular architects and cultures have used architecture as an expression to image themselves, their culture, and their God.

Instructor: Katie Wolf
Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
Length - One Semester

Type of Course - Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite - Art and Architecture 1A , Studio Art A, Sculpture A and/or approval of instructor
Criteria for Enrollment - None
Length - Friday evening through Sunday evening -- one weekend, plus four evening meetings.

Alternate Course Titles for this course (it fulfills all of these):
Art and Nature Intensive: Art and Architecture 1B (8W) [6106]
Art and Nature Intensive: Studio Art B(8W) [6126]
Art and Nature Intensive: Sculpture B(8W)  [6156]

UC/CSU Subject F Approval 

 PLEASE NOTE:

1. Three pre-weekend evening meetings will be held.
2. One post-weekend evening meeting will be held.
3. This class does NOT meet during regular school day. As with other 8th period classes, it does not qualify the student for a study hall.
4. No textbook is required, but additional fees will be incurred.

Course Description - A weekend workshop that utilizes a "hands-on" exploration of earth-friendly techniques to demonstrate respect for resources and creative problem-solving. A variety of individual and collaborative assignments will be presented in a manner that challenges the student to experience growth in awareness of the creative process, Nature as master designer, and creating a community of gratitude. A pristine natural environment on the edge of a wilderness area is the setting for the workshop retreat. Aspects will include:

• all weather campsites
• bathroom facilities with hot showers
• nature trails
• a campfire circle gathering area
• personal private meditation sites
• architectural demonstration structures
• a sculpture garden
• meals provided
• workshop materials provided

* This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
8˚ This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am - 2:45 pm school day. 

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester; offered after school/evenings ONLY
First Semester Taken: Chamber Singers A (6546)
Second Semester Taken: Chamber Singers B (6547)

Type of Course – Elective 
Prerequisite – Audition and co-enrollment in Mixed Chorus A, B, or C
Criteria for Enrollment – Enrollment is via roster submitted by instructor.  Students should not list this course on their Schedule Request Forms.
Time Commitment – Meets 2-3 mornings per week, plus performances.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval 

Course Description — This course is a mixed singing ensemble intended for singers of advanced ability and specializes in performance of challenging literature of diverse genre.  Students will read music notation in treble and bass clefs, demonstrate understanding of more complex notation, demonstrate knowledge of terminology pertinent to the performance of choral music, demonstrate and understand correct singing technique, and demonstrate appropriate rehearsal discipline and performance skills.  Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time.  Students are expected to attend all rehearsals, performances and choral festivals.  The class generally meets before school in the morning.

8˚ This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am - 2:45 pm school day.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – Students must complete Dance 1A before taking Dance 1B
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval
 

Course Description — Building off the foundation of Dance 1A, modern dance movements and form are presented.  The class will trace the history of 20^th century modern dance through the present using both the history and the movement of major choreographers such as Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Alvin Ailey. With that history as their foundation, students will experience the choreographic process themselves. Using various creative stimuli, the dancer/choreographers will create new dances both individually and in small groups.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester 

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – Drama 1A: Intro to Theatre or equivalent experience
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — Students will continue the study and development of acting through scene work. While building on the principles and techniques learned in Drama 1A, students will participate in group warm-ups (vocal and physical), theatre games, improvisations, and advanced theatre exercises. Students will work on scenes from professionally produced plays. Students will study 20^th Century theatre through the study of playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and August Wilson

Grade Level – 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester; offered after school/evenings ONLY
First Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus A (6551)
Second Semester Taken: Mixed Chorus B (6522)

Type of Course – Elective 
Prerequisite – Audition
Criteria for Enrollment – Enrollment is via roster submitted by instructor. Students should not list this course on their Schedule Request Forms.
Time Commitment – Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval for A/B 

Course Description — This course is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors.  Students will be introduced to good practice procedures for choral rehearsal and to an awareness of different styles of choral music.  Student achievement will involve study of sight-singing, notation, phrasing, rhythm, harmony and musical terminology.  Students will be expected to spend additional hours beyond the regular class time.  Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances. Ensembles will perform at concerts and choral festivals.

8˚ This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am -2:45 pm school day.

Grade Level — 9, 10, 11, 12
Length — One Semester

Type of Course — Fine Arts Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement and UC Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) requirement
Prerequisite — Multimedia Design 1A
Criteria for Enrollment – Interest in developing computer multimedia and design skills through creative web, print, animation, music, and video projects.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — This class further develops skills learned in Multimedia Design 1A with a focus on utliizing 2D and 3D graphics, sound and video-editing software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Logic, FL Studio, Garageband, Soundtrap, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, TinkerCAD, OnShape, and Blender.  The development of effective narrative structures will be emphasized so that students learn to use the various media to create intentional works with meaning.  Particular attention will be paid to the design process and students' conscious development of their own creative process.  Sample projects include stop motions, animations, music videos, special effects, and student documentary films. Student work will culminate with a digital portfolio.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – Music Appreciation A
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval
 

Course Description — Roots of Jazz: Exploring Music in Culture is designed for non-musicians and develops the art of perceptive listening to music of Africa, Latin American, India, Bali, China, the Middle East, Asia, Japan, and Eastern Europe. Learning will be balanced between theoretical and experiential song-writing activities. Students will evolve specific criteria for listening to, describing, analyzing, understanding, and creating music as it is understood and experienced in different cultures. Students will play instruments and explore digital media. This is an intermediate level course, meeting four class hours per week with extensive lectures, experiential learning, audio-visual presentations, class projects, demonstration and attendance at live performances.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester; offered after school/evenings ONLY
First Semester Taken: Orchestra A (6521)
Second Semester Taken: Orchestra B (6522)

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – Participation in middle school orchestra program, or private lessons for at least six months
Criteria for Enrollment – Admission is made by audition. Enrollment is via roster submitted by instructor. Students should not list this course on their Schedule Request Forms.
Time Commitment – Meets 1 evening per week, plus performances.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval for A/B

Course Description — This is the advanced orchestra for which an audition is required to participate. Auditions are held at the beginning of Fall Semester, and again in December for the following Spring Semester. Students develop technical mastery in all aspects of ensemble playing, including tone production, intonation, rhythmic execution, and musicianship. The Advanced Orchestra performs works from the baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century repertoire from MENC grades 4-5, and will perform at the CMEA festival in the spring.  

8˚ This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am - 2:45 pm school day.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – None
Criteria for Enrollment – Students should have a 35 mm SLR and DSLR cameras. If they do not have these at home, they may borrow them from the school.

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — The Photography 1B class will build on skills learned in Photography 1A. In addition, students will learn basic studio lighting and more advanced darkroom techniques to obrain better results when printing in black and white. Stilll life is a major aspect of the program and images from the following artists will be presented: Edward Weston, Renger-Patzsch, Minor White and Aaron Siskind. At the send of the semester, students will do research on the biography and style of a photographer who has made important aesthetic advances in history. The final project will consist of creating still like images with thematic unity.

Grade Level – 9, 10, 11, 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Senior elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite – 3D Studies/Mixed Media Sculpture
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description - 3D Studies/Mixed Media Sculpture B continues the exploration of the visual world; its relationships of form and space -- in the context of historical examples, environmental/cultural impact, creative self-expression and collaborative pieces. Field trips to local museums and sculpture collections and some written work will complement the original work created by the student in the studio and at home. 

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment. 

Grade Level - 10, 11, 12
Length - One Semester

Type of Course - Elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement
Prerequisite - Studio Art A

UC/CSU Subject F Approval 

Course Description - As a follow-up course to Studio Art A, the Studio Art B class will place emphasis on the concept of connection and progression in developing and expanding a visual image. A more refined sense of visual decision-making and creative initiative will be stressed and expected of the mature visual arts student. Students will use a variety of materials, techniques, and styles to explore themselves in relationship to their personal history, community, and their God. We will work in acrylic paint, water color paint, pencil, oil pastel, colored pencil, linoleum block prints, and a variety of mixed media materials. A special project involving an in depth self study through visual images will urge the student to see her/himself in various aspects; with a connection to a specific community, a realistic self portrait and a non objective symbol that strikes a familiar resounding chord.

Instructor: Katie Wolf
Grade Level – 12
Length – One Semester

Type of Course – Senior elective satisfying one semester of Fine Arts graduation requirement AND see Note below
Prerequisite – Studio Art A or permission of instructor
Criteria for Enrollment – None

UC/CSU Subject F Approval

Course Description — An experiential class focused on the exploration of the human desire to remember and recognize the Creator.  Through our exploration of symbols used as visual expressions in art, architecture and religious imagery, we will study various faith traditions to gather an understanding of praise older than language and the written word; to “see God in all things.”  In this integrated approach to learning about culture, religion and the arts, each student will create 15 major art pieces that represent the faith traditions studied and their own original works that express an understanding of aesthetics.  Through research, studio work, field trips (Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, S.F., First Church of Christ Scientist, Berkeley, St. Mary’s Cathedral, S.F.), written papers, prayer, and reflection, each student will gain an ability to understand the role of the Creative spark in our lives.  An understanding of  their  own creative process will allow them to embrace the universal call of the Beloved to us, His instruments, and our response – an expression of praise.

NOTE: Sacred Symbols will also fulfill one semester Senior elective Religious Studies requirement for graduation.

Grade Level - 9, 10, 11, 12
Length - One Semester

Type of Course - Elective - Sequencing the A and B levels will fulfill the S.I. graduation requirement in Fine Arts and will satisfy the UC Fine Arts requirement or courses may be taken as "stand-alone" electives.
Prerequisite - Permission of the instructor
Criteria for Enrollment - Permission of the instructor. Enrollment is via roster submitted by instructor.  Students should  list this course on the Schedule Request Form.  Before turning in their schedule to their counselor, they must meet with Ms. Katie Wolf and get her signature for approval.
Class Meeting Times - Wed. and Thurs. 7:30-8:15 am and Tues. 2:30-4:20 pm.  Students' resource periods and any "Open Studio" time can be used to work on projects. This course requires work outside of the 8:20-2:30 pm shool day.
Application Process - Students must meet with Ms. Wolf before submitting the schedule request form to their Counselor.  Ms. Wolf will approve qualified individuals.

Alternate Course Titles for this course (it fulfills all of these).  Offered pending adequate enrollment:
Visual Arts Practicum: Art and Architecture (8P) [6107]
Visual Arts Practicum: Studio Art B (8P) [6127]
Visual Arts Practicum: Sculpture B (8P) [6157]

UC/CSU Subject F Approval  

Course Description — A course of study that allows students who have an interest in working with composition and design in the visual arts to explore their own creative process and to create an expanded body of work.  The design of this class will reflect the student’s particular focus area; 2D studies, 3D studies, or architectural design.

The study and application of historical styles and design solutions will serve as inspiration for the development of original student concepts brought into manifestation.  Studio time will allow students to delve deeply into design thinking and the creative process; from research, compositional design, use of various materials to competed art pieces.  In addition to six major studio pieces, students will create 14 smaller works reflecting the breadth of visual expression throughout history and their own creative imagination. 

Students will submit a final process portfolio containing research papers, artist’s statements, reflections on museum visits, and all small works created during the semester.

*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
⁸This course is offered outside of the 9:00 am - 2:45 pm school day.