BELLFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL Curriculum Handbook 2011 - 2012

COURSE DESCRIPTIONSARTS: VISUAL and PERFORMINGThe goal of the Visual and Performing Arts Department is to develop and enhance an appreciation for art, design,music and drama. Students have an opportunity to create and to have their work displayed and/or performed. Thesecourses meet the Fine Arts/Foreign Language graduation requirement when taken in grades 9-12.VISUAL ARTSDRAWING AND PAINTING A1120 YearThis course introduces students to the elements of art and the principles of design with a focus on drawing andpainting. Students learn basic shading techniques to create depth and learn to develop eye-to-hand coordination.Students draw natural and artificial forms from observation, emphasizing composition and proportion, using line,texture, value and various methods of shading. This course takes the student from the basics of drawing and paintingthrough finished work, utilizing a variety of media including pencil, ink, charcoal, oil pastel, colored pencil andtempera paint. This class is geared toward the serious career artist and is the prerequisite for Art B. This course meetsthe UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (f) - Visual and Performing Arts.Materials fee for projects taken home.DRAWING AND PAINTING B1123 YearThis intermediate course focuses on drawing principles emphasizing composition, value and technical application ofdiverse drawing materials and techniques, with particular emphasis on charcoal, pencil, colored pencil, ink andcolored media, including further comprehensive study in painting, emphasizing acrylic and watercolor painting.Images will be naturalistic and abstract, with discussions of historical and contemporary techniques. Studentscompile a portfolio. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (f) - Visual and PerformingArts.Prerequisite: Drawing and Painting AMaterials fee for projects taken home.CERAMICS A1110 YearCeramics A is a beginning course introducing basic hand-building techniques, decoration methods, molds, andcasting. Sculpting techniques are introduced through the creation of a realistic human head. The course coversgeneral art concepts, vocabulary, historical implications and aesthetics. It reinforces skills and knowledge throughapplication, exploration, and practice in a sequenced program of projects and class work. Commercial molds are usedas a basis for modification and decoration of castings. Two-piece molds are designed and created. Wheel-throwingand expressive sculpting are culminating activities. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the followingcategory: (f) - Visual and Performing Arts.Materials fee for projects taken home.CERAMICS B1113 YearCeramics B is the level at which students interested in continuing Ceramics begin to specialize. After a basic technicalreview, they select areas they wish to explore further. Students write project proposals, experiment with materials,and act as resource specialists for students in Ceramics A. Ceramics B students experiment with glazes and othermaterials and may learn procedures necessary for firing a kiln.Prerequisites: Satisfactory completion of Ceramics A or teacher permission.Materials fee for projects taken home.PHOTOGRAPHY FUNDAMENTALS1410 SemesterThis is a semester course offering students an overview of photography and photographic techniques. Whilethoroughly studying the camera and its processes, students photograph assigned subjects and process their own film,make contact good quality prints and evaluate their own performance to discover their aptitude and interest beforegoing to more advanced photography. This course meets the UC/CSU a-g requirements in the following category: (f) -Visual and Performing Arts.Materials fee for projects taken home.29