Samohi Art Department - General Course Descriptions

Please consult individual teachers for specific information. Course descriptions updated 10/31/05.

AP Art
Grade Level: 11-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Year Course (5 credits per semester)
Prerequisite: Minimum of two basic art classes and consent of instructor.

Students will build a visual arts portfolio for AP assessment. This class will enrich the high school experience of students willing and able to apply themselves to college-level projects. Students are expected to take the AP exam (a portfolio review) at the end of this class.

Art Foundations P
Grade Level: 9-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Year Course (5 credits per semester)
Prerequisite: None.

Students will learn how to manipulate the principles and elements of art while they develop technical skills with various tools and media. This is a basic art course that presents a core of knowledge essential to all other art classes.

Ceramics 1 P
Grade Level: 9-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: None.

Students will study three-dimensional form in the medium of clay. This course includes exploration of basic hand guiding techniques and the process of glazing and firing.

Ceramics 2-4 P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Ceramics 1.

Student assignments are suited to individual interests. The use of the potter's wheel and continued skill building and design are emphasized. May be repeated for credit.

Design 1 P
Grade Level: 9-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Art Foundations. Beginning Drawing is recommended.

Students will use fundamentals of design stressing all art principles and elements. Line, shape, form, color, texture, and value are studied in comprehensive layouts. Emphasis is on art vocabulary.

Design 2-4 P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Design 1.

Students will explore the use of abstraction of form, two and three-dimensional design, and architectural design. May be repeated for credit.

Digital Design P (ROP)
Grade Level: 11-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Junior, Senior or at least 16 years of age.

This is a comprehensive course that introduces students to the graphic design field. Course provides a comprehensive foundation in design methods, conceptual skills, and digital techniques to create visually pleasing and effective communications. Mastery of Mac platform: publication design using Quark XPress, digital imaging using Photoshop, and electronic imaging using Adobe Illustrator. Building on mastery of these essential tools, students will learn the requirements of advertising and publication design, and understand the technical requirements of digital prepress. Includes field trips to job sites. Offered at Santa Monica High School. (See ROP).

Digital Video Production (ROP)
Grade Level: 11-12
Does not meet UC/CSU requirements
Semester course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Junior, Senior or at least 16 years of age.

Digital Video Production offers students the opportunity to use the production tools of the future today. Students will learn the elements of writing, shooting, editing, and displaying their projects. Students will use current software and digital/ audio equipment, write and present project ideas, and collaborate with other students to create projects. Students will gain understanding of video production techniques as well as computer and computer peripherals, such as digital analog converters, digital video cameras and CD recorders. Students will design, create and produce a VCD (video compact disc) or mixed media CD using word processing, audio/video editing, and photo enhancement software. Certificate awarded after two (2) semesters and successful completion of course proficiencies. Offered at Santa Monica High School. (See ROP).

Beginning Drawing P
Grade Level: 9-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: None.

Students will explore the use of abstraction to enhance drawing skill, creativity, and artistic confidence. Media to be explored will include pencil, ink, pastel, paint, and printing.

Life Drawing P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Beginning Drawing.

Students will do drawings to strengthen art ability and acquaint students with extensive exploration of techniques and media. Students from the class will be used as models.

Painting 1 P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Art Foundations and consent of instructor. Beginning Drawing is recommended.

Students will use watercolor as a medium to stress color theory and development of individual style. Current art as well as art of the past will be emphasized.

Painting 2-4 P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Painting 1.

Students will be exposed to extensive investigation of the history of style, self-portrait and mixed media techniques. Acrylic on canvas and watercolor will be used. May be repeated for credit.

Photography 1 P (R.O.P.)
Grade Level: 11-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Art Foundations is recommended. Junior status or 16 years old.

Students will be exposed to the creative use of the camera, developing black and white film, developing and enlarging black and white prints. Photographic work that began in the darkroom will be manipulated on the computer with Adobe Photoshop. (See R.O.P.)

Photography 2-4 P (R.O.P.)
Grade Level: 11-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Photography 1.

Students will continue to explore the creative use of black and white photography, digital imaging and manipulation, along with an introduction to basic color enlarging. May be repreated for credit. (See R.O.P.)

Sculpture 1 P
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Art Foundations.

Students will be exposed to creative basic construction in wood, plaster, and clay. They will study the history of sculpture and learn why forms are put together to create expressive movement and composition.

Sculpture 2-4
Grade Level: 10-12
Meets UC/CSU requirements
Semester Course (5 credits)
Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C or higher in Sculpture 1 or Ceramics 1.

Students will be exposed to extensive investigation of the history of style, advanced three-dimensional design and complex sculpture problems. May be repeated for credit.


		Samohi Home I Art Department
		General Course Descriptions
		Please consult individual teachers for specific information. Course descriptions updated 10/31/05. AP Art Grade Level: 11-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Year Course (5 credits per semester) Prerequisite: Minimum of two basic art classes and consent of instructor. Students will build a visual arts portfolio for AP assessment. This class will enrich the high school experience of students willing and able to apply themselves to college-level projects. Students are expected to take the AP exam (a portfolio review) at the end of this class. Art Foundations P Grade Level: 9-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Year Course (5 credits per semester) Prerequisite: None. Students will learn how to manipulate the principles and elements of art while they develop technical skills with various tools and media. This is a basic art course that presents a core of knowledge essential to all other art classes. Ceramics 1 P Grade Level: 9-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: None. Students will study three-dimensional form in the medium of clay. This course includes exploration of basic hand guiding techniques and the process of glazing and firing. Ceramics 2-4 P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Ceramics 1. Student assignments are suited to individual interests. The use of the potter's wheel and continued skill building and design are emphasized. May be repeated for credit. Design 1 P Grade Level: 9-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Art Foundations. Beginning Drawing is recommended. Students will use fundamentals of design stressing all art principles and elements. Line, shape, form, color, texture, and value are studied in comprehensive layouts. Emphasis is on art vocabulary. Design 2-4 P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Design 1. Students will explore the use of abstraction of form, two and three-dimensional design, and architectural design. May be repeated for credit. Digital Design P (ROP) Grade Level: 11-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Junior, Senior or at least 16 years of age. This is a comprehensive course that introduces students to the graphic design field. Course provides a comprehensive foundation in design methods, conceptual skills, and digital techniques to create visually pleasing and effective communications. Mastery of Mac platform: publication design using Quark XPress, digital imaging using Photoshop, and electronic imaging using Adobe Illustrator. Building on mastery of these essential tools, students will learn the requirements of advertising and publication design, and understand the technical requirements of digital prepress. Includes field trips to job sites. Offered at Santa Monica High School. (See ROP). Digital Video Production (ROP) Grade Level: 11-12 Does not meet UC/CSU requirements Semester course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Junior, Senior or at least 16 years of age. Digital Video Production offers students the opportunity to use the production tools of the future today. Students will learn the elements of writing, shooting, editing, and displaying their projects. Students will use current software and digital/ audio equipment, write and present project ideas, and collaborate with other students to create projects. Students will gain understanding of video production techniques as well as computer and computer peripherals, such as digital analog converters, digital video cameras and CD recorders. Students will design, create and produce a VCD (video compact disc) or mixed media CD using word processing, audio/video editing, and photo enhancement software. Certificate awarded after two (2) semesters and successful completion of course proficiencies. Offered at Santa Monica High School. (See ROP). Beginning Drawing P Grade Level: 9-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: None. Students will explore the use of abstraction to enhance drawing skill, creativity, and artistic confidence. Media to be explored will include pencil, ink, pastel, paint, and printing. Life Drawing P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Beginning Drawing. Students will do drawings to strengthen art ability and acquaint students with extensive exploration of techniques and media. Students from the class will be used as models. Painting 1 P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Art Foundations and consent of instructor. Beginning Drawing is recommended. Students will use watercolor as a medium to stress color theory and development of individual style. Current art as well as art of the past will be emphasized. Painting 2-4 P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C in Painting 1. Students will be exposed to extensive investigation of the history of style, self-portrait and mixed media techniques. Acrylic on canvas and watercolor will be used. May be repeated for credit. Photography 1 P (R.O.P.) Grade Level: 11-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Art Foundations is recommended. Junior status or 16 years old. Students will be exposed to the creative use of the camera, developing black and white film, developing and enlarging black and white prints. Photographic work that began in the darkroom will be manipulated on the computer with Adobe Photoshop. (See R.O.P.) Photography 2-4 P (R.O.P.) Grade Level: 11-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Photography 1. Students will continue to explore the creative use of black and white photography, digital imaging and manipulation, along with an introduction to basic color enlarging. May be repreated for credit. (See R.O.P.) Sculpture 1 P Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Art Foundations. Students will be exposed to creative basic construction in wood, plaster, and clay. They will study the history of sculpture and learn why forms are put together to create expressive movement and composition. Sculpture 2-4 Grade Level: 10-12 Meets UC/CSU requirements Semester Course (5 credits) Prerequisite: Minimum grade of C or higher in Sculpture 1 or Ceramics 1. Students will be exposed to extensive investigation of the history of style, advanced three-dimensional design and complex sculpture problems. May be repeated for credit.