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Section Contents
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Electives
These course offerings are subject to change. Art In the Art elective, students will create a variety art projects using diverse multi-media tools. Students will explore their creative sides and will produce a portfolio that will reflect their vision and personality. In this class, students will also be introduced to art theory and criticism, as well as examine established artists’ works. Topics include but are not limited to pencil & charcoal drawings, paint techniques, pastels, mixed media, digital photography. Current Events This course is intended to provide students with an understanding of current issues in the news today. Rather than focus on individual stories; this class seeks to identify the larger issues involved in the news today. The class will focus on the question of HOW and WHY major events are important as opposed to WHAT those events are. As an aid the class participates in the Newsweek in Education program provided by Newsweek magazine. Drama The Drama elective is an exciting course where students can develop acting abilities, read some great plays, as well as perform in a play. The course topics include but is not limited to the following: drama basics, elements of acting, creating a character, character development, dramatic roles, comic roles, technical theater, blocking, directing, producing, set design, lighting, sound, costumes, props. Garageband Students participating in the GarageBand Elective will be creating their own songs using music-making software. They will have the opportunity to use over 50 digital instruments while mixing, editing, and recording their original work. Students will be working alone or in pairs to generate songs. Each week will highlight a different genre of music (Hip Hop, Rock, Country, etc.) and students will showcase their songs for the class. The culminating project will be a “Best Of” CD that will showcase the finest work from each group. Health The aim of this course is to provide students with an overview of health and lifestyle related topics. We will focus on issues relating to both mental and physical health with emphasis on the role decision-making plays in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Upon completion of this course students will have a basis of information to assist them in making responsible decisions regarding their health. Photography Digital Photography is an elective course designed to enhance a student’s artistic abilities. In this course, students will discover computer techniques that will help them manipulate pictures (such as retouching, fixing, selecting, painting, resizing, cropping, layering, camera use, transforming, distorting, filtering, effects, and text). Students will use pictures off the internet as well as from a digital camera. Poetry The Poetry Workshop elective is an exciting course where students are given the opportunity to work on original poems, study established as well as new poets, examine a variety of poetic forms, as well as develop their own theory of poetry. Students are expected to write and workshop at least 8 original poems, and revise 2 poems. In workshop, students are expected to provide thoughtful and critical comments to their classmates. The primary goals for workshop include developing a critical vocabulary, learning the dynamics of a constructive workshop, and developing sensitivity for others’ work. In addition to the workshop environment, the course will address issues that are central to the development of a poetics, or theory poetry: What is poetry? What is the process of writing a poem? What does the poet tell us about the poetic process? What function does the poem itself serve? What is the value of poetry? This critical examination of poetry will support students’ efforts in their own craft. By studying established as well as new poets, students will think critically about their own writing process, and will be willing to work on new ideas and ways of expressing themselves. A major highlight of this course is attending the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, which is the largest Poetry Festival in North America. Link to Geraldine R. Poetry Festival. Another highlight of the course is that students have the opportunity to submit their work to our award-winning literary magazine, Concrete Voices. Publishing & Graphic Design Workshop Publishing & Graphic Design Workshop is an elective where students learn desktop publishing software and techniques with the goal of creating our award winning literary arts magazine,Concrete Voices. In this course students will learn Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. Students will have the opportunity to include original poetry, fiction, photography and artwork in the magazine. Students are involved in every aspect of the publication process, from creating the original art and written work, editorial selection, theme/color choices, creating a magazine mock-up (determining what goes where in the magazine), revisions and corrections, getting the magazine files ready and finally publication. This class will provide students the unique opportunity to take one focused project and see it through from concept to completion. Students will gain the invaluable skills of learning to work together as a team in a creative and supportive environment. Senior Seminar In response to a Pennsylvania Department of Education mandate requiring all graduating seniors to complete a project in one or more areas of concentrated study (Chapter 4.24, Graduation Requirements), the faculty and staff of the Chester County Middle College High School have developed a five-component Graduation Project. The project is an assessment required for all students attending the Middle College. The Graduation Project is a culminating exit program in which a student demonstrates an ability to write, speak, apply knowledge and skills, problem solve, and practice the life skills of time management, organization, and risk taking. The five components of the project include a proposal, an experience, a seminar class, a process paper, and an oral presentation. The experience can take the form of an internship, community service, or a creative product. Web Design This course is a hands-on introduction to website design and construction. Students will be introduced to the basics of the building program Dreamweaver as well as the graphics editor Fireworks. Each class will consist of a brief lesson on one programming component followed by hands on application as students build their personal site. Upon completion of this class students will create their own personal multi-paged website ready for publishing to the World Wide Web. |
