Course Descriptions
Arts Department
Title: Studio Art
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
This course offers students an introduction to the elements and principles of design. For each art element and principal, students will learn vocabulary and choose projects from a list of assignments relevant to the topic. Students will have the opportunity to create art using several different media including pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, acrylic paint, watercolors, colored pencil, watercolor pencil, wire, printmaking, stencil, collage, clay, plaster, paper mache, fabric, yarn, wool, wood, and nontraditional media. The goal of this class is that students gain a vocabulary for making and discussing art, and experience working with a variety of one- and two- dimensional media. $75.00 studio fee – there is no textbook required.
Title: Photography I
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
Photography I focuses on digital and analogue camera operations, exposure techniques, output and printing, elements of composition and theory. Students will enhance their critical and creative thinking, demonstrating this through describing their aesthetic judgment, analyzing their assignments and participating in class discussion. Classes will consist of lectures, demonstrations, critique, class discussions and presentations of noted photographers. Students will be given photography assignments designed around the technical and theoretical information presented in class. $75.00 Resource fee.
Title: Photography II
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
This course introduces students to basic principals of design (movement, rhythm, balance) and to the art elements and their use in photography (line, tone, color, space, and texture). The class will teach students how to apply basic problem solving skills, research, and other steps in the design process. This is also a technology-based photography course, focused on digital photography. This class will focus on improving the technical skills of operating a camera, understanding the technology underlying photography, and discussing how camera systems work to produce images. We will also use advanced elements of Photoshop, study icc profiles, and look at how to make color correct prints and stunning black and white prints. Students will be assessed through discussions, tests and student created critiques. The student’s technical abilities will be assessed through their artistic expressions and their ability to apply the concepts taught to their images. Students will be assessed on their mastery of Photoshop and their ability to create prints with a range of highlights, shadows, and grey tones. Students will also be assessed on their ability to control color outputs. $75.00 Resource fee.
Title: Choir I
Grade: 11, 12
Credits: 2.0
Choir will focus on singing in varied styles and from varied historical periods. The selected literature will be from songs, concert literature, and liturgical pieces written or adapted for male voices, and could include original arrangements by the instructor, and/or students. Skills developed will include pitch and tone, sight singing, rhythm, unison and part singing, diction, languages, critical thinking and listening, concert etiquette, and rehearsal technique. Performance opportunities will include Concerts, Festivals, and Liturgical Choir activities. Opportunities for singing in full concert choir settings will be sought out. Students will develop their knowledge in music theory, history, general music appreciation skills, and performance concepts and styles.
Title: Band
Grade: 9 - 12
Credits: 1.0
O’Dea’s Band moves freely between Jazz, Rock, and Pep Band styles of music. Our musicians are adaptable to nearly any situation from sporting events, and assemblies to school liturgies and fund raising events. The O’Dea Band plays over 30 events every year, and holds 2 concerts a year. Band is a 0 period class and rehearses 4 days a week before school. Band students can also earn a Varsity Band Letter.