Upper School Curriculum Guide

From introductory-level classes through the Advanced Placement Studio Art program, the RCDS Upper School Visual Arts department has something for everyone. We offer a broad range of classes in drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, videography, sculpture, and design. Classes take place in the Cohen Center for the Creative Arts, which offers capacious studio rooms, a digital media lab, a video production area, and exhibition space. Our faculty challenge students to take creative risks, to value the creative process, to discover innovative ways to give visual form to their ideas, and to develop their own aesthetic sensibilities. RCDS student-artists regularly exhibit their works around campus as well as in regional exhibitions and competitions.

COURSE SELECTION GUIDELINES

The following courses have NO PREREQUISITES: Painting 1; Drawing 1; Ceramics 1; Photography 1; Digital Painting 1; Video 1; Graphic Design 1

DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES REGARDING ENTRY INTO HONORS, ADVANCED TOPICS & AP COURSES

Honors and Advanced Topics courses in the Visual Arts department are for students who have demonstrated the ability to work independently and at a high level. In addition to meeting the appropriate prerequisite requirements, departmental approval is required for students wishing to enroll in any of the Honors or Advanced Topics courses offered in the department.

The Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art program is the equivalent of an introductory college-level course and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. Students should be aware that this program requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students interested in either of the three AP Studio Art courses - Drawing & Painting, 2D Design/Photography, or 3D Design - should email and speak with the Department Chair about the curricula for each of the different courses. No deadline is required other than the due date for the sign-up sheet itself. Please visit here for more information on the AP Studio Art program.

AP STUDIO ART HOMEWORK GUIDELINES

Students in the three AP Studio Art courses typically have homework. Students preparing the AP Studio Art: Photography portfolio typically have 1.5 - 2 weeks, including a weekend, to take photographs for assignments, and an equal amount of time to edit the work for critiques. The course includes a summer assignment to take photographs for the Breadth Portfolio. Students preparing the AP Studio Art: 2D Design or Drawing portfolios are assigned 4-5 summer projects upon entering the year-long course, and often need to spend time outside of class to refine their work. Similarly, students preparing the AP Studio Art: 3D Design portfolio are assigned 4-5 summer projects upon entering the year-long course, and often need to spend time outside of class to refine their work. The material nature of most 3D Design projects means that they usually cannot be worked on at a student’s home.

The visual arts curriculum is very flexible in order to meet the needs of all students. While students typically progress through the department by following a sequential program by media (for example, students interested in photography typically begin with Photography 1, then progress to Photography 2, Photography 3, etc.), this does not mean a student cannot enroll in other courses and experience the curriculum in different ways. In fact, some students may elect to begin their visual arts studies with, for example, Drawing 1, and then enroll in Ceramics/Sculpture 1, and then pursue their interests in painting by enrolling in Painting 1. The curricular structure of the Visual Arts department allows for both breadth and depth, depending on each student’s interests.

SAMPLE ROUTES TO THE ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) STUDIO ART COURSES
For students who aspire to enroll in one of the AP Studio Art courses, there are three typical routes to arrive at each of the three courses, but these are by no means the only routes a student may take. The sample routes below essentially ask students to decide, as 9th graders, where their artistic sensibilities lie, and the routes help maximize coursework relevant to each of the different artistic areas (Drawing & Painting, 2D Design/Photography, and 3D Design) so that students arrive at the AP Studio Art course of their choice as well-prepared as possible.

	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Fall Spring	Drawing 1 Painting 1	Drawing 2 Painting 2	Honors Drawing & Painting	AP Studio Art: Drawing & Painting or AP Studio Art: 2D Design
Fall Spring	Ceramics/Sculpture 1 Ceramics/Sculpture 2	Ceramics/Sculpture 3 Adv Topics in Ceramics/Sculpture	Honors Ceramics & Sculpture	AP Studio Art: 3D Design
Fall Spring	Photography 1 Photography 2	Photography 3 Adv Topics in Photography	AP Studio Art: 2D Design/Photography	Adv Honors Photography

There are some students, however, who take broader and more circuitous routes through the Visual Arts department. For them, there are still pathways to an AP Studio Art course, if that is a goal. Below are some less typical but equally valid sample routes to fulfilling requirements and adequately preparing for either of the three different AP Studio Art courses. These routes offer a broader set of art-making experiences which, for some students, is desirable.

	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Fall Spring	Drawing 1 Video 1	Painting 1 Drawing 2	Painting 2 Adv Topics in Studio Art	AP Studio Art: Drawing & Painting or AP Studio Art: 2D Design
Fall Spring	Ceramics/Sculpture 1 Drawing 1	Photography 1 Ceramics/Sculpture 2	Ceramics/Sculpture 3 Adv Topics in Ceramics/Sculpture	AP Studio Art: 3D Design & Sculpture
Fall Spring	Photography 1 Painting 1	Video 1 Photography 2	Photography 3 Adv Topics in Photography	AP Studio Art: 2D Design

 

DRAWING 1
This is an introductory course for students with little or no formal experience in drawing. Students will have the opportunity to explore both formal as well as experimental concepts of drawing using a variety of traditional and contemporary drawing techniques. The semester will engage students in gesture, contour, shading, expressive mark making, and linear perspective. Students will also learn techniques unique to charcoal, pencil, conté crayon, pastel, and pen & ink. Subject matter will be both representational and abstract, evolving from life studies and from students’ imaginations. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

DRAWING 2
In this course, students focus on developing skills necessary to visually express personal ideas through a variety of traditional and experimental media. Students will work on more thematic approaches to drawing and will be expected to show mastery of both concepts and techniques learned in Drawing 1. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Drawing 1 or departmental approval)

PAINTING 1
All students can enjoy the power of color and its illusionistic effects by taking this course. Students will learn to mix color, be introduced to simple, easy-to-learn color theory relationships, and will apply color in various forms to a range of support surfaces. Colored pencil, Cray-Pas, watercolor, and acrylic will be applied to different textured papers and canvas board. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

PAINTING 2
Students utilize color theories that they learned in Painting 1 and apply them to controlling illusions of three-dimensional forms and space on a two-dimensional surface. The students make use primarily of watercolors and acrylics as they explore both content and style in their work. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Painting 1 or departmental approval)

DIGITAL PAINTING 1
Students will learn basic painting and drawing techniques in addition to digital techniques for creating exciting 21st Century imagery. Working primarily with iPads and Adobe Photoshop, students will build upon preliminary sketches or photographs or create work directly on a blank digital canvas. The course will explore a wide range of aesthetic concepts while strengthening students’ understanding of the principles and elements of design. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

DIGITAL PAINTING 2
This course builds upon the skills related to the elements and principles of design learned in Digital Painting 1, but with a more independent study approach. While continuing to gain technical and creative skill in the digital painting medium, students will also be able to incorporate any traditional medium of their choice into their work. Students will devote their time to exploring personal visual concepts in both traditional and experimental formats, such as combining photography, watercolors, and computer design images. During the semester, students will work on pieces that could eventually be used in the AP Studio Art portfolio. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Digital Painting 1 or departmental approval)

HONORS DRAWING AND PAINTING
This year-long course is designed for 11th or 12th grade students interested in continuing the study of two-dimensional art on a more advanced level. The emphasis of the class is on creating a supplemental portfolio for college review and/or on beginning to create work for the AP Studio Art portfolio, which will be completed in the 12th grade. Through a variety of projects, many of which will be conceived of by the students themselves, students will continue to build upon their previous drawing and painting skills while they take greater steps towards developing their unique artistic voices. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; prerequisite: any three courses from among Drawing 1, Drawing 2, Painting 1, Painting 2, Graphic Design 1, Digital Painting 1; and departmental approval)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN STUDIO ART
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or explore a range of concepts and media in the studio arts or art history. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with their art advisor, submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged, and develop a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the visual arts. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 11, 12; department approval required; may be repeated for credit)

AP STUDIO ART: DRAWING OR 2D DESIGN
A year-long course, the AP program in Drawing or 2D Design is the equivalent of an introductory Drawing or 2D Design course at the college level and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. Students should be aware that this course requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of art media and will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images.. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisites: Two introductory courses from among Painting 1, Drawing 1, or Digital Painting 1; and Painting 2 and Drawing 2; department approval required)

CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 1
This course introduces students to a wide variety of approaches that develop an awareness of three-dimensional design primarily through clay, though other sculptural materials are sometimes introduced. Students are taught hand-building techniques to transform clay into both functional objects and sculptural forms. Students explore form, texture, and volume as they relate to three-dimensional spatial organization. This course will help students develop a sensitivity to 3-D design and prepare those who may be interested in pursuing the AP Studio
Art: 3-D Design portfolio in the senior year. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

CERAMICS / SCULPTURE 2
Ceramics/Sculpture 2 continues to build on the skills and technical information introduced in Ceramics/Sculpture 1. While clay is the primary material used in this class, other sculptural materials will also be introduced. At this level, projects are introduced that are more complex in both concept and technique. Students are also introduced to the potter’s wheel. Students are expected to work independently, both inside and outside of class, and to create works that are visually strong and show distinct individual direction as well as mastery of technique. (1/2 unit; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 1 or departmental approval)

CERAMICS: WHEEL-THROWN POTTERY
This semester-long course is designed for students who want to learn how to create ceramic work on the pottery wheel. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Throughout the semester, students will learn the fundamentals of throwing and will move through various stages and, depending on individual ability, learn new techniques. Topics covered include centering; creating cylinders, bowls, and plates; trimming; and surface design. This course will help students develop a sensitivity to 3-D design and prepare those interested in pursuing the AP Studio Art: 3-D Design portfolio in their senior year. Please note that enrollment is limited due to the number of ceramic wheels we have. (1/2 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: any course in the visual arts, and departmental approval.)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN CERAMICS / SCULPTURE
This semester-long course is designed to allow advanced students who have demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest or to explore a range of concepts within the medium of ceramics. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with their art advisor, submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged, and develop a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the ceramic medium. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 2 or Wheel Throwing  and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

HONORS CERAMICS / SCULPTURE
This year-long course is designed for the 11th or 12th grader interested in continuing the study of three-dimensional art on a more advanced level. The emphasis of the class is on creating a portfolio for college review and/or on beginning to build the AP portfolio for the 12th grade year. Students are expected to work independently, both inside and outside of class, to build upon 3D design concepts in clay and other sculpture materials. Assignments and projects are meant to develop and showcase both technical skill and personal style. (1 unit; Grades 11, 12; prerequisite: Ceramics/Sculpture 3 and departmental approval)

AP STUDIO ART: 3D DESIGN
A year-long course, the AP program in 3D Design is the equivalent of an introductory 3D Design course at the college level and is offered to highly motivated students interested in the serious study of art. While clay is the primary emphasis of the course, other sculptural media will be used as well. Students should be aware that this course requires significantly more time than the typical high school studio arts course. Students will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of art media and will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer between 11th and 12th grade. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisite: successful completion of Ceramics/Sculpture 1 and 2, plus two other semesters of ceramics or sculpture, and departmental approval)

PHOTOGRAPHY 1
This is an introductory course designed for students with little or no previous knowledge of photography. Through a range of assignments, students explore both the creative and technical aspects of digital cameras as they develop a small portfolio of images by semester’s end. Basic picture-taking, image manipulation, composition, scanning, printing, and mounting will be covered. Students will also explore the basics of Adobe Photoshop. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

PHOTOGRAPHY 2
This is a course for students who have successfully completed the requirements of Photography 1. In this course, students explore experimental techniques with the camera and Adobe Photoshop software. Students experience working with studio lighting, image and text, panoramas, environmental portraiture, and more advanced digital image manipulation. Students are encouraged to refine their skills with the digital SLR camera (available for use during the school day) while gaining expertise in digital editing. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 1 or departmental approval)

PHOTOGRAPHY 3
This is a course for highly motivated students who have successfully completed the requirements of Photography 2. With an emphasis on the development of individual style, students explore more sophisticated and experimental techniques and the work of master photographers. Students explore oversized images, time-lapse photography, photo essays, and the collaged manipulation of prints. An important component of the course entails the student's analysis and integration of the work of a mentor master photographer. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 2 or departmental approval)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN PHOTOGRAPHY
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest in photography. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the art advisor and submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the medium of photography. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Photography 1, 2, and 3 and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

AP STUDIO ART: 2D DESIGN PORTFOLIO IN PHOTOGRAPHY
This is a year-long course for highly motivated students interested in the serious study of photography. Students will have the opportunity to explore photography in great depth with an emphasis on developing personal style and expression. Each student will submit to the AP Studio Art: 2D Design portfolio, but the work will be predominantly or substantially photo-based, and students will pursue two areas of work:

• Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images; some may be details or process images. Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision.
• Selected Works: Students submit 5 digital images of their work and commentary online to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas. Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

All students enrolling in this AP Studio Art class will be required to complete work over the summer before enrolling in the course. This work will be assigned by the instructor in June and will be designed to develop the student’s capacity for independent work and technical competency. All students approved for and enrolled in this course are required to submit an AP portfolio in May. (1 unit; Grade 11, 12; prerequisites: successful completion of Photography 3 and departmental approval)

ADVANCED HONORS PHOTOGRAPHY
This year-long course is for photography students who have completed AP Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography and want to continue the serious study of photography. In this course students will explore a variety of avenues for communicating visual ideas. Highlights of the course include curating and exhibiting a portfolio of each student’s work on campus and the creation of a book based on the student’s work. (1 unit; Grade 12; prerequisites: AP Studio Art: Design Portfolio in Photography and departmental approval)

GRAPHIC DESIGN 1
This course will give students the opportunity to explore digital imaging by utilizing Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Projects will explore the fundamentals of typography, composition, and the organization of visual information. Throughout the semester, special emphasis will be placed on learning the software programs, developing meaningful concepts, and exploring new avenues for problem-solving using a design thinking approach. Students will create high-quality original images and learn how to select the most appropriate typeface for each project. Projects may include album covers, informational posters, packaging design, logos, and typefaces. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

GRAPHIC DESIGN 2
This course expands on the design thinking process (problem-solving) learned in Graphic Design 1. Students will apply a combination of computer and design skills to satisfy various real-world graphic and communication needs while working toward incorporating self-expression and self-discovery. To attain this goal students will develop awareness of the presence of design in all aspects of our environment and as the basic structure in all art. Through continued study and experimentation with elements and principles of design, greater emphasis will be placed on how to combine the concepts of design and design thinking to achieve the desired visual outcome. The course will also further develop student knowledge and skills in using graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Work from this class may be included in the AP Studio Art Portfolio. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Graphic Design 1 or departmental approval)

VIDEO 1
Learn how to take your ideas from script to screen in this introductory semester-long video course. Students will work on multiple projects that will teach them all aspects of the production process, including script-writing, storyboarding, shooting, and the power of editing. Through these projects and movie screenings, students will develop a better understanding and knowledge of film history and film/video vocabulary. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; no prerequisite)

VIDEO 2
Building upon the skills learned in Video 1, students in Video 2 take their video production to the next level and learn how to craft stories that are worth telling. Students at this level will dive more deeply into the elements of narrative storytelling, pre-production, camera work, lighting, editing, special effects, and more. Film history and techniques are occasionally explored by watching critically-acclaimed movies. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 9, 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1)

ADVANCED TOPICS IN VIDEOGRAPHY
This course is designed to allow the advanced student who has demonstrated the capacity to work independently an opportunity to pursue a concentrated area of interest in videography. In the semester prior to taking the course, students must meet with the art advisor and submit a written proposal describing the projects with which they will be engaged and a schedule for their completion of the course. If and when necessary, written and/or oral assessments, as well as critiques, may be part of the course. By conducting a course on an individual level such as this, it is hoped that students will gain a broader understanding of themselves and their relationship to the medium of videography. (1/2 unit; fall and spring; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1 and 2, and department approval; may be repeated for credit)

HONORS FILMMAKING
In this year-long course, students spend the entire academic year working on one film of their choosing. This allows students to spend more time on each stage of the filmmaking process, including script read-throughs, writing a casting notice and holding auditions, preparing a film budget, writing film grants, applying to film festivals, and creating a production reel. Students will also have screenings throughout the year of classic or noteworthy movies to inspire their own work and help expand their filmmaking vocabulary. At the end of the year, students will screen their final films to the RCDS community. Students who have completed Honors Filmmaking will also have an opportunity to compete in a multi-day film contest against film students from around the world. (1 unit; Grades 10, 11, 12; prerequisite: Video 1 & Video 2)