INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTS (multidisciplinary)
Introduction to the Arts is an interdisciplinary study of the fine arts disciplines of music, theater, cinema, dance, and the visual arts. This course provides students the basic knowledge, perceptual and applied skills necessary for developing an appreciation for each of the fine arts disciplines, revealing both the interrelationships and the uniqueness of each art form. Students will experience the visual and performing arts through live performances, gallery and museum tours, doing creative projects in each subject area, and classroom demonstrations.
Content Objectives
- Perceive and describe the expressive and formal elements of the visual arts, cinema, music, theater, and dance
- Analyze artistic works for their inherent meaning and the ways in which meaning is constructed
- Respond emotionally to the content of artistic works, and begin to understand the nature of their responses
- Recognize some major works and style periods in the visual arts, cinema, music, theater, and dance
- Develop an appropriate vocabulary with which to speak about the visual arts, cinema, music, theater, and dance
Skill Objectives
- Identify the basic visual elements and design principles of selected masterworks
- Develop basic drawing skills through value studies, still life drawing, and color studies
- Understand the principles of photography through pin-hole camera photography projects
- Explore the color wheel and aspects of working in abstraction in a painting, collage, self-portrait project
- Delve into sculptural form with a reductive, full-round sculpture project
- Appreciate the responsibility and etiquette of being a good audience to the performing arts through attending live performances
- Develop the basic skills of acting/storytelling as an introduction to the nature of physical performance before an audience
- Understand and appreciate the nature of character, physical communication, dramatic conflict, and the nature of acting through directed improvisations
- Perceive the basic stylistic characteristics of classical ballet, folk, jazz, and modern dance
- Experience the sensual elements of organized dance through participation in movement classes
- Appreciate the rudiments of cinema by shooting and editing a stop-action photo project
- Hear the basic formal elements of music in a variety of musical styles
- Appreciate how music is created and the expressive potential of music by composing musical segments with specific musical software
Materials
- Episcopal High School Blackboard for arts vocabulary
- Videos
- Arts media
Methods of Evaluation
- Two tests on material in the text websites, lectures, handouts, videotapes, listening examples, and tours. Each is worth 20%.
- Averaged score for writing assignments, listening or skill quizzes (including suggested tours and evening outings). Forty percent total of final grade.
- Projects: creative project work, including producing drawings and photographs, assembling sculpture, making music, creative movement, writing and acting a theater piece, public speaking and acting, and producing a short film. Thirty percent total.
- Class participation is 10% of final grade.
SURVEY OF DANCE
This elective course is intended as a dance sampler. Students will be exposed to a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, and a variety of movement theories appropriate for students in the performing arts.
Content Objectives
- Learn vocabulary associated with specific dance styles
- Understand various dance styles, including ballet, modern, jazz, musical theater, and hip-hop
- Learn basic French ballet vocabulary
- Understand demonstrated movements and approach competency
Skill Objectives
- Acquire physical benefits of exercise through dance
- Develop rehearsal and performance skills, both individually and as a group
- Critique dance performances with accurate dance vocabulary
- Rehearse and perform a choreographed work
Materials
- Library DVDs
- Live concert attendance
- Proper dance attire
- Dance studio
Methods of Evaluation
- Individual skills assessment
- Class participation
- Performance assessment