CAD: Design in Art and Architecture One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None Employing three dimensional imaging technologies, this course will explore the process of creating meaningful designs for buildings and theater spaces. Students will complete all of the steps of design from floor plan to rendering and construction planning. Students may look beyond theater to architecture and interior design for project work. This course is open to students of all computer and theater skill levels. Text: Stage Design: A Practical Guide by Gary Thorne (ISBN 1-86126-257-4)
Design in Crafts Media One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None This course is concerned with two-dimensional visual art concepts using craft materials (glass, fabric, polymer, and clay). Emphasis is placed on studying elements of design: line, color, value, shape, form, space, and texture. Students explore, experiment, observe, and evaluate their work and the work of others. This course is designed to help students make informed visual choices and have control over the use of art elements and principles. Principles of design include balance, unity, contrast, emphasis, pattern, movement and rhythm. The transfer of concepts, operations, and values is important to other disciplines; science and mathematics also deal with symbols and their meanings. This course may be repeated for additional credit. Digital Publications: Yearbook Full Year (Two Semesters) Prerequisites: Digital Photography, Photography, or equivalent As historians, journalists, and artists, students will expand their knowledge of photography, graphic design, and writing skills using Jostens Yearbook Avenue in order to craft our school-wide yearbook publication, Spirit. Students will be involved in all aspects of the production: interviewing and editing while placing an emphasis on communicating visually and thematically through the elements of design, photographic composition, and writing. Students will focus on capturing the story of the year through collaboration, peer feedback, and revision.
Music Production One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None
and managing live event film and performance events. Students will develop a deeper appreciation for theatrical literature as they analyze and prepare to direct selected scenes and materials for presentation in this class. Starting with storyboarding, and computer generated video, students will produce a 30-second commercial. Students will also study the historical development of directing and management through readings and assignments dealing with theatrical personalities. As a final project, students will prepare to direct a one-act play for possible presentation to the school community. Text: Directing for the Stage by Terry John Converse (ISBN 1-56608-014-2)
The Music Production elective is an experience designed to inspire students who desire to combine their interests of music and technology. Students will meaningfully create and respond to music using industry-standard programs and recording equipment. Students will finish this course with a portfolio of their own composed, mastered, and recorded audio works including a podcast, film score, remix, and original composition. This course is technology-based and limited to nine students. Musical Innovation & Leadership One Semester (Offered First and Second Semesters) Prerequisites: None The purpose of the Musical Innovation & Leadership elective course is to expose students—both musician and non-musician—to a wide scope of leaders in music, in order to discover important contributions to innovation within the music industry, and how these discoveries and leaders helped form the music industry into its current shape. Students will investigate and experience a multitude of genres, composers, musicians, instruments, time periods, and types of music. Through these experiences and alongside analytic listening and viewing, students will discover how music is universal and ever changing. Units include movie soundtracks and composers, Broadway, the evolution of song old and new, the music making process and music production, visual art connections to music, instruments and artists from around the world, and the music of Detroit. Students will discover and exercise their own musical identities to help guide class discussion and individual and group project work throughout the course.
Ceramics One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None
Introduction to Film One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None
Ceramics is an introductory course using clay as an expressive medium with emphasis on hand-building and wheel throwing techniques, application of glaze materials, the understanding of form, color, structural relationships, and a variety of kiln firing techniques. The course will develop student awareness of problem solving and chemical reactions, as well as enhance insight into tools, history, and the mechanics of art. Students may take a second semester of Ceramics to continue their study. Second semester students will utilize the potter’s wheel for furthering their wheel throwing techniques.
All art forms tell a story, but perhaps no art form inundates our senses more than film. In less than three hours, films transport us back in time, whisk us across the sea, and boldly take us into the future. In this one semester class, students will engage in an introduction to film studies. Through excerpts from Giannetti’s classic textbook, Understanding Movies , and through the viewing of several films, students will see how a series of film clips are arranged to deliver a comprehensive visual narrative. Students will be encouraged to look past the “story” of a film and discover the visual and musical art forms central to most narrative films. Essays, cinematic lab reports, quizzes, tests, and a final exam will measure student achievement. Films may include The Godfather , Coppola; Citizen Kane , Welles; Rear Window , Hitchcock; and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon , Lee. Text: Course pack provided by instructor Introduction to Theater Performance One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: None This course is designed to develop performance skills in both public speaking and stage presentations. Students will explore the development of a message and carefully analyze existing speech and dramatic materials. Script and character analysis, along with the study of acting techniques, will be used to enhance each student’s talent and understanding of public performance. Students will develop speeches of demonstration and persuasion based on the study of theater history, as well as performances from theater and film. Text: Audition by Michael Shurtleff (ISBN 0-553-27295-0)
Advanced Ceramics One Semester (Offered First Semester) Prerequisites: Ceramics or equivalent
Advanced Ceramics is an opportunity for students who have completed one or two semesters of ceramics to re engage in further, more in depth study, using clay and glazes. Emphasis is placed on wheel throwing proficiency and self directed projects. Students will be responsible for keeping a journal of their experience as part of a final project.
Digital Photography One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None
Upper School Orchestra Full Year (Two Semesters) Prerequisites: None
In this course, students perfect their photography using digital media. Aesthetic qualities, and contextual considerations will be explored. Students will employ digital cameras, and computer software (Photoshop) to explore the possibilities of electronic image manipulation. In addition to making photographs, students will study the history of photography. Digital images may be captured with a digital camera or other digital devices (such as cell phone cameras or tablets). Students will produce a portfolio during the semester that can be presented to colleges for admissions consideration. Directing for Stage and Screen One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None This course will investigate the process of directing
Contemporary Music Workshop One Semester (Offered Second Semester) Prerequisites: None
The Upper School Orchestra is a comprehensive ninth through twelfth grade experience designed to musically inspire and challenge students who demonstrate ability on string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and bass). Students will meaningfully create, perform, and reflect on music from a variety of styles, time periods, and cultures, while refining posture, vibrato, shifting, and bowing technique. All students are required to participate in scheduled performances throughout the year. Additionally, students are required to participate in an ensemble or solo event at Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) Solo and Ensemble festival. Enrollment in additional private lessons is strongly encouraged.
Calling all pop and rock musicians! This course is open to guitarists, drummers, ukulelists, bassists, keyboardists, vocalists, and singer-songwriters of any ability. Students will form small groups to create and rehearse rock, pop, and contemporary music repertoire. Students will explore elements of musical form, style, lyrics, and patterns as they relate to contemporary media. Vocalists and drummers should plan on learning a secondary instrument to balance instrumentation. This course may be repeated for additional credit.
2026-2027 ULS Curriculum Guide
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