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Computer Science
592 2D Visual Arts Studies (Drawing, Painting, Digital Photography, Communication Graphics) (10,11,12)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
This second level elective course is a continuation of the concepts introduced in the Visual Arts Foundation course. This course is designed to explore two-dimensional studio design concepts, media, and techniques in greater depth through various techniques and media concentrations. A wide range of project and visual research experiences exercise the student’s understanding of the elements and principles of design. Areas of study include fine arts, illustration, and graphic visual communication. Visual interpretation and communication through images are emphasized, as well as the application of design thinking process. Analog and digital formats will be explored. A research-based museum trip may be a part of this course experience. If the student’s schedule allows, this course can be taken more than once with various levels of creative study and work. This course will be offered in the 2023-24 school year with Drawing, Painting and Digital Photography as the areas of concentration. Prerequisite: Visual Arts Foundations.
582 Digital Visual Communication (Digital Photography, Animation, Video, Visual Presentations, Graphic Communication Design) (10,11,12)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
This course offers the opportunity to work with technology as an artistic and visual communication medium. Students explore the role of photographer, visual communication designer, animator, and film editor. They work with the challenges that these roles bring to produce visual communication design projects. Visual interpretation and communication through images are emphasized, as well as the qualities of innovative and effective design solutions. Digital photography, digital imaging, and video will be used as the main image gathering processes. Specific elective offerings may depend on schedule and adequate enrollment for each year. This course will be offered in the 2023-24 school year. Prerequisite: Visual Arts Foundations.
588(1) Visual Arts Major 1 (11,12)
1 credit, full year
Students create and organize a body of work through visual investigation, studio practice, and exhibition. This course explores composition skills, media, techniques, the study of art history in connection to studio work, visual analysis, and the use of themes. Various media and techniques are available to the student to tailor individual interest, and it can include both analog and digital techniques. Field trips are an integral part of course, and special attention is given to portfolio development. “Pre-Season Summer Reading” and visual explorations are also requirements of this course in preparation for the school-year involvement. Research-based museum trips are an integral part of this course experience. This is a non-IB (neither certificate or diploma) course for students interested in a visual arts experience as a major. If the student’s schedule allows, this course can be taken as the first part of a two-year commitment: Visual Arts Major 1 followed Visual Arts Major 2. Prerequisite: Visual Arts Foundations.
588(2) Visual Arts Major 2 (12)
1 credit, full year
This course complements the Visual Arts Major 1 course by adding greater depth of study in terms of technique, media, and self-direction. Special attention can be given to designing and creating college application portfolios. “Pre-Season Summer Reading” and visual explorations are also requirements of this course in preparation for the school-year involvement. Research-based museum trips are an integral part of this course experience. This is a non-IB (neither certificate or diploma) course for students interested in a visual arts experience as a major for a second year of exploration. Prerequisite: Visual Arts Major 1
International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Area 6
The following description is taken from the International Baccalaureate Organization HL Published IB Visual Arts Curriculum for Exam: The visual arts course at both SL and HL requires no previous experience. The course is designed to enable students to experience visual arts on a personal level, and achievement in this subject is reflected in how students demonstrate the knowledge they have gained as well as the skills and attitudes they have developed that are necessary for studying visual arts. This course provides a relevant learning opportunity for a diverse range of students as it lays an appropriate foundation for further study in visual arts, performing arts and other related subjects. In addition, it instills discipline and refines creative communication and collaborative skills. The curriculum core syllabus for this exam are based on the following: • External Assessment: Part 1 Comparative Study 20%; Part 2 Process Portfolio 40% • Internal Assessment: Part 3 Exhibition 40% • This is a two-year course. The student is enrolled in grade 11 for 1 credit and in grade 12 for 1 credit. The exam is taken in 12th grade. Enrollment in both Higher Level (1) grade 11 and Higher Level (2) grade 12 is required.
572HL IB HL (Higher Level) Visual Arts, Year 1 (11)
1 credit, full year
This Visual Arts HL course is intended for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of visual art. This course includes studio work, as well as the investigation of art history and visual aesthetics and analysis, in comparative study. The curriculum core parts are comparative study, process portfolio, and exhibition. “Pre-Season Summer Reading” and visual explorations are also requirements of this course. Research-based museum trips are an integral part of this course experience.
1 credit, full year
The HL year 2 course continues the curriculum core syllabus outlined above. The curriculum core parts are comparative study, process portfolio, and exhibition. “Pre-Season Summer Reading” and visual explorations are also requirements of this course in preparation for the school-year involvement. Research-based museum trips are an integral part of this course experience.
The upper school computer science curriculum is intended to continue students’ development as algorithmic thinkers with the ability to translate ideas into a formal structure. Upon completion of our program, students will understand how to define and solve problems from all disciplines in terms that can be implemented by a computational device. In addition, students will have a firm Upon completion of understanding of a number of our program, students surrounding technologies that will understand how to they interact with on a daily basis, from Internet protocols define and solve prob- to basic hardware. Problemlems from all disciplines solving and self-reliance are in terms that can be an essential part of the overall implemented by a com- curriculum, as students beputational device. come more confident in their abilities to use computers to devise and apply real-world solutions.
Students must take ½ credit of computer science in order to fulfill their graduation requirements. The upper school program of study is designed to have various “tracks” to fully engage and challenge every student. In rare situations, students may seek departmental approval to be placed in higher-level courses. Approval is contingent upon fluency in programming, which can be demonstrated through a series of problem sets. Some courses are taught concurrently.
649 Algo-Rhythms (9, 10, 11, 12)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
How can we use computing to learn more about music? How can we use music to learn more about computing? This course provides students hands-on practice in the field of music technology. Students will explore topics such as digital composition, algorithmic music, sound analysis and manipulation, and relevant historical and cultural context. This one-semester course will satisfy 1/4 credit in either Computer Science OR Performing Arts.
663 Web Media 1 (9,10,11,12) 664 Web Media 2 (Prerequisite: Web Media 1)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
This course focuses on the web browser as a creative medium. The course is broken down into two main parts. In the first part, students learn about the history and cultural impacts of the internet. They look at the fundamentals of interface design and then use this theory in conjunction with HTML and CSS to create a professional-looking website. In the second half of the course, students learn about other technologies available to developers wishing to create a more dynamic interactive experience online. Topics include cryptography, javascript APIs, and animation. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two allows students to build on their previous knowledge and incorporate these concepts into more realized projects. This course will be offered in the 2023-24 school year.
665 Interactive Systems 1 (9,10,11,12) 672 Interactive Systems 2 (Prerequisite:
Interactive Systems 1)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
This course expands upon topics covered in the introductory course through the creation and design of many different types of video games, simulations, and interactive experiences. Throughout the semester, students are continually exposed to both abstraction and problem decomposition. An emphasis is placed on solving a wide variety of problems applicable to instances outside the realm of just video games. Topics include arrays, functions, objects, and APIs. By integrating these topics into a wide variety of projects, students are exposed to the many ways programming is useful. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two allows students to build out an immersive interactive experience for either a mobile or browser-based device. This course will be offered during the 2023-24 school year.
666 Programming Concepts 1 (9,10,11,12) 667 Programming Concepts 2 (Prerequisite:
Programming Concepts 1)
1/4 credit, 1 semester 3x per 7 days
This course explores various techniques of programmatic problem-solving. Projects and problem sets will focus on issues found most often within the field. At all times, emphasis will also be placed on code that is readable, testable, and fast rather than simply yielding the correct answer. Topics covered include algorithmic art, user interaction, image processing, and audio manipulation. Motivated students may take this course a second time. Level two includes a deeper exploration into the possibilities of code and allows for a more fully realized project in one of many fields, including physical computing, generative art, and data visualization. This course will be offered during the 2023-24 school year.
