Physical Education 315: Foundation in Kinesiology 1

Foundations of Kinesiology is a course that introduces students to the field of Kinesiology and its overall relationship with exercise science, sports performance, and sports psychology.  This UC/CSU approved College Prep Elective (“G”) course will be taught in two one-semester courses allowing maximum flexibility in scheduling.  Students do not have to take Foundations of Kinesiology 1 to take Foundations of Kinesiology 2.

While each course will share common threads in training, nutrition, sports, psychology, and basic human anatomy, each course offers a slightly different approach to discovering the keys that improve performance.  Both courses will involve some physical activity.

Foundations of Kinesiology 1 will concentrate on “how” the body moves by investigating human movement and understanding the benefits of kinesiology.  Foundations 1 will explore the purpose of exercise and sports nutrition.

*This class will be offered pending staffing availability and adequate enrollment.

Multimedia Design 1B

This class further develops skills learned in Multimedia Design 1A with a focus on utilizing 2D and 3D graphics, sound and video-editing software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Logic, FL Studio, Soundtrap, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, OnShape, Blender, and game design in Roblox and Unity.  The development of effective narrative structures will be emphasized so that students learn to use the various media to create intentional works with meaning.  Particular attention will be paid to the design process and students’ conscious development of their own creative process.  Sample projects include stop motions, animations, music videos, special effects,  student documentary films, and the creation of video games.  Student work will culminate with a digital portfolio.

Multimedia Design 1A

This is an introductory computer art and design course with a focus on 2D and 3D graphics, sound and video-editing software. Coursework includes a variety of design projects created with software programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, Logic, FL Studio, Soundtrap, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, TinkerCAD, and game design in Roblox. The learning of traditional art and design principles will be integrated into students’ creative work and the course will culminate with a digital portfolio.

AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP)

AP Computer Science Principles (AP CSP) is equivalent to an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science.  Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.  They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge.  Students also explore how computing innovations and computing systems work (including the Internet), explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.  Roughly half the course is focused on learning to program in either the Python or Javascript programming languages, but the selection of a programming language is at the teacher’s discretion while the other half of the course covers non-programming topics of computer science.

*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations

 **This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.

***Students are required to take the AP Computer Science Principles exam in May.

English 200

English 200 continues the course of study begun in the freshman year.  Skills learned the previous year are refined, expanded, and enhanced.  Basic grammar is reviewed and new material introduced throughout the year.  The lower division writing sequence continues with a review of paragraph writing, which leads into the year’s emphasis on descriptive, narrative, and expository essay writing.  Students will write approximately 10-12 papers in a variety of rhetorical modes.  The writing becomes not only more formal, but increased in length as well with students writing multi-paragraph expository essays by the end of the first quarter.  The reading of literature includes all the major genres: novel, drama, poetry, short story, and essay; however, the study of literature shifts from an organization by form to an organization by themes that reveal an insight into the human condition.

English 203H

The major difference between this honors course and the regular sophomore course is in the number of books that are read and their inherent difficulty, in the mode of instruction in the classroom, in the student initiative required, and in the number of writing assignments (generally 2-3 additional essays per year) along with their increasing and various difficulty.

 

Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA

Studio Art A

This course is a “hands-on” class designed to develop skills in design and composition, a variety of drawing styles, and acrylic painting.  Students will receive instruction in a variety of media and will be required to use each of them in the creation of original work.  The study of historical examples will be a springboard for the student’s creative expression.  No previous drawing skills are required to take this class; just come with an open mind!

Art and Architecture 1A

Designed to offer students the chance to learn about the art of architectural design in society and its effect on our sense of culture.  Particularly interesting for students who plan to major in architecture and/or design of any kind, the class will provide field trips, involvement with our rich cultural environment, and an introduction to “hands-on” skills involving design and composition.  Coursework will include short papers, a non-written final project, and opportunity for original creative expression.  Students do not need to have experience in drawing in order to take this course.

Dance 1A: Ballet, Jazz, and Social Dance

Dance 1A is a survey course that will introduce movers of all experience levels to a wide range of dance genres.  The course will include physical practice in the techniques of ballet, jazz dance, and social dance.  Students will study dance history, dance composition, and improvisational techniques.  Through written work and class discussions, students will learn to analyze dance performance as an art form, through a critical, informed, and appreciative lens.  Students will work collaborative to explore dance elements and perform choreographed dances in a supportive community environment.

Drama 1A: Intro to Theatre

In Drama 1A, we will explore various approaches to acting. We will begin by playing a series of theatre games, move to improvisations, then perform professionally scripted and student-written monologues.  Students will develop an approach to enact short monologues from professional play scripts for final presentation.  Students will receive an overview of the major historical periods of theatre history throughout the world from Ancient Greece to the 19th Century using student projects and teacher presentations.  By the end of the course, students will have developed an appreciation for the art of the theatre, a respect for working within an ensemble of artists, and an appreciation for the variety of approaches to actor training.