Art Department Vision Statement: Every South Allegheny Art student will be able to identify and apply the elements and principles of design while creating and producing 2-D and 3-D works of art in various media.  Our students will creatively make visual connections as they express themselves through producing and exhibiting their art, linking their art to past and present cultural influences, and responding aesthetically and critically to their art and the art of others.  The development of art projects will engage students in critical problem solving, develop basic math proficiency, and reinforce writing and vocabulary skills.

TITLE: Art I                                                                           Credit: .5

Course Number: 0911                                                             Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: N/A                                                                    Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: Introductory course introducing students to a variety of media incorporating the elements and principles of design.  Projects may include painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture.  Projects are more advanced and students will use art history references, multicultural images and nature to create their own designs.  This is a prerequisite for advanced art courses.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Art II                                                                          Credit: .5

Course Number: 0827                                                             Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12 

Prerequisite: Art I                                                                   Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: In this course, there will be a focus on basic drawing skills and color theory.  Students will complete a drawing project and painting project.  Students will be given the opportunity for personal exploration of art materials and media, incorporating the study of art history as a resource.  Students will use critical, analytical and evaluative thinking skills. Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Art III                                                                        Credit: .5

Course Number: 0837                                                             Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Art II                                                                  Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: In this course, students will continue mastery of drawing and painting skills.  Each student will have an opportunity for personal exploration and growth as an artist as they interpret original ideas through a variety of media and techniques.  Students will incorporate the study of art history as a resource and continue to use critical, analytical and evaluative thinking skills. Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Art IV                                                                        Credit: .5

Course Number: 0847                                                             Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Art III                                                                Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: Continuation of Art III.  Each student will have an opportunity for personal exploration and growth as an artist as they interpret original ideas through a variety of media and techniques.  Students will incorporate the study of art history as a resource and continue to use critical, analytical and evaluative thinking skills. Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Watercolor                                                                 Credit: .5

Course Number: 0848                                                             Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Art I                                                                   Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: This course is an introductory class to watercolor.  Students will learn color theory and basic watercolor techniques and vocabulary through the completion of a series of paintings.  Masterpiece artists’ work will provide the framework.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Computer Graphics I                                                 Credit: .5

Course Number: 0791                                                             Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: N/A                                                                    Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: This is an introductory course in graphic design.  Student learn how to apply the elements and principles of design to the creation of logos, advertisements, posters, billboard designs, and a variety of other practical applications  Student create projects on the computer using current graphic design software, a digital camera, and a digital scanner.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Computer Graphics II                                                Credit: .5

Course Number: 0792                                                             Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Computer Graphics I                                          Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: This is an intermediate course in graphic design.  Student learn how to apply the elements and principles of design to the creation of logos, advertisements, posters, billboard designs, and a variety of other practical applications  Student create projects on the computer using current graphic design software, a digital camera, and a digital scanner.  Students are building on the skills they learned in Computer Graphics I.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Computer Graphics III                                              Credit: .5

Course Number: 0793                                                             Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Computer Graphics II                                        Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: This is an intermediate course in graphic design.  Student learn how to apply the elements and principles of design to the creation of logos, advertisements, posters, billboard designs, and a variety of other practical applications  Student create projects on the computer using current graphic design software, a digital camera, and a digital scanner.  Students are building on the skills they learned in Computer Graphics II.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: Computer Graphics IV                                              Credit: .5

Course Number: 0794                                                             Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Computer Graphics III                                       Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: This is an intermediate course in graphic design.  Student learn how to apply the elements and principles of design to the creation of logos, advertisements, posters, billboard designs, and a variety of other practical applications  Student create projects on the computer using current graphic design software, a digital camera, and a digital scanner.  Students are building on the skills they learned in Computer Graphics III.  Appropriate studio behavior is required to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all students and instructors in the art classroom.

TITLE: AP Art History                                                                      Credit: 1

Course Number: 0857/0858                                                    Grade: 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: “A”or“B” in prior year’s history      Difficulty Rating: 3 (test)/2 (no test) Description: The AP Art History course engages students at the same level as an introductory college art history survey. Such a course involves critical thinking and should develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. In this course, students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art.

TITLE:  Ceramics                                                                   Credit:  .5

Course Number: 0850                                                             Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: N/A                                                                    Difficulty Rating: 1

Description: An introductory course on clay and clay properties.  Students will hand build using fist, pinch, slab and coil techniques to create and design pottery and sculpture.  Students will be also learning to work on the ceramic wheel to throw pots and cylinders.  Students will use underglaze and glaze to finish their works.  All work will be fired in the kiln.  Students will be instructed in all safety procedures involving clay and the kiln.