Student Friendly Course Descriptions the Arts
Student friendly course descriptions – the arts
DANCE
Dance, Grade 9 – open
ATC 1O
Were we born to dance? Grade 9 dance introduces you to the world of global social dance forms and allows you to discover where they came from and how they have evolved and influenced other dance forms. Through the study of dance techniques you will develop greater body awareness, control and coordination. Through collaborative performance tasks you will develop skills in problem solving, creativity and communication skills. You will build your own dance pieces by working through the creative and critical thinking process, so that you can plan, revise and present your own dance compositions. Potential units of study include African dance, swing dance, and hip hop. Additionally, an invited hip hop choreographer will work with the class through a 3-5 day residency.
Prerequisite: None
Dance, Grade 10 – open
ATC 2O
Come discover why you CAN dance! Grade 10 dance will introduce you to the world of Jazz dance forms and its various influences and innovators and how Jazz connects to both to street dance culture and the ballet and modern dance world. Through the physical practice of studying Jazz techniques you will develop body awareness, strength and control. You will also use the creative process to learn about the elements of dance and composition so that you can plan, revise and present your own Jazz inspired dances. Potential units include: classical/modern jazz, street jazz and musical theatre/broadway jazz. Additionally, an invited street jazz choreographer will do a 4-5 residency creating an original dance piece on the class.
Prerequisite: None
Dance, Grade 11 – open
ATC 3O
It’s never too late to start dancing! This is an entry level dance course. You are able to select this course with no previous dance classes taken in grade 9 or 10. Grade 11 open dance will introduce you to a variety of dance forms through the studying of dance technique so that you will develop body awareness, strength and control. Through collaborative performance tasks you will develop skills in problem solving, creativity and communication skills. You will build your own dance pieces by working through the creative and critical thinking process, so that you can plan, revise and present your own dance dance compositions. Additionally, an invited choreographer will work with the class through a 3-5 day residency.
Prerequisite: None
Dance, Grade 11 – University/College Preparation
ATC 3M
Is dance a form of entertainment or art? Grade 11 Dance will introduce you to the pioneers of modern dance and their impact on transforming dance into an artform. You will continue to develop your physical practice through the study of modern dance technique, so that you will continue to develop greater body awareness, and increasingly more range of motion, strength and flexibility. You will also learn about the care and prevention of dance injuries through the study of Yoga and Pilates. A variety of provocations and sources will be used to ignite your own movement innovations to build more complex and sophisticated dance pieces that integrates increasingly more complex compositional forms and strategies.
Prerequisite: Dance, Grade 9 or 10, Open (ATC 1O or ATC 2O)
Dance, Grade 12 – University/College Preparation
ATC 4M
Dance, when words aren’t enough! Grade 12 dance will promote continued development towards greater technical proficiency in dance as well as begin to look at dance creation as a form of inquiry and expressing what words cannot. Provocations and open ended questions will be used to inspire your creative and critical thinking processes as you build more complex dance creations for the stage, outdoor sites, and the camera. You will create an online interactive portfolio that invites dialogue and commentary during and after each creation cycle. You will continue to connect with the Canadian Dance landscape and tap into its diversity, by viewing and responding to live Canadian dance performances as well as work with a guest choreographer through an artistic residency.
Prerequisite: Dance, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (ATC 3M)
DRAMA
Dramatic Arts, Grade 9 – open
ADA 1O
Are you ready to be on stage? Grade 9 Drama provides an exciting introduction to the world of theatre, and teaches you how to use your voice and body to create original performances for the stage. You will also develop your confidence and problem-solving skills as you learn about the creative process and collaboration. Potential units of study include improv, tableaux, pantomime, silent film, spoken word, radio drama, unarmed stage combat, short comedic scene studies, and original group anthologies. You will also be introduced to the technical skills required in drama, including lighting and sound for the stage.
Prerequisite: None
Dramatic Arts, Grade 10 – open
ADA 2O
Need a bit of drama in your life? In Grade 10 Drama, you will learn how to use your voice and your body to create original performances for the stage. You will also develop your confidence and problem-solving skills as you learn about the creative process and collaboration. Potential units of study include improv, team spoken-word, mime, mask, stock plots, short comedic scenes, and introduction to professional scene studies. You will also learn more about the technical skills required in drama, including lighting, sound, costumes and props.
Prerequisite: None
Dramatic Arts, Grade 11 – University/College Preparation
ADA 3M
Grade 11 Drama builds on the foundations laid in earlier Drama classes and encourages you to increase your confidence and mastery of acting, writing, and directing, as you develop professional and original performances for the stage. You will assume a leadership role in the creative process, and develop your understanding of character analysis and theatrical expression. Potential units of study include mythology and ancient theatre, folk tales, individual monologues, professional scene studies from Broadway’s golden age, armed stage combat, and original group anthologies. You will also develop your technical skills in stage management.
Prerequisite: Dramatic Arts, Grade 9 or 10, Open (ADA 2O)
Dramatic Arts, Grade 12 – University/College Preparation
ADA 4M
Grade 12 Drama prepares you for a University or College program in Drama, Theatre or Film Studies. You will increase your confidence and mastery of acting, writing, criticism, and directing, as you develop professional and original performances for the stage. You will assume a leadership role in the creative process, and develop your understanding of character analysis and playwriting. Potential units of study include political theatre and docudrama, individual monologues, professional Canadian scene studies, acting for the camera, and original group anthologies. You will also develop your technical skills in production management. ADA 3M0 (Grade 11 Drama) is a prerequisite for this course.
Prerequisite: Dramatic Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (ADA 3M)
DIGITAL ARTS
Digital Art, Grade 10 – open
AWS 2O
What's your story? In Grade 10 Digital Art you will explore various aspects of narrative by using new and emerging digital technologies to create meaningful stories. You may use a variety of tools, such as, digital photography, photo manipulation, digital illustration, simple animation, film / video, and sound to visually express yourself. Digital Art allows you to explore the creative process in a digital environment. You will develop the basic skills necessary to use a particular medium, apply techniques in a familiar context, and follow the creative process to apply the techniques in innovative and unconventional ways. You will also learn to communicate purposefully about your work and the works of others.
Pre-requisite: A grade 9 arts credit is recommended
Digital Art, Grade 11 – University/College Preparation
AWS 3M
Create a powerful story! In Grade 11 Digital Art you will expand on your previous skills and knowledge to create more complex narrative-based artworks. You will have the opportunity to explore a variety of digital media, such as photography, digital illustration and stop-motion animation, in order to develop interesting characters and environments for your artworks. You will expand on how to visually communicate your ideas, refine how you apply the creative process, and begin to use your artworks to convey intentional and purposeful messages.
Pre-requisite: Digital Arts, Grade 10, Open (AWS 2O)
Digital Art, Grade 12 – University/College Preparation
AWS 4M
How can you use narrative to create change? The Grade 12 Digital Art course allows you to continue to refine your knowledge and skills in a variety of digital art forms that include still images, moving images and multimedia installations. You will learn how to make thoughtful creative decisions to develop intentional and purposeful messages within your narrative-based artworks. Throughout this project-based course you will continue to develop independence in applying the creative and critical analysis processes, as well as learning to create a digital portfolio to showcase your artworks.
Pre-requisite: Digital Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation (AWS 3M)
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental Music, Grade 9 - open
AMU 1O0
Do you love listening or playing music? This course is open to any student who has played a band instrument or who desires to learn how to play for the first time! Students have an opportunity to explore a variety of David Suzuki Secondary School’s instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, double bass, percussion) through sound and rhythm creation. You will have a chance to work independently and also collaborate with your peers to create and perform a variety of musical compositions and rehearsed pieces. You will get a chance to learn music and perform as a Grade 9 Band while exploring notated music, theory and music history. You will also explore musical notation and creation while listening to and exploring a variety of different musical genres.
Prerequisite: None
Instrumental Music, Grade 1O - open
AMU 2O0
Do you love making music? Grade 10 music further develops students independent and group playing by exploring the variety of David Suzuki Secondary School’s instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, double bass, percussion). You will have an opportunity to further develop your understanding of the elements of music, musical notation, theory and music history through increasingly complex concepts. You will develop as a performer and musician while learning performing as a Grade 10 Band. You will also have a chance to explore a variety of musical genres through a variety of performance opportunities.
Prerequisite: None
Instrumental Music, Grade 11 – University/College Preparation
AMU 3M0
Do you love making music? Grade 11 music further develops students’ musical literacy through performance and the preparation and presentation of music performances. If you have played a band instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, double bass, percussion) and want to further explore one of David Suzuki Secondary School’s instruments this course is for you! Building on previously acquired knowledge of music, you will develop as a performer and musician while exploring a variety of musical techniques and genres. You will also have a chance to explore the function of music in society and how you can apply skills you have developed in music to your life and careers.
Prerequisite: Instrumental Music,Grade 10 – open (AMU 2O0)
Instrumental Music, Grade 12 – University/College Preparation
AMU 4M0
Grade 12 music prepares you for a University or College program in music or the arts and further develops your musical literacy through performance and the preparation and presentation of music performances. If you have played a band instrument (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, euphonium, tuba, double bass, percussion) and want to further explore one of David Suzuki Secondary School’s instruments this course is for you! Developing musicianship skills as a solo and ensemble player are highlighted in this course as you continue to explore the elements of music through a variety of performance opportunities. You will also have a chance to explore musical genres, the function of music in society and how you can apply skills you have developed in music to your life and careers.
Prerequisite: Instrumental Music,Grade 11 – University/College Preparation (AMU 3M0)
MUSIC & COMPUTERS
Gr. 10 Music & Computers, Grade 10 - open
AMM 2O0
Have you ever dreamed of creating music for video games or movies? Do you like electronic dance music or dubstep? In Grade 10 Music and Computers, we use Macs to remix, arrange, write and sample music using professional grade computer programs. You will learn keyboarding skills on our MIDI keyboards and will develop musical language by using the creative and critical analysis process. From developing intricate drum beats to soaring melodies, this course will help you to develop as a musician and sound engineer.
Prerequisite: None
Gr. 11 Music & Computers, Grade 11 - open
AMM 3O0
Have you ever dreamed of creating music for video games or movies? Do you like electronic dance music or dubstep? In Grade 11 Music and Computers, we use Macs to remix, arrange, write and sample music using professional grade computer programs. Building on previously acquired musical knowledge, you will explore a wide variety of musical genres and sound engineering techniques. Students will develop their musical literacy through performance, preparation and presentation of their compositions.
Prerequisite: None
Music & Computers, Grade 11 – University/College Preparation
AMM 3M0
Grade 11 Music and Computers builds on the foundations laid in earlier Music and Computers classes and encourages you to increase your confidence and independence in music creation. You will further develop your musical literacy through the creation, application, analysis and presentation of music while exploring a wide variety of musical genres. You will create more complex renditions of video game and movie music while composing increasingly complex melodies, bass lines, drum beats and remixes. You will also compose music while collaborating with other arts courses.
Prerequisite: Music & Computers, Grade 10 – open (AMM 2O0)
Music & Computers, Grade 12 – University/College Preparation
AMM 4M0
Grade 12 Music and Computers prepares you for a University or College program in music or sound engineering. You will further increase your confidence and independence in music creation and will develop as a musician. With great understanding of the function of music in society and the impact of music on themselves you will create complex pieces that explore and develop through an exploration of the elements of music. Students will also compose music while collaborating with other arts courses with a great level of professionalism and leadership.
Prerequisite: Music & Computers, Grade 11 –(AMM 3M0)
VISUAL ARTS
Visual Art, Grade 9 – open
AVI 1O
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” -- Edgar Degas
Grade 9 Visual Art provides you with an exciting new way to see the world as you learn how to share your ideas through a variety of different art forms, including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media. You will begin the process of developing your own personal artistic style. Foundational art making strategies will be introduced to help while developing your creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills necessary for creating amazing artworks. The skills learned in this course are a great foundation to ensure that you develop effective visual and multimedia communication skills.
Prerequisite: None
Visual Art, Grade 10 – open
AVI 2O
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” -- Scott Adams
In Grade 10 Visual Art, exploration and experimentation is a primary skill that you will develop as you continue to refine your art making skills. You will be encouraged to work with media in unconventional ways so that you really understand how they work. During this process, emphasis will be placed on creative “mistakes and accidents” as opportunities for learning that are essential for creative expression. Continued exploration of creative and critical thinking in individual and collaborative learning situations will also be investigated as you create artworks in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media.
Pre-requisite: None
Visual Art, Grade 11 – open
AVI 3O
Drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture are all skills that can be learned. All it takes is a little patience and a bit of practice. Developing technical art making skills not only makes you an efficient and effective communicator, but can open lucrative career pathways as skilled art technicians. In this course, you will learn a variety of applied art skills (e.g. graphics, t-shirt design, etc.), arts & crafts (e.g. pottery, beading, jewelry making, etc.) and illustration (e.g. traditional, digital, etc.). You will begin the process of developing your own visual art style while working in a client driven creation environment.