Advanced Literary Arts I

These interdisplinary courses are explorations of the basic elements of the fine and literary arts with an emphasis on the relationship among the arts and the development of standards to differetiate between the meaningful and the mundane in the arts. An analysis of 19th and 20th century literature emphasizes literary devices and techniques and the elements of character, setting, and theme. Students study skills, techniques, and models for writing fiction and nonfiction and gather information through primary and secondary sources to include the use of electronic databases. individual and group presentations integrate art and literature and use collaborative strategies to evaluate various genres in literature.

Instructors: Mrs. French and Dr. Murphy

Suggested Reading List: Cold Sassy Tree, The Count of Monte Cristo, Profiles in Courage, Cry, the Beloved Country, Ethan Frome, Fahrenheit 451, I Am the Cheese, The Moon is Down, The Scarlet Letter, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Case of the Crushed Petunias, The Crucible, Kind Lady, Our Town, A Raisin in the Sun, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and Twelve Angry Men

Advanced Literary Arts II

In these interdisciplinary courses, literature serves as the model for student writing and oral presentations. An analysis of literature emphasizes devices, techniques, and the elements of character, setting, theme, point of view, tone, and dialogue. Based on thematic units focusing on literature evolving from the oral tradition, these courses feature the role of women in the fine arts, examine the question of innate evil, and discuss misfits within society. Using collaborative learning strategies, students study skills, techniques, and models for writing poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction and gather information through primary, secondary, and technology sources. Students produce original writings and examine printed consumer material for audience, clarity of writing, and document design. They develop an understanding of archetypal patterns, parallels of the elements within the arts, and socioeconomic factors affecting the arts of particular historical periods.

Instructor: Ms. Kingan

Suggested Reading List: The Great Gatsby, The Good Earth, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Watership Down, Animal Farm, My Life and Hard Times, The Awakening, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein, My Name is Asher Lev, The Turn of the Screw, Billy Budd, The Arthurian Legends, Of Mice and Men, Lord of the Flies, The Glass Menagerie, St. Joan, The Taming of the Shrew, The Sandbox

Advanced Literary Arts III

These interdisciplinary courses are designed for advanced students with an interest in and talent for writing, literature, and other fine arts. The courses focus on philosophies ranging from Socratism to existentialism and the literature reflecting these ideas. The impact of the questioning of traditional beliefs and the experimentation in artistic expression within the fine arts are emphasized. Students examine these philosophic ideas and stylistic techniques as revealed in the communication and/or the arts of prehistoric cultures through post-modernism. This study provides models from the categories of notation, recollection, investigation, imagination, and cogitation. Writings emphasize the changing nature of language and utilize literary devices and techniques that reflect the course of study. Students are involved in a study of skills, techniques, and samples focusing on the elements and conventions for writing fiction and non-fiction. Investigative skills are emphasized for gathering information through primary and secondary sources including the use of electronic databases. These courses help prepare students for the Advanced Placement Test in English.

Instructor: Dr. Murphy

Suggested Reading List: Anna Karenina, The Catcher in the Rye, The Return of the Native, Brave New World, Crime and Punishment, The Grapes of Wrath, The Heart of Darkness, Metamorphosis, Night, The Plague, The Power and the Glory, The Prince, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, Cyrano de Bergerac, A Doll's House, Hamlet, the importance of Being Earnest, Inherit the Wind, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Prometheus Bound, Oedipus Rex, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Advanced Literary Arts IV

The study of world cultures through an investigation of literature and art are the focus of these interdisciplinary courses. Within an historical framework, students identify interrelationships of problems concerning contemporary society and broaden their global perspective of cultures by studying how literature, philosophy, visual art, and music reflect cultural value systems. They examine the philosophical ideals and stylistic techniques of Nobel prize winners in literature as a basis for the continuing development of skills and techniques for writing and analyzing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Oral presentations utilize visual aids and available technology. Emphasis is placed on investigative skills using technology, primary, and secondary sources to gather and synthesize information. Students also examine and revise a variety of technical writings for audience, purpose, clarity, and format.

Instructor: Mrs. French

Suggested Reading List: A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Moby Dick, Native Son, A Farewell to Arms, Things Fall Apart, The Odyssey, Siddhartha, The Sound of Waves, The Ramayana, Nectar in a Sieve, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Oliver Twist, Look Homeward Angel, The Sound and the Fury, The Fountainhead, Antigone, Doctor Faustus, The Cherry Orchard, Murder in the Cathedral, Becket, Blood Wedding, The Deserted Crane, Elements of Style

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Rhythmic Arts I

This dance course focuses on techniques and skills necessary to attain performance level with emphasis on interpreting dance in an emotional context. The interdisciplinary nature of the course includes a survey of dance classics which includes study of visual arts and music related to the designated historical period.

Instructor: Mrs. Webb

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Advanced Theatre Arts I

This interdisciplinary course emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the fine arts; theatre as a reflection of social, political, and economic conditions; play analysis for interpretation, character development, and production values; acting theory; vocal and physical skills and techniques; and practical application of theory, skills, and techniques.

Instructor: Ms. Monsees

Advanced Theatre Arts II

An in-depth, broadening continuation of Advanced Theatre Arts I, this course emmphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the fine arts; theatre as a reflection of social, political, and economic conditions; play analysis for interpretation, character development, and production values; acting theory; vocal and physical skills and techniques; and practical application of theory, skills, and techniques. Greek, Roman, Medieval, and Shakespearean theatre are studied from the perspective of history and acting styles.

Instructor: Mr. Righter

Advanced Theatre Arts III

Further developing the skills acquired in Advanced Theatre Arts II, this course focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of the fine arts. Analysis and interpretation of contemporary plays are conducted. Practical application of theory and process are provided through specialized field experiences and/or community service. The history and acting styles of the theatre from Shakespeare to modern times are studied.

Instructor: Ms. Monsees

Advanced Theatre Arts IV

This course provides opporunities for working as a technician in a lab theatre on sets, lighting, sound, and props. Content focuses on basic principles of set, lighting, sound, and prop design followed by applied work. included are reading plays, exploring changes that have occurred in theatrical design, and studying the contributions of important designers. The course content provides information and experience needed by technicians to function responsibly and efficiently as part of a theatrical team.

Instructor: Mrs. Fischer

Advanced Technical Theatre

This course is a practicum designed for students interested in backstage work and focuses on training students to be theatre technicians and introduces them to basic elements of design. The course provides opportunities for working as technicians in a lab theatre on sets, lighting, sound, and props. Content focuses on the basic principles of set, lighting, sound, and prop design followed by the applied work. The course also includes reading plays, exploring the changes that have occurred in theatrical design, and studying the contributions of important designers. The combined course content provides information and experience needed by technicians to function responsibly and efficiently as part of a theatrical team. Experience in backstage work is helpful but not necessary. (may be continued)

Instructor: Mr. Righter
 
 

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185 East Rochambeau Drive
Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
phone: 757-220-4095, fax: 757-220-4068
Sonya Fischer, Coordinator