Scranton Prep is committed to the development of the whole person. An appreciation of the arts is an essential part of the education of the student at Scranton Prep. Through the Fine Arts Department, students grow in an awareness of culture and in an ability to express themselves creatively in different domains and through different media.
Introduction to Theatre
This senior elective course will introduce students to various aspects of theatre. This course is heavily project based, immersing students in the very complex components of professional theatre, namely, playwriting, directing, stage management, lighting design, scenic design, costume design, sound design, directing and performing. In addition to the hands-on/ project learning, students will digest and discuss theatre as an art from exploring various theatrical texts, works from both classic and contemporary playwrights. We will study theatrical terminology, explore theatrical genres, and critique both local and professional theatre. Students will also learn about theatrical history – how it has evolved from its conception to modern day Broadway.
Junior Art Course
The junior art course meets twice a week. It is divided into two parts, art appreciation and studio art.
It develops students’ ability to examine works of art intelligently, acquainting them with the major forms of artistic expression in their own time and establishing in students an understanding of art from other times and cultures. Once the students are familiar with the various art forms and vocabulary, the students are asked to apply this knowledge to their own works of art. Group critiques are held once or twice a semester to give the student a chance to express verbally their art work.
The students also have three sections of art history starting with cave painting and ending with modern art.
Senior Art Elective
The senior art elective is a continuation and advancement of the junior art course with greater sophistication and depth. This course is designed to provide a stimulating atmosphere for those students who are gifted in art or would like to try their hand at creating art. The course offers a number of mediums with which to work. Students do architecture, design, drawing, printmaking, metalsmithing, painting, sculpture, and modeling with clay. The senior art elective helps the student build a portfolio for advancement in art or partake in the pure enjoyment and appreciation of art.
A.P. Art History
A.P. Art History is a senior elective that provides an introductory college-level course in art history. This course follows the College Board A.P. syllabus. Throughout the course students acquire an understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. 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 the fundamental tool for this course, art history also emphasizes understanding works in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. All students sit for the A.P. exam in May.
Junior Speech
The course focuses on the practical application of oral and aural communications in a variety of academic and real-life situations. One of the primary goals of this course is to engage the students actively in developing their ability to communicate effectively in a variety of real-life situations. Students execute a variety of oral presentations such as panel discussions, sales marketing presentations, college interviewing, and resume writing by using the group processing skills. Students apply the basic elements of these skills by the constructive use of such critical thinking skills as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Finally, students not only make use of library research, but also other research techniques which include the investigation of other sources such as government agencies at all levels, personal interviewing, and written requests for pertinent information from appropriate sources.
Music
All juniors take a course in music appreciation. The objective of this course is to provide the student with the knowledge necessary to develop a lasting appreciation of music. The course offers an approach to perceptive listening through representative works that aim to stimulate curiosity and enthusiasm and is an introduction to musical forms, style periods, and the lives and individual styles of various composers.
The World Through Music
This course is an elective course for seniors. Students will learn basic musical theory, musical writing, musical terms, and style periods. They will also study the individual styles of various composers. Students will get a chance to perform together, and as a soloist, individual pieces of music written by each class member.
