Fine Arts
 
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Often students sign up for fine arts without a clue as to what the course is and why they should or should not be taking it. You should know that this not a course designed to teach you how to draw or paint. Even though you will be doing art activities, the primary purpose is for you to gain an understanding and an appreciation for the arts.

The course is actually more like a history course. The first part of the course focuses on the role art has played in man's history. It is through art and artifacts that we learn about the lives of ancient man. We will be exploring primitive cave paintings, as well as the art of Rome, Greece, Egypt, Africa, India, China, Japan, North America, South America, Mexico and other parts of the world. The second part of the course will focus more specifically on artists and art styles and how they are intricately related to the events that shaped the world at different times. We will study the renaissance, baroque, mannerism, the reformation, counter reformation as well as the styles of impressionism, post impressionism, realism, romanticism, neoclassicism, abstract, and emotionalist art forms.

Fine arts is a popular course for students in the TOPS curriculum. It is not a difficult course, but it is a college prep course. Most students attending college will be taking some sort of art or theatre appreciation class during their first year of general studies. This class will be extremely helpful in succeeding in such classes.
 
SUPPLIES
A $5.00 lab free is required to cover basic art supplies. This fee enables students to share in the use of paints, brushes, paper, trays, colors, markers, ink, glue, scissors, and other necessities such as paper towels, plates and cups.
 
Notebook for notes
Pocket folder for handouts
Index cards for flash cards     
Pencils
Black ink pen
 
GRADES
Students will be assessed by chapter tests, quizzes, class assignments, group and individual projects, and participation in the class.
 
MAKE-UPS
If a student misses a chapter test, he or she will be required to take a make-up test the Wednesday after the student returns to class. (Or by appointment) Tests will be assigned several days before they are taken. Make-ups tests will be in a different format from the test given on the assigned day. Make-ups will have more short answer, require students to write definitions and respond in essay format.