SAVANNAH ARTS ACADEMY - COMMUNICATION ARTS

PROGRAM OF STUDY 2013-2014 (DRAFT)

Ninth grade:

Computer Applications/Introduction to Business & Technology (new name)*

Broadcast Video Production/Audio & Video Technology & Film (new name)*

Tenth grade:

Computing in the Modern World/Introduction to Digital Technology*

Introduction to Graphics & Design*
Newspaper or Yearbook
Creative Writing (this course can only be taken once)

Eleventh grade:

Fundamentals of Web Design*

Broadcast/Video II*
Graphic Design & Production
Newspaper or Yearbook
Creative Writing

Twelfth grade:

Advanced Web Design*

Broadcast/Video III*
Advanced Graphic Design
Newspaper or Yearbook
Creative Writing
Internship

Understanding the Communication Arts Program of Study:

Communication Arts courses that ALL students are required to take*
th
th
Most students can fit three Communication Arts courses into their schedule after 9 or 10 grade year and
are encouraged to do so.
Teachers and administrators will closely review proposed student schedules to make sure Communication
Arts electives are selected over other electives since Communication Arts courses should be our students
main focus.
th
Students can apply for the Newspaper/Yearbook course after 9 grade year. Students who are accepted
must still take the *required Communication Arts classes. Also, students who apply for Newspaper/Yearbook
should be dedicated to re-joining the following year.
th
Students can apply for Graphic Design & Production after 10 grade year but must still take the required
Communication Arts classes. Students accepted into Graphic Design & Production (second level) should
intend to take Advanced Graphic Design (third level) their senior year.
The number of students accepted into the upper level Graphics courses will be limited and students may be in
the same class with Introduction to Graphics & Design students. Students must apply for upper level graphics
courses through Mr. Taylor.
Students who wish to pursue various Advanced Placement (AP) and academic courses in place of a third
th
th
Communication Arts related course 11 and 12 grade year will be allowed to do so with parent permission
and department chair approval.
Students interested in completing an internship their senior years should talk to Mrs. Perry. Interns schedule
will be reviewed by Mrs. Perry to ensure at least one pathway is completed prior to graduation.
All Communication Arts students are required to join the co-curricular organization, Future Business Leaders
of America. FBLA is the premier student business organization. Our mission is to bring business and
education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development
programs. Students develop leadership skills and participate in competitions at the local, regional, state, and
national level. Points are earned for graduation cords and participation counts as a test grade.
COMMUNICATION ARTS FACULTY 2013-2014
Introduction to Business & Technology and Internship
Audio & Video Technology & Film, Broadcast and Video Production II, III
Introduction to Digital Technology, Fundamentals of Web Design, Advanced
Web Design
Kinte Taylor
Room 334
Introduction to Graphics, Graphic Design & Production, Advanced Graphic
Design
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Amy Perry, Chair
Marc Beringson
Patrick Schwerin

Room 332
Room 114
Room 333

th

9 GRADE YEAR
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY: Introduction to Business & Technology is the foundational
course for Administrative Support, Small Business Development, and Human Resources Management pathways.
The course is designed for high school students as a gateway to the career pathways above, and provides an
overview of business and technology skills required for today's business environment. Knowledge of business
principles, the impact of financial decisions, and technology proficiencies demanded by business combine to
establish the elements of this course. Emphasis is placed on developing proficient fundamental computer skills
required for all career pathways. Students will learn essentials for working in a business environment, managing a
business, and owning a business. The intention of this course is to prepare students to be successful both
personally and professionally in an information-based society. Students will not only understand the concepts, but
apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and skills
acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course
standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular student
organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the employability
skills standards and content standards for this course.
Various forms of technologies will be highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the
business world. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and
the impact of effective presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare
students to be college and career ready.
Introduction to Business & Technology is a course that is appropriate for all high school students. After mastery of
the standards in this course, students should be prepared to earn an industry recognized credential: Microsoft
Office Specialist for Word Core Certification. The pre-requisite for this course is advisor approval.
AUDIO & VIDEO TECHNOLOGY & FILM: This course will serve as the foundational course in the Audio & Video
Technology & Film pathway. Topics covered may include, but are not limited to: terminology, safety, basic
equipment, script writing, production teams, production and programming, lighting, recording and editing, studio
production, and professional ethics. Skills USA, the Georgia Scholastic Press Association, Technology Student
Association (TSA) and Student Television Network are examples of, but not limited to, appropriate organizations
for providing leadership training and/or for reinforcing specific career and technical skills and may be considered
an integral part of the instructional program. All material covered in Audio & Video Technology & Film I will be
utilized in subsequent courses.
th

10 GRADE YEAR
INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY: Introduction to Digital Technology is the foundational course for
Web & Digital Communications, Programming, Advanced Programming, Information Support & Services, and
Network Systems pathways. This course is designed for high school students to understand, communicate, and
adapt to a digital world as it impacts their personal life, society, and the business world. Exposure to foundational
knowledge in hardware, software, programming, web design, IT support, and networks are all taught in a
computer lab with hands-on activities and project-focused tasks. Students will not only understand the concepts,
but apply their knowledge to situations and defend their actions/decisions/choices through the knowledge and
skills acquired in this course. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the
course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry. Competencies in the co-curricular
student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), are integral components of both the
employability skills standards and content standards for this course. Various forms of technologies will be
highlighted to expose students to the emerging technologies impacting the digital world. Professional
communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective
presentation skills are taught in this course as a foundational knowledge to prepare students to be college and
career ready. The knowledge and skills taught in this course build upon each other to form a comprehensive
introduction to digital world.
INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHICS: The goal of this course is to provide all students with an introduction to the
principles of graphic communications and design and its place in the world. This course should also help students
to use computers effectively in their lives, thus providing a foundation for successfully integrating their own
interests and careers with the resources of a technological society. In this course, high school students can
acquire a fundamental understanding of the graphic communications and design world. They can learn the
theories behind creating aesthetically pleasing designs and how to work with consumers. Exposure to career
possibilities and discussion of ethical issues relating to graphic communications and design should also be

important threads in this course. This course will help students prepare for web design courses. (Graphic Design
& Production and Advanced Graphic Design may not be offered every year)
th

11 GRADE YEAR
FUNDAMENTALS OF WEB DESIGN: Fundamentals of Web Design is the second course in the Interactive
Media Pathway. This course will provide students with essential web page planning and development skills.
Students will learn to write code manually and use graphical authoring tools. Students will also learn to work with
web page layout and graphical elements, including images, hyperlinks, tables, forms, and frames. Mastery of
these standards through project-based learning and leadership development activities of Future Business
Leaders of America (FBLA) will help prepare students with a competitive edge for the global marketplace.
Prerequisite: Computer Applications.
VIDEO PRODUCTION II: This course provides training in video production techniques, including program
production, editing, lighting, graphics, etc. Included are hands-on experiences in the operation of audio and video
equipment in the production of television programs. These courses become more challenging as students
complete each year of experience. Prerequisite: Broadcast and Video Production I.
GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRODUCTION: This course focuses on the procedures commonly used in the graphic
communication and design industries. Students will gain experience in creative problem solving and the practical
implementation of those solutions across multiple areas of graphic communications. (this course may not be
available each year)
th

12 GRADE YEAR
ADVANCED WEB DESIGN: The goal of this course is to provide students with the study of advanced topics in
web design. Computing in the Modern World and Fundamentals of Web Design are both prerequisites for this
course. Upon completion of this course, students should have a thorough knowledge of all areas of web page
design. Topics include the web development process, advanced layout and design features, advanced study of
scripting languages, site development with HTML editors, and web servers and databases. Prerequisite:
Fundamentals of Web Design.
VIDEO PRODUCTION III: This course provides training in video production techniques, including program
production, editing, lighting, graphics, etc. Included are hands-on experiences in the operation of audio and video
equipment in the production of television programs. These courses become more challenging as students
complete each year of experience. Prerequisite: Broadcast and Video Production II.
ADVANCED GRAPHIC DESIGN: Students will continue to explore the principles of design and layout procedures
as they relate to graphic design. Content will cover electronic systems and software programs used in graphic
design, page composition, image conversion, and digital printing. Knowledge and skills in digital design and
imaging will be enhanced through experiences that simulate the graphic design industry and school-based and
work-based learning opportunities. (this course may not be available each year)
INTERNSHIP: Students will have an opportunity to explore the work world through internship. Students will spend
approximately five weeks preparing to intern: developing a resume and learning how to work smart. As students
are placed at intern sites, they will follow the plan outlined in the Savannah Arts Academy Internship Program Guide.
Internship is mainly for Communication Arts students but students from other majors can apply with approval from
their arts department chair. All internship students are required to intern in his/her arts area.

**THIS IS A DRAFT and may change from year to year.

comm arts\program of studyMarch 2013