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Eastern High School \ Academics \ Communications

The Communications Department

Courses offered:

VPAA – Meets the Visual, Performing & Applied Arts Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.

COMMUNICATION (VPAA) – A100 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

This course presents communication as a survival skill giving the student formal and informal speech communication skills. Students will be involved not only in speech making, but also in exercises and activities designed to promote effective communication skills. A thinking skills approach is used to provide students the opportunity to present their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and values as they pertain to communication survival on an everyday level. This course is specifically designed for the success of both the student who fears public speaking as well as the confident speaker who is interested in developing his/her personal communication skills.

 

 

MEDIA COMM/VIDEO PROJECTS (VPAA) – A120 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

In this multi-media lab course, students will complete a series of projects that will engage them in the process of becoming literate in communication technology. The role of emerging technology resources and their impact on the etiquette of individual communication, personal perception, and society will be studied through the application of video production and multi-media projects. Students will identify the capabilities and limitations of emerging communication resources and

understand the importance of the impacts of technology on human communication. This course is designed to encourage students to become media-literate consumers.

 

FORENSICS (VPAA) – A 130 CHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Students are introduced to a competitive public speaking curriculum focusing on oratory skills. The basic principles of composition, delivery, and criticism are introduced and practiced. There are 12 individual events which include broadcasting, sales speaking, original oratory, informative speaking, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation, multiple interpretation, poetry, prose and storytelling. Students who are interested in intramural as well as extra-curricular competition may enjoy the challenges of this course. Students are required to participate in the extracurricular Individual Events league-level tournaments.

 

DEBATE COMMUNICATION (VPAA) – A140 CHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

In this course, students will focus primarily on legislative debate. Students will research and write bills, and debate them under the guidelines of the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association (MIFA). Students will also learn parliamentary procedure and have the opportunity to presiding officers. Any student wishing to compete in MIFA-sponsored legislative debate tournaments may do so but will have to pay for travel and lodging if applicable. A portion of the course will also be dedicated to cross-examination policy debate, although students wishing to compete in this format will meet after school twice per week and also will be responsible for travel and lodging costs if applicable.

 

STRATEGIC DEBATE (VPAA) – A145 CHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Debate Communications, application, and instructor approval.

This course is for students who have had one or more years of policy debate experience at the high school level. Students work on honing research and speaking skills, and are expected to complete weekly research assignments, compete in practice rounds after school, and compete in weekend tournaments across the State. Students are also expected to assist the novice students in Debate Communication. In addition, those who compete in weekend tournaments will be responsible for travel and lodging costs if applicable.

 

THEATRE ARTS I (VPAA) – A150 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Theatre allows students an opportunity to explore the world of creativity through the eyes and experience of an actor’s perspective. Students will study acting through the use of improvisation, monologue, and scene work as well as activities designed to enhance everyday participation skills and self-confidence. Students will apply their learning in a performance based, active setting which will allow them to build criteria to critically evaluate the theatre experience.

 

THEATRE ARTS II (VPAA) – A155 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Theatre Arts I.

An in-depth study and application of skills learned in Theatre Arts I. Activity projects such as scene cutting, one-act plays, and development of original work are aimed at performance level for a class-selected audience. This course may be repeated for additional credit depending upon the student’s intent and interest in selected areas of theatre.

 

MUSICAL THEATRE (VPAA) – A210 CHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Application/Instructional approval.

This course utilizes a direct approach to producing a musical. It introduces students to the world of musical theatre by guiding them through first hand experiences in a number of areas: music preparation, choreography, auditions process, musical history, and performance. All students taking the course will be cast in the production to be performed at the end of the semester.

 

SUMMER STOCK – A215 CHS, EHS, NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Summer Stock is a summer musical theatre course for students from CHS, EHS, NHS and surrounding communities. This course is a tuition-based experience for incoming 9th graders through out going seniors. Students enrolled in the course will be responsible for mounting a Broadway-style show to be performed in July. Registration for auditions are generally held in February. More information is available through the community services office web site www.enjoylearning.com or by calling 493-8950.

 

TECHNICAL THEATRE – A250 CHS, EHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

This is a beginning course in technical theatre production. Students will survey the aspects of technical theatre including lighting, sound, costume and makeup, set construction, props, and stage management in this project-based class. Projects for the class are designed to support students’ areas of interest and school productions. Students will be required to complete a technical internship on a school production. Working at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center will fill this requirement.

 

TV BROADCAST LAB (VPAA) – A310 CHS, EHS, NHS 10, 11, 12 1.0 Credit

Prerequisite: Media Comm., application, and Instructor approval.

The primary goals of the class will be determined by the production of the daily, live broadcast of a magazine-style school news show. The responsibility of the class is to become an effective voice for the student body. Students will apply the elements of television production in an advanced studio/lab setting. The students assume the roles and responsibilities of producer, technical director, floor director, audio and camera operator, production assistant, scriptwriter, and on-air personality. Upon completion of this course the student should understand the power, effect, and influence of television and video production as a communication medium within our culture. This course may be repeated for additional credit depending upon the student’s intent and interest in the broadcast media.

 

FILM PROJECTS (VPAA) – A330 CHS, EHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

This is an advanced course in which students study and critique films as well as create them in the format of film short features. Students will direct and edit original productions in a variety of genres. Practical experience in various aspects of direction, cinematography, and production will be explored through small group projects and discussion of history, directors, actors, filmmaking process as well as the social, cultural, and personal connections presented through film. Instruction will emphasize continuity, composition, and the art of effectively communicating media messages. Evaluation will focus on the student’s ability to meet creative, ethical, and technical requirements. Projects will be developed for public audiences and academic competition.

 

WRITING AND DIRECTING FOR DIGITAL MEDIA – A360 EHS 11, 12 .5 Credit

Prerequisite: Application/Instructor approval.

This is an advanced course in which students will learn how to write scripts, direct, and produce digital media productions. Working on projects both individually and in creative teams, students will develop their creative writing skills by adapting literature and authoring scripts in a variety of genres. Students will use these scripts to direct and produce media intended for both TV and online audiences. Final cut projects will be shared with public audiences including contest entries, special edition communication break features, and online uploads. Instruction will focus on developing creativity, media literacy and ethics, technical innovation, and the critical evaluation of popular televised and online media productions. Projects will emphasize script writing, directing, and production. Evaluation will include the student’s ability to meet deadlines as well as creativity, organizational skills, reliability, and leadership style.

 

SENIOR SEMINAR: FACE IT (VPAA) – A400 CHS, EHS, NHS 12 .5 Credit

This course will allow students to explore contemporary communication strategies and technology, and link them with interpersonal skills. This seminar will help students to define a direction for the future that fits their individual talents, pursuit of happiness, and success. Topics will include:

 

COMMUNICATION FOR SPANISH IMMERSION – A700 NHS 9, 10, 11, 12 .5 Credit

Students will explore avenues to expand and improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills with the Spanish language using various medias and technology. Students will work on multi-media projects both individually and in small groups to present key ideas and associated activities to improve their communication capacities in Spanish. This course does not fulfill the Visual, Performing & Applied Arts Requirement based on the Michigan Merit Curriculum.