Course Descriptions

This list was last updated on 10-15-21.

Some courses are open to non-magnet students if there is room for extra enrollments.

Courses marked (*) indicate skill-building/lab courses. A minimum of two are required for J&C students; students must take at least one of these sophomore year.

 

UofL Dual Credit Creative Writing

Listed as: ENGL 202 UL INTRO TO CRTV WRIT

Prerequisite(s): None. Must have a GPA 

Grade level: 11-12

This class is designed for determined writers, to develop experience and increase range of multi-genre writing, with the ultimate objective of building a creative writing portfolio with which to eventually enter writing contests. The creative writer will explore the realm of writing for the aesthetic purpose of creating pieces of fiction, narrative non-fiction, monologues/plays, and poetry in many forms.  Students explore writing in different environments, from personal perspectives, and character perspectives based on various prompts. Students work as part of teams to work through the various steps of the writing process with the intent of publishing. Participation in bi-annual literary night/open mic/poetry slam events; entry in a minimum of one writing/photography/art contest outside of our school’s publication is required. If you are a junior or senior, this course can be taken for Dual Credit with University of Louisville. Dual credit students have additional requirements. Must meet ACT requirement for University of Louisville to qualify.

 

Creative Writing/Literary Magazine (One Blue Wall)

Listed as: 62310711-1 CREATIVE WRITING

Prerequisite(s): None. Must apply to the staff or gain special permission from instructor. 

Grade level: 10-12

One Blue Wall is designed as a continuation of the Intro class to further the skill of the writer. In addition, members of this class will work to develop experience within their position on the publication staff, with the ultimate objective of building and publishing the literary magazine, One Blue Wall. The creative writer will explore the realm of writing for the aesthetic purpose of creating pieces of fiction, narrative non-fiction, monologues/plays, and poetry in many forms.  Students explore writing in different environments, from personal perspectives, and character perspectives based on various prompts. Students work as part of a team to conceptualize, develop, and bring to finalization the magazine itself. This course is designed to give students more of a hands-on approach to working together, using advanced communication skills to masterfully put together various pieces of writing and art to a cohesive whole. Participation in bi-annual literary night/open mic/poetry slam events; entry in a minimum of one writing/photography/art contest; ensuring the completion of at least one issue per annum of the literary magazine, One Blue Wall, with responsibilities including, but not limited to submissions of writing, art, photography, design, and management of the final publication. Outside of class work time is required, in addition to time spent on homework, 2-10 hours per week, regularly, with more input of time towards final publication date. If you are a junior or senior, this course can be taken for Dual Credit with University of Louisville. Dual credit students have additional requirements. Must meet ACT requirement for University of Louisville to qualify.

 

Videography*

Listed as: BROADCAST JOURNALISM 1 or 2

Prerequisite(s): Media Arts or permission of instructor.

Grade level: 10-12

Students practice the art of videography in a project-oriented, hands-on environment. Video projects vary in form and purpose. This is a skill-building course that prepares students for staffs with video production elements, such as CSPN-TV and RedEye.

 

First Amendment and Civil Rights Law

Listed as: JOURNALISM 2 with a 6 prefix on the course number

Prerequisite(s): None.

Grade level: 10-12

Students will study the Constitution, Supreme Court cases, and legal concepts related to the five freedoms of the First Amendment and civil rights, while also participating in debates, discussions and presentations about course content.  

 

Advanced Graphic Design & Illustration*

Listed as: ENG/GRAPH ARTS

Prerequisite: Media Arts. Only open to J&C magnet students.

Grade level: 10-12

As a continuation of the skills and concepts introduced in Media Arts, Advanced Graphic Design will tackle higher level projects, expanding student repertoire of design knowledge and skill in Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. This class will introduce web and product design, while continuing to focus on print design. 

 

Media Arts Peer Tutor

Listed as: PEER TUTORING

Grade level: 11-12

J&C juniors or seniors interested in assisting freshmen during R2 & W2 are invited to apply. Ms. Palmer can accept up to two peer tutors per class. This is not a study skills; peer tutors circulate throughout the room during lessons and project work time to answer questions and mentor freshmen in their creative endeavors. No need to remember everything from freshman year — peer tutors often learn along with the freshmen.

 

Editorial Leadership

Listed as: JOURNALISM 4

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in editorial or managerial position on staff publication and permission from the publication/production staff’s adviser. Typically, this course is reserved for senior editorial board members.

Grade level: 11-12

Description: Taking students beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of publishing and producing, the course offers support to student publication/production leaders while emphasizing the skills necessary to be successful editors. The students will develop knowledge in interpersonal skills, staff management, oral and written communication, issues of etiquette, ethics, and organizational strategies. Students may role play management scenarios, read selected texts on editorship and leadership, schedule regular advising appointments with the teacher, develop a plan to address individual areas of growth, and participate in regular guided small group discussion to seek resolution to the complex problems that arise with their staffs. Most days, the class will offer 45 minute periods of open editor work time. 

 

Film Studies

Listed as: FILM STUDY

Prerequisite(s): None

Grade level: 11 & 12

Students will learn the methods of viewing a film critically while fostering an ability to appreciate and analyze various films from different eras and genres. Formal, Critical and Theoretical Analyses will be conducted alongside a study of the history of film and film in history.  While the course will focus primarily on American film, students will encounter films from other cultures, namely European. Students will analyze films, review them with a critical eye, and write extensively about the films they watch, compare films from different cultures, eras, and genres. Also students will engage in regular Socratic-style discussion with other class members on a regular basis. Availability: Open to juniors and seniors from all magnets.

 

Great Books

Listed as: GREAT BOOKS

Prerequisite(s): None

Grade level: 10-12

Based on the Great Books Foundation vision of book discussion groups in which passionate readers could meet and talk about enduring issues and ideas, the course explores a wide variety of genres using a focused theme.  The class reads closely the selection presented then discusses them through the Shared Inquiry method. Students will learn to develop interpretive questions, discuss, debate, and share what they find in their readings.  The course also requires analytical writing and projects based on texts. Texts often range from classical literature, historic documents and philosophical texts to contemporary literary works. 

 

Media Arts

MASS MEDIA STUDIES

Prerequisites: None. Not open to non-magnet students.

Grade level: 9 (required J&C credit)

Students will learn the elements and principles of design, photography and videography and learn to apply them using various software tools, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. This project-based course prepares students for software and design work used in upper-level J&C courses such as Advanced Graphic Design, Videography, Photojournalism, and all four staff publications. 

 

Journalism I: Intro to Journalism & Communication (J1)

Listed as: JOURNALISM 1

Prerequisites: None

Grade level: 9 (required J&C credit)

This course provides an overview of the mass communications field with an emphasis on journalism and news media. The course examines the various forms of mass media, advertising/public relations, journalism ethics, the mass media’s influence on society, and relevant legal issues, among many other topics. 

 

Journalism II: Journalistic Writing (J2)*

Listed as: JOURNALISM 2

Prerequisites: Journalism 1 or permission from instructor

Grade level: 10-12

Students learn how to write news, features, and editorials. They also learn how to develop a sense of what is newsworthy, an understanding of journalism ethics and the responsibilities of journalists and the publications and news outlets for which they write. Students also learn copy editing and peer review skills. 

 

Manual RedEye (Multimedia Online Journalism)

Listed as ADVANCED MULTIMEDIA PUBLISHING

Prerequisite(s): Journalism 1 & Media Arts or permission from instructor

Grade level: 10-12

Students will get hands-on experience in reporting and producing stories for the twenty-first century media environment. Students write and adapt stories for an online audience at manualredeye.com using non-linear storytelling methods, utilizing professional multimedia software. Projects and activities may include writing, reporting, blogging, audio slideshows, podcasting, and assembling video, audio, still pictures, text, and graphics together in complete multimedia packages for web publishing. Students must go through an application and interview procedure, and once accepted, will be invited or will apply for various staff positions. Availability: Open to sophomore level and higher. Upperclass J&C students have priority. In particular, students with computer programming/web development experience for webmaster and technical support positions can bypass prerequisites with adviser approval.

  

On the Record I, II, & III (Newsmagazine)

Listed as JOURNALISM 3

Prerequisites: Journalism 1, Journalism 2, Media Arts

Grade level: 10-12

Students in this course will produce the award-winning city youth newsmagazine, On the Record. Production requires students be responsible for all aspects of the magazine, including interviewing, writing copy, taking photos, selling advertising, designing layout, and performing public relations and marketing duties. After-school time is required on Wednesday worknights. Students must go through an application and interview procedure, and once accepted, will be invited or will apply for various staff positions. Qualifying experience may be substituted for prerequisites at Ms. Palmer’s discretion. Must be sophomore level or above.

 

Oral Communication and Debate

Listed as ORAL COMM/DEBATE

Prerequisites: None

Grade level: All

Students will learn the fundamentals of public speaking, create and perform several different kinds of speeches, and become versed in persuasive speaking and debating. Prerequisites: None. Availability: J&C students have first priority; open to all magnets as space permits.

 

Photojournalism I* and II

Listed as PHOTOJOURNALISM

Prerequisites: Media Arts or permission from instructor

Grade level: 10-12

This course focuses on learning how to shoot with single lens reflex (SLR) digital cameras, learning composition and how to use the camera’s creative modes (manipulating shutter speed, ISO, and aperture). Using Canon Rebel SLRs and an array of lenses, students shoot sports, news, feature, and portraiture photography. Students will be required to work outside of class time and their work could be featured in the yearbook, newspaper, and the online student publication. Second year students focus on independent photography projects. Having your own SLR camera is a plus but not required. Up to eight students will intern with the Kentucky Derby Festival in the spring. Students must have Ms. Mattingly’s approval before signing up for Photojournalism 2, which is reserved for J&C magnet juniors and seniors with staff positions. 

 

Yearbook I, II and III

Listed as Yearbook, 42320711; Yearbook 2, 45837441; and Yearbook 3, 45837541

Prerequisites: Media Arts or permission from instructor

Grade level: 10-12

Yearbook is both an elective course and extracurricular activity for high achieving, self-motivated students who seek to continue the yearbook’s national award-winning achievements. Students must go through an application and interview procedure, and once accepted, they can apply for a variety of positions from business manager to editor-in-chief. It operates as a real business that gives students practical experience in print media and marketing. Students compose, construct, and edit all elements of the book, including writing copy, taking photos, and designing pages. In addition, students perform clerical operations, sell advertising, conduct interviews, and poll students. Extensive after-school time is required from each student; the minimum is four hours a week after school on Wednesdays. Students attend a summer retreat and bootcamp, as well as summer planning meetings. Availability: J&C students only. Exceptions can be made for people with qualifying experience on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the adviser.

 

Z-Media

Listed as: RADIO JOURNALISM

Prerequisites: Journalism 1, Journalism 2, Intro to Media Arts

Grade level: 11-12

Z-Media is an advanced audio-visual media production team. Students traffic within the wide spectrum of media based creative storytelling. As a production team, students produce the Z Media Festival: a district-wide student film/podcast event held at the Speed Cinema, short films for YPAS New Works, Z Radio: a podcast/radio student run show available through online and at 97.1 WXOX/ARTxFM, creative multimedia content that could be published on websites for One Blue Wall, On The Record, CSPN-TV, Manual Redeye and as media supplements to the yearbook. Students produce structured independent projects. Individual learning plans for each grading period maps out specific expectations for individual or group media projects. This class differs from other J&C staffs in that it does not have a hierarchical set of leadership positions.  There are no regularly scheduled after school work days.