Courses required for freshmen:
Courses required for sophomores:
Juniors and seniors* must take two J&C electives per year. One of those credits must be a second skill-building course unless two were earned sophomore year. |
Courses in YELLOW count as skill-building credits — a minimum of two required for graduation, one must be sophomore year
Courses in GREEN are J&C staff courses. Please note that all staff courses have an after school requirement except Manual Redeye.
Courses denoted with PINK are for grades 11-12 only.
Creative Writing (non-dual credit)
Listed as: CREATIVE WRITING
Grade level: 10-12
Students explore creative expression and social issues through poetry, prose and hybrid forms. This Creative Writing course, unlike the Dual Credit CW course, is available to 10th graders. It is also available to 11th and 12th grade students and additionally to students who have already taken Dual Credit CW and want to further their writing skills. Students can take both High School and Dual Credit CW, in either order, but not at the same time. This class counts as a skill building class for J&C students.
Listed as: ENGL 202 UL INTRO TO CRTV WRIT
Prerequisite(s): ACT and GPA per U of L — see Mr. Abplanalp
Grade level: 11-12
This class is designed for determined writers, to develop experience and increase their range of multi-genre writing, with the ultimate objective of building a portfolio. Creative writers will explore the relationships between form and function in fiction, creative nonfiction, monologues/plays, poetry and hybrid forms. 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. This class counts as a skill building class for J&C students. Must meet ACT requirements for University of Louisville to qualify.
Listed as: 62310711-1 CREATIVE WRITING
Prerequisite(s): Application required
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 nonfiction, 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.
Listed as: ENG/GRAPH ARTS
Prerequisite: Media Arts
Grade level: 10-12
As a continuation of the skills and concepts introduced in Media Arts, Advanced Graphic Design & Illustration 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. The class will be helpful for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge in design but it will be especially relevant for students focused on design in J&C staff publications or as a career.
Listed as: JOURNALISM 4
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in editorial or managerial position on staff publication and permission from course instructor.
Grade level: 11-12 (NOTE: THIS COURSE IS REQUIRED for senior staff leadership, but students can take EL both junior and senior year with your staff adviser’s approval)
Description: Taking students beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of publishing and producing, the course offers support to student publication leaders while emphasizing the skills necessary to be successful editors. The students will develop knowledge in interpersonal skills, newsroom management, oral and written communication, issues of etiquette, responsible reporting and journalism ethics, critical thinking, and advanced problem solving. Students may roleplay 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 periods will offer periods of staff work time to complete publication deadlines.
Listed as: FILM STUDY
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.
Listed as: GREAT BOOKS
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 pivoting around a particular theme. The class cultivates critical thinking skills, reading texts closely and analyzing them through the discussion based Shared Inquiry method. The course also requires analytical writing and project based assessments. Texts often range from classical literature, historic documents and philosophical texts to contemporary literary works, journalistic essays, media and technology studies—but are always connected to the present experiences of student lives and current events.
Listed as MASS MEDIA STUDIES
Grade level: 9
Prerequisites: Must be a J&C magnet student.
Required for all J&C students.
Students will learn the elements and principles of design and learn to apply them using various software tools, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Students will practice headline and caption writing and learn advertising strategies. This course prepares students for software and design work used in upper-level J&C courses such as Advanced Design, Intro to Multimedia, Photojournalism, and all five staff publications. Availability: Open to other magnets as space permits.
Listed as: JOURNALISM 1
Grade level: 9
Required for all J&C students.
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. Availability: This is a requirement for 9th grade J&C students. Open to other magnets as space permits.
Listed as: JOURNALISM 2
Prerequisites: Journalism 1
Grade level: 10
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. Availability: This is a requirement for 10th grade J&C students. Open to other magnets as space permits. This course may be required by some positions on publication staffs, and can be taken concurrently.
Listed as DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Prerequisite(s): Application required
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.
Listed as JOURNALISM 3
Prerequisite(s): Application required
Grade level: 10-12
Students in this course will produce the award-winning city youth newsmagazine, On the Record. Production requires students to 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.
Listed as ORAL COMM/DEBATE
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.
Peer Tutoring for Media Arts
Listed as PEER TUTOR
Grade level: 11-12
If you love the challenge of helping J&C students and enjoy design, you can receive a grade and a magnet credit by being a peer tutor for the freshmen in Media Arts class. The peer tutor usually rotates around the class, answering questions while Ms. Palmer is leading instruction. You may even get an opportunity to follow Ms. Palmer’s lesson plan and lead the class if she’s absent. Don’t sweat it if you don’t remember everything about design — you’ll see it all again and Ms. Palmer will be there to help! This class requires prior permission for signup via Ms. Palmer. Limited to 2-4 people per year, and candidates must be free R2 or W2.
Prerequisite for Photojournalism II: You must have earned an A in Photojournalism.
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. Students must have Ms. Mattingly’s approval before signing up for Photojournalism 2. Availability: Priority for J&C magnet juniors and seniors with staff positions. Class size is limited.
Grade level: 10-12
This independent study course allows students the opportunity to work on well-established media-related projects that serve the school or community with the support of a faculty adviser.
Listed as Yearbook, 42320711; Yearbook 2, 45837441; and Yearbook 3, 45837541
Prerequisite(s): Application required
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 prioritized, however students from all magnets are accepted.
Listed as BROADCAST JOURNALISM
Grade level: 10-12
This course will allow students to develop professional skills in video, film, and audio (i.e. podcasting) pre-production, production, and post-production. Fundamentals of video production, including the techniques and the aesthetics of shooting, lighting, and editing will be covered. Students learn the art of videography in a teacher-led, project-oriented, hands-on environment. Expect video projects to be varied in form and purpose.