Winter 2014

9:00-10:30:

Social Justice from a Christian Perspective

This course will help students understand God’s heart for social justice and how the Church has been His hands and feet throughout history.  Looking globally and locally, we will look at different social justice issues and seek to understand an appropriate Christian response.  We will also cover such things as hospitality, God and politics, consumerism, fair trade, short term missions, micro financing and toxic charity. The course will include one site visit during one class period.



Music and the Mind

When you listen to music, much more is happening in your body than simple auditory processing. Music triggers activity in the nucleus accumbens, a part of your brain that releases the feel-good chemical called dopamine, and is involved in forming one’s expectations.  Music can make us happy and music can make us sad.
Join us in this exciting interactive course while we study the many facets of “Music and the Mind.”
This course will have three main modules of study:

1) The Scientific Study: the where and how of the brain’s capacity to process various types of music, and how that music affects the human condition, our mood and spirit.
2) Both in class and field studies, using various styles/genres/forms of music on individuals and groups. Students will be asked to document their findings. Subjects for these studies will be friends and family members. Great fun!

3) An opportunity to meet the professionals who are active in this field of study, plus a tour of McMaster University’s Music and the Mind Institute, with live study, participation and viewing.

The course will be structured in a manner which combines readings, experiments, listening, discussion and discovery of very interesting outcomes that will be both informative and entertaining.


Introduction to Literary Analysis

We all know a great story when we read one...but what makes it great?  This course will cover the basics of literary analysis, including annotating, identifying literary elements and devices, creating an argumentative thesis, and writing a literary analysis essay.  Students will focus on various pieces of humourous, suspenseful, and classic short fiction to practise these skills (vital for high school and university English courses) and develop a deeper engagement with and appreciation for the art of literature. Students will need to be able to print out some of these materials provided in pdf format.

Homework will include short assignments from WW (see below), one-paragraph story analyses, creative writing exercises, and one longer (4-5 paragraph) analytical essay.  The course will conclude with a final test whereby students can demonstrate their literary smarts : ).


Gym

This course will spend four weeks each on floor hockey, European handball, and indoor soccer/ volleyball. 



10:45-12:15

Art: Life Drawing

This course introduces students to traditional figure drawing techniques that will help them draw the human form accurately and realistically. Students will learn to capture gestures accurately and then develop these gestures by adding convincing detail and shading. We will work from wooden manikins as well as live models. Four classes will be spent on portraiture.


Debate

This course will prepare students with the critical thinking skills needed to assess arguments advocating a particular position whether it be theological, political, ethical etc.. It is increasingly important that Christians know how to assess positions different from their own in a respectful and intelligent manner. The vast amount of information
on the internet necessitates the development of critical thinking skills that can be used to separate the 'wheat from the chaff.’

Students will be taught how to construct cogent arguments and how to assess the arguments of others. The primary way they will do this will be through participating in a series of debates. They will be called on both to present arguments in a debate and to assess the strength of others' positions.


Adventures in Contemporary Media Technologies

A course in the basics of communication media including video, graphic design, lighting, and sound. Through this course you will learn the language, tools, and processes required to build competencies in the tech arts. A large emphasis will be placed on the process of filming, capturing, and editing video using a camcorder or DSLR camera that supports video. A video camera capable of 720p HD video capture is required for this course (DSLR or Camcorder). While we will look at smartphone video as part of the course, an actual camera is also necessary. Expect some homework video assignments, both individual and collaborative. Whether you want to make movies or funny youtube videos, if you love messing around with a video camera and want to learn more, this is a great place to start.
NOTE: Students interested in being involved with Lighting or Sound for the Drama production in May should take this course rather than Theatre Tech.   Interested Media students may also be involved in filming the Drama production or a “making of” video of the production in May.
 
Required Equipment:    Digital Video Camera (DSLR or Camcorder)
                                      SD Cards of CF Cards (storage media for your video camera)
                                      Computer with video editing software



Theatre Tech

This course will cover the technical side of theatre through practical application on the production of The Importance of Being Earnest.  Students will learn and participate in the basics of Advertising (posters, programs and front of house); Set (design, construction and decoration); Props (search and/or building); and Costumes (masks and millenary [hats]).  They will have assignments based upon each of these areas of theatre production.
The students will also be required to serve in one or more of these areas as crew for the performances.  Their area of specialization will be decided half way through the course.
NOTE: Students interested in being involved with Lighting or Sound for the Drama production in May should take Media rather than Theatre Tech.



1:00-3:00

Writing with Light: The Art and Science of Photography

This course will introduce students to the basic concepts and
techniques of modern digital photography through a combination of
theory and hands-on exercises. Students will apply the concepts they
learn by completing a set of photographic assignments that will result
in the creation of a portfolio. A number of professional guest
speakers will provide instruction in areas such as the use of studio
lighting and portraiture.

Students will also be exposed to the use of Photoshop as a way to
enhance and catalogue their work. A camera with the ability to shoot
manually is preferred, but not required.



Drama

The roles for the DVHS production of The Importance of Being Earnest have been cast following auditions.  If you have accepted a role in the play, please be sure to register officially.



Living the Call: A Practical Exploration of the Great Commission

How does The Great Commission fit into the larger theme of God's active, ongoing Mission to the world and how can we join Him in what He is doing?  This course will focus on developing a deeper understanding of The Great Commission, examples of its application in local and global contexts (including visits from guest international missionaries) and learning practical tools we can all use to join God in His work wherever He may have us.  We will be studying selective biblical texts together in class and working together to develop personal mission strategies that will include practical application assignments.  Students will also learn to facilitate a Bible study and have the opportunity to lead the class through a selected text (some home preparation will be expected).


Missions


The Missions class will be volunteering this semester at Living Rock, a mission for youth in Hamilton.

Living Rock supports youth ages 13-25 who are at-risk of falling through the cracks in our community. Living Rock is responding to youth with a variety of risk factors such as poverty, mental illness, addictions and the disenfranchised.  Together with the support of generous partners and supporters Living Rock aims to alleviate the effects of poverty and to provide opportunities for youth to move beyond their circumstances with the right supports in place.

Each year Living Rock Ministries responds to more than 20,000 youth visits.  Living Rock seeks to engage youth where they are at, through meal programs, food bank and through safe and relevant social recreational programming. Living Rock encourages youth through pre-natal and post-natal care, housing, one to one and crisis support.  Living Rock equips youth for a brighter future through pre-employment and employment programs.

The Missions students will be working alongside youth each week to help prepare the evening meal, as well as helping in the food bank, and will have an opportunity to experience street work in a controlled, supervised way.