21st Century Journalism (Grades 9-12) First Semester
This is a semester-long course taught in the first semester of each year. It is open to freshmen through seniors. 21st Century Journalism promotes the development of the skill set needed today and in the future. Topics include an exploration of the role media and the communications industry has in society, the developments of the technical skills related to journalistic writing and interviewing, as well as understanding the ethical and legal issues related to the field. *This course is the prerequisite to Audio Video Production Fundamentals, Photo Imaging, Digital Media Design and Production, and Video Production. *To take this course, students must have received a grade of a C average or higher in their previous English course. Students in 21st Century Journalism have the option of taking either Audio/Video Production Fundamentals or Photo Imaging 2nd semester, depending on interest.
Audio/Video Production Fundamentals (Grades 9-12) Second Semester
This is a semester-long course offered the second semester each year. It is offered to freshmen through seniors. Audio Video Production Fundamentals provides a basic understanding of producing video for a variety of uses. Topics include analyzing the pre-production, production and post-production process, as well as exploring the equipment and techniques used to develop a quality video production. *This course is the prerequisite to Video Production. *To take this course, students must have received a grade of a C average or higher in their previous English course.
Photo Imaging (Grades 9-12) Second Semester
This is a semester-long course offered the second semester of each year. It is offered to freshmen through seniors. Photo Imaging teaches the technical skills needed to produce quality images for use in a variety of applications. Topics include use of equipment, and software and techniques to take, edit and manipulate digital images. *This course is the prerequisite to Digital Media Design and Production. *To take this course, students must have received a grade of a C average or higher in their previous English course.
Video Production (Grades 10-12) Full Year
This is a semester-long course that can be extended into a year and is offered to sophomores through seniors. Video Production applies the technical skills learned in Audio Video Production Fundamentals by allowing students to orchestrate projects from setting the objectives to the post-production evaluation. The subject of the presentation may be determined in a number of ways, but must address an authentic need. The complexity of the presentation is not the focus of the course, but the experience of the entire process to include planning the presentation, setting up the studio (if applies), and acting as videographer and editor to make it fluid and seamless. Video Production also films activities and events hosted by the high school. *This course requires the prerequisite completion in 21st Century Journalism and Audio Video Production Fundamentals. *To continue to take this course, students must have maintained a grade of a C average or higher in their previous prerequisite courses as well as maintaining a C average in this course to continue.
Digital Media Design & Production, Print Journalism (Grades 10-12) Full Year
This is a semester-long course that can be extended into a year and is offered to sophomores through seniors. Topics include developing a production schedule, working as a team, utilizing composition principles and embedding audio, video or other content in digital formats. This class includes running the businesses Irish Photography and Snappy Chappy photo booth, designing the Chapman High School Shamrock Yearbook and the senior magazine, The Dickinsonian, as well as several other major projects throughout the year. Digital Media Design and Production also controls the CHS Journalism website and takes photos of school events and activities. *This course requires the prerequisite completion in 21st Century Journalism and Photo Imaging. *To continue to take this course, students must have maintained a grade of a C average or higher in their previous prerequisite courses as well as maintaining a C average in this course to continue.