Expressive Arts
Expressive Arts at the University of Toronto Schools includes
Drama, Interdisciplinary Studies and Visual Arts. Students are
encouraged to develop creative thought and process through these
subject areas while building on vital forms of communication.
The development of dramatic and visual literacy enables students
to foster awareness and appreciation in the arts in our own and
other cultures. In producing their own creative works, they
communicate their insights while developing artistic skills and
aesthetic judgment.
FACULTY
Mr. Josh Fullan, Hons. B.A., B.Ed., M.EA. / Drama
Ms Catherine Hannon, B.A., B.Ed. / Drama
Ms Silvana Michetti, B.F.A., B.Ed. / Visual Arts
Mr. Charlie Pullen, B.A., B.Ed. / Visual Arts
Ms Janet Williamson, B.F.A., B.Ed. / Visual Arts
Areas of Study: Dramatic Arts,
Interdisciplinary Studies,
Visual Arts
DRAMATIC ARTS
Drama emphasizes learning through exploration and on-your-feet
experimentation. In addition to the courses listed below, the UTS Drama
program offers opportunities for students to perform to audiences beyond the
Drama class; the Junior and Senior Plays, Sears Drama Festival and Arts
Week.
Foundation II
ADA F2 - Dramatic Arts
Pre-requisite: None
In this introductory course, students will work in large and small groups
to learn and practice basic drama skills. Students explore theatre games and
improvisation, script work, Story Theatre, and movement and voice
techniques.
Middle III
ADA 2OE - Dramatic Arts
Pre-requisite: None
This course builds on ideas introduced in FII drama and requires students
to continue to actively explore a wide range of dramatic forms and
techniques and ideas. Students explore their own ideas and concerns and
create and direct scripts, then analyze and reflect on their experiences.
Scripts are selected from a variety of authors, genres, and cultures.
Students have an opportunity to see live theatre productions, participate in
a senior play and perform for peer and school audiences.
Course fee: $35, for theatre tickets and a workbook of scripts.
Middle IV
ADA 3ME - Dramatic Arts
Pre-requisite: ADA 1OE or ADA 2OE
Building on the introductory drama courses, this course requires students
to analyze, interpret and perform dramatic texts from various cultures and
historical periods. Students learn about different approaches to acting,
writing and directing, then create and perform scenes and plays applying
these styles and techniques for peer, school and community audiences. They
have opportunities to see live theatre productions and participate in a
senior play.
Course Fee: $40, for theatre tickets/workshops, and a workbook of
scripts.
Senior V
ADA 4ME - Dramatic Arts
Pre-requisite: ADA 3ME
This course extends the knowledge and skills students have obtained in
previous Drama courses, and provides ample opportunity for students to
experiment with forms and conventions in dramatic literature and to
create/adapt and present dramatic works. Students will continue to explore
dramatic forms, conventions, themes and theories of acting and directing
from different historical periods and cultures, and apply their knowledge of
these in interpreting dramatic literature, including modern and contemporary
Canadian plays. Students write, direct, produce and perform dramatic
programs for peer, school and community audiences. Students have
opportunities to see live theatre productions and participate in a senior
play.
Course Fee: $40 for theatre tickets/workshops, and a workbook of scripts.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
STUDIES
Senior VI
IDC 4UE - Interdisciplinary Arts
Pre-requisite: any 3U/3M university or university/college preparation
course
Building upon the understanding that the world is increasingly
interconnected and interdependent, this course focuses on using diverse
disciplines to analyse the complexity of the contemporary arts and their
relationship to past movements. The development of interdisciplinary
research skills will inform an understanding of how the arts have responded
to a range of social, scientific, economic, cultural, environmental,
political and technical issues that cannot be understood in mutually
exclusive categories. Assumptions, truth and theories of knowledge will be
questioned in the pursuit of developing a more holistic understanding of why
the arts do not speak to one audience, one function, one genre, one location
or one methodology. As well, students will be encouraged to investigate
real-life situations and career opportunities in interdisciplinary endeavors
through visits by individuals who are working in the Arts and
curriculum-based field trips.
Course Fee: A course fee of $20 will include a field study, guest
speakers and research materials.
VISUAL ARTS
The Art program encourages discovery, independence and self-awareness
through the study of studio workshops, historical analyses and contemporary
art practices. Each year, students will build and diversify their collection
of works within an individualized portfolio.
Foundation II
AVI F2 - Visual Arts
The F2 visual arts curriculum provides students with a forum to explore
creativity and the different ways to visually interpret complex ideas.
Students will build a foundation of technical skill in each medium studied:
graphite, clay, relief printmaking, photography and oil pastel. These studio
projects will overlay a dialogue of historical and contemporary art
production, connecting group discussions to personal portfolio analysis. Art
history components will outline the purpose of an artwork and its intended
audience. Particular emphasis will be placed on exploring First Nations art,
Inuit art, the evolution of photography, and also diverse cultural
expressions and perspectives on the landscape. The vocabulary and
terminology relevant to art production and analysis will be discussed
through classroom activities.
Course Fee: A course fee of $40 will include a field study, sketchbook
and all personal studio supplies.
Middle III
AVI 1OE - Visual Arts
Pre-requisite: None
This course extends the skill base and theory completed in the Foundation
II Visual Art Program. Students will become familiar with the elements and
principles of design and the expressive qualities of various materials
working with a range of media, processes, techniques, and styles. They will
learn and use methods of analysis and criticism when discussing their own
work and Canadian art, and in the study of prehistoric and ancient
civilizations. Studio activities may include acrylic painting, low relief
sculpture, mixed media drawing, digital photography and digital design.
Course Fee: A course fee of $40 will include a field study, sketchbook
and all required studio materials (drawing, sculpture and painting
supplies).
Middle IV
AVI 2OE - Visual Arts
Pre-requisite: AVI 1OE
This course emphasizes learning through practice; building on what
students know; and introducing them to new ideas, materials, and processes.
Students will explore the expressive potential of the following media:
gouache paint, clay, scratchboard, digital photography, mixed media
assemblage, and graphite drawing. Student learning will include the refined
application of the elements and principles of design, incorporating the
creative design process with awareness of the relationship between form and
content. To complement their visual literacy and analysis skills, students
will also learn about the connections between works of art and their
historical contexts.
Course Fee: A course fee of $40 will include required studio materials
(Art binder and inserts, painting, drawing, ceramics and mixed media
supplies) and a field study gallery admission.
Senior V
AVI 3ME - Visual Arts
Pre-requisite: AVI 2OE
Students will be given an opportunity to further develop their studio
skills and knowledge in visual arts. Students will critically analyze
current and historical notions of representation through a variety of studio
activities that include drawing, video, photography, photo manipulation,
gouache painting, intaglio printmaking, and an independent study. Students
will also explore censorship in the arts, 15th to 19th century Western art,
Oceanic Aboriginal art, and contemporary East Asian and Canadian art.
Emphasis will be placed on developing visual literacy and terminology in
discussing aesthetic judgments of artworks, as well as understanding the
cultural, social, political and historical contexts that have informed the
art studied and produced in class.
Course Fee: A course fee of $40 will include a field study and personal
studio supplies for drawing, videoart, gouache painting and intaglio
printmaking.
Senior VI
AVI 4ME - Visual Arts
Pre-requisite: AVI 3ME
Students will be given an opportunity to further develop their studio
skills and knowledge in visual arts through the development of a personal
body of work that will be professionally documented and supported by a
written thesis. Students will analyze art forms; use aesthetic theories in
analyzing and producing art; and increase their understanding of stylistic
changes in modern and contemporary Canadian art, and art forms from various
parts of the world. Additionally, students will explore the influence of
social, cultural and political contexts in which art is produced, including
an understanding of the role and funding of artists, artist-run centres and
other publicly funded arts organizations.
Course Fee: A course fee of $40 will include basic studio materials,
required readings, and field trips.
