5250 Basic Speech
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Basic Speech is designed as a fundamental course to improve public speaking in formal and informal settings. Focus is on activities which address the organization, preparation, and delivery of solo speaking opportunities including informative, visual aid, demonstration, and persuasive speeches. Work also includes effective listening, oral interpretation and group discussion.
5220 Creative Writing HS English
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This class enables students to explore and develop their special talents and interests in writing short stories, poems, plays, and other creative works. At FRHS: Students in this class will focus in-depth on particular creative writing genres including but not limited to: poetry, fiction, personal memoir, and creative non-fiction. Working in small writing groups will encourage communication skills as well as skills in giving and receiving constructive criticism.
5270 Journalism 1
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Students learn to examine professional news reporting and writing, journalistically. The fundamentals of news gathering, interviewing, reporting, news writing, advertising strategies and selling, and the newspaper design and layout are all learned as a basis for newspaper production. At FRHS: Basic yearbook skills will also be taught. Some basics of TV news reporting will be covered. This class is designed as a prerequisite for Journalism 2 (5280) (newspaper production) and/or Yearbook Production (5130)
5280 Journalism 2
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Journalism 1 and Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Production of the school newspaper is the responsibility of students in this course. They perform in various capacities as editor, reporter, business manager, photographer, artist, cartoonist, or word processor. The school newspaper provides a forum for student expression. At FRHS: Journalism 2 also offers opportunities for young journalists to employ social media and video production techniques to create multimedia coverage of the stories relevant to the student population and to increase awareness of developing industry trends.
5130 Yearbook Production
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Journalism 1 or Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Elective
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
A semester long course. Yearbook covers all phases of yearbook production. Students learn to design layouts, write copy, organize materials, select photographs, and function as a cooperative member of a publications staff.
5910 Forensics
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Students will study all areas of forensic competition, exclusive of debate, and will be expected to specialize in duet acting, extemporaneous speaking, and original oratory, interpretation of dramatic literature, interpretation of humorous literature, or interpretation of poetry. FRHS requires attendance in Forensics competitions as a component of this class.
5900 Argumentation and Debate
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
The theory and practice of argument will be discovered and applied in various persuasive situations. Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and legislative debate techniques will be introduced. Students will research and write debate cases and participate in debates in class. Skills in organizing and writing debate cases and conducting critical analysis of research literature will be emphasized in addition to oral analysis and refutation. FRHS requires attendance in Forensics competitions as a component of this class.
5275 21st Century Media / Technology
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This semester class will focus on ways to deliver information to the public such as through the mediums of newspapers, television, websites, blogs, podcasts and videos. The course will guide students in the use of photography, computers, video equipment and other technology used to produce and communicate information. At FRHS: This is a partner course to Television Production (5290).
5075 Integrated Drama
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Elective
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This is a one-semester course that integrates students with special needs with general education students. Students will work in diverse peer groups to teach social skills and friendship skills in role play and a variety of other creative dramatic formats. Performance projects will include improvisation, pantomime, puppet and musical performances, and composition of original pieces. Class activities will encourage peer collaboration, education about disabilities, student inclusion, and personal empowerment.
5227 Introduction to Acting
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirements: Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester class emphasizes acting skills such as improvisation, scene work, oral interpretation and reader’s theater. Students learn techniques for confidence on stage: relaxation, imagination. At FRHS this is the first course in the drama sequence class offerings. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference. Introduction to Acting is a performance based class with a required class performance that is scheduled outside of the school day.
5229 Theatre Foundations
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Introduction to Acting
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
The basic components of this course are: the study of the literature of the theater, reading and analyzing plays, performing scenes and exploring stagecraft techniques. At FRHS this is the second course in the drama sequence of class offerings. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference.
1373 Acting in Film
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Intro to Acting and Audition
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
This semester course emphasizes acting skills for film. Students learn techniques including character and script analysis, rehearsal and production processes, and effective collaboration with a creative production team. At FRHS this is an option for the second course in the drama sequence. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5240 Advanced Acting and Production
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Theatre Foundations
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester course requires instructor approval. Auditions and/ or portfolios may be required. Students' skills are enhanced through practice and performance. At FRHS this is an option for the third course in the drama sequence of class offerings. This class will produce One Acts and will be involved in Ridge TV. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions, or to attend the State Conference.
1374 Film Studies: Introduction to Film Analysis
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 9
Meets requirement(s): Humanities, Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
The focus of the course will be the academic study of film. The goal is for students to become active, analytical viewers of film. To this end, students will be exposed to the elements of narrative filmmaking as well as an overview of the history of film with an emphasis on cinematic classics. Students will read extensively on film craft, history, and criticism. They will also read and analyze a novel that has been adapted for the screen with the purpose of comparing and contrasting the narrative techniques of the different mediums. Students will write in a variety of compositional modes including but not limited to: analytical/interpretive, compare/contrast, research/argumentation, critical reviews, etc. Visual media has become pervasive in American society and there is a need to instruct our students to become critical, discerning viewers of this powerful medium. At FRHS students will NOT be reading and analyzing a novel adapted for the screen.
5239 Technical Theater Certification
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This multi-stage workshop is designed to give students the opportunity to be certified for the operation of specific equipment in the performance halls. Demonstrations of proficiency are required. Further information is available in the theater department of each high school. At FRHS students will learn the principles of design for sets, costumes, lighting and sound. This class will be responsible for the design and execution of production designs for the fall and spring plays. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition and/or interview only.
5231 Theater Practicum (fall play)
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: AUDITION & Drama Class
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 11 & 12
Theater Practicum involves many advanced aspects of theater: acting, directing, set construction and design, lighting, sound, and play writing. This class places emphasis on the student as worker. Prior approval and final evaluation by the instructor is required.At FRHS: Students be enrolled or have taken one other FRHS Drama course in order to audition. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5237 Musical Theatre Production (spring musical)
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: AUDITION
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester class is an interdisciplinary course designed to develop skills in various aspects of producing a major musical. It is open to students with a variety of interests including singing, acting, dancing, instrumental music, technical theatre and marketing. Auditions, portfolios and/or resumes may be required. Instructor approval required. At FRHS: Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5290 Television Production
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: 21st Century Media/Technology
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Television Production involves students in the study of the history of radio and television, and in television program production. The operation of technical equipment and other support activities provides training for students to produce spot announcements, commercials, news shows, and a final TV product. Emphasis is on production for the real world, and on the building of writing and presentation skills. At FRHS: This is a partner course to 21st Century Media/Technology (5275).
5291 Television Production 2
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Television Production and Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
This is the second semester of Radio and TV. To enroll, students must have completed course 5290 and have instructor approval.
5292 Television Production 3
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Television Production 2 and Teacher approval
Meets Requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 11 & 12
This course will consist of a semester of class-selected special projects. Unlike Television Production 2, these will not be completed in small groups. Instead, the whole class will fill each role of a single production on a rotating basis. this more closely represents professional film and TV productions. Television Production 2 students who want to continue their studies in narrative (storytelling) productions and specialize in specific roles (e.g. cinematography, sound design, etc.) would gain much from this class.
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Basic Speech is designed as a fundamental course to improve public speaking in formal and informal settings. Focus is on activities which address the organization, preparation, and delivery of solo speaking opportunities including informative, visual aid, demonstration, and persuasive speeches. Work also includes effective listening, oral interpretation and group discussion.
5220 Creative Writing HS English
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This class enables students to explore and develop their special talents and interests in writing short stories, poems, plays, and other creative works. At FRHS: Students in this class will focus in-depth on particular creative writing genres including but not limited to: poetry, fiction, personal memoir, and creative non-fiction. Working in small writing groups will encourage communication skills as well as skills in giving and receiving constructive criticism.
5270 Journalism 1
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Students learn to examine professional news reporting and writing, journalistically. The fundamentals of news gathering, interviewing, reporting, news writing, advertising strategies and selling, and the newspaper design and layout are all learned as a basis for newspaper production. At FRHS: Basic yearbook skills will also be taught. Some basics of TV news reporting will be covered. This class is designed as a prerequisite for Journalism 2 (5280) (newspaper production) and/or Yearbook Production (5130)
5280 Journalism 2
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Journalism 1 and Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
Production of the school newspaper is the responsibility of students in this course. They perform in various capacities as editor, reporter, business manager, photographer, artist, cartoonist, or word processor. The school newspaper provides a forum for student expression. At FRHS: Journalism 2 also offers opportunities for young journalists to employ social media and video production techniques to create multimedia coverage of the stories relevant to the student population and to increase awareness of developing industry trends.
5130 Yearbook Production
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Journalism 1 or Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Elective
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
A semester long course. Yearbook covers all phases of yearbook production. Students learn to design layouts, write copy, organize materials, select photographs, and function as a cooperative member of a publications staff.
5910 Forensics
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Students will study all areas of forensic competition, exclusive of debate, and will be expected to specialize in duet acting, extemporaneous speaking, and original oratory, interpretation of dramatic literature, interpretation of humorous literature, or interpretation of poetry. FRHS requires attendance in Forensics competitions as a component of this class.
5900 Argumentation and Debate
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
The theory and practice of argument will be discovered and applied in various persuasive situations. Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas and legislative debate techniques will be introduced. Students will research and write debate cases and participate in debates in class. Skills in organizing and writing debate cases and conducting critical analysis of research literature will be emphasized in addition to oral analysis and refutation. FRHS requires attendance in Forensics competitions as a component of this class.
5275 21st Century Media / Technology
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This semester class will focus on ways to deliver information to the public such as through the mediums of newspapers, television, websites, blogs, podcasts and videos. The course will guide students in the use of photography, computers, video equipment and other technology used to produce and communicate information. At FRHS: This is a partner course to Television Production (5290).
5075 Integrated Drama
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Elective
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This is a one-semester course that integrates students with special needs with general education students. Students will work in diverse peer groups to teach social skills and friendship skills in role play and a variety of other creative dramatic formats. Performance projects will include improvisation, pantomime, puppet and musical performances, and composition of original pieces. Class activities will encourage peer collaboration, education about disabilities, student inclusion, and personal empowerment.
5227 Introduction to Acting
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirements: Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester class emphasizes acting skills such as improvisation, scene work, oral interpretation and reader’s theater. Students learn techniques for confidence on stage: relaxation, imagination. At FRHS this is the first course in the drama sequence class offerings. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference. Introduction to Acting is a performance based class with a required class performance that is scheduled outside of the school day.
5229 Theatre Foundations
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Introduction to Acting
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
The basic components of this course are: the study of the literature of the theater, reading and analyzing plays, performing scenes and exploring stagecraft techniques. At FRHS this is the second course in the drama sequence of class offerings. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference.
1373 Acting in Film
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Intro to Acting and Audition
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
This semester course emphasizes acting skills for film. Students learn techniques including character and script analysis, rehearsal and production processes, and effective collaboration with a creative production team. At FRHS this is an option for the second course in the drama sequence. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions or to attend the State Conference. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5240 Advanced Acting and Production
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Theatre Foundations
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester course requires instructor approval. Auditions and/ or portfolios may be required. Students' skills are enhanced through practice and performance. At FRHS this is an option for the third course in the drama sequence of class offerings. This class will produce One Acts and will be involved in Ridge TV. Students must be enrolled or have taken any FRHS drama class to audition for the school fall and spring productions, or to attend the State Conference.
1374 Film Studies: Introduction to Film Analysis
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English 9
Meets requirement(s): Humanities, Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
The focus of the course will be the academic study of film. The goal is for students to become active, analytical viewers of film. To this end, students will be exposed to the elements of narrative filmmaking as well as an overview of the history of film with an emphasis on cinematic classics. Students will read extensively on film craft, history, and criticism. They will also read and analyze a novel that has been adapted for the screen with the purpose of comparing and contrasting the narrative techniques of the different mediums. Students will write in a variety of compositional modes including but not limited to: analytical/interpretive, compare/contrast, research/argumentation, critical reviews, etc. Visual media has become pervasive in American society and there is a need to instruct our students to become critical, discerning viewers of this powerful medium. At FRHS students will NOT be reading and analyzing a novel adapted for the screen.
5239 Technical Theater Certification
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: None
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This multi-stage workshop is designed to give students the opportunity to be certified for the operation of specific equipment in the performance halls. Demonstrations of proficiency are required. Further information is available in the theater department of each high school. At FRHS students will learn the principles of design for sets, costumes, lighting and sound. This class will be responsible for the design and execution of production designs for the fall and spring plays. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition and/or interview only.
5231 Theater Practicum (fall play)
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: AUDITION & Drama Class
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 11 & 12
Theater Practicum involves many advanced aspects of theater: acting, directing, set construction and design, lighting, sound, and play writing. This class places emphasis on the student as worker. Prior approval and final evaluation by the instructor is required.At FRHS: Students be enrolled or have taken one other FRHS Drama course in order to audition. Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5237 Musical Theatre Production (spring musical)
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: AUDITION
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
This one semester class is an interdisciplinary course designed to develop skills in various aspects of producing a major musical. It is open to students with a variety of interests including singing, acting, dancing, instrumental music, technical theatre and marketing. Auditions, portfolios and/or resumes may be required. Instructor approval required. At FRHS: Students may NOT add this course to their schedules. Audition in only.
5290 Television Production
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: 21st Century Media/Technology
Meets requirement(s): Fine & Applied Arts
Open to Grades: 9, 10, 11 & 12
Television Production involves students in the study of the history of radio and television, and in television program production. The operation of technical equipment and other support activities provides training for students to produce spot announcements, commercials, news shows, and a final TV product. Emphasis is on production for the real world, and on the building of writing and presentation skills. At FRHS: This is a partner course to 21st Century Media/Technology (5275).
5291 Television Production 2
Credits: 10
Prerequisites: Television Production and Teacher approval
Meets requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 10, 11 & 12
This is the second semester of Radio and TV. To enroll, students must have completed course 5290 and have instructor approval.
5292 Television Production 3
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: Television Production 2 and Teacher approval
Meets Requirement(s): Language Arts
Open to Grades: 11 & 12
This course will consist of a semester of class-selected special projects. Unlike Television Production 2, these will not be completed in small groups. Instead, the whole class will fill each role of a single production on a rotating basis. this more closely represents professional film and TV productions. Television Production 2 students who want to continue their studies in narrative (storytelling) productions and specialize in specific roles (e.g. cinematography, sound design, etc.) would gain much from this class.