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Location & Contact Details

Office Hours

Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Address:

West Catholic High School
1801 Bristol Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Events Calendar

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Media Arts and Design

Program Goal: To elevate the world around us by developing critical thinkers that can solve complex problems through the application of knowledge and processes

Students will:

  • Engage in strategies for solving real world problems (engineering design process, design thinking)

  • Gain real world experience with mechanical, electrical, programming, and control systems

  • Research, design, prototype, build, and program robotic creations

  • Learn the importance of communication, deadlines, group dynamics, and feedback through the management of team projects

  • Recognize the importance of ethical decision-making in the fields of technology and engineering

  • Explore careers in the fields of engineering and emerging technologies

*All Media Arts and Design courses are elective courses; however, students must earn a minimum of 1 credit hour in either Media Arts and Design courses, Computer Science courses, Engineering and Innovation courses, Fine Arts courses, or  Instrumental and Vocal Music courses (or a combination of these courses) prior to graduation.

Freshman Courses

Digital Photography

Course Number:  A017
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  Students will explore the fundamental applications and techniques of acquiring, manipulating, and outputting digital photographic images.  Students will learn to use manual camera settings and the effects of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.  Students will learn how to plan and produce photographic compositions that demonstrate an understanding of light and shadow, composition, unity, balance, color and visual impact.  Students will learn proper vocabularyand terminology.  The relationship of photography to contemporary life is incorporated.  Cameras will be provided for students to share in pairs.  Students may also use their own cameras provided they have manual settings, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

Graphic Design

Course Number:  C119
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Graphic Design is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine topography and graphics to produce documents such as posters, book jackets, newsletters, brochures, menus, CD covers, etc.  Students will be using graphic design software to create visual communications for professional printing.  Students will learn the elements and principles of design, learn to use different typefaces, embed illustrations and graphics.  Students will be exposed to the following programs:  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fireworks, Paint, SketchUp and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Students will be provided a computer in class.

Video Production

Course Number:  C117
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course is for students who have an interest in working with digital media.  The course incorporates filming techniques, video editing, and movie production.

Webpage Design

Course Number:  C113
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course teaches how to create and develop a webpage.  Webpage construction techniques, page layouts, common languages and technology will be used to develop webpages.  A variety of wepage development software will be learned.  Dreamweaver and Fireworks will be used to design webpages, animations and graphics.

Yearbook

Course Number:  C132
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  A “B” average in English
Course Description:  The annual publication of the WCHS Yearbook offers students the opportunity for involvement in every facet of yearbook production, including writing, photography, editing, layout-design, finance and advertising.  Academic success on the yearbook staff requires a strong work ethic, diligence and responsibility in meeting deadlines, attention to detail, and, above all, organization.  Students will be required to sell advertising as well.

Sophomore Courses

Broadcast Media

Course Number:  C150
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  Video Production or Teacher Approval
Course Description: Broadcast Media is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills related to the digital media and broadcasting industry.  This course includes instruction and hands-on assignments in the following areas:  audio / video systems, lighting systems, pre-production, studio operations, visual effects / graphics and copyright laws.  Students will have the opportunity to apply skills for writing scripts, storyboarding and developing shows for the West Catholic Community.  Positions in the Broadcast Media course can be competitive depending on demand.  All students must apply to be members of the Student Broadcast team.  Students with the recommended Prerequisite(s) or prior experience will be given priority.  Students will be expected to do some coursework outside of school hours (capturing video / livestreaming / etc.)

Digital Photography

Course Number:  A017
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  Students will explore the fundamental applications and techniques of acquiring, manipulating, and outputting digital photographic images.  Students will learn to use manual camera settings and the effects of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.  Students will learn how to plan and produce photographic compositions that demonstrate an understanding of light and shadow, composition, unity, balance, color and visual impact.  Students will learn proper vocabularyand terminology.  The relationship of photography to contemporary life is incorporated.  Cameras will be provided for students to share in pairs.  Students may also use their own cameras provided they have manual settings, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

Graphic Design

Course Number:  C119
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Graphic Design is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine topography and graphics to produce documents such as posters, book jackets, newsletters, brochures, menus, CD covers, etc.  Students will be using graphic design software to create visual communications for professional printing.  Students will learn the elements and principles of design, learn to use different typefaces, embed illustrations and graphics.  Students will be exposed to the following programs:  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fireworks, Paint, SketchUp and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Students will be provided a computer in class.

Video Production

Course Number:  C117
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course is for students who have an interest in working with digital media.  The course incorporates filming techniques, video editing, and movie production.

Webpage Design

Course Number:  C113
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course teaches how to create and develop a webpage.  Webpage construction techniques, page layouts, common languages and technology will be used to develop webpages.  A variety of wepage development software will be learned.  Dreamweaver and Fireworks will be used to design webpages, animations and graphics.

Yearbook

Course Number:  C132
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  A “B” average in English
Course Description:  The annual publication of the WCHS Yearbook offers students the opportunity for involvement in every facet of yearbook production, including writing, photography, editing, layout-design, finance and advertising.  Academic success on the yearbook staff requires a strong work ethic, diligence and responsibility in meeting deadlines, attention to detail, and, above all, organization.  Students will be required to sell advertising as well.

Junior Courses

Broadcast Media

Course Number:  C150
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  Video Production or Teacher Approval
Course Description: Broadcast Media is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills related to the digital media and broadcasting industry.  This course includes instruction and hands-on assignments in the following areas:  audio / video systems, lighting systems, pre-production, studio operations, visual effects / graphics and copyright laws.  Students will have the opportunity to apply skills for writing scripts, storyboarding and developing shows for the West Catholic Community.  Positions in the Broadcast Media course can be competitive depending on demand.  All students must apply to be members of the Student Broadcast team.  Students with the recommended Prerequisite(s) or prior experience will be given priority.  Students will be expected to do some coursework outside of school hours (capturing video / livestreaming / etc.)

Digital Photography

Course Number:  A017
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  Students will explore the fundamental applications and techniques of acquiring, manipulating, and outputting digital photographic images.  Students will learn to use manual camera settings and the effects of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.  Students will learn how to plan and produce photographic compositions that demonstrate an understanding of light and shadow, composition, unity, balance, color and visual impact.  Students will learn proper vocabularyand terminology.  The relationship of photography to contemporary life is incorporated.  Cameras will be provided for students to share in pairs.  Students may also use their own cameras provided they have manual settings, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

Graphic Design

Course Number:  C119
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Graphic Design is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine topography and graphics to produce documents such as posters, book jackets, newsletters, brochures, menus, CD covers, etc.  Students will be using graphic design software to create visual communications for professional printing.  Students will learn the elements and principles of design, learn to use different typefaces, embed illustrations and graphics.  Students will be exposed to the following programs:  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fireworks, Paint, SketchUp and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Students will be provided a computer in class.

Video Production

Course Number:  C117
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  This course is for students who have an interest in working with digital media.  The course incorporates filming techniques, video editing, and movie production.

Webpage Design

Course Number:  C113
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course teaches how to create and develop a webpage.  Webpage construction techniques, page layouts, common languages and technology will be used to develop webpages.  A variety of wepage development software will be learned.  Dreamweaver and Fireworks will be used to design webpages, animations and graphics.

Yearbook

Course Number:  C132
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  A “B” average in English
Course Description:  The annual publication of the WCHS Yearbook offers students the opportunity for involvement in every facet of yearbook production, including writing, photography, editing, layout-design, finance and advertising.  Academic success on the yearbook staff requires a strong work ethic, diligence and responsibility in meeting deadlines, attention to detail, and, above all, organization.  Students will be required to sell advertising as well.

Senior Courses

Broadcast Media

Course Number:  C150
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  Video Production or Teacher Approval
Course Description: Broadcast Media is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills related to the digital media and broadcasting industry.  This course includes instruction and hands-on assignments in the following areas:  audio / video systems, lighting systems, pre-production, studio operations, visual effects / graphics and copyright laws.  Students will have the opportunity to apply skills for writing scripts, storyboarding and developing shows for the West Catholic Community.  Positions in the Broadcast Media course can be competitive depending on demand.  All students must apply to be members of the Student Broadcast team.  Students with the recommended Prerequisite(s) or prior experience will be given priority.  Students will be expected to do some coursework outside of school hours (capturing video / livestreaming / etc.)

Digital Photography

Course Number:  A017
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description:  Students will explore the fundamental applications and techniques of acquiring, manipulating, and outputting digital photographic images.  Students will learn to use manual camera settings and the effects of the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed.  Students will learn how to plan and produce photographic compositions that demonstrate an understanding of light and shadow, composition, unity, balance, color and visual impact.  Students will learn proper vocabularyand terminology.  The relationship of photography to contemporary life is incorporated.  Cameras will be provided for students to share in pairs.  Students may also use their own cameras provided they have manual settings, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.

Graphic Design

Course Number:  C119
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: Graphic Design is the process of using the computer and specific types of software to combine topography and graphics to produce documents such as posters, book jackets, newsletters, brochures, menus, CD covers, etc.  Students will be using graphic design software to create visual communications for professional printing.  Students will learn the elements and principles of design, learn to use different typefaces, embed illustrations and graphics.  Students will be exposed to the following programs:  Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fireworks, Paint, SketchUp and Microsoft PowerPoint.  Students will be provided a computer in class.

Video Production

Course Number:  C117
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course is for students who have an interest in working with digital media.  The course incorporates filming techniques, video editing, and movie production.

Webpage Design

Course Number:  C113
Open to grades: ​ 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  None
Course Description: This course teaches how to create and develop a webpage.  Webpage construction techniques, page layouts, common languages and technology will be used to develop webpages.  A variety of wepage development software will be learned.  Dreamweaver and Fireworks will be used to design webpages, animations and graphics.

Yearbook

Course Number:  C132
Open to grades: ​ 10, 11, 12
Credit Hours: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite:  A “B” average in English
Course Description:  The annual publication of the WCHS Yearbook offers students the opportunity for involvement in every facet of yearbook production, including writing, photography, editing, layout-design, finance and advertising.  Academic success on the yearbook staff requires a strong work ethic, diligence and responsibility in meeting deadlines, attention to detail, and, above all, organization.  Students will be required to sell advertising as well.