Selecting Your Fine Art:

A guide with syllabi and interviews with elective teachers

By Maya Molina & Miya Mese Jones

With course selection impending, there a lot of choices for underclassmen, depending on your track. But one class all Poly students are required to take is a fine art: Drama, Film & Video, Shakespeare, Drawing & Painting, AP Music Theory, AP Art, and Survey of Music. Learn about the different fine arts offered at Poly, watch interviews with each teacher, and peruse syllabi. Thank you to all the teachers who allowed us to interview them!

Drama

Drama, taught by english teacher Mr. Charleston, is a project based class meant to mimic what it’s like to work in the theatre industry. Students learn acting, sound and light design, and playwriting, and will write, act, and produce their own plays. There are also plenty of opportunities to watch plays at Everyman Theatre, CCBC, and the Baltimore Shakespeare Company. 

Syllabus linked here.

https://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/charleston.mov

Film & Video

Film & Video, taught by english teacher Ms. Schmidt and librarian Dr. O’Neill, explores filmmaking and film critique, and allows students to create their own films.

Syllabus linked here.

https://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/My-Movie-6.movhttps://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/filmvideo.mov

Shakespeare

Introduction to Shakespeare, taught by english teacher Mr. Pappas, helps students explore Shakespeare plays. Students will see and perform different plays. Mr. Pappas describes it as “a theatre class, also with a literature study, focused on Shakespeare”.

Syllabus linked here.

https://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Shakespeare-Elective.mov

AP Music Theory / Survey of Music

AP Music Theory and Survey of Music, taught by band director Mr. Duckett, is meant to develop musical skills and teach fundamentals of music. 

https://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/My-Movie-7.mov

Fundamentals of Art/ Drawing & Painting

In Fundamentals of Art and Drawing & Painting, taught by Ms. Emberson and Ms. Jackson, students will gain artistic skills, develop their artistic voice, and create a portfolio! There are opportunities to partner with the James Webb Space Telescope Institute and MICA.

Syllabus linked here.

https://polytechtalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/emberson.mov