ALL LEVELS MODULES A focused look into a particular topic or form. These courses usually take place on Fridays and span one- four class meetings. Some examples of past modules include Visionary Art, Technology/Nature, Spoken Word, and Songwriting.
FRESHMEN READING AS WRITERS A survey course in which students make connections between ancient civilizations and the contemporary world and apply those connections to their own work through ekphrastic writing, extensive reading, and multi-media projects.
INTRO TO POETRY Students study the craft of poetry through discussions of language, tone, diction, rhyme, and meter as well as extensive readings of published poets and in-class writing assignments. The students share their work and participate in critiques to further develop their craft. INTRO TO FICTION An introductory course in the craft of fiction writing. Students study narrative structure, character, conflict, point-of-view, and tone. Students write, workshop, and revise their writing has they develop their voices.
SOPHOMORES STORY AND LYRIC This course is intended to enhance student understanding of classic texts and selected literary and artistic movements with an eye on how contemporary writers are shaped by the literary past. Students will analyze a variety of forms and genres with an emphasis on events that might have shaped an artist’s work, as well as looking at how authors make meaning through craft. Prompts, projects, and writing assignments connected to the text or topic of study help students further develop their own writing.
INTRO TO PLAYWRITING An introductory course in the craft of playwriting through the study structure, characterization, and dialogue. Students complete short writing exercises and work towards completing a ten-minute play and its revision, watching and reading plays as they work.
SCRIPT ANALYSIS Close readings of plays to study dialogue, plot and character development, beats and objectives, all to allow students to better understand what their own plays need to be successful.
INTRO TO SCREENWRITING A course in which students work on elements of screenwriting including plot, structure, and characterization. They learn the basics through reading scripts, watching clips, and writing and workshopping their own writing.
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WRITERS A photography course designed to teach students the basics of photography while practicing being observers of the world. Students will pair their photographs with writing as they hone their use of imagery in their work.
JUNIORS AND SENIORS ADVANCED WORKSHOP Each semester, upper-classmen choose an area of focus (fiction, poetry, playwriting, screenwriting) for their writing. Students take a workshop class in their chosen form in which they will write, read, and critique work.
INTRO TO DIGITAL STORYTELLING This class gives students hands-on opportunities to create stories through digital platforms. In previous years, students have made video poems, short documentaries, podcasts, and experimental.
SENIOR SHOP CLASS A course in which seniors plan their senior shows; organize and exhibit their work on personal websites; and help each other prepare college documents.
ELECTIVES A variety of courses in which students accumulate additional skills to produce and publish their work. This includes but is not limited to using the Adobe Suite for projects in digital storytelling and and chapbook-design, studying food or collage writing, and revision.