7110: Introduction to Visual Arts (0.5 credit FAR, Gr. 9-11)

This course is designed for all students to review or learn basic knowledge of art by mastering the competencies art history, criticism, aesthetics, and production. Students will learn the elements and principles of art, know how to use them, and create pieces of artwork that display this knowledge. In addition, students will be participating in subject-related reading and writing activities and outside the class assignments. Students will be expected to solve problems using higher-order thinking skills. This course is the prerequisite for all future art courses. 

8100: Introduction to Engineering Design (1 credit PAR, Gr. 9-12, weighted)

This course is for students interested in engineering and architecture related fields. Units of study include sketching, multi-views, pictorial and 3-D drawing, sections, dimensions, auxiliary and architectural drawing. Students will be expected to use 2-D and 3-D CAD software to solve problems and present designs. Technical reading and math skills are needed. This course is the first course in the PLTW program. PLTW is a nationally recognized engineering curriculum being offered through the Independence School District. For more information regarding PLTW go to www.pltw.org.

8103: Mechanical Drafting (1 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design or Introduction to Visual Arts

This is an introduction to mechanical drafting. The course will emphasize the fundamentals of drafting with paper and pencil. Course topics will include: sketching, projection, drawing layout, drafting standards, conventions, dimensioning, sectioning and basic design principles.  

8105: Architectural Drafting (1 credit PAR, Gr. 10-12)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design or Introduction to Visual Arts

This course in drafting deals with the principals involved in site selection, room planning, exterior styling, designing structural elements of house dwellings, and computer graphics as it relates to architectural drawing. Students will be introduced to various construction methods, building materials, and terminology used in the architectural fields. Preparation of a complete set of plans and specifications for a house of traditional and/or contemporary design will be required in a CADD environment

8107: Machine Drafting (1 credit PAR, Gr. 11-12)

Prerequisite: Mechanical Drafting or Architectural Drafting

This advanced course in drafting, emphasizes the techniques and skills gained through basic drawing courses as applied to industrial parts. The course is organized in a way to allow creativity in design while still learning drafting standards and technical information in a computer graphics environment.

8121: Engineering Graphics (1 credit PAR, Gr. 12, weighted)

Prerequisite: Machine Drafting

This is an advanced course in technical drafting through mechanical processes with a CADD environment. Course topics will include sketching, projection, drawing layout, drafting standards and conventions, dimensioning, sectioning and auxiliaries. Foundations for CADD consist of file management, drawing commands, editing commands, layering conventions, blocks, dimensioning and plotting.