Digital Photography

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Students should have access to a digital camera (a digital single-lens reflex [DSLR] or a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera [MILC] is recommended). If they do not have access to a camera, they can use a smartphone camera.
  • Tripod (optional)
  • Access to editing software (Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Pixlr, or other)

Golf

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to ao computer and internet
  • Golf clubs, balls, and tees (other equipment [gloves, hat, shoes] are optional).
  • Access to a golf course (fees to golf are not included in the course fee).
  • The Rules of Golf, the United States Golf Association’s official rule book.  This can also be accessed online.

Tennis

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A tennis racquet, tennis balls, and access to a tennis court.
  • Tennis, Anyone – required reading packet (can be used onsite at EA or purchased at EA for $40)

Japanese 2: Semester 2

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Japanese-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary.
  • You will be given access to our Japanese DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Japanese 2: Semester 1

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Japanese-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary.
  • You will be given access to our Japanese DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Japanese 1: Semester 2

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Japanese-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary.
  • You will be given access to our Japanese DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Japanese 1: Semester 1

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Japanese-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary.
  • You will be given access to our Japanese DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Spanish 2: Semester 2

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Spanish-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary like SpanishDict or Linguee.
  • You will be given access to our Spanish DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Spanish 2: Semester 1

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Spanish-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary like SpanishDict or Linguee.
  • You will be given access to our Spanish DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Spanish 1: Semester 2

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Spanish-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary like SpanishDict or Linguee.
  • You will be given access to our Spanish DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Spanish 1: Semester 1

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • A Spanish-English dictionary is recommended but not required. You can purchase a physical copy or simply use an online dictionary like SpanishDict or Linguee.
  • You will be given access to our Spanish DuoLingo classroom through the course.  You may also get this app independently (free or paid options).

Contemporary Keyboarding: Foundations 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Key of D

  • Key of D
  • Inversions
  • Damper pedal

Lesson 2: The Blues

  • Blues chords
  • 12 bar blues
  • The blues scale
  • Blues improvisation

Lesson 3: Key of B-flat

  • Key of B-flat
  • B-flat inversion practice
  • B-flat chords improvisation
  • Improvisation exercises

Lesson 4: Additional Theory Concepts

  • Sixteenth notes
  • Compound vs. simple meter
  • 6/8 time signatures

Lesson 5: Seventh Chords

  • 7th chords
  • Diatonic 7th chords in C
  • Chord accompaniment
  • Ear training

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)

Contemporary Keyboarding: Foundations 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Major and Minor Five Finger Patterns

  • Piano mechanics
  • Note identification review
  • Octave practice
  • Major and minor five finger patterns

Lesson 2: The Chromatic Scale

  • Chromaticism
  • Chromatic scale
  • Major diatonic triad exercise

Lesson 3: Improvisation

  • Improvisation in the key of F
  • Triplets
  • Diminished and dominant 7th chords
  • Chord practice

Lesson 4: Developing Your Technique

  • Technique exercise
  • Composition assignment
  • Improvisation exercise

Lesson 5: Syncopation and Expanded Notation

  • Syncopation
  • 1st and 2nd endings
  • Improvisation with syncopation

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Course Materials: musictheory.net (no cost)

 

Bass Guitar: Foundations 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Articulations

  • Dynamics
  • Staccato and legato
  • Bends
  • Vibrato
  • Harmonics

Lesson 2: Expanding Your Range on the Fretboard

  • Playing scales up the neck
  • Playing arpeggios up the neck

Lesson 3: Note Identification Practice

  • Strategies for learning the fingerboard
  • Advanced scalar patterns

Lesson 4: Intervals

  • Interval Patterns
  • Major scale in thirds
  • Combining thirds and scale fragments
  • Embellishing your bass line

Lesson 5: Improvisation

  • Beginning improvisation
  • Beginning transcription
  • Transcription practice

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)

Bass Guitar: Foundations 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Minor Scales

  • Major scale review
  • Scale patterns
  • Melodic minor scale
  • Harmonic minor scale
  • Natural minor scale

Lesson 2: Keys

  • 12 keys
  • Key signatures
  • Tonality

Lesson 3: Diatonic Chords

  • Diatonic chords
  • Chord progression practice
  • Learning songs by ear

Lesson 4: Arpeggios

  • Arpeggios
  • C Major diatonic triads
  • Seventh chords

Lesson 5: Adding Style to Your Bass Line

  • Hammer-on
  • Pull-offs
  • Slides
  • Ghosted/Muted notes

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)

 

Ukulele: Foundations 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: D Major

  • D Major Scale
  • Scale review
  • Ear training
  • Practice habits and routines

Lesson 2: B Minor

  • Alternate tuning
  • B minor scale
  • Interval study
  • Ear training

Lesson 3: B-flat Major

  • B-flat major scale
  • Interval study
  • Ear training
  • String-skipping

Lesson 4: G Minor

  • G minor scale
  • Interval study
  • 5/4 time signature
  • Eighth-note triplets
  • Slurs—hammer-ons

Lesson 5: A Major

  • A major scale
  • Interval study
  • Seventh chords
  • Ear training

Lesson 6: F-sharp Minor

  • F-sharp minor scale
  • Ear training
  • Cut time
  • History
  • Performance review

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Course Materials: musictheory.net (no cost)

Ukulele: Foundations 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: C Major

  • Review of Basics 1
  • C major scale
  • Interval study
  • Ear training
  • Barre chords
  • History

Lesson 2: A Minor

  • A minor scale
  • Diatonic chords
  • Interval study
  • C. al Fine
  • History

Lesson 3: F Major

  • F major scale
  • Diatonic Chords + chord progressions
  • Double-stops
  • Ear training
  • History

Lesson 4: D Minor

  • D minor scale
  • Interval study
  • Ear training
  • “Tag-the-end”
  • Composition

Lesson 5: G Major

  • G major scale
  • S. al Fine
  • 1st and 2nd endings
  • Swung eighth notes
  • Slurs—slides and pull-offs
  • History

Lesson 6: E Minor

  • E minor scale
  • Interval study
  • 6/8 time signature
  • History

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Course Materials: musictheory.net (no cost)

Guitar: Foundations 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: The Blues

  • Guitar history
  • The B7 chord
  • The blues

Lesson 2: The Pentatonic Scale and Introduction to Soloing

  • Concept review piece
  • The open E-minor and A-minor pentatonic scales
  • Soloing

Lesson 3: Open Power Chords

  • Guitar history
  • Concept review piece
  • Open power chords
  • Variations on open power chords

Lesson 4: Movable Power Chords

  • Concept review piece
  • Movable power chords with roots on the fifth and sixth strings
  • Memorizing notes on the fifth and sixth strings

Lesson 5: Barre Chords

  • Concept review piece
  • Guitar history
  • Barre chords
  • 12th fret harmonics
  • Performance review

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument & pick
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Metronome
  • Capo

Guitar: Foundations 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Common Fingers and Guide Fingers

  • Basics 1 concept review
  • Basic open chords
  • Common fingers
  • Guide fingers

Lesson 2: Dyads

  • Concept review piece
  • Dyads
  • Guitar history

Lesson 3: Transposition

  • Concept review piece
  • Diatonicism and chords
  • Chord clock
  • Capo theory

Lesson 4: Alternating Bass

  • Concept review piece
  • Alternating bass
  • Variations on alternating bass

Lesson 5: Fingerpicking

  • Concept review piece
  • Guitar history
  • Fingerpicking
  • Fingerstyle accompaniment
  • Travis picking

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument & pick
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Metronome
  • Capo

Bass Guitar: Basics 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Learning Bass Lines Efficiently

  • Notes on the third string
  • 3/4 time signature
  • Identifying song form
  • Pickup bar
  • Bass history
  • Performance review preparation

Lesson 2: Muting Technique and Closed Position

  • Bass history
  • Notes on the fourth string
  • Muting technique and closed position
  • Right hand exercises

Lesson 3: Accidentals

  • Accidentals
  • Enharmonic equivalents
  • Developing effective practice habits
  • Bass history

Lesson 4: Dotted Quarter Note Rhythms

  • Bass history
  • Dotted quarter note rhythms
  • The tie
  • Repeat sign

Lesson 5: Major Scales

  • Major scale construction
  • 5-fret shapes
  • Applying scales during practice
  • Bass history
  • Performance review

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)

Contemporary Keyboarding: Basics 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Intervals and Range Expansion

  • Melodic intervals
  • Harmonic intervals
  • Crossing over to expand range

Lesson 2: The Dotted Quarter Note

  • Piano history
  • Dotted quarter notes
  • Expanded intervals
  • More dynamics
  • Improvisation

Lesson 3: Accidentals

  • Accidentals
  • Improvisation
  • Composition
  • Performance review preparation

Lesson 4: Major Scales and Key Signatures

  • Stepwise motion
  • Scales and key signatures
  • Scale practice

Lesson 5: Primary Chords and Triad Construction

  • Triad formation
  • Primary chords in F
  • Primary chords in G
  • Composition
  • Performance review
  • Final exam preparation

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)

Ukulele: Basics 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Demystifying the Fretboard (the chromatic scale)

  • Octaves
  • The musical alphabet
  • Accidentals
  • Half- and whole-steps
  • The chromatic scale
  • Performance review preparation

Lesson 2: From Chromatic to Diatonic (the Key of C)

  • Chromatic scale review
  • Scales and keys
  • Extracting a major scale
  • C major scale/key of C major

Lesson 3: Building Harmony

  • Introduction to harmony
  • How to build triads
  • Triads in the key of C
  • Common chord progressions

Lesson 4: Reading and Playing Standard Notation

  • Introduction to standard notation
  • Elements of standard notation
  • Advantages and disadvantages of standard notation
  • Playing material

Lesson 5: More Strumming and Rhythms

  • Reviewing strumming
  • Reviewing rhythm
  • New note durations and rhythms
  • Alternate strumming
  • Pick-up measure
  • 3/4 time signature
  • Playing material

Lesson 6: From One Key to Another (the Keys of G & F)

  • Review of the chromatic scale
  • Review of scales and keys
  • G major scale/key of G major
  • Triads in the key of G
  • F major scale/key of F major
  • Triads in the key of F
  • Playing material

Lesson 7: From Major to Minor (the Keys of A Minor, E Minor and D Minor)

  • Review of the chromatic scale
  • Review of scales and keys
  • A minor scale/key of A minor
  • E minor scale/key of E minor
  • D minor scale/key of D minor
  • Playing material

Lesson 8: Ukulele History

  • Origin of the ukulele
  • Pre-WWII
  • Post WWII to present
  • Performance review

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Course Materials: musictheory.net (no cost)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Pick

Bass Guitar: Basics 1 – UC Approved

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: An Introduction to the Bass Guitar

  • Bass guitar history
  • Parts of the bass guitar
  • Types of basses
  • Bass guitar equipment
  • Holding the bass guitar
  • Fingerboard diagrams
  • Tuning

Lesson 2: Playing on the Fretboard

  • Warm-up stretches
  • Fingerstyle plucking
  • Using a pick
  • Left hand position
  • Finger permutations
  • Your first bass line

Lesson 3: Reading Tablature and Rhythms

  • Bass history
  • Tuning the bass to itself
  • Introduction to notation
  • Using the staff and reading rhythms
  • Rests
  • Reading tablature

Lesson 4: Introduction to Standard Notation

  • Standard notation—pitch
  • Notes on the first string
  • First string étude
  • Bass history

Lesson 5: Bass Guitar Maintenance

  • Bass history
  • Bass guitar care and maintenance
  • Notes on the second string
  • Dotted half note rhythm

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)

Contemporary Keyboarding: Basics 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: An Introduction to the Keyboard

  • Piano history
  • Types of pianos
  • Setting up to play
  • Sounding notes on the keyboard
  • Rhythm and timing
  • Time signatures

Lesson 2: Reading Notation

  • Pitch notation and the grand staff
  • C-position
  • Right hand exercises
  • Left hand exercises
  • Both hands together
  • Improvisation introduction

Lesson 3: Hands Together

  • Piano history
  • Middle C position
  • Combining C and middle C positions
  • Eighth notes

Lesson 4: Moving Hands

  • Low G-position
  • Dynamics
  • Tempo indication
  • Composition
  • Dotted rhythms
  • 3/4 time

Lesson 5: Open and Close Hand Position

  • Piano history
  • Reading pitch notation efficiently
  • Identifying random notes quickly
  • Articulation

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)

Ukulele: Basics 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Introduction to the Ukulele

  • Types of ukuleles
  • Parts of the ukulele
  • Holding the ukulele
  • Tuning the ukulele
  • Understanding the fretboard
  • Playing your first notes
  • Ukulele care

Lesson 2: Playing Chords

  • How to read chord diagrams
  • How to finger chords
  • Strumming
  • Switching between chords
  • How to name and say chords
  • Playing material

Lesson 3: Reading and Playing Rhythms

  • Introduction to rhythm
  • How to use a metronome
  • Note durations
  • Time signature and counting rhythm
  • Tempo
  • Playing material

Lesson 4: Reading and Playing Tablature

  • Tablature introduction
  • Elements of tablature
  • Advantages and disadvantages of tablature
  • Playing material

Lesson 5: The Sound of Silence

  • Introduction to rests
  • Using notes vs. rests
  • Introduction to ties
  • Playing material

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Pick

Guitar: Basics 2 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: Full Chords and Strum Patterns

  • Alternate strumming
  • Five strum patterns
  • D7 chord
  • Full G, C, D, and E minor chords
  • Playing two chords per measure
  • Performance review preparation

Lesson 2: Playing in Other Time Signatures

  • 3/4 Time
  • Two chords per measure in 3/4
  • Simple meter
  • Other time signatures
  • Pickup measure
  • The tie in strumming notation

Lesson 3: The G Major Scale

  • Guitar history
  • G major scale
  • Dotted quarter note
  • Anticipated chord changes
  • Notes on the fourth string

Lesson 4: The C Major Scale

  • Guitar history
  • Notes on the fifth string
  • C Major Scale
  • Notes on the sixth string

Lesson 5: A Deeper Understanding of the Fretboard

  • Fretboard understanding
  • Chromatic scale
  • Major scale construction
  • “Say and Play” warm up
  • Beyond the 12th fret

Lesson 6: Keys and Key Signatures

  • Keys and key signatures
  • Minor scale construction
  • Relative scales
  • Theory assignments
  • Performance review
  • Preparing for your final exam

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument & pick
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • Course Materials: musictheory.net (no cost)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Metronome
  • Capo

Guitar: Basics 1 – UC APPROVED

COURSE OVERVIEW:

Lesson 1: An Introduction to the Guitar

  • Guitar history
  • Types of guitars
  • Parts of the guitar
  • Holding the guitar
  • Plucking and picking
  • Hand health
  • Tuning the guitar

Lesson 2: Playing With Both Hands

  • Left hand position and fingering
  • How to read music diagrams
  • Fretting warm up
  • Strumming
  • G, C, and D chords

Lesson 3: Reading TAB and Rhythms

  • Warm up exercises
  • Beats and rhythm
  • Reading rhythms
  • How to read tablature
  • Reading rests
  • Guitar care
  • String replacement

Lesson 4: Reading Notes on the First and Second Strings

  • Notes on the first string
  • First string études
  • Notes on the second string
  • Second string études
  • Dotted rhythms

Lesson 5: Standard Notation Fundamentals

  • Standard notation
  • Up picking
  • Alternate picking
  • Rhythm assignments
  • The tie

Lesson 6: Accidentals

  • Guitar history
  • Accidentals
  • Notes on the third string
  • Syncopation

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Working instrument & pick
  • Reliable access to a computer and internet
  • Recording device for recording assignments (phone, tablet, camera, computer, etc.)
  • The Rhythm Trainer (John Blank; http://www.therhythmtrainer.com)
  • Tuner (electronic tuner, computer program, or phone app are all suitable)
  • Metronome

Chemistry: Semester 2

Course Learning Outcomes

The main purpose of this course is to help you become proficient in core principles of chemistry.

Here are some of the main things you will learn to do:

  1. Organize the elements that make up our Earth and our atmosphere.
  2. Solve, in a common-sense fashion, chemical problems dealing with results from an experiment or reaction.
  3. Discuss atoms—their makeup, what they do, and how they do it.

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet connection

Chemistry: Semester 1

Course Learning Outcomes

The main purpose of this course is to help you become proficient in core principles of Chemistry. I hope that this course will help you get the most out of building your scientific thinking foundation. Here are some of the main things you will learn to do:

  1. Organize the elements that make up our earth and our atmosphere.
  2. Solve, in a common-sense fashion, chemical problems dealing with results from an experiment and/or reaction.
  3. Discuss atoms—their makeup, what they do, and how they do it.

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet connection

Physics: Semester 2

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet access

 

Physics: Semester 1

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet connection

LAB MATERIALS:

  • Ruler
  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Protractor (ideally, magnetic directional compass)
  • Ball or toy car (something that will easily roll)
  • Straight, flat board
  • Stopwatch
  • Bathroom scale
  • Access to an elevator
  • Access to stairs
  • Toy dart gun
  • Velcro
  • Kitchen (or postal) scale
  • Candy thermometer
  • 25 pennies
  • Pan
  • 2 styrofoam cups
  • Small strainer

Physical Science

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to do the following:

  1. Describe the motion of an object in terms of position, velocity, acceleration, and time.
  2. Describe forces acting on objects and how they affect the motion of objects.
  3. Explain the transformation of energy among various forms.
  4. Describe properties of matter and the structure of atoms.
  5. Balance basic chemical equations.
  6. Explain how electricity is produced.
  7. Describe properties of different kinds of waves.

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet connection

Environmental Science

Required Resources:

  • Reliable access to a computer and internet connection

 

Astronomy

Course Outline: 

  1. Observing the Night Sky
    2. Historical Highlights in Astronomy
    3. The Solar System: The Terrestrial Planets
    4: The Solar System—Jovian Planets, Comets, Asteroids, etc.
    5: The Sun and Other Stars
    6: Galaxies

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should have done the following:

  1. Developed a basic knowledge of astronomy, both historical and observational.
  2. Acquired an appreciation for astronomy and the night skies.
  3. Learn how astronomers study the universe and exercise some of those skills yourself.

Course Materials

This course is self-contained. You do not need a separate astronomy book to complete the units.

Required Resources

Access to a computer and internet access.