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The Media & Advertising Industry
Did you know that when brands such as Smirnoff advertise the greatest proportion of their budget is not spent on designing the advert, but actually on the placement of the advert? Find out how media planners decide how to spend £20million of someone else's money! You will work through your own campaign, including audience targeting and media placement. To gain an overview of the whole Advertising process you will also be designing the advert. To work in the Industry you generally don't need a relevant degree - an understanding of how it works is more important and the aim of the course is to give you that insight.
Board Games
The mid-20th century was the golden age of board games. When television was in its infancy and the computer game had not been invented, millions of people played Monopoly, Buccaneer, Cluedo, Totopoly and many other games. This course is about representational (as opposed to abstract) board games and their development from simpler games. We look at their design and artwork, the role of chance mechanisms such as dice and cards and, most of all, then experience playing them.
Children’s Art Project
This course will be run in conjunction with Bessemer Grange primary school and it will provide you with an opportunity to assist in producing and working on an art project with year 6 pupils. Together with the guidance and advice of staff at the school, you will be involved in all aspects of this venture, from developing a particular project to helping pupils to learn about art. The study of art beyond GCSE is not a prerequisite, but a willingness to work with young children and enthusiasm are. This course will necessitate a 10-15 minute walk from JAGS at 2:35pm, arriving at Bessemer Grange at approximately 2:50pm. Your timekeeping must be impeccable for obvious reasons.
Digital Art
Find out how to manipulate images and photographs using Adobe Photoshop. Discover the versatility of this industry standard software through editing photographs, digital photography, scanning, montage, text manipulation and direct drawing. The aim of the course is to produce a series of linked images using a range of techniques and requires an understanding of visual language.
European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
Do you want a qualification that an increasing number of employers require? Do you want and indeed need to improve your computer skills? From PowerPoint to Word, spreadsheets to databases, this course is designed for those seeking to improve & acquire essential IT skills, gain a practical IT qualification & enhance career prospects. The Liberal Studies course will cover many of the elements needed for the ECDL & will be tailored to meet the needs of the group. You should be able to complete all 7 modules during the length of the course, & so improve your computer skills considerably & thus your marketability with potential employers. All those interested in taking the ECDL should be aware that there is a cost involved, however there is no pressure to take the modules should you not wish to do so & merely want to improve your computer skills.
Games for actors and non-actors
Confidence, co-ordination, control and communication are life skills as well as theatre skills. Through encounter and play this course will sharpen your wits and improve focus and concentration necessary for the stage and other everyday ‘performances’.
Health and Fitness
The course takes a relaxed, fun approach to the exploration of a range of complementary medicines which attempt to give an holistic and alternative approach to health, e.g. T’ai Chi, Reflexology, Tae Kwondo, Shiatsu. Throughout the course pupils are encouraged to take responsibility for their own health and to contrast the therapies studied with more conventional treatments.
Textiles
The word batik is thought to be derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. Used in Bali, Malaysia and Indonesia, batik has a long and interesting cultural heritage. It is a fine art which can have a number of practical applications. This course will enable you to investigate batik techniques both in terms of the tools used – the tjanting and the wajan and to discover the excitement in manipulating wax and dye to produce layers and textures. An ability to draw is an advantage, but the main requirement is an interest in colour and a willingness to experiment.
Music Technology
This course provides an introduction to modern day music production methods. After an introductory lecture on the fundamentals of music studios and sound, the course is based on group tutorials and is almost totally hands-on. Students will be encouraged to experiment with various dance music production techniques including MIDI sequencing, recording and editing digital audio, using samples and loops, plug-ins, effects and mixing/mastering… the end result hopefully being a finished tune that can be burned to CD and played to friends/family. You do not have to be able to read music, although enthusiasm, raw musical ideas, basic keyboard skills and IT literacy are essential.
Photography
This course explains from scratch the basic “black and white” techniques and dark room procedures, as well as the underlying scientific principles. Access to a 35mm. camera is essential.
Printmaking
An opportunity to explore various printmaking techniques and make a series of relief or intaglio prints. The course could be a valuable opportunity to add to A level Art coursework, or in building a portfolio for art school entry. No GCSE or A level Art is necessary to study this course but a visual curiousity and willingness to experiment is essential.
Russian Language and Culture
During the course you will be introduced to the cyrillic alphabet and you will learn to read and write simple phrases in Russian. The emphasis, however, will be on speaking the language and on learning about Russia’s history and culture. If you are interested in finding out more about St Petersburg, Russia under the tsars, Tolstoy, the mummification of Lenin, life in the Soviet Union, perestroika or Putin, this is the course for you.
Scottish Country Dancing
If you want to get fit, learn a new skill (very useful for university and beyond), have fun and be sociable come and have a go at Scottish Country Dancing. No experience required (although knowing your right from your left is helpful but not essential!) You will be taught the basic steps and progress from simple to more advanced dances including the popular Dashing White Sargeant, Strip the Willow and The Gay Gordons. By the end of term we will even manage an Eightsome Reel! Fling your worries away!
Spanish/Latin American Cinema
An investigation into Spanish and Latin American cinema. Films selected will reflect the changing attitudes in Spanish and Latin American society and highlight both past and contemporary issues prevalent within these societies. The course is open to all students interested in the culture of Spain and Central/South America. An ability to speak/understand spoken Spanish would be an advantage but is not strictly necessary as the films chosen will be subtitled. The course would, however, be particularly beneficial to A2 Spanish language students as many of the themes touched upon are reflected in the A2 Spanish syllabus (role of women, immigration, politics, crime etc.). Students studying history (Franco, Spanish Civil War) would also find the course useful.
Textiles
An opportunity to work with materials and wax effects through the medium of batik. How are various effects achieved? This course will enable you to investigate and experiment with the TJANTING. You will discover the exciting effects made by the crackling of hot wax and various fabric dyeing techniques to make a batik fabric to take home. Think about the practical application – T shirts, shirts, scarves. An ability to draw is an advantage, but the main requirement is an interest in colour and a willingness to experiment.
Turney Special School
Last year four girls quietly made an extraordinary impact on the learning experience of some of the pupils at this Foundation Special School for junior and secondary pupils. Each Monday afternoon they walked to the school in Turney Road, arriving by 2.30pm, since the school finishes at 3.30pm. They helped children with all kinds of special needs: autism, Down’s syndrome, emotional and behavioural difficulties, for example, in Art, Music and DT classes. They encouraged them to read and write, anything that was asked of them. It would be good if a small group of committed, supportive and responsible girls could continue this important link, and develop their personal skills. The benefits, both ways, are considerable.
Yoga
Yoga (from the Sanskrit word for ‘union’ or ‘oneness’) is a personal self-help system of health care and spiritual development. It has been practised in one form or another for thousands of years: yoga postures have been found engraved on seals dating from 3000 B.C.E. Yoga is a complete discipline but will enhance any other training regime and can also lead to improved mental well-being if practised regularly.
Places on this course are limited. You will need to wear loose, comfortable clothes, and be committed. The benefits in this introduction to yoga will be a greater awareness of your body, its weaknesses and strengths as well as increased suppleness, strength and hopefully ways of relieving tension.