Upper School Course Catalogue - 2025-26
Communications
Communications
Click on a course name below to view more information.
REQUIRED: Freshman Seminar (1 credit)
Class of 2030: The Fine Arts requirement can be met by completion of 1.5 credits earned in Practical Arts courses (Journalism: Yearbook and Journalism: Newspaper).
CO0910 Freshman Seminar (1 credit)
Level: 9th grade
Length: Year
Description: Freshman Seminar combines health and wellness with public speaking and other professional skills. While the content centers around health-related topics, students will have many opportunities to practice delivering speeches and presenting educational information in a professional manner. In this course, students learn how to accurately research health topics and learn how to use technology, creating dynamic presentations, all while learning how to maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This course meets state-mandated health
education requirements.
COUS10 Journalism: Yearbook (1 credit)
Level: 9th through 12th grades
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of prior English class, completed application process, and Yearbook adviser’s approval.
Description: This year-long course educates students on the basics of yearbook publication, with an emphasis on journalistic writing, photography, and design. Students in the course produce Episcopal’s yearbook, Talon. Students who take this course must be self-motivated, as well as able to meet deadlines. Working outside of regular school hours is required. Students also learn to write and edit effective captions, headlines, and copy, as well as learn how to take well-composed photographs, how to crop them correctly, and how to place them into layouts, using the computer software programs Photoshop and InDesign.
COUS1H Honors Journalism: Yearbook (1 credit)
Level: 11th and 12th grades
Length: Year / Course can be taken more than once.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Journalism: Yearbook and Yearbook adviser’s approval.
Description: This year-long course continues to educate students on the process of yearbook publication, with an emphasis on journalistic writing, photography, and design. Students in the course produce Episcopal’s yearbook, Talon. Students who take this course must be self-motivated, as well as able to meet deadlines. Working outside of regular school hours is required. Students also learn to write and edit effective captions, headlines, and copy, as well as learn how to take well-composed photographs, how to crop them correctly, and how to place them into layouts using the computer software programs Photoshop and InDesign.
COUS20 Journalism: Yearbook Photography (1 credit)
Level: 10th through 12th grades
Length: Year / Course can be taken more than once.
Prerequisite: Completed application process including a photography portfolio and Yearbook adviser’s approval.
Description: This year-long course educates students on the basics of yearbook publication, with an emphasis on photography. Students in the course help produce Episcopal’s yearbook, Talon. Students who take this course must be self-motivated, as well as able to meet deadlines. Working outside of regular school hours is required, sometimes off campus. Students also learn how to take well-composed photographs and how to edit them correctly, using the computer software program Photoshop.
COUS51 Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit), Semester 1
COUS52 Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit),Semester 2
COUS52 Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit),Semester 2
Level: 9th through 12th grades
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 9, completed application process, and Newspaper adviser’s approval.
Description: The course objective is to educate students on the basics of newspaper-based journalism, with an emphasis on writing and photography. Students also learn how to prep for, record, and assess podcasts. All material is submitted to the online publication. Students who take this course must be self-motivated and must be able to meet deadlines. Work outside of regular school hours is required. Students learn to produce effective journalistically-sound content, portraying student perspectives, both on and off of Episcopal’s campus.
COUS51H Honors Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit), Semester 1
COUS52H Honors Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit), Semester 2
COUS52H Honors Journalism: Newspaper (.5 credit), Semester 2
Level: 11th and 12th grades
Length: Semester / Course can be taken more than once.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Journalism: Newspaper and Newspaper adviser’s approval.
Description: The course objective is to educate students on newspaper-based journalism, with an emphasis on writing and photography. Students also learn how to prep for, record, and assess podcasts. All material is submitted to the online publication. Students who take this course must be self-motivated and must be able to meet deadlines. Work outside of regular school hours is required. Students learn to produce effective journalistically-sound content, portraying student perspectives, both on and off of Episcopal’s campus.
CO1010 Media Production 1 (1 credit)
Level: 9th through 11th grades
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Teacher discretion, due to equipment and classroom constraints.
Description: This course introduces students to the basics of film production, including videos for social media, and digital marketing, including podcasts. Students utilize DSLR cameras, external audio recording equipment, and Adobe Creative Cloud to create videos in a broad range of styles. Students will also study elements of filmmaking by analyzing movies throughout the year. Students who enroll in this course must be self-motivated, as well as able to meet deadlines.
CO1110 Media Production 2 (1 credit)
Level: 10th through 12th grades
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Media Production 1 and teacher approval.
Description: This course serves as a continuation of the basic skills learned in Media Production 1. Students direct and produce projects while learning to develop a personal vision for-content creation. Students will also delve further into the exploration of film analysis. Students must be self-motivated, as well as able to meet deadlines.
CO121H Honors Media Production 3 (1 credit)
Level: 11th and 12th grades
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Media Production 2 and teacher approval.
Description: This advanced course expands students’ skills in filmmaking and content creation while emphasizing independent work, initiative, and reliable deadline management. The curriculum also includes advanced film analysis, giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of cinematic techniques and storytelling.
CO122H Honors Media Production 4 (1 credit)
Level: 12th Grade
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Honors Media Production 3 and teacher approval.
Description: This upper-level course challenges students to take full creative ownership of their projects, refining their technical expertise and professional workflow. Students produce more complex content for digital platforms. Emphasis is placed on leadership, collaboration, and managing projects from concept to final cut. The curriculum also includes advanced film analysis, giving students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of cinematic techniques and storytelling.
COUS2A Advanced Placement Psychology (1 credit)
Level: 11th and 12th grades
Length: Year
Prerequisite: Application, with additional consideration given to current science grade and level of rigor.
Description: The primary objective of the course is to study the scope of human behavior and cognitive processes. The goals of this course are to immerse students in modern psychological investigation techniques, to explore the ethics and morality of human interaction, and to emphasize critical thinking skills in the application of sound scientific principles. Psychology is a complex social science with multiple perspectives and interpretations.
COUS4S Film Analysis (.5 credit)
Level: 11th and 12th grades
Length: Semester
Prerequisite: Parental approval. (R-rated films may be involved.)
Description: This course introduces students to the fundamentals of film analysis, including key cinematic techniques, genre conventions, and narrative structures. Students will develop the ability to recognize, interpret, and articulate the artistic and entertainment qualities of movies. Due to the mature content of some of the films, the course is available only to juniors and seniors.