Communication and the Arts
Interdisciplinary Major or Minor (Bachelor of Arts)
Professors - David Damkoehler, Carol Emmons, Jeffrey Entwistle, Cheryl Grosso, Terence O'Grady, Laura Riddle
Associate Professors - Jeffrey Benzow, Kevin Collins, Curtis Heuer (chair), John Mariano, Sarah Meredith, Jennifer Mokren, John Salerno, Christine Style, William Witwer
Assistant Professors - Jan Bradfield, Kristy Deetz, Sarah Detweiler, Alison Gates, Michael Ingraham, Namji Kim, Kaoime Malloy, John Plier, Ellen Rosewall, Rebecca Tout
Lecturer - Denise Carlson-Gardner
Web site: http://www.uwgb.edu/coa/
Communication and the arts is concerned with the structure, roles, and social and aesthetic consequences of all forms of communication, particularly graphic design, visual art, music, theatre, and environmental design.
The program offers two major areas of emphasis: communication arts and environmental design. It also offers two minor areas of emphasis: arts management and graphic communications. These often are combined with disciplinary programs such as art, music and theatre, among others.
Emphases for the Major in Communication and the Arts
- Communication arts brings together studies of image and text to examine both the theory and the process of informative and expressive communication. The curriculum includes a series of core courses in graphic design and studies in the history, applications, and influences of print, video, and interactive communications. Students learn to apply problem-solving skills as they use computer-aided design and imaging hardware and software, along with traditional photographic and print imaging and production methods, writing skills, and creative thinking to develop solutions to communication problems.
This emphasis provides a contemporary liberal arts education and an array of professional skills for a wide range of careers and advanced study, including graphic design, public relations, advertising and marketing, publications management, art direction, creative direction, advertising and editorial photography, multi-media and Web site design among others. The emphasis has a practicum and internship component through which students can gain professional experience in these areas.
Students have access to a modern, electronic-publishing and imaging graphics computer laboratory, photography darkroom, and studios. A general-access Macintosh computer laboratory also supports the communication arts program.
- Environmental design is offered cooperatively with urban and regional studies and examines the forces that shape the settings in which people live and act. The program emphasizes understanding and using the design process as a creative decision-making tool, especially through its core workshops, which focus on design projects ranging from individual and small-group environments to building design and downtown community redevelopment. Students may combine this emphasis with programs in art, psychology, pre-architecture, or pre-engineering to prepare for graduate study or for careers in architecture, engineering, urban planning, interior design, or industrial design.
Students have access to computer-aided design and drawing (CADD) equipment and model-building facilities as well as space for presentation of design solutions to clients and community members.
Emphases for the Minor in Communication and the Arts
- Arts management aims at developing the conceptual and cultural understanding and the professional skills required for management and promotion of not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. Working within an interdisciplinary related arts context, students focus on such areas as public awareness and audience-building, funding and financial management, and the role of the arts in the community. Practicum and internship experiences are available through a wide range of community arts organizations and agencies as well as on-campus visual and performing arts activities.
- Graphic communications focuses on integrating text and images into coherent and effective communication. Combined with a major in art, communication (electronic media, photography, or journalism), or business administration, the emphasis prepares students for a broad array of careers in advertising, graphic design, publishing, Web design, illustration, and photography. Graduate study in graphic design, visual communication, or art are other possibilities. The emphasis has an active internship component through which students can gain professional experience.