Communication and the Arts
Communication and the Arts Major Requirements | Communication and the Arts Minor Requirements | Course Descriptions
Interdisciplinary Major or Minor (Bachelor of Arts)
Professors - David Damkoehler, Carol Emmons, Jeffrey Entwistle, Cheryl Grosso (chair), Terence O'Grady, Laura Riddle
Associate Professors - Jeffrey Benzow, Kevin Collins, Kristy Deetz, Curtis Heuer, R. Michael Ingraham, Kaoime Malloy, John Mariano, Sarah Meredith, Jennifer Mokren, Ellen Rosewall, John Salerno, Christine Style
Assistant Professors - Benjamin Brecher, Toni Damkoehler, Sarah Detweiler, Alison Gates, Eric Hansen, Randall Meder
Lecturer - Denise Carlson-Gardner
Instructor - David Severtson
Web site: 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 major offers a choice of three areas of emphasis:
- Arts Management
- Design Arts
- Environmental Design
Two areas of emphasis are offered for those pursuing a minor:
- Arts Management
- Graphics Communications
These often are combined with disciplinary majors such as art, music and theatre, among others.
The arts management emphasis aims to develop the conceptual and practical skills required for management of not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations. The curriculum works within an interdisciplinary arts context and strives for a broad-based cultural understanding in addition to honing the professional skills in management, marketing and program development needed in today's community-based arts organizations.
The curriculum for the arts management major and minor emphases includes topics such as public awareness, audience development, funding and financial management, working with a board of directors, education and advocacy. Students in the major emphasis supplement arts management coursework with additional work in such areas as communications and public administration. Central to the understanding of arts management is an understanding of the arts. Students choose from a variety of art, music and theatre courses to support an interdisciplinary arts literacy, and may in addition choose to minor in an arts-related discipline. An internship or practicum is required for both major and minor emphases, and may be pursued via a wide range of community arts organizations and agencies as well as on-campus visual and performing arts activities.
Design arts brings together studies of image and text to examine both the theory and the process of informative and expressive design for 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 methods using computer design software, along with traditional image-making techniques, to develop effective design solutions for communication.
This major 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, and 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 technology studio that features design and imaging software and hardware standard to the design profession. A general-access Macintosh computer laboratory also supports the design arts program.
Environmental design 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, drawing (CADD) equipment and model-building facilities as well as space for presentation of design solutions to clients and community members.
The graphic communications emphasis 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.
Students may study abroad or at other campuses in the United States through UW-Green Bay 's participation in international exchange programs and National Student Exchange. Travel courses are another option for obtaining academic credits and completing requirements. For more information, contact the Office of International Education at (920) 465-2413 or see http://www.uwgb.edu/international/.