Communication and Visual Arts

Click on any of the following links for information:

• Communication (COM)
• Visual Arts (ART)

4116 William S White Building
(810) 766-6679
Fax: (810) 766-6834

Secretary Senior: Nicole O’Leary

noleary@umflint.edu
http://www.umflint.edu/comarts

Chair: Janet Lorch
Director of COM Program: Marcus Paroske
Principal Secretary: Nicole O’Leary
Accounting Clerk: Michele Windsor

Associate Professors: Darryl Baird, Sarah Rosaen, Heather Seipke, Mike Sevick Mark Paroske, Daniel Lair; Assistant Professors: Danielle De La Mare, Ben Gaydos, Sarah Lippert, Joseph Reinsel, Cristen Velliky; Lecturers Jjenna Andrews, James Bakken, Janelle Barnard-Keller, Ed Bradley, Jim Cheek, Ryan Claytor, David Cowan, Traci Currie, Alla Dubrovich, Habeeb Gattas, Joe Ghattas, Tim Kranz, Michael Kucharski, Daniel Lake, Christine Laikind, Kim Laux, Michael Lweis, Janet Lorch, Chris Machniak, Tony McGill, William, McMillan, Michelle Silva, Holly Stevens, Marcia Watkins, Fred Wagonlander, Jennifer Weaver,  Donal Young, Rebecca Zeiss;  Professor Emeriti Charles Apple

The Department of Communication and Visual Arts offers a wide range of exciting opportunities to assist students in reaching their career, intellectual and personal goals. The general program in Communication offers three emphasis areas: Media Studies, Speech Communication and Professional Communication. A unique opportunity to pursue argumentation and advocacy on our successful speech and debate team completes the Communication offerings. Studio Art, Visual Communication, Art Education and Art History are the general programs of study in the Visual Arts. Studio Art concentrations include painting, printmaking/drawing, photography, or Interaction Arts and Three-Dimensional art (ceramics/sculpture). Visual Communication includes three concentrations in either graphic design, or photography. Both Communication and Visual Arts offer minors and honors study, including the minor in Argumentation and Advocacy.

Communication and Visual Arts programs offer students a level of personal attention that enhances the learning process. A high degree of hands-on experience and opportunities for internships also exist within the department. The department has numerous studio spaces, including ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. In addition, the department has highly specialized facilities for graphics design, photography (darkroom), and audio/video production.

The objectives of the Communication Program are: Increase public understanding of and appreciation for the value of effective communication in a democratic society; provide professional preparation for persons seeking careers in the practice of communication; provide leadership for professionals now engaged in the practice of communication; and provide pre-professional programs and supporting coursework for students completing programs in other disciplines. Contact the department for additional information about the program.

Mission and Assessment

The goals of the Communication program are to offer intensive study into the process by which people create, exchange and interpret symbolic messages, and to be conscious of variables that make human communication rich, diverse and complex. Students of communication learn about and appreciate the breadth and depth of the discipline from its roots in classical antiquity to the changing roles of electronic media. The program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://assessment.umflint.edu.

Programs in Communication

Three concentration programs are offered, all leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree: the General Program in Communication , the Communication and Visual Arts Honors Program (BA or BS or BFA) , and the Teacher’s Certificate Program in Speech . Within the concentration, students elect courses from areas of emphasis in general communication, organizational communication, or media studies. A Minor in Communication  and a Teacher’s Certificate Minor in Speech  are also available.

The Journalism program has been put on moratorium status.  Current Journalism students will be allowed to complete the program.  See the Communication and Visual Arts department for further information.

Mission and Program Assessment

The Visual Arts program is based on a curriculum that emphasizes analytical processes, critical thinking and theoretical and technical proficiency. Students are trained as innovators, creators, communicators, theorists, and historians of art and visual culture. Program focus is on academic excellence and integrity in scholarship.

The curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to prepare them for career entry and also serve as artists in related fields, such as art education, exhibition management, curatorial work and criticism. In addition, we

·       *  cultivate a supportive learning community for both students and faculty in which intellectual curiosity and creative exploration of ideas is nurtured.

·       *  encourage student involvement in the university and greater community as artists and historians of art in related fields, engaged citizens, creative thinkers and scholars. 

Programs in Visual Arts

Five concentration programs are offered: the General Program in Studio Art (Bachelor of Fine Arts) , the Communication and Visual Arts Honors Program (BA or BS or BFA) , the General Program in Visual Communication (Bachelor of Fine Arts) , the Program in Visual Arts Education (Bachelor of Science)  and the Program in Art History and Criticism (Bachelor of Arts) . Minors in Studio Art , Visual Communication  and Art History  are also available.

Visual Arts also participates in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree program by offering coursework in photography and graphic design.  A graduate program in Arts Administration, jointly offered by the Departments of Visual Arts, Music, Theater and Dance and Public Administration, is also available.  (See the “Graduate Study ” section of this Catalog for further information.)