Communication and Visual Arts

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Click on any of the following links for information:

• Communication (COM)
• Journalism (JRN)
• Visual Arts (ART)

4116 William S White Building
(810) 766-6679
Fax: (810) 766-6834
sbeam@umflint.edu
http://www.umflint.edu/comarts

Chair: Heather Seipke, Director of Art Program: Janet Lorch
Principal Secretary: Kristin Arntz, Accounting Clerk: Michele Windsor
Professors Christine Waters;  Associate Professors Darryl Baird, Sarah Rosaen, Heather Seipke, Mike Sevick; Assistant Professors Danielle De La Mare, Rebecca Hayes, Michael Lewis, Sarah Lippert Marcus Paroske, 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, Christine Laikind, Daniel Lair, Kim Laux, Janet Lorch, Chris Machniak, Tony McGill, Karen Nowosatko, 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, Organizational Communication, and Relational Communication. Another program of study exists in the Journalism program.  A unique opportunity to pursue argumentation and advocacy on our successful speech and debate team completes the Communication offerings. Studio Art, Visual Communication, and Art Education are the general programs of study in the Visual Arts. Studio Art concentrations include painting, printmaking/drawing, photography, and Three-Dimensional art (ceramics/sculpture). Visual Communication includes two concentrations in either graphic design or photography. Both Communication and Visual Arts offer minors and honors study.

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 offers a curriculum that emphasizes analytical processes and competency in art techniques. Students are trained as viewers, creators, communicators, theorists, and historians of art. In addition, the curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve as artists in related fields, such as art education, exhibition coordinating/curating and criticism. 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://www.umflint.edu/assessment.

Programs in Visual Arts

Four 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) , and the Program in Visual Arts Education (Bachelor of Science) . 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.)

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