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Art

The art program at Upper Iowa University challenges students to develop a personal approach to the arts while they strengthen their artistic skills and explore career opportunities. Creativity and independence are cornerstones of a program where faculty members actively lead, motivate, and support students in their education, personal lives, and careers. The natural beauty of Northeastern Iowa forms a backdrop that inspires students to better understand themselves and what it means to be human. This combination of personal expression, professional guidance, and stimulating natural environment contribute to a unique atmosphere of interaction and collaboration where students and their ideas can flourish.

Major in Graphic Design

A major in graphic design prepares students to be successful in a competitive and fast-paced occupation, where they will use technical skills and creative problem solving to produce traditional print publications, advertisements and web designs using the latest digital technologies.

 
Credits
ART 110 Drawing 3
ART 111 Design
3
ART 211 Art History I
3
ART 212 Art History II
3
ART/COMM 235 ART/COMM 235 Graphic Design I
3
ART/COMM 280 ART/COMM 280 Multimedia
3
ART/COMM 335 ART/COMM 335 Graphic Design II
3
ART/COMM 355 ART/COMM 355 Typography 3
ART/COMM 435 ART/COMM 435 Graphic Design III 3
ART/COMM 436 ART/COMM 436 Graphic Design IV 3

One of the following:

ART 403 Internship
ART 499 Special Project

3

At least one of the following:

BA 208 Marketing Principles
BA 358 Consumer Behavior
BA 363 Advertising

3

Total

36

COURSE OFFERINGS, ART

ART 100 Introduction to Art 3 credits

An introduction to the visual arts through study of the elements of art, the various art forms and a chronological study of art history.

ART 110 Drawing 3 credits

A foundation course in drawing media and techniques, focusing on the study of objects and natural forms in problems of analysis and composition. Note: There is a lab fee for this course.

ART 111 Design 3 credits

This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of design. It will explore the role of visual elements and design practices in various cultural, historical and political contexts, and will emphasize the processes and techniques of graphics design and production.

ART 202 Painting 3 credits

This course focuses on the technical aspects of oil painting, such as stretching canvas, mixing and applying paint, composition and idea development. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 110.

ART 211 Art History I 3 credits

This course studies the development of Western art from the prehistoric period to the Renaissance.

ART 212 Art History II 3 credits

An exploration of the history of art from the Renaissance to the present. Concern is given to the major movements and artists and the various influences that affected their development.

ART 215 Photography 3 credits

This course presents the art of photographing with a 35mm camera and the craft of developing and printing black-and-white negatives and photographs, teaching students to become more visually aware. Note: Students must provide 35mm SLR with F/stop and shutter speed control cameras. There is a lab fee for this course. Same as COMM 215.

ART 222 Ceramics 3 credits

This course teaches the techniques of hand-building and wheel-throwing, glazing and firing functional and nonfunctional pottery. Note: There is a lab fee for this course.

ART 235 Graphic Design I 3 credits

Acquaints the beginning designer with the basic principles, terminology and methods used to solve graphic design problems and explores the integration of typography and visual elements to communicate ideas. Students learn to understand and evaluate information and learn the value of research in creating design solutions. Assignments are devised to emphasize and encourage conceptual thinking. Same as COMM 235. Prerequisite: ART 111.

ART 250 Special Topics 3 credits

ART 280 Multimedia 3 credits

This course is an introduction to the elements and principles of multimedia design. Students will explore the role of visual elements and design practices using various computer software applications. Team approaches to problem solving and client-based projects are emphasized.  Same as COMM 280.

ART 299 Special Project 3 credits

ART 310 Printmaking 3 credits

An introduction to printmaking with a view to mastering the fundamental procedures and design problems of relief, intaglio, and serigraphy. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 110.

ART 320 Sculpture 3 credits

In this course, students use various techniques and media—such as clay, plaster casting, piece molds, wood and stone carving—to produce three-dimensional art forms. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 110.

ART 330 Watercolor/Water Media 3 credits

An exploration of the techniques and qualities of various water media, including watercolor, acrylics or gouache. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 110.

ART 335 Graphic Design II 3 credits

Students learn to use appropriate materials, tools and techniques needed to show effective idea development and presentation methods required at the various stages of design problem solving. Students work from initial thumbnails to full-size rough layouts to completed comprehensive presentations of several print and multimedia projects.  Same as COMM 335. Prerequisite: ART 235.

ART 35001 Advanced Studio – Ceramics 3 credits

This course involves focused development of specific skills and concepts in ceramics. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 222.

ART 35002 Advanced Studio – Drawing 3 credits

Specialized problems in drawing are presented in this course, designed to extend the range of each student’s technical and expressive capability. Prerequisite: ART 110.

ART 35003 Advanced Studio – Painting 3 credits

Intensive work in technical and conceptual development in oils is the focus of this course. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 202.

ART 35004 Advanced Studio – Printmaking 3 credits

The focus is on concentrated study, usually in one print process area chosen by the student, with problems set by the instructor with a view toward idea and technique complexity. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 310.

ART 35005 Advanced Studio – Sculpture 3 credits

Specialized problems in sculpture are studied in this course. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 320.

ART 35006 Advanced Studio – Watercolor/Water Media 3 credits

A specialized study of techniques, problems and expression with water media. Note: There is a lab fee for this course. Prerequisite: ART 330.

ART 355 Typography 3 credits

Essential experience in the craft of typography and type specification. Students develop a full understanding of the terminology used by typographers and learn to work with type intelligently and creatively. Research into the history of type design and exploration of the symbolism inherent in different typefaces and their relationship to other graphic elements.  Same as COMM 355

ART 372 Survey of American Art 3 credits

This course explores the diverse history of American Art. The primary focus is to gain an understanding of the art of our past so that we may better understand the culture of the present. Study includes architecture, painting, sculpture and photography from the colonial era to the present.

ART 400 Senior Thesis (art majors only) 3 credits

A formal evaluation and exhibition of the student’s work. Includes research in historic and contemporary work of similar techniques and concepts culminating in a research paper, exploration and assessment of exhibitions, and the mounting of an exhibition of their own work.

ART 403 Internship 3 credits

ART 435 Graphic Design III 3 credits

Students create unique design solutions derived from research and thorough understanding of historical design styles. Students are urged to experiment and be innovative while still being professionally aware of historical design styles and philosophies. Projects include traditional print and digital multimedia formats. Same as COMM 435. Prerequisite: ART 335.

ART 436 Graphic Design IV 3 credits

This capstone course emphasizes digital illustration techniques used to enhance visual representation and communication in the form of information graphics, maps and logos. The goal of this course is to develop a highly professional and competitive portfolio for interviewing purposes. There is strong emphasis on conceptual thinking and refinement of design. Note: Same as COMM 436. Prerequisite: ART 335.

ART 450 Special Topics 3 credits

ART 499 Special Project 1-3 credits

Major in Communications

The comprehensive UIU Communications major is interdisciplinary in nature, reflecting the belief that all communication media are engaged in essentially the same process (gathering information and creating and disseminating messages) and that the present-day communication professional must be schooled in the basic skills— writing, speaking, and visual communication—and must be able to develop the ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and think strategically.

The broad aim of the program is to develop each student’s potential for critical thinking and creative ability. A student with a major in Communications from Upper Iowa University can pursue a career in newspapers and other digital media: broadcasting, cable or satellite ancillary operations; public relations firms; integrated marketing agencies; as practitioners of the visual arts; as communication specialists in private corporations and governmental agencies; or in other public and private communication enterprises.

The university offers a major in Communications with a chosen emphasis area in one of the following: journalism, sports communication or media production.

JOURNALISM. Students seeking careers in print and broadcast journalism should enroll in the journalism program; this emphasis offers learning and experience in reporting and editing in the print and electronic media. Coursework includes: theory and philosophy of journalism; press freedom, ethics and responsibility; news functions and effects; the press system and its relation to socio-political systems; practice of press and professional standards. The intention of this degree is to provide students with a firm grounding in understanding what media are while giving them the opportunity to specialize in a variety of practical and analytical conceptual areas. Such units cover many aspects of academic, technical and professional writing, critical thinking, research skills, and oral presentation skills. Courses equip students with the essential writing, editing, and design skills for effective communication.

Students graduating with a degree in Journalism are prepared for jobs such as reporter, editor, newscaster, author, copy writer, script writer, publisher, news service researcher, technical writer, acquisitions editor, media interviewer, public relations researcher and writer, research analyst, print production coordinator, photojournalist, production assistant, proofreader, publisher, news writer, and electronic publication specialist.

SPORTS COMMUNICATION. Students seeking entry level positions in radio, television, athletic or sports information, sports journalism, public relations, or promotions should enroll in the sports communication emphasis. The communications curriculum provides students with valuable experience in the production of both print and broadcast messages as they are disseminated in the professional market. The HPER curriculum provides the student with an understanding of the science of human movement and the interrelationship among the historical, sociological, and psychological elements of sports.

The Sports communication major prepares students for jobs such as sports information director, athletic team publicist, athletic director, radio and television sportscaster, broadcast sports videographer, sports journalist, public information officer for sports-related companies, television and radio sports writer, publication sports writer, professional athlete who would want to pursue a sports communication career, and public relations sports writer.

MEDIA PRODUCTION. Whereas the Journalism emphasis teaches students to develop, write, edit and pitch articles for media, those interested in careers in managing information for corporate or nonprofits should enroll in the Media Production emphasis. The Media Production emphasis provides training in communication management including public information, writing, speaking, critical thinking and media research. Whereas the Journalism emphasis focuses on communication through writing, the Media Production emphasis focuses on the management and dissemination of information from encoder to decoder in all formats including print, broadcast, and most importantly, corporate and nonprofit.

Courses equip students with the essential writing, editing, and design skills for effective communication and management of communication including research and analysis of the relationship between the encoder and decoder. Research and management courses give students the ability to plan and execute successful communications campaigns.

Students graduating with the emphasis in Media Production will be prepared for careers such as media planner, creative director, public information officer, negotiator, director of corporate communication, audiovisual specialist, campaign manager, school/ university information specialist, director of college news, promotions manager, director of a collegiate information center, newsletter editor, communication trainer, mediator, information officer, speech writer, research specialist, press secretary, communications manager for federal health agencies, interviewer and special events coordinator.