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Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies

Dr. Maisha Akbar, Interim Department Chair
105 Founders Hall
478-825-6387

The Department of Arts and Communication offers courses in communication, music, art and humanities which are included in the University System Core Curriculum options. In addition, the department offers elective courses in speech communication, media studies and visual and performing arts which are open to all University students. The music electives include applied music instruction in piano (beginning to advanced levels in both group and individual instruction), voice, woodwinds, brasses, strings and percussions. The department’s performing organizations include: The Blue Machine Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Choir and Gospel Choir. Students have the option of enrolling in an ensemble for credit. However, an audition with the respective director is required in order to participate.

The Visual and Performing Arts curriculum is designed to:

• educate and expose University students to the many facets of humanities and the intellectual and artistic development of world cultures by integrating art, music, literature and philosophy from a multi-cultural perspective;
• promote creative expression and intellectual inquiry in the arts and humanities;
• provide learning environments in which students explore;
• provide the depth and breadth of exposure to style, periods, techniques, methodologies, and equipment instruments that will allow students to apply their fine arts training in future vocational endeavors;
• provide academic and cultural experiences which will enhance and further develop the individual musical talent of students who participate in the choral and instrumental ensembles;
• foster and enhance the development of creative potential in students who demonstrate both talent and promise in the creative and performing arts;
• provide supervised learning environments in which students demonstrate public speaking and related skills that integrate critical thinking, research, organization, writing and delivery;
• develop a high level of skills and competencies in each Commercial Design major in the conceptual, creative, and technical facets of commercial and graphic arts; and
• prepare Visual & Performing Arts majors to excel in careers in the visual and performing arts profession.

Majors and Degrees: Visual and Performing Arts offers concentrations in Digital Media and Design, Digital Music and Sound, Printmaking, Studio Art, Theatre and Performance and Vocal & Instrumental Performance which lead to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Visual and Performing Arts. Minor programs of study are offered in Visual & Performing Arts (with concentrations in Jazz, Instrumental Music, Piano Performance and Vocal Performance) and Speech Communication.

Media Studies

The field of media studies is constantly changing. The changes are the results of technological innovations which are challenging both the traditional methods of delivering information to the public and the methods used by journalism and media studies educators to prepare future media professionals. Therefore, the challenge for educators is to use new technologies creatively to teach those critical skills that enhance employment opportunities for students. To this end, the Department of Arts and Communication is committed to: (1) attracting and training a diverse student population for successful careers in digital journalism, public relations or broadcasting, (2) providing practical hands-on opportunities for students to become efficient in the essential communication skills of writing, announcing and interviewing and to hone their skills in production and visual communications, while understanding the legal and ethical parameters in which they will deploy these skills in the marketplace, and (3) providing a broad theoretical framework for analyzing and understanding societal issues. Graduates of the program should be able to gain employment and internships in various media industries such as: radio, newspapers, magazines, television, cable, public relations and new media firms. Producers, news directors, copy editors and managing editors will find the Media Studies graduate to be suitably qualified for employment with little or no supervision.

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