Media & Fine Arts Courses (MFA)

This introductory course exposes students to a variety of art materials and techniques through an exploration in the fundamentals of two and three dimensional design.  Topics include: unity, balance, rhythm; line, form, color; focal point and illusion of space.

This course gives students an increased understanding of the roles media play in the ongoing development of culture and society and a broad foundation in the issues, impact, and behind-the-scenes processes of communications media, such as books, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, film, public relations, advertising and the Internet.
Cross-listed with COM 111.

This course focuses on the development of skills in public speaking and group communication.  Students learn how to prepare and deliver an effective oral presentation and study characteristics of active listening.
Cross-listed with COM 150.

This course integrates music and theater, examining both in a social and historical context and drawing connections with other arts.  Students study important elements, forms and styles, including some examples from non-Western cultures.  Attendance at live performances is required.  Discounted student admission is usually available.

This course presents an historical overview of the visual arts from classical Greek to contemporary, including examples from non-Western cultures.  Topics include art and society, visual perception, and critical analysis of art.  Field trips are an integral course component.

A survey of visual expression from Pre-History to the Renaissance including major areas of Western and Non-Western traditions, this course is intended to give insight into the nature of these art forms through a study of aesthetic thought, an exploration of the elements and techniques of art, and the relationship of the artist and the artist's work to society. 
Prerequisite: MFA 270 or permission of the instructor or Program Director.

A continuation of MFA 280 from the Renaissance to the present day, this course is intended to give insight into the nature of these art forms through a study of aesthetic thought, an exploration of the elements and techniques of art, and the relationship of the artist and the artist's work to society.
Prerequisite: MFA 280 or permission of the instructor or Program Director.

This printmaking adventure allows students to explore and experiment in traditional and non-traditional relief printing techniques using linoleum, woods, cardboard, and found textured materials.
Prerequisites: MFA 110, 270, and 360 or consent of instructor.  Laboratory Fee: See current fee schedule.

The course will include basic news reporting and writing for the various media, stressing objective communication in covering the types of news events.  Lecture and discussion topics include how to interview, journalistic problems, media organizations, legal aspects and the economic role of the media.
Prerequisite: ENGL 103
Cross-listed with ENGL 311

This course is a continuation of MFA 311 with added emphasis on feature writing.  It may be repeated up to nine hours.
Prerequisite: ENGL 103-104
Cross-listed with ENGL 312

This introduction to sculpture explores how creation of new forms is affected by characteristics and qualities of different materials.  Students begin to develop intellectual processes that aid them in abstracting ideas into three-dimensional objects.  Prerequisites: MFA 110 and 270, and 360 or consent of instructor. 
Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

The course examines all aspects of event planning, media coverage, social impact and public opinion directed toward the business community.
Cross-listed with COM 345.

This introductory course familiarizes students with paint, extenders, varieties of surface, mixing of color, and the act of painting.  Form, light, and composition are the focus investigations in pattern, still life, and self portrait. 
Prerequisites: MFA 110 and 270.
Laboratory Fee: See current fee schedule.

This course examines the impact of computer aided design multimedia and its various applications.  In addition, students will learn the fundamentals of multimedia development and presentation.  Students work with Photoshop, Illustrator, and Quark X-Press.
Prerequisite:  MFA 110 or consent of instructor.

Drawing teaches to observe, distinguish, and relate.  This course will help develop a sensitivity to a variety of drawing materials and the marks that they make through an exploration of: form, light, line, and mark; composition; varieties of sizes and surface; pattern, still life, perspective, and self-portrait.
Prerequisites: MFA 110 and 270 or consent of instructor.
Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

Further experimentation in wet and dry media with a greater emphasis on image manipulation and content development.  This course may be repeated. 
Prerequisite: MFA 360 or consent of instructor.
Laboratory Fee: See current fee schedule.

Course will examine the history of video as an art form and as a tool for effective communication.  Students will be exposed to all practical aspects of studio/video pre-production, production, and post-production.  This course is scheduled simultaneously with MFA 371.

This course is a continuation of MFA 370.  It may be repeated up to twelve hours.

This course presents an overview of the history of American film and selected genres.  Students study film techniques and language, methods of distribution, the structure of the film industry, and the relationship of films to society.  Students view specific films in class in connection with each unit of the Study Guide, see one ore more films at a movie theater, and experience a live play.

A continuation of MFA 110, the course may be repeated for a maximum of nine hours.
Laboratory fee:  See current fee schedule.
Prerequisites: MFA 110 and 270 or consent of instructor.

Further work on linoleum and wood blocks with a focus on multiple color printing and greater development of image.  Occasionally offered, an introduction to intaglio and lithography. 
Prerequisite: MFA 310 or consent of instructor.
Laboratory Fee: See current fee schedule.

Students learn basic format concept for writing for the stage, screen, television commercials, documentaries and radio, from starting with the idea to the treatment, synopsis and the script.  Students write a script of their choice and complete a package for submission for production consideration.

A further investigation into the nature of various materials and processes and how the qualities of each affect creation of new forms, with a greater focus on the development of ideas and technique.  This course may be repeated. 
Prerequisite: MFA 330 or consent of instructor.
Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

Further study in painting from observation with focus on technique.  This course may be repeated. 
Prerequisite: MFA 350 or consent of instructor.
Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

The principles of black and white photography are studied in this course.  The student gains practical experience in the area of 35mm camera handling, film emulsion and chemistry, film processing, projection printing, contact proofs, and elements and techniques of successful photography.  There is one hour lecture with two hours laboratory and at least one hour in open laboratory.  This course may be scheduled simultaneously with MFA 464.
Laboratory fee:  See current fee schedule.

This course will take the students beyond the basic principles of MFA 463 Black and White Photography and introduce them to new ideas and photographic information to further enhance and refine their photographic skills. Each assignment will have a specific purpose, and within the framework of the assignment, students will be free to explore and choose their own type of photographic papers and films, as well as the way in which their final project will be presented.
Prerequisite: MFA 463.
Laboratory Fee: See current schedule.

This black and white course will deal with the photographic composition and lighting techniques needed for studio and on-location work.  The 35mm camera and 4x5 view camera will be used to complete assignments varying from still life to architectural and industrial situations.  Emphasis will be on lighting control techniques.  There is one hour lecture, two hours laboratory and at least one hour in open laboratory.
Prerequisite: MFA 463.
Laboratory Fee:  See current fee schedule.

This course explores the different aspects of photojournalism, including history, ethics, photo essays and documentaries.  Students will be required to photograph, write, edit and present different photographic news assignments.
Prerequisites:  MFA 311 and 463. 

The principles of basic digital photography are studied in this course.  The students gain practical experience in the area of operation of a digital camera, scanning, basic manipulation and printing.

Students will be able to select an area of hands-on experience in a Media and Fine Arts field.  Requirements include practicum time plus supervisor evaluations and a reflective written paper.  Permission of the program director required.

This course will examine topics of special interest in Media and Fine Arts, such as Graphic Media, Ceramics, Life Drawing, Advanced Public Speaking, Acting, Directing, Technical Theater, Sound Production, and Color Photography.

By participating in a semester-long research program, students earn credit for their degree.  Training in research methodology provides students with the opportunity to pursue this discipline by designing, implementing, and constructing a formal report on a research topic.  This course requires senior status, a cumulative 3.25 index in the major, and the approval of the Program Director.

In consultation with Media and Fine Arts faculty, students put together a project that incorporates and furthers their creative and technical achievements.  The project includes a written description, an oral presentation, and a media/fine arts component.  Students also edit their portfolios, prepare a resume, and write a self-assessment of their strengths and areas for growth.

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