Undergraduate Learning Objectives
The undergraduate programs in the School of Communications and Theater all have developed learning objectives. Because the School is committed to a number of core values, we all share the following objectives:
The Public Dimension of Communications
All students are asked to consider the ethical responsibilities inherent in every act of communication. This requires social and cultural awareness, along with understanding of historical context.
Critical Thinking
We ask all students to evaluate message and organization, content and form. Students are educated as both makers and receivers of communication and media.
Reading and Writing
Our fields have their basis in written communications. From interpreting scripts to analyzing news stories, students must be able to read with critical depth and articulate ideas in writing.
Collaborative/Leadership
We encourage students to draw on collaborative insights and be open to others’ ideas. We help students trust that they can be receptive, while still holding on to the visions that are driving their projects.
Undergraduate Improvement Projects
The Department of Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media is completing an entire curriculum overhaul to increase departmental focus and address changes in media technology.
The Department of Film and Media Arts is tracking why the gender of its students, evenly balanced when they enter, skews dominantly male by graduation. This is of particular concern given the department’s focus on giving expression to voices less often heard in film and media making.
The Department of Advertising is conducting a formal survey of its internship hosts to upgrade the Art Direction Track. As a result, the department is developing new courses to meet the demand for digital platforms.
The Department of Strategic and Organizational Communication is evaluating students’ success in public speaking and critical thinking skills in StOC 1111, Public Speaking. Focus will be on integrating arguments, evidence, organization, style, audience analysis and adaptation, speech composition, and presentation skills.
The Interdisciplinary Communications Major is evaluating academic and professional portfolios of graduating seniors.
Graduate Improvement Projects
The Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Media and Communications is evaluating the career placement of recent graduates.
The Master of Fine Arts in Theater Design is correlating portfolio reviews with professional alumni feedback.
The Master of Fine Arts in Film and Media Arts is seeking to improve the theoretical skills of film production students.
The Master of Science in Communication Management is doing a close evaluation of students’ skills in Organizational Leadership and Advocacy Communication.
The Master of Arts in Broadcasting, Telecommunication and Mass Media is discussing possible collaborations on Media Management with the Fox School of Business.