Department of Fine Arts and Communication

Housed in the Alexander Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the Department of Fine Arts and Communication provides academic programs in art and music. An important dimension of the Department’s activities is to stimulate a climate on the campus conducive to the development of artistic expression and creation and to provide satisfaction for these aesthetic needs. Individual exposure and interdisciplinary participation by students in the arts are equally important aspects of training and, as such, are encouraged. Many of the co-curricular programs provided by the department meet these demands. In addition, the Artist-Lecture Series, sponsored by the Department of Fine Arts and Communication, brings to campus professional musicians and artists for performances and workshops. The Department of Fine Arts and Communication encourages its students to meet and work with such notables, recognizing this as an integral part of the student’s professional growth and training.

Art

Based on the conviction that the artist is of essential value to his or her time and culture, the programs of study offered by the Department of Fine Arts and Communication are designed to provide the creative individual with opportunities to develop his or her talents in an orderly and logical manner. The Department has a program for the student seeking a career as an advertising/graphic design professional, studio artist, or the student wanting to continue art studies in graduate school.

Students may seek the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Studio Art or a major in Advertising/Graphic Design.

The Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art degree provides students with the instruction, equipment, and opportunities necessary to develop proficiency and historical perspective in their chosen area of artistic specialization. The curriculum balances the teaching of technical knowledge and skills with the development of critical, conceptual, and creative abilities. Studio Art is also available as a minor field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Graphic Design degree helps students develop creative and artistic skills while learning the latest in computer graphics and digital technology. The program also exposes students to the world of advertising, and provides foundational knowledge to pursue graduate studies.

All students are invited to enroll in art courses without pursuing a degree program. The combined grade point average of all art courses must be at least a 2.5 in order to graduate. Art courses require that the art degree-seeking student to earn a grade of C or higher.

Transfer students wanting to major in art must take a minimum of five art courses (three for a minor) at Concord University, regardless of work transferred, as well as meeting all requirements of the Department and the University.

Portfolio and Exhibition Requirements

While the Department of Fine Arts and Communication does not require a portfolio for admission into the program, the following requirements do exist for students enrolled in Studio Art and Graphic Advertising/Graphic Design:

1. By the end of their sophomore year, students must prepare a portfolio of work for review by the entire full-time art faculty. Students who fail their portfolio review will be asked to take additional courses. Guidelines are listed in the Department of Fine Arts and Communication Student Handbook.

2. Participation in a senior exhibition (group or individual) is required. All art students must present to the Art Faculty a portfolio for review of their work which they wish to have considered for inclusion in their senior exhibit. A jury comprised of the entire full-time art faculty will judge the student[s] work. If the jury is passed, selected works will be included. Senior exhibition guidelines are listed in the Department of Fine Arts and Communication Student Handbook.

Mass Communication

The Mass Communication program prepares graduates for successful careers in a variety of communication fields. Our mission is to create well-rounded, highly-skilled, ethically-minded students in the areas of Multimedia Communication, Digital Professional Communication, and Theatre.

The Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication requires the successful completion of 120 semester hours, including (1) the General Education Program; and, (2) completion of the required courses in the areas of Multimedia Communication and/or Digital Professional Communication. Students may also choose a minor in Theatre to complement any major offered at the University.

The degree in Digital Professional Communication is offered completely online. Students from anywhere in the world may complete this degree with the appropriate technological requirements (see Mass Communication website for details). This degree can also be taken by students on campus and may be combined with other on-campus course options.

The degree in Multimedia Communication is offered on-campus. Online or hybrid courses may also be offered as part of this degree.  

For graduation, majors must achieve a an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 in the major.

General Education Requirements:

Within the General Education curriculum provided by the University, Multimedia Communication majors are required to take ART 106 and COMM 101.  Digital Professional Communication majors are required to take ART 106 and BGEN 205. Taking one year of modern language is strongly recommended. Substitutions of the other General Education courses may be taken as per the modern language substitution policy.

Minors in either Multimedia Communication, Digital Communication, and Theatre are available.

Music

Music’s objective is to graduate competent, sensitive musicians who are prepared to begin a variety of musical careers. All prospective music students must schedule an audition for placement purposes before enrolling in any applied music course. Transfer students must audition for placement.

In addition, students are responsible for all applicable requirements in the Music Student Handbook. Music students can expect to plan individual daily practice sessions of at least two or three hours.

An overall grade point average of 2.50 (C) must be maintained in all courses in music for graduation.