Communication

Kelly Wilz, Head of the Division of Communication
Room 225, Communication Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-3409
Email: communication@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/comm

This department is administered by the College of Fine Arts & Communication .

Faculty: T Bodor, C Elza, E Fakazis, T Halkowski, S Hill, A Ingersoll, J O’Connell, C Shofner, C Spaulding, R Sprague, M Tolstedt, K Wilz.

Definition: Communication studies how humans use symbols to create, send, receive, and respond to messages in a variety of contexts using oral, written, visual, or mediated channels.

Abbreviations:
IPO = Interpersonal and Organizational Communication
MS - Media Studies
PR - Public Relations

The Division of Communication offers an interdisciplinary major in arts management and a communication major and minor. Arts management combines skills in business, communication, and the arts to promote all facets of the arts in any size community. Arts managers are responsible for financing and marketing, developing programs, managing facilities, writing grants, and managing personnel to support artists and arts agencies.

Our comprehensive communication major and minor prepare students for a wide range of careers in broadcasting, new media, journalism, public relations, management, training, sales, and human services.

You must complete all coursework required for the major or minor and are also expected to acquire strong oral and written communication competencies. The division encourages everyone to participate in one or more of the student organizations and the internship program. These enhance job opportunities upon graduation by providing practical communication experience.

Academic Standards for Arts Management Major/Minor

You must maintain a grade point average of 2.75 for all courses in the major/minor, regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy, to continue in the major and for graduation.
Once you complete 12 credits toward your arts management major/minor, you must maintain a 2.75 GPA for your major coursework. If your arts management major/minor GPA falls below a 2.75 GPA will be placed on probation in for one semester. If you fail to regain a 2.75 GPA after the next semester in which you complete a course counting toward the arts management major/minor, you will be dismissed from the major/minor.
Courses with a grade below C- DO NOT fulfill major/minor requirements; however, grades for those courses will be calculated into your major/minor GPA.
Transfer credit policy: Certain courses taken at other universities may substitute for courses in the major/minor. Credits from these courses will be counted when calculating your GPA in arts management.

Arts Management Minor

Available only to students majoring in Art, Communication (Media Emphasis), Dance, Interior Architecture, Music, or Theatre. If you are interested in declaring an arts management minor, you must meet with a division representative. Contact the Communication office to make an appointment.

Within this interdisciplinary minor, you will explore the interrelationships of formal and informal structures needed for financing, producing, promoting, and marketing of the arts. Even if you intend to become a practicing artist, this course of study will expose you to skills you will need to make a successful career.

Academic Standards for Communication

Retention and Graduation

In order to graduate with a major or minor in communication, you must achieve a 2.50 GPA in all communication classes taken, regardless of a declaration of academic bankruptcy.
Once you complete 12 credits toward your communication major (excluding 101), you must maintain a 2.50 GPA for your major coursework. If your communication major GPA falls below a 2.50, you will be placed on probation for one semester. If you fail to regain a 2.50 GPA after the next semester in which you complete a communication course, you will be dismissed from the major.
Courses with a grade below C- DO NOT fulfill the major or minor requirements, but are included in the calculation of the major or minor GPA. See the Grade-related Policies section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.
Transfer credit policy: Certain courses taken at other universities may substitute for courses in the major. Credits from these courses will be counted when calculating your GPA in communication.

Test-out, Credit-by-Exam, and Retroactive Credit Policy

If you think you qualify for the above, contact the division head who will determine whether the exam will be for test-out, credit-by-exam, and/or retroactive credit. A designated instructor will administer a written exam that evaluates your level of ability with the content of the course. A grade of B or better will qualify for test-out.

Courses that involve applied skills and/or oral performance may also require a second performance exam if you score well enough on the written exam.

Programs

Major

Minor