​Graphic Communications Courses

 

GC 1010: Orientation to Graphic Communication
"Introduction to the curriculum and the industry, including its processes, products, and careers. Emphasizes the attributes most desirable for successful entry and advancement up a variety of career ladders."

GC 1020: Introduction to Digital Graphics
"Students learn to develop and produce the basic components needed for self-promotion. Emphasis is placed on strategies relevant to students marketing themselves utilizing current business practices. Students are introduced to various Adobe Creative Cloud software applications and industry standard techniques for producing print and digital media."

GC 1050: Applications of Digital Graphics
"Graphic Communications industries make extensive use of software and best practices from concept through production. This course provides a solid foundation in drawing, imaging, and layout software; packaging structure and 3D CAD; and design principles and problem solving relative to audience, need, typography, color, materials, printing, and end use."

GC 1040: Graphic Communications I
"Emphasizes basic graphic arts industry concepts, principles, and practices, with laboratory applications in graphic design, digital layout, image capture/manipulation, offset lithography, screen printing, flexography, digital printing variable data, finishing operations and color management. Also covers gravure, letterpress, and specialty printing processes, along with environmental, health, and safety concerns."

GC 2070: Graphic Communications II
"Intermediate course for graphic communications and graphic arts specialists, which builds upon student experiences from previous courses. Emphasis is on theory and independent problem solving, as well as broadening skills in layout, copy preparation, and digital, lithographic and screen printing presswork. Additional areas of focus include imposition, basic color theory, basic electronic halftone theory, wide format technology and industry markets, basic methods for quality control, computer hardware, software, and networks and servers for the graphics industry."

GC 2400: Intro to Web Design & Development
"Designed to build the students’ knowledge of web design and development to an intermediate level. Students learn the fundamental languages and markups for front-end web programming, and are introduced to some of the more complex web topics, including Web to Print, Responsive Web Design, and Server Technology."

GC 3400: Digital Imaging
"This course introduces areas of digital imaging within graphic communications, including photography and video. The photography segment builds a foundation of technical skills through manual capture and studio lighting. Students then explore the process of video storytelling. Throughout the course, students create individual and group projects."

GC 3460: Ink & Substrates
"Emphasizes basic graphic arts industry concepts, principles and practices, with laboratory applications in graphics. This course provides an in-depth study of the properties of inks and substrates used in offset lithography, flexorgraphy, gravure, screen printing and digital printing applications. The interrelationship between inks, substrates and printing is examined."

GC 3620: Brand Design & Creative Direction
"Explores the commercial application of brand design elements that lead to the unique business value propositions that drive effective brand growth. The course covers graphic design, composition, and strategic creative decision-making in business and marketing contexts, and provides an overview of typography, branding identity design, and art direction to prepare students for careers in marketing, brand building, graphic communications, and advertising strategy."

GC 3800: Junior Seminar in Graphic Communications
"A study of current career paths and opportunities within the graphic communications industry. The class centers on a variety of graphic communications alumni guest speakers, group discussions, and reflections dealing with relevant topics facing graduates entering the profession today. The students draw upon their academic and internship experiences to facilitate discussion."

GC 4060: Package and Specialty Printing
"In depth study of the problems and processes for printing and converting in package label and specialty printing industries. Flexographic prepress, workflow, proofing, printing, die making, die cutting, converting, inventory marks, and consumer experience graphics are covered. New developments and trends are explored as well. Laboratory techniques in prepress, printing and converting."

GC 4400: Commercial Printing
"Advances skills learned in previous graphic communications courses and applies the knowledge to large format presses. Students work from the design conception stage through all aspects of preparation, production, and finishing. Emphasizes understanding and incorporating emerging technologies into the production workflow. "

GC 4440: Current Developments & Trends in Graphic Communications
"Advanced course for Graphic Communications majors. Emphasizes the theory and technical developments that affect process and equipment selection. Topics include color theory and application, electronic color scanning, electronic prepress and communications, gravure color quality control and analysis."

GC 4480: Planning & Controlling Printing Functions
"Study of systems for setting printing production standards, estimating, scheduling, job planning, and the selection of new hardware and technologies."

GC 4800: Senior Seminar in Graphic Communications
"A study of the current trends and issues in the graphic communications industry. The class centers on group discussions dealing with relevant topics facing the graphic communications professional today, and makes extensive use of visiting expertise. Students draw upon their academic and internship experiences and library research to facilitate discussion."

Business Courses

 

MKT 3010: Principles of Marketing
"Principles and concepts involved in planning, pricing, promoting, and distributing of goods and services."

ECON 2110: Principles of Microeconomics
"Introduction to economic reasoning and its application to the study of the behavior of consumers and business firms. Particular topics include competition, monopoly, international trade, and the impact of selected public policies. Intended as the first of a two-semester sequence in the foundations of economics."

ECON 2120: Principles of Macroeconomics
"Continuation of ECON 2110 in which fundamental economic principles are applied to the study of aggregate economic performance. Topics include the forces determining the rates of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth, with particular emphasis on the influence of fiscal and monetary policies through financial markets."

ACCT 2010: Financial Accounting Concepts
"Introduction to accounting principles with emphasis on the use of financial data and analysis of financial statements."

ACCT 2020: Managerial Accounting Concepts
"Introduction to managerial accounting with emphasis on using accounting information to make decisions."

MGT 2010: Principles of Management
"Management’s role as a factor of economic production. Functions of management, principles of organization, and behavior in organizations."

ENGL 3040: Business Writing
"Introduction to audience, context, purpose, and writing strategies for texts common in professional business settings: memoranda, letters, reports, and proposals. Includes individual and team projects."

Art Courses

 

AAH 1010: Survey of Art & Architectural History I
"Comprehensive survey of art and architectural history of Western heritage as well as significant coverage of Asian, African, Native American, and South American art. The arts are studied within the contexts of history, geography, politics, religion, and culture. Survey includes Ancient through Gothic."

AAH 1020: Survey of Art & Architectural History II
"Survey of Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical art and architecture. Introduction to the Modern Movement in Europe and America."

ART 1510: Foundations Art I
"Intensive introduction to the fundamentals of visual art. Studio projects, lectures, and discussions introduce topics and projects relative to foundation-level art students. Explores historical and contemporary applications of the elements and principles of design."

ART 1050: Foundation Drawing I
"Introduction to drawing. Presents exploration of drawing practices with an emphasis on developing observational skills and application of spatial systems. Basic materials, terminology and approaches associated with drawing are studied and applied."

ART 1550: Foundations in Digital Art
"This studio art course focuses on the use of digital materials as a contemporary art medium. Working knowledge of creative software and technology is gained through projects, lectures, and discussions."

ART 2070: Beginning Painting
"Introduction to basic materials, methods, and techniques of painting. Primary medium used is oil paint, and other painting media may also be introduced. Emphasizes basic skills in painting plus individual creative development."

ART 3070: Painting
"Continuation of ART 2070 with increased emphasis on personal expression and growth in technical competence. Some study of painting history is included in studio activity."

ART 2150: Beginning Graphic Design
"Introduction to fundamental techniques, concepts, and principles of visual communication. Through a series of projects and studio work, students explore techniques of communication through the use of type design, typography, photography, illustration, symbolism, and product design. Individual creative development is stressed."

Other Courses

 

• CH 1050: Chemistry in Context I
• PSYC 2010: Intro to Psychology
• PSYC 3640: Industrial Psychology
• SOC 2010: Introduction to Sociology
• ENGL 1030: Accelerated Composition
• ENGL 2120: World Literature
• ENSP 2000: Intro Environmental Science
• COMM 2500: Public Speaking
• STAT 2220: Statistics in Everyday Life
• ASTR 1010: Solar System Astronomy
• GEOG 1010: Intro to Geography
• HIST 1930: Modern World History
• POSC 1010: American National Government