Communicating Arts
Mission Statement
The Communicating Arts Department shares in the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Superior as a public liberal arts institution by blending interdisciplinary theory and practice in each program area (Communication, Media, and Theatre) through both curricular and co-curricular experiences. The Communicating Arts Department facilitates the development of student knowledge and communication practices in the areas of personal, professional, social, and artistic endeavor.
Communicating Arts Department Contact Information
Communicating Arts Department
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center 2100
Belknap and Catlin Ave.
P.O. Box 2000
Superior, WI 54880
Phone: 715-394-8369
Email: commarts@uwsuper.edu
Course Descriptions
COMM 104 Film and Culture 3.00
Students will learn to analyze films from aesthetic and cultural perspectives in a survey of motion pictures from their beginning to the present day. A variety of American and/or international films showing significant artistic development will be screened. The on campus course meets for an additional hour per week to accommodate these in class screenings.
University Studies Requirements:
- Fine Arts - Appreciation
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 110 Introduction to Communication 3.00
Introduction to concepts and theories of communication and the application of those theories to interpersonal interactions, small group processes, and public
address.
University Studies Requirements:
- Communicating Arts
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 122 Theatre Appreciation 3.00
An introduction to live performance through the study of artistic components involved in the theatrical process.
University Studies Requirements:
- Fine Arts - Appreciation
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 125 Acting for the Stage 3.00
Introduction to the principles of acting for the stage. Students are guided through exercises, concepts and practical acting experience as they unlock their creative potential.
University Studies Requirements:
- Fine Arts - Aesthetic Experience
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 167 Introduction to Intercultural Communication 3.00
This course focuses on the importance of culture in our everyday lives, and the ways in which culture interrelates with and affects communication processes.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 170 Media and Society 3.00
Survey course charts the most significant developments (technological, cultural, regulatory/political, and economic) in the evolution of several media industries. Students examine key aspects of the changing media landscape-fragmented audiences and multiple channels, increasingly concentrated patterns of ownership, changes in representation of gender, sexuality, and ethnicity, globalization the evolution of social media, and fewer sources of, or need for, traditional news-and consider the implications these changes have for individuals, social groups, the economy, culture, and politics. Emphasizes the building of skills in critical media literacy and analysis.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 180 Introduction to Technical Theatre 3.00
A hands-on approach to the art of stagecraft. Students will learn and apply techniques in set construction, lighting and sound, scenic painting and stage properties for theatre productions.
University Studies Requirements:
- Fine Arts - Aesthetic Experience
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 189 Comm Arts Elective 1.00-99.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
COMM 203 News Writing and Reporting 3.00
A basic journalism course in which students practice interviewing, covering events; and writing leads, briefs and shorter news stories, on deadline. The course offers an introduction to the history of journalism, ethical standards, and libel law.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 211 Interpersonal Communication 3.00
In-depth examination and analysis of communication in relationships across a range of contexts. Includes theoretical perspectives and applied frameworks.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 110 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 254 Communication Inquiry 3.00
Exploration of communication theories, everyday ways of theorizing communication, and research methods that help us understand the complex ways communication shapes our lives. Emphasis includes theory development, interpretation and analysis, research methodologies, and research design. Students examine the interconnected relationship between theory and method.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 261 Beginning Digital Filmmaking 3.00
Introduction to basic videography with an extensive hands-on investigation of professional non-linear editing theory and technique.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 273 Oral Interpretation 3.00
Introduction to the process of lifting words from the page and giving them dimension in a reader’s voice and body.
University Studies Requirements:
- Fine Arts - Aesthetic Experience
Typically Offered:
- Occasional by Demand
COMM 289 Comm Arts Elective 1.00-99.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
COMM 289AE Communications Elective Aesthetic Experience 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 289AH Communications Elective Art History 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 289CA Communications Elective Communicating Arts 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 289DV Communications Elective Diversity 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 289GA COMM Elective Global Awareness 1.00-12.00
COMM Elective Global Awareness
University Studies Requirements:
- Global Awareness
COMM 289NW Communications Elective Non-Western 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 289SS Communications Elective Social Science 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
University Studies Requirements:
- Social Science
COMM 302 Perspectives on Stage and Screen History 3.00
Examination of the relationship between stage and screen texts through the historical lens of a major cycle, movement, nationality, era, author, or genre. Several feature films, plays, and/or television programs exemplifying historically and critically important aspects of the topic will be shown and/or read, building an interdisciplinary conversation across mediums. In exploring the historical relationship between stage and screen, students will develop research and writing skills. Different topics are repeatable.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Every Other Year
COMM 304 Digital Storytelling and Social Media 3.00
Digital Storytelling and Social Media have become an increasingly important journalistic tool. In this course, students will learn how social media is used to engage audiences, providing news updates and disseminating information across a variety of platforms using test, images, audio and video. Students will study current social media posts by journalists and will learn and to apply the techniques of news reporting via social media.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 324 Acting for the Screen 3.00
Introduction to the principles and techniques of acting for the screen. Students collaborate on projects to apply concepts and gain experience acting for the camera.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Every Other Year
COMM 330 Multimedia Journalism 3.00
This course expands the student's basic understanding of journalism; including broadcast writing, reporting and enterprise skills in digital journalism; developing techniques of interviewing, investigation, breaking news and using social media in a journalistic way. Analysis and discussion of current events, news values and trends in journalism. Multimedia storytelling skills will be enhanced through hands-on opportunities. Students will develop newscasts and public affairs content in a variety of platforms and cover campus, community and regional issues. A final feature project will be created using radio, video, print, podcast or online content.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 203 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 332 Communication in Conflict 3.00
Theoretical and applied exploration and analysis of communication in diverse conflict contexts.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 348 Writing for Stage and Screen 3.00
Theory and practice in narrative writing for theatre, television and film. Includes study and application of relevant writing formats.
Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of WRIT 102 or instructor consent.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Every Other Year
COMM 350 Creative Collaboration in Theatre 1.00-3.00
Specialized study and/or practice in theatrical production. Students register for 1-3 credits based upon the part, assignment and/or duties they have in a particular production. Instructor consent required. repeatable up to 12 credits. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 353 Persuasion 3.00
Cultural and critical principles and dimensions of persuasion, including the style and structures of persuasion in diverse modes of communicating.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 110 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 356 Community Engagement in Ghana-Study Abroad 1.00-6.00
Communication is an essential part of community engagement. This course is an experiential course designed to enhance the intercultural communication competence of students as well as to expose them to the challenges and rewards of community development in a developing country. Travel to Ghana occurs over J-Term. Students register for partial credit in both Fall and Spring semesters. Students may register for up to 6 credits. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- J-Term Only
COMM 361 Intermediate Digital Filmmaking 3.00
Project-intensive course in which students produce, direct, and edit digital film projects. A variety of theories, techniques, and methods will be studied and applied to the student productions. Repeatable for up to 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 261 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 365 The Director and the Text 3.00
An approach to dramatic texts from the director's perspective. Particular attention paid to the many roles and functions of the director in production.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisites for taking this course is having completed COMM 122, 125, and 180 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Every Other Year
COMM 370 Organizational Communication 3.00
This course focuses on the communicative processes in organizations as well as the constitutive nature of organizations, and will examine concepts including organizational culture, leadership, emotion, change processes and the development of supportive organizational climates.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 375 Production Management 3.00
Course focuses on the logistics that contribute to a successful production.
Prerequisites:
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 376 Group Communication Processes 3.00
Exploration of communication processes within the context of the small group with emphasis on interpersonal relations, group dynamics, leadership and participant functions. An experiential/theoretical course.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 388 The Design Process 3.00
Exploration of the techniques and skill sets needed to design effectively and creatively.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 180 or consent of instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Every Other Year
COMM 397 Digital Audio Recording and Production 3.00
This course offers an exploration of digital audio recording and production across a variety of disciplines including film and video, theatre, radio, music, and podcasting. Students will learn about microphone selection and audio recording techniques, as well as non-linear audio editing.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 261 or consent of the instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 403 Experiential Learning in Multimedia Journalism 1.00-3.00
Specialized intensive practice in multimedia journalism activities. Experience must be designed in consultation with the course instructor and will provide an on-campus apprenticeship experience in partnership with The Promethean, Wisconsin Public Radio (KUWS), Yellowjacket Athletics, and/or University Marketing and Communications. Minimum 45 hours per credit. Instructor consent required. Repeatable. Contract from the instructor prior to enrolling. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 419 Environmental Communication 3.00
Students will learn about the persuasive strategies involved in education and advocacy around environmental issues, how environmental communicators shape values, attitudes, and ways of understanding environmental issues, and the ethical and existential questions associated with living in the era of climate crisis.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 110 or consent of instructor.
COMM 430 LGBTQIA Media 3.00
This course will survey global LGBTQIA media. Topics of discussion will include gender, sexuality, political activism, censorship, performance, and aesthetics within film, music, television, and theater.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Even Years Only
COMM 455 Theorizing Media Culture 3.00
Traces the historical development of theoretical frameworks for understanding media throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. The course is reading-intensive and emphasizes the development skills for analyzing, critiquing, and theorizing contemporary media.
Prerequisites:
- Prerequisite for taking this course is having completed COMM 170 and Junior standing or consent of Instructor.
Typically Offered:
- Spring Term Only
COMM 462 Advanced Digital Filmmaking 3.00
Project-intensive course in which students produce, direct, and edit advanced digital film projects. A variety of theories, techniques, and methods will be studied and applied to the student productions. Repeatable up to 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
- COMM 361 or consent of instructor
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
COMM 467 Advanced Intercultural Communication 3.00
Advanced analysis of the communication dimensions involved in enhancing intercultural interactions. Focus is on identity and communication and their relationship to each other in a diverse world.
University Studies Requirements:
- Diversity
Typically Offered:
- Fall Term Only
COMM 475 Internship 1.00-12.00
Supervised work in professional communications industries and settings. Junior or senior standing, major emphasis in the area of the internship, must have a signed Affiliation Agreement with organization with which you are interning on file in Communicating Arts Office, contract prior to registration and consent of the Communicating Arts Department chair. Minimum 45 hours per credit. The application for internship including written consent from the external agency (Affiliation Agreement) must be submitted to the department chair 30 days prior to enrollment. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 489 Comm Arts Elective 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-Superior course.
COMM 489AE Communications Elective Aesthetic Experience 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 489AH Communications Elective Art History 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 489CA Communications Elective Communicating Arts 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 489DV Communications Elective Diversity 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 489GA COMM Elective 489GA 1.00-12.00
COMM Elective 489GA
University Studies Requirements:
- Global Awareness
COMM 489NW Communications Elective Non-Western 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
COMM 489SS Communications Elective Social Science 1.00-12.00
Transfer credits ONLY from another accredited institution not equivalent to a UW-S course.
University Studies Requirements:
- Social Science
COMM 491 Senior Capstone 0.00
Required culminating senior year project which integrates and synthesizes the student's coursework (theories, concepts, skill competencies) into a formal project and experience, negotiated with the student's major advisor and instructor for final consent and approval. Senior capstone is paired with another course in the major. See Communicating Arts Concentration descriptions for paired courses. Pass-Fail. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 495 Special Topics Seminar 3.00
Specially designed seminar on any number of diverse topics within Communicating Arts. Repeatable up to twelve credits.
Typically Offered:
- Fall or Spring Terms
COMM 497 Senior Seminar 3.00
This course assesses the communication competencies of majors in our program through a single, semester-long capstone project. Project topics and form will be developed in class in coordination with the instructor and students. Successful completion of this course fulfills the Communication Concentration Capstone requirement.
COMM 498 Independent Study 1.00-6.00
Individual investigation, project, and/or production by advanced students in Communicating Arts. Designed in consultation with instructor and should include a study of related literature and/or production techniques. Prerequisites: Instructor consent and contract prior to enrollment. Repeatable up to 12 credits. Arranged.
Typically Offered:
- Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms
COMM 499 Intern Teaching in Communicating Arts 3.00
Working with and assisting a faculty member in teaching a lower-division Communicating Arts course. Includes applied work in preparing and teaching the content of one or more selected units of a course under the supervision of the instructor of record. Open to Communicating Arts majors only. Both faculty and Department Chair consent are required to enroll in this course.
Typically Offered:
- Fall and Spring Terms
Faculty and Staff
Ms. Beth Austin, Assistant Teaching Professor - Communication and Media Studies
Ms. Linda Graskey, Administrative Assistant III
Mr. Tom Hansen, Senior Lecturer - Multimedia Journalism
Dr. Jennifer Jackl, Assistant Professor - Communication Studies
Dr. Ephraim Nikoi, Professor - Communication Studies
Mr. Brent Notbohm, Professor - Film and Video, Department Chair
Mr. Thomas Notton, Assistant Teaching Professor - Media Production
Dr. Chad Vollrath, Associate Professor - Communication Studies
Ms. Sue Wedan, Assistant Teaching Professor - Theatre
Dr. Alison Wielgus, Associate Professor - Media Studies
Artists
Ms. Stephany Anderson, Artist, Communicating Arts Department
Ms. Alexander Flinner, Artist, Communicating Arts Department