Creative Courses at UIW

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Animation & Game Design

  • This lecture course applies the concepts in visual literacy towards understanding core concepts of narrative structure. How to create mood and message through lighting, music framing, composition, and duration will be analyzed through film vocabulary, cinematic technique observation, and film history overviews. Fee. Prerequisite: ANGD 1301, 1311, 1302, 2311

  • This studio/lecture course provides anatomical study and rendering techniques important for animators, modelers, and character designers. Includes extensive lab time and work with models. Prerequisites: ANGD 1301, 1311, and ARTS 1301

  • This lecture course is a survey of the history of games and video games with an emphasis on game theory and mechanics. Overview includes ancient games, board games, and video games of all platforms. This course will examine the elements of game play, the evolution of rules and game play mechanics and how these evolved into the board game and video game conventions of today. Finally, the course will survey the contemporary game companies that are currently influential in the gaming industry.

  • This studio course is focused on learning the programs, tools, & techniques animators used when editing motion capture. Taking a motion capture shot to a final animation (“polish state”) will be explored.

  • This studio course focuses on previsualization through creating storyboards that translate into functional 3D scenes for TV, film, and games. These previsualization products are used in planning sequences for game play, cinematics, and narrative flows.

  • This lecture course is required for ANGD majors. Emphasis is on exposure to industry trends, personalities, representation, and presentation. Includes lectures by local and national industry leaders in animation and game design. There will be 8-10 meetings each semester, students will have the opportunity to hear from animation professionals. The lectures will serve to expose students to emerging styles and ideas in the animation and games marketplace. In addition, access to these professionals is given to the students for questions and feedback. Instruction will all be lectures by professionals in the field of 3D Animation, Film, and Video Game technologies.

  • This lecture course covers how the communication design industry is structured and issues related to work as a professional designer. These include estimating and billing, legal, ethical and tax issues, running a studio, professional resources and other issues likely to be encountered in a design career.

Creative Writing

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  • In ENGL 2375, students are given the opportunity to explore a variety of poetry and prose genres and the intersections among them. This introductory, multi-genre workshop in the art of writing introduces students to the technical and imaginative concerns of creative writing, including the terms and discipline of writing craft, as well as to the skills needed for reading traditional/canonical and contemporary literature, and the production and performance of original work. This course may not be repeated for credit.

  • Part of the Rhetoric and Professional Writing branch of the UIW English Program, this study of the academic literary periodical involves students in the editing, production, and distribution of the University's literary journal, Quirk.

  • In this workshop, we’ll learn the art of fiction by first practicing with individual elements like character, conflict, setting, mood, voice, time, and theme. Moving on, we’ll put these together, writing flash fiction (under 1,000 words) and moving on to full-length short stories. Reading from a diverse field of authors and one another’s work, we’ll also learn how best to provide constructive and productive feedback in a workshop setting, thus building a strong creative community, and finally using what we’ve learned to refine our work in a polished form—which you might even consider publishing.

  • In the Science Fiction & Fantasy Workshop, you'll first learn a little about the history of these genres. We’ll read in a wide variety of styles—from dragon-infested high fantasy to gritty science fiction that tackles deeper social issues—learning some of the tropes specific to “speculative fiction.” Along the way, we’ll seek to answer the question, Why are we so drawn to these types of stories? Along with learning how “high concept” ideas can be used as a framework for personal narratives, we’ll also look at the state of publishing in this field, finding your own opportunities for publication, and finish by workshopping stories, providing feedback for one another, and completing final revisions. Prerequisites: ENGL 2310. (Fall, Spring)

  • In Screenwriting, you’ll learn the basic elements of cinematic storytelling, narrative tropes, and plot structure to write your own screenplay. Using industry software, learning proper format, and analyzing films to identify methods of visual and cinematic storytelling, you’ll build your own story—starting with pitches and moving on to treatments— to write a full-length screenplay in a single semester. Along the way, we’ll explore how screenplays differ from other forms of prose such as novels and short stories, and you’ll learn the tricks of working screenwriters (escalating action via your protagonist’s desires, using a “character triangle” to give scenes life, generating dialogue as character development, and introducing exposition through conflict, among others) to finish that stellar screenplay you’ve always thought about writing. Prerequisites: ENGL 2310. (Fall, Spring)

  • Part of the Rhetoric and Professional Writing branch of the UIW English Program, this workshop in the art of writing includes sampling contemporary literature, analyzing various genres, and the production and performance of original work. This course may be repeated for credit when the genre varies. Prerequisites: ENGL 2310. (Fall, Spring)

  • Part of the Rhetoric and Professional Writing branch of the UIW English Program, this workshop in the art of writing includes sampling contemporary literature, analyzing various genres, and the production and performance of original work. This course may be repeated for credit when the genre varies. Prerequisites: ENGL 2310. (Fall, Spring)

  • Part of the Rhetoric and Professional Writing branch of the UIW English Program, this workshop in the art of writing includes sampling contemporary literature, analyzing various genres, and the production and performance of original work. This course may be repeated for credit when the genre varies. Prerequisites: ENGL 2310. (Fall, Spring)

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Fashion Design

  • In this course, students will be introduced to pattern production, terminology, structure, and process. The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the role of pattern making and production in the fashion industry. Pattern production is an integral part of the fashion process that affects all aspects from design to retail. Flat pattern making is the application of a 2-dimensional patterning process for the 3-dimensional human body. Pattern development requires reasoning, creativity, and precision. Skills in pattern making are achieved through practice and knowledge of basic pattern production. Students will explore the principles and techniques associated with pattern manipulation, drafting, and draping. Additionally, students will be introduced to computer-aided pattern development and production

  • This basic fashion course is an introduction to technical drawing for fashion. In this course, students will learn illustration techniques for the rendering of fashion flats by hand and by computer. Students must be able to accurately represent and communicate garment details, fabric type, fit, and embellishment through illustration. Illustration is the most commonly used form of communication in the fashion industry. It helps to clarify the designer’s idea as well as production information and it eliminates language barrier issues. It is also necessary when developing a professional portfolio to aid in obtaining a job. Studio Course

  • Introduction to industrial pattern manipulations, principles, and techniques. Apparel production and design students are required to understand the principles of flat pattern as the basis for apparel design. This class builds on FADS 1310 Fashion Patternmaking Concepts course through practical application of the core principles and terminology previously learned. Flat pattern making is the application of a 2-dimensional patterning process for the 3-dimensional human body. Pattern development requires reasoning, creativity, and precision technical skill. Skills in pattern making are achieved through practice and knowledge of basic pattern manipulation. Studio course.

  • The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of the role of construction techniques in market level designation for apparel products. Through a combination of lecture, discussion, evaluation of product samples, and application of the construction techniques, students will synthesize and reflect on appropriate construction technique selection for their own and other’s apparel products. Studio Course.

  • Students will explore creative and customer-driven design through various research methods, conceptual ideation, and guided discussions. In this course, students will develop an in-depth understanding of the apparel design process and how it adjusts to different market needs. Must be taken senior year. Studio.

  • Practical understanding of patternmaking software gives entry-level applicants a competitive advantage in today’s fashion job-market. Students will review the various patternmaking software types available and how they are used in the industry in addition to learning practical application of patternmaking software. This course involves application and synthesis of previous fashion courses to advance students’ knowledge for the fashion industry. Students will be introduced to computerized patternmaking, marker making, and pattern grading. Studio course.

  • Illustration is the most commonly used form of communication in the fashion industry. Artistic illustration skills enable students and graduates to accurately represent and communicate garment details, fabric type, fit, and embellishments in a visual manner. The skills help to clarify the designer’s idea as well as production information and it eliminates language barriers. It is also necessary when developing a professional portfolio to aid in obtaining a job. Additionally, computers are an increasingly important part of the fashion industry. The ability to render fashions and figures, edit photos, and create page layouts are often skills required upon hiring. These skills also help to create a more impressive portfolio and increase the chance of being hired. This course introduces illustration techniques for hand and computer rendering of fashion figures, clothing, and fabrics, using various materials. Includes portfolio layouts, portfolio creation and fashion boards. Studio course. May be repeated for credit. Fee.

  • Study and application of process for creating mass-market private-label apparel lines. The course will include the use of industry appropriate software, design techniques, and merchandise management from concept to delivery of product. Prerequisite: Instructor’s signature and junior status. May not be repeated for credit. Fee.

  • Study and application of beginning to intermediate techniques of patternmaking and construction methods for stretch fabric garments and/or sweaters. Students will gain knowledge of knit patternmaking and construction techniques to provide them with an advantage when entering the job market. Studio. Fee.

  • This course introduces students to specialized design, patternmaking, and construction topics which may include specialty markets, such as menswear, women’s plus size, children’s wear, bridal, special needs, or other markets. Topic varies from semester to semester. Students will review the design needs for the market as well as the patternmaking requirements. Emphasis will be placed on industry standards for the specialty market. Studio. Fee.

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Graphic Design

  • Students examine techniques necessary for effective classroom instruction in beginning instrumental music classes. Students receive instruction on the basic skills of string performance and development of fundamental skills on each string instrument. Classroom management and pedagogical strategies are discussed to create the proper environment for beginning band students. Instruments will include violin, viola, cello, and bass.

  • This course will study Latin, Spanish, Italian, German, French and English vocal diction for singers by learning and utilizing the International Phonetic Alphabet. Required for Music Education and Vocal Performance majors.

  • Semesters offered: Fall.

    Students explore the music of a variety of world cultures and address issues related to contemporary music production, mass-media proliferation, and cultural appropriation. Required for all Music majors. Available to Music minors as an upper-division elective with permission of the instructor. May be taken as a CLST elective, with permission of instructor.

  • Semesters offered: Fall and Spring.

    Students survey the development of American popular music, from its roots in the merging of colonial European, African, and Native American styles, to the development in the twentieth century of blues, rock-and-roll, rap, salsa, and other popular contemporary styles of North and South America. Open to non-majors. No prerequisite. Fulfills CORE requirements for Fine Arts.

  • Students explore music as an integral component of selected types of Asian theater. Representative works are sexplored from a variety of analytical perspectives, including ones informed by history, theater studies, art history, cultural theory, and ethnomusicology. May count toward the world music requirement (MUSI 3348) for all Music degrees other than the B.M. degree with a major in Music Therapy. Will satisfy the upper-level Music elective requirement for the Music minor.

  • Semesters offered: Fall.

    Instrumental Techniques and Pedagogy is designed to prepare prospective teachers for the middle and high school instrumental music classroom. It will serve to define the expectations and responsibilities of the secondary music director and develop effective instructional skills needed to create a successful secondary instrumental music program.

  • This advanced course in stylistic analysis is designed for advanced Music majors as a practical application of their previous studies in music history, theory, and performance. This course entails comprehensive analysis of all aspects of musical style, including form, harmonic language, texture, and instrumentation. Required for all Music majors except students seeking a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, or a Bachelor of Arts with and emphasis in Music Industry Studies. Available to Music minors as an upper-division elective with permission of the instructor.

  • Students address developmentally age-appropriate skills and music for use in the middle school, junior high, and high school classroom. Required for all-level Music certification.

  • Students explore the theory and practice of techniques of choral and instrumental conducting. The course includes practical conducting activities.

  • In this course, students will examine elements of 2-D design, including the elements of art and the principles of organization, and practice in their use as applicable to photography. Five studio and one-half hours a week.

  • In this course, students learn the use of 35mm camera and darkroom equipment. Students also learn the vocabulary used in all aspects of photography and the practical application of basic photographic techniques. Special consideration will be given to camera control including correct exposure, depth of field, shutter speed and the aesthetics of technological choices. Five and one-half studio hours a week.

  • Digital Photography is a process for creating images using the controlled reaction of light and a photo-electric microchip followed by computer manipulation. This is a studio art/graphic production course providing the student an opportunity to explore the contemporary uses of digital photography in artistic, commercial, and photojournalism applications. Five and one-half studio hours a week.

  • In this course, student will learn the basics of lighting for photography. Techniques will include use of available light, reflectors, basic flash, bounce flash and linked flash with and without umbrellas, fixed lighting with photo lights and the use of a portable lighting unit, as well as the appropriate choice among these diverse lighting options, depending on the situation.

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1305 or ARTS 1311 and ARTS 1357 or ARTS 1358

  • In this course, students will learn the basics of photographic portraiture including formal vs. candid portraiture, portraiture on location vs. studio portraiture, single subject portraits and/or multiple subject portraits, and the aesthetics of portraiture. Techniques will include lighting choices, depth-of-field to control the viewer's attention, directing the subject, choosing the optimal time and location, and collaborating in a subject/client relationship. Five and one-half studio hours per week. Fee.  

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1305 or ARTS 1311 and ARTS 1357 or ARTS 1358

  • In this course, students study and create photographs within the context of straight/unmanipulated documentary photography. Included in the course are a consideration of creating photos whose primary purpose is to inform, the difficulty of photographing objectively, a study of image and text to create a document, and an investigation of the personal document. Five and one-half studio hours a week. Fee. May be taken as a Cultural Studies elective. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1305 or ARTS 1311 and ARTS 1357 or ARTS 1358

  • This course builds upon the technical, professional and aesthetic background acquired in Introduction to Digital Photography. Topics include a consideration of lighting, advanced Photoshop process, professional practices, client interaction, digital experimentation and continued digital photographic work. A strong emphasis is placed on the development of a personal photographic aesthetic, ethical awareness and a critical assessment of the medium and its history through assignments, critiques and research. Five and one-half studio hours a week. Fee.  

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1358

  • In this course, students continue a study of contemporary documentary photography. The course will consider the equipment, techniques and principles of the genre including the presentation of unbiased information versus personal/diary narrative, the documentary art form versus the photojournalistic form, the client/photographer relationship in documentary photography, and the social justice motive inherent in documentary work. Key to this course is the student's development of an individual style. Five and one-half studio hours per week. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 2360

  • In this course, students study and create photographs within the context of directorial photography. The Directorial Mode in photography, as defined by photo scholar A.D. Coleman, is that photographic approach in which the photographer acts as director to create an image that is not found ready-made in the real world, and would not have existed had the photographer not constructed/created it. Included in the course are a consideration of the history of the Directorial Mode from the beginnings of photography to the present, and a creation of directorial images. These include identity alteration, tableau with text, photographic assemblage/construction, and placement. Meets five studio hours a week. Fee. 

    May be taken as a CLST elective. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1305 or ARTS 1311 and ARTS 1357 or ARTS 1358

  • In this course, students will study and create landscape photographs. Students will work with the instructor in the classroom setting and in field experience to gain knowledge of photographic traditions in the landscape genre. Students will study the photographic media and formats associated with landscape photography, and will produce a portfolio of landscape photographs. Meets five studio hours a week plus outside assignments. May not be repeated for credit.

  • In this course, students study and create photographs within the context of straight/unmanipulated documentary photography, working in the field with a local non-profit agency in the context of a client and photographer relationship. Students will document the work of that non-profit for the length of the semester and will present the non-profit with digital photos which may be used on the client's website or for their promotional needs. Five and one-half studio hours a week. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 2305 and ARTS 2360

  • This course builds upon the technical, professional and aesthetic background acquired in ARTS 2315, Introduction to Photographic Portraiture. Students will learn the lighting styles and techniques of master studio portrait photographers, such as Arnold Newman, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and others, including use of various combinations of professional light units for single and group portraits and the aesthetics of portraiture for magazines and promotional materials versus portraiture for formal corporate uses. Five and one-half studio hours a week. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1358, ARTS 2305, and ARTS 2315, and ARTS 2315

  • This course builds upon the technical, professional and aesthetic background acquired in ARTS 2305, Introduction to Photographic Lighting. The course will be taught completely in the lighting studio and will teach the student to work with professional studio lights in a variety of genres including fashion photography, food photography and product photography in a lighting studio. Five and one-half studio hours per week. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1358, ARTS 2305, and ARTS 3365 , and ARTS 3365

  • This course provides concentrated studio study with an emphasis on the pursuit and development of a strong, personal aesthetic statement and an individual approach to the use of the medium, including experimentation in multiple processes. Five studio hours a week. May be repeated for credit. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 3360 or ARTS 3365

  • Students will create a portfolio in a single discipline. Students will work individually with the instructor to identify their discipline concentration and determine the number of works to be made. Class time consists of individual critiques of the work being made.  

    Prerequisite: ARTS 4320 and senior standing as an Art major or minor

  • In this course, students will create and present a group of professional photographs and videos which can be used on a website and as a portfolio to demonstrate a range of skills to employers and potential clients. Students will also create a CV/resume of their skills including tear sheets, links to web sites and other examples of published work. Reading and writing about professional practices in contemporary photojournalism and commercial photography, as well as research in those photographic areas prior to practical application, are required. the culmination of this course will be the presentation of the student's work, either in a portfolio or through the installation and exhibition of the work. Five and one-half studio hours per week. Fee. 

    Prerequisite: ARTS 4357 plus senior standing in the Photography major 

    6 hours Advanced Studio Photography selected from the following

    ARTS 4330 Commercial Photography

    ARTS 4335 Documentary Photography IV/Interntl. Fieldwork

    ARTS 4350 4x5 Photography

    ARTS 4360 Art Photo: Manipulated Images

    ARTS 4385 Topics in Photography

    ARTS 4388 Internship in Photography

    COMM 3355 Publications Practicum

    3 hours Art History or Art Theory chosen from the following

    ARTH 3375 Aesthetics: Philosophy of Art/Beauty

    ARTH 4360 Issues in Contemporary Art

    ARTH 4330 Topics/History of Photography

    COMM 3330 Impact of Media on Society

    COMM 4315 Media Ethics

    COMM 4322 Seminar in Selected Film Topic

  • This studio/lecture course focuses on ways of using graphic design principles and design tools to produce projects that are interactive, energetic, strategic, and visually imaginative. Students will learn how to design and develop user interfaces for web sites, apps, kiosks, and other presentations through wireframes and prototypes. This course will also explore the history of interaction design as a way of exploring new and interesting approaches to interface design. Fee. Prerequisite: GDSN 2300 and admission to the major.

  • This studio/lecture course covers concepts and techniques used in establishing visual identity. Also covered are additional commercial print and production concepts. Fee. Prerequisite: GDSN 2310 and admission to the major.

  • This lecture course prepares students for marketing themselves and job hunting. The capstone would be a final portfolio show hosted by the students but focused on engagement of the local and regional business community for interview and contact development. Topics include job-seeking strategies, presentation skills, interview techniques and networking with professional organizations. Prerequisite: GDSN 4310

  • This lecture course covers the history of contemporary communication design with an emphasis on the design in the context of society and culture. The focus will be on 20th century to the present. Prerequisites: ARTH 2361 and 2362, GDSN 2300 and 2310, and admission to the major.

  • This studio course gives students an opportunity to apply all the skills and concepts gained in earlier Interactive Design classes. Emphasis on producing large-scale, high-quality, creative work for inclusion in their portfolio. Topics focus on areas of specialization, thoroughly investigating issues of current interest in design.

  • This lecture course covers how the communication design industry is structured, and issues related to work as a professional designer. These include estimating and billing, legal, ethical and tax issues, running a studio, professional resources and other issues likely to be encountered in a design career.

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Music

  • This course introduces basic computer terminology skills and concepts in communication. The student receives hands-on experience in file management techniques, Internet and e-mail software, online library databases and software, word processing and presentation software, spreadsheet and database management software. Media software and communication applications will be emphasized. This course meets the computer literacy requirements for Communication Arts majors.

  • An introduction to film editing theory and editing workflows will be examined. This course focuses on non-linear digital editing with an emphasis on continuity editing. Students will learn to use effects, transitions, graphics, and color grading to enhance storytelling.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301

  • An examination and practice of the types of writing that are produced in the media arena. In this course, the emphasis is on style, structure, and techniques involved in a wide spectrum of writing platforms: print journalism, copywriting, broadcast journalism, online writing forms, public relations writing and scriptwriting.

    Prerequisites: COMM 1301 and ENGL 1311

  • This class introduces the student to audio production theory and technique. The course focuses on sound aesthetics and values while providing an overview of traditional analog sound production and audio equipment. It is an introduction to desktop audio and the digital audio workstation which includes an introduction to Protools or other editing software. Fee.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301

  • This course emphasizes the importance of strong written material prior to production. The class explores the principles, techniques and practice of script preparation.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301

  • This class provides students with the basic production technology necessary to design and create multimedia. Students will be given the opportunity to learn various aspects of the technology: text, graphics, audio, video and website technology. Through developing their own multimedia, students will explore how this technology can be used in society as a communication tool for education, industry and media production. Fee.

    Prerequisites: COMM 1301 and COMM 1305

  • This course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals and processes of digital film production. It will focus on basic concepts and techniques of film production. Course work emphasizes proficiencies in camera operation, audio recording, 3-point lighting and non-linear editing. Students will gain the confidence to successfully operate and control the building blocks of production.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301

  • This course builds upon the concepts of digital film production through improvement of technical knowledge and incubation of creativity. It is designed to give students practical hands-on experience of the production process including pre-production skills: planning, pitching and scriptwriting; production skills: production management, camera operation, lighting and audio; post-production concepts and distribution of completed film. Students will gain experience working with clients and producing professional projects. Emphasis is placed on engaging storytelling.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301 and COMM 3381

  • This class gives students practical experience working for the campus radio station. Students will manage, promote, produce and broadcast on the radio station. Course may be repeated for elective credit.

  • This class gives students practical experience working for the UIW-TV, the campus television station. Students will manage, promote, produce, and broadcast on the television station.

  • This course explores advanced lighting techniques and cinematography for digital film productions. Students will create camera and lighting scenarios that convey mood and enhance the visual narrative. Advanced camera operation will focus on composition and framing, lens choice and camera movement.

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301 and COMM 3381

  • This course focuses on the post-production phase of the student's portfolio short film with an emphasis on advanced editing techniques, color correction, sound mixing, and effects. Coursework emphasizes marketing and film festival submission

    Prerequisite: COMM 1301, COMM 3350 and COMM 4358

  • This course emphasizes pre-production elements, production management, production values and the development of directing techniques. Practical training is taught through individual production projects that require a comprehensive approach. It includes a critical analysis of professional directors' interpretations as well as professional producers' approaches.

    Prerequisites: COMM 1301, COMM 3350 and COMM 3382

  • Students will learn basic drawing techniques through depicting a variety of subjects in various media. Meets five studio hours a week. Fee.

  • Students will examine elements of 2-D design, including the elements of art and the principles of organization, and the practice in their use. Meets five studio hours a week. Fee.

  • Continuation of ARTS 1301. Meets five studio hours a week.

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1301

  • In this course, students will examine elements of 3-D design, including the ideas, materials and techniques related to sculpture, and the practice in their use. Meets five studio hours a week.

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1311

  • This studio course investigates the potential of painting media for descriptive and expressive possibilities. Emphasis is placed on the development of fundamental techniques, color theory, composition and the promotion of critical thinking skills. Meets five studio hours a week.

  • Students apply design in the ceramic medium and learn basic ceramic skills such as hand building, glazing, and the rudiments of wheel throwing. Meets five studio hours a week.

  • Students learn to apply monotype, relief and related printing techniques. Meets five studio hours a week.

    Prerequisite: ARTS 1301 and ARTS 1311

  • Students learn basic sculptural techniques, concepts and materials such as model making, plaster casting, carving and wax casting. Students are introduced to the rudiments of welding. Meets five studio hours a week.

    Prerequisite: ARTS 2311

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Photography

Communication Arts

Arts