List of PLOs by Department

Program SLOs for:

• Department of Art
• Department of Cinema and Television Arts
• Department of Communication Studies
• Department of Journalism
• Department of Music
• Department of Theatre

DEPARTMENT OF ART 

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1. Students will acquire competent knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies.
2. Students will produce a competent body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a liberal arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace.
3. Students will solve visual problems at a competent level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design.
4. Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at a competent level in visual, oral, and written formats.
5. Students will acquire historical and contemporary knowledge of diverse cultural and aesthetic contexts, including political, visual and material culture.

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) - Master of Arts

1. Students will acquire advanced knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies.
2. Students will produce an advanced body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a master of arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace.
3. Students will solve visual problems at an advanced level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design.
4. Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at an advanced level in visual, oral, and written formats.
5. Students will acquire historical and contemporary knowledge of diverse cultural and aesthetic contexts, including political, visual and material culture.

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) - Master of Fine Arts

1. Students will acquire academic and professional knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies.
2. Students will produce an academic and professional body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a master of fine arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace.
3. Students will solve visual problems at an academic and professional level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design.
4. Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at an academic and professional level in visual, oral, and written formats.
5. Students will acquire historical and contemporary knowledge of diverse cultural and aesthetic contexts, including political, visual and material culture.

back to top

DEPARTMENT OF CINEMA AND TELEVISION ARTS

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Graduates of the Department of Cinema and Television Arts will be:

1. Understand and articulate the history, theories and critical models of cinema and the electronic media;
2. Conceptualize, structure and write dramatic and nondramatic scripts for cinema, television and new media;
3. Employ pre-production, production and post-production techniques for all electronic and digital media formats in both the studio and the field;
4. Conceptualize, produce, direct, edit and distribute cinema projects for both entertainment and informational purposes; and
5. Operate and manage business structures, personnel, budgets, advertising, sales, research and regulation of independent, studio and network electronic media.

Graduate Program Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

After successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Screen Writing, students will:

1. Demonstrate advanced writing proficiency appropriate for entry into competitive professional screenwriting and teleplay writing careers.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking, research, and analytical skills appropriate for accomplishing professional and personal goals.
3. Demonstrate the practical communication and technical skills required for entry into a competitive professional field.
4. Demonstrate insight into and objective understanding of screen story structures when analyzing scripts or outlines, and the ability to offer positive, ethical solutions for story problems.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the issues of cultural inclusiveness and diversity in creative work, along with a basic understanding of creative ownership law.

 back to top

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES 

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

After successful completion of the requirements for all bachelor degrees in Communication, students will:

1. Explain key concepts in Communication Studies
2. Use communication theory to explain communication phenomena
3. Apply key methods in Communication Studies
4. Analyze the relationship between communication and culture
5. Develop communication strategies for civic engagement

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

After successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Arts in Communication, students will:

1. critically examine how communication affects the social construction of reality. 
2. define and discuss some basic tenets or theories of human communication from the perspective of one or more specific areas of the field (Rhetoric, Communication Theory, and Performance, Language and Cultural Studies).
3. critically assess and analyze scholarly writing in the field.
4. analyze and critically interpret/evaluate communication practices and research.
5. analyze and critically evaluate the relationship between communication and culture.

 back to top

DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the requirements for all bachelor degrees in Journalism:

1. Students will be able to report and write for diverse publics, using proper grammar and punctuation, word usage and spelling, sentence and storytelling structures across multiple journalistic formats.
2. Students will be able to gather and analyze information, including basic numerical concepts, using reporting techniques, such as interviewing, observation, and researching primary and secondary sources.
3. Students will be able to think critically, creatively and independently.
4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness, and diversity.
5. Students will apply tools and technologies appropriate for the news media professions in which they work to communicate for and with diverse publics.
6. Students will be able to understand and apply the historical, theoretical, legal and societal contexts for producing and consuming news media for consumers, for local to global publics.

 back to top

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for BA and BM degrees:

After successful completion of the requirements for all bachelor degrees in music, students will:

1. demonstrate the ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music, through sight-reading, basic keyboard proficiency, and musical analysis.
2. perform standard repertoire appropriate to their performance area, as individuals, members of ensembles, and/or conductors.
3. demonstrate a working knowledge of music history within their area of specialization and an acquaintance with the history, cultural background and repertories beyond that area, including a wide selection of Western and world music literature.
4. demonstrate a working knowledge of music technology and its application to their area of specialization.
5. develop pedagogical and/or clinical skills fundamental to their area of specialization for application across a variety of music and music-related professions.
6. demonstrate professional competence in the execution of business processes and practices commonly employed within their area of specialization.
7. create derivative or original music in both extemporaneous and written form.

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the MM degree:

After successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Music degree, students will:

1. demonstrate continuing development of professional and scholarly competence within their area of specialization.
2. demonstrate continuing development of individual talent, musical interests, and philosophies to be used creatively to preserve and extend the cultural heritage of music.
3. demonstrate artistic and intellectual rigor in the organization, interpretation, communication, and dissemination of musical knowledge.
4. demonstrate pedagogical skills fundamental to their area of specialization applicable across a variety of music and music-related professions.
5. demonstrate professional competence in the execution of business processes and practices commonly employed within their area of specialization.

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) for the MA in Music Industry Administration degree:

After successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Arts in Music or the Master of Music degree, students will:

1. demonstrate knowledge and identification of facts, terms, concepts, principles and theories within the music industry;
2. identify the purpose, importance, and critical function of copyright within the music industry;
3. demonstrate professional competence and intellectual rigor in the execution of business practices and procedures common to the music industry;
4. develop interpersonal skills and leadership qualities necessary for effectiveness in mixed artistic and non-artistic team-based business environments;
5. develop interdisciplinary skills and entrepreneurial qualities necessary for career effectiveness within an evolving global music industry;
6. recognize the importance of remaining both inquisitive and adaptable as the music industry continues to evolve;
7. demonstrate the principles of exceptional character and assess the advantages, to both the individual and music industry alike, of incorporating them into one’s personality.

 back to top

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

After successful completion of the requirements for all bachelor degrees in theater, students will:

1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and skills inherent to the varied and distinct processes of theatrical development and presentation.
2. Students will apply essential knowledge and skills through participation in theatrical projects.
3. Students will demonstrate understanding of the relevant contexts in which theatre is created and presented.
4. Students will formulate and articulate critical analyses and evaluations of theatrical works.
5. Students will develop the intrapersonal and interpersonal skills essential to collaboration.

Graduate Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

After successful completion of all requirements for the Master of Arts in Theater, students will:

1. Develop competent research skills.
2. Develop competent critical thinking and writing abilities.
3. Develop competent knowledge and world theatre history, literature, and criticism.
4. Demonstrate abilities to apply and integrate skills and knowledge into their professional development.

 back to top