Chapter VI. Graduate Programs

School of Interactive Media and Design

The School of Interactive Media and Design is a newly created school at the University of the Incarnate Word. The school integrates existing programs in a dynamic, thoughtful and cohesive way in an effort to better serve the needs of the Incarnate Word student. The School of Interactive Media and Design programs emphasize the use of technology and provide students with a firm foundation in theory as well as application. Students participating in these programs develop the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to become effective professionals in their selected careers.

The School of Interactive Media and Design offers one graduate level-program, a Masters of Arts in Communication Arts. Students in the Master of Arts in Administration may also select Communication Arts as a concentration.

Additionally, the School of Interactive Media and Design offers Instructional Technology as a concentration in the MAA and in the Master of Education. In both instances, Instructional Technology as a concentration is offered only online.

COMMUNICATION ARTS (COMM)

Communication Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word offers a unique blend of theory-driven and experienced-based classes. These classes focus on the critical knowledge and practical skills that prepare students to enter the media industry in a variety of capacities from media studies, multimedia production, print media, public relations and to prepare students for further graduate studies.

In keeping with both the liberal arts approach and the mission of Incarnate Word, the department seeks:

The Communication Arts Graduate program addresses the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Graduate Studies in the following ways:

Communication Arts graduate students will be able to:

  1. Articulate the social scientific and cultural theories of communication and apply these theories to different communication situations and processes.
  2. Explain the history of ethical thought and philosophical theories of ethics and apply moral theories to situations involving mediated communications.
  3. Research, organize and write scholarly papers in the field of communications.
  4. Explain and employ qualitative and quantitative research methods to the study of communications.
  5. Write, using the appropriate style and structure, products in a variety of communication forms including news, features, scripts, press releases, marketing, and advertising copy.
  6. Comprehend the development of new media technologies and their impact on culture, society and daily-life.
  7. Critique and apply aesthetic principles to visual media and visual design.
  8. Comprehend narrative film theory, visual/aural cinematic structure and cultural studies in the development of meaning in film.
  9. Produce, using a systematic planning process, a variety of multimedia software and equipment, media products, which include video, audio and interactive media.
  10. Demonstrate their ability to communicate well through the spoken and written word and through the use of visual mediums and a variety of technology.
  11. Demonstrate their competency with information technologies for accessing and retrieving information for research and communications purposes.
  12. Demonstrate their ability to develop and create an original proposal and thesis or project based on scholarly practice.

Students wishing to enter the Communication Arts graduate program must meet all University graduate admissions requirements.

Students must interview with the Communication Arts Director of Graduate Studies and submit a writing sample.

Students who lack the appropriate undergraduate degree may be required to take undergraduate leveling classes at the recommendation of the graduate faculty. At the discretion of the graduate faculty, experience in the field may be substituted for undergraduate prerequisites.

Requirements for a Master of Arts in Communication Arts: The Master of Communication Arts degree requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate study, which includes 18 -21 hours of Communication Arts core courses.

Core Requirements (18-21 semester hours)

Core requirements should be taken in sequential order with the COMM 63CS1 or the COMM 63TR requirement taken at the completion of course work. This sequence ensures students will master the theoretical skills necessary for a progression of knowledge in the field.

Course Descriptions (COMM)

(COMM 6311, 6312, 6315, 6318 and 6319 may be repeated for credit as topics vary)

630l—Communication Theory
Introduction to the theories of mass communication. Should be taken in the first semester offered. Pre-requisite: COMM 6308

6302—Media Ethics
This course focuses on media accountability, media problems and changing roles of the media. The relationship between the media and various societal groups, i.e., family, government, community, women, and minorities. will be examined. Pre-requisite: COMM 6308.

6303—Principles of Writing for the Media
Examination of writing principles, approach, and practice for print and broadcast media. Survey of techniques and samples.

6304—Aesthetics of Visual Perception
Class will explore the fundamentals of sensory perception of sight and sound as they relate to the arts of media communication. Principles of motion, color, light, space, and sound. Focuses on successful integration and application of these elements.

6308—Research and Writing Techniques
Course is writing-intensive, focusing on both informative and persuasive writing modes. It will emphasize essay composition and revision, the philosophy of scholarship, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.

6309—Communication Research Methods
This class is an introduction to the techniques and principles of communication research. Prerequisite COMM 6301, COMM 6302, COMM 6308.

6311—Media Production
Various topics examining principles and techniques of media production. Topics include video production, radio production, multimedia, producing and directing, audio production, digital imaging, graphic design and layout. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

6312—Applied Media Writing
Various topics in theory and practice of writing for the media. To include topics such as script writing, news writing, literary journalism. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

6315—Seminar in Film Studies
Various topics examining film and its role in society. To include topics such as film genres, film history, American cinematographers, images of women in film. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

6317—Communications, Technology, and Culture
Class will investigate new technologies and explore the ramification of the use of these technologies and their impact on current culture. It will help students to reflectively and critically explore the new forms of communication; their efforts on the media, business, education, and government industries; and the corresponding societal issues. The class will encourage students to reinterpret these issues within a scholarly framework by examining current new media research. Prerequisite COMM 6301.

6318—Seminar in Mass Communication
Examination of contemporary issues in mass communication. Topics include public opinion, media sociology, journalism, media law, media framing, and critical analysis of advertising, public relations and public address. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

6319—Seminar in International Communication
Various topics examining international issues in communication. Topics include international journalism, development communication, and world cinema. May also include study abroad.

6345—Practicum in Specialized Area of Study
Course provides experience and training in the communications field with a designated company or an accomplished professional. Practicum requires a minimum of set hours on-the-job experience per week and a comprehensive report evaluating the practicum experience at the end of the semester. Eighteen hours of graduate credit and permission of graduate advisor and internship advisor.

6398—Directed Studies in Communication Arts
Opportunity for advanced graduate students to engage in specialized tutorial study with specific faculty. Prerequisite: permission of graduate advisor and specified faculty.

63CS1 - Communication Capstone
Final class, which culminates with a choice of a project or written thesis that integrates various skills and theories of the Communication Arts degree into one final capstone product. . Must have 27 hours of graduate work completed in Communication Arts. Prerequisite COMM 6301, COMM 6302, COMM 6308, and COMM 6309.

63TP - Thesis Proposal
Written thesis proposal to be completed at the end of program. Must have 27 hours of graduate work completed in Communication Arts. Prerequisite COMM 6301, COMM 6302, COMM 6308, and COMM 6309.

63TR - Thesis Research
Completion of thesis in final semester. Pre-requisite COMM 63TP.

Instructional Technology Concentration (EDIT) Online

Individuals who have a master’s level degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology find work in business and industry, government and education as trainers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, managers of technology resources and producers of instructional media.

The program is designed to allow students the flexibility to follow their own interests. Students take core courses in Education or in Administration and a concentration of course work in Instructional Technology. All of the Instructional Technology courses are taught as part of the Universe Online program. The Masters of Administration with a concentration in Instructional Technology is taught entirely online. The Masters of Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology combines on-campus classes in the Education core with the online Instructional Technology curriculum.

Requirements for the Master’s degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology:
For Core Courses (12 – 18 hours) see M.Ed. and M.A.A degrees.

Area of Concentration (18 semester hours)
EDIT 6343—Foundations of Instructional Technology (recommended sequence 1st course)
EDIT 6344—Instructional System Design (recommended sequence 2nd course)
EDIT 6345—Multimedia Authoring
EDIT 6346—Information Technologies: Internet and the Web (recommended sequence 4th course)
EDIT 63CS—Advanced Instructional Design Project (Capstone)
EDIT 6347—Distance Learning (recommended sequence 3rd course)
Electives
EDIT 6348—Management of Learning Environments
EDIT 6399—Special topics

Course Descriptions (EDIT)

6343—Foundations of Instructional Technology
Introduction to the Instructional Technology profession. Course defines field, provides historical overview, and introduces research, practices, current trends and issues in the field. Summer (1st course)

6344—Instructional System Design
Introduction to the major components of instructional design with a focus on the functions of systems models in planning, developing, and evaluating instruction. Participants, working individually and in groups, apply instructional design practices to the production of instructional materials. (Pre-requisite EDIT 6343)

6345—Multimedia Authoring
Application of instructional systems design, research findings and design criteria to the production of computer-based and computer-generated instructional materials using various multimedia authoring tools. Skills in writing, graphic design, interface design, scripting, prototyping, editing and field-testing are introduced. (Prerequisite: EDIT 6344 Instructional Systems Design and EDIT 6346, well developed computer skills. Students must purchase multimedia authoring software)

6346—Information Technologies: Internet and the Web
Exploration of the educational implications of Internet and the World Wide Web. Application of instructional systems design, research findings and design criteria to the production of an educational web site using hypertext markup language. (Recommended as 4th course in concentration. Prerequisite: well-developed computer skills, not for computer novices. Students must purchase web editing software.)

6347—Distance Learning
Introduction to the types of technologies, delivery systems and methods used in teaching students at a distance. Overview of history and research in distance learning technologies, including radio, audiotape, computer-based instruction, television, teleconferencing and video conferencing. (Recommended as 3rd course in concentration.)

6348—Management of Learning Environments
An introduction to management concepts for individuals who supervise personnel, materials and technology in learning environments ranging from school media centers to computer centers. Participants plan a technological learning environment, including preparing a budget, selecting technology resources, developing a floor plan and preparing job descriptions. Prerequisite: 6 hours of Instructional Technology or permission of Program Advisor.

63CS—Advanced Instructional Design Project
Application of instructional design theory and research to the development of an instructional project or product under supervision of faculty mentor. Participants may do in-house project or do a project for a company or organization. Students will meet with the EDUC 63CS1 class during the semester in which they are enrolled in this class. (Capstone course, - prerequisite 30 hours of graduate courses. Offered on-campus only in the Masters of Education program.)

6399—Selected Topics in Instructional Technology: Topics may vary.