The School of Communication and the Arts

The purpose of Academic Assessment and Improvement at Marist College is to provide information and support in the area of learning outcomes assessment. 

Mission

The School of Communication and the Arts prepares students to live and work successfully in the global communication and arts environment, and it embraces Marist College's mission to become one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Student-Centered Learning Experience: Provide an evolving and purposeful learning experience that is student-centered within a culturally aware and collaborative environment.

Values-Based, Hands-On Curriculum: Provide a values-based curriculum emphasizing hands-on teaching methodology that reflects contemporary educational and professional best practice.

State-of-the Art Learning Facilities: Enhance existing facilities and provide new learning spaces, including "smart" classrooms, up-to-date broadcast studios and multimedia labs, creative studio space, designated public exhibition/screening space, dedicated areas for collaborative student work, faculty/student support spaces, and image archives.

Quality Programs: Expand the quality, size and reach of the undergraduate, graduate and adult programs in a manner that contributes to the overall excellence of Marist College and the School, its faculty, and its students.

College-Wide Impact: Contribute to all Marist students' classroom and co-curricular experience by establishing high quality disciplinary and multidisciplinary programs and by operating an integrated media services center that supports the institution and provides educational and practical experience for students.

Top-Tier Faculty: Recruit and support faculty who lead their respective professions through effective teaching, active engagement in scholarship, creative and professional work, and an on-going commitment to the betterment of community.

Learning Objectives for Undergraduate Degrees

Undergraduate Degree in Communication (B.A. Communication)

1. Students will be able to produce visual, audio, and/or written works of excellence.
2. Students will be able to engage with the theoretical and historical underpinnings of communication.
3. Students will be able to gather, critically evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources.

Undergraduate Degrees in Art and Digital Media (B.A. Fine Arts, B.S. Studio Art, B.S. Digital Media, B.S. Restoration Studies)

1.  Students will demonstrate an aesthetic sensibility and skill as an artist. This is demonstrated in the student's originality, inventiveness, use of visual and design elements, control of media, and craftsmanship.
2. Students will develop a sense of artistic self-identity. This is demonstrated through the student's portfolio.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate their ideas about art both verbally and aesthetically. This is demonstrated in the student's ability to discuss their work and that of others in through papers, critiques, and the portfolio.
4. Students will develop knowledge of art, artists, and art history and how it relates to their cultural context. This is demonstrated in papers, critiques, and portfolios.

Undergraduate Degrees in Fashion (B.F.A. Fashion Design and B.S. Fashion Merchandising)

1. Students will demonstrate creativity, as defined by concept, innovation, and quality.
2. Students will demonstrate the effective use of technology as it applies to the fashion industry.
3. Students will be able to be effective public presenters.
4. Students will demonstrate readiness to enter the fashion industry.

Undergraduate Degree in Film, TV, Games, Interactive Media (B.A. Media Studies and Production)

1. Be able to demonstrate an understanding of media history and theory, and the ability to translate this knowledge successfully into practice through the gathering, evaluating and synthesizing of information from various sources.
2. Be able to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing and through various forms of media technologies.
3. Be able to demonstrate creative, innovative, aesthetic, and critical skills in producing visual, audio, and/or written works of excellence.

Undergraduate Degree in Games and Emerging Media (B.S. Games and Emerging Media)

1. The ability to identify, evaluate and compare social, ethical, historical and cultural issues related to games and emerging media and apply this to written, technical, and/or artistic works.
2. The ability to communicate effectively via written, technical and verbal presentation
3. The ability to create technical, written and/or artistic works of excellence.
4. Enhanced facility with the design process, prototyping, and iterative design approach
5. Raise students’ project management and organizational skills
6. Enhance students’ commitment to innovation and creativity
7. Enhance ability and eagerness to work in teams, particularly with people of other backgrounds or experiences

Graduate Degree in Integrated Marketing Communication (M.A. Integrated Marketing Communication)

1. Understand the theory of consumer behavior and marketing segmentation strategies
2. Demonstrate strong research, analytical and strategic decision-making skills
3. Write effectively for diverse audiences
4. Understand the concept of branding and the strategic importance of building brand equity
5. Demonstrate good understanding of the traditional and nontraditional MARCOM tools
6. Develop an effective IMC campaign plan

Graduate Degree in Museum Studies (M.A. Museum Studies)

1. Students will demonstrate an aesthetic sensibility and skill as an artist. This is demonstrated in the student's originality, inventiveness, use of visual and design elements, control of media, and craftsmanship.
2. Students will develop a sense of artistic self-identity. This is demonstrated through the student's portfolio.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate their ideas about art both verbally and aesthetically. This is demonstrated in the student's ability to discuss their work and that of others in through papers, critiques, and the portfolio.
4. Students will develop knowledge of art, artists, and art history and how it relates to their cultural context. This is demonstrated in papers, critiques, and portfolios.