University Advising
Northern Arizona University
University Advising
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog Progression Plans are for planning purposesonly; see the catalog for official details.
Visual Communication, Bachelor of Fine Arts
Four Year Progression Plan Graphic Design - EmphasisCampus Availibility
- Flagstaff
Year 1
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | ART135 | Drawing Fundamentals I | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Representational and interpretive drawing, with a preliminary emphasis on linear construction, proportion, and perspective, leading to composition and creativity. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 2. | COM101 | Communication Analysis | 3 | ||
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Description: Integrated study of the analysis of oral, written, and visual messages. Emphasizes commonalities and differences across communication media. Letter grade only. Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 3. | VC101 | Communication Design | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Introduction to issues of design theory, principles and visual literacy. Projects designed to strengthen understanding of creative and critical thinking and demonstrate problem-solving skills. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 4. | ENG105 | Critical Read/Writng In Univ | 4 | ||
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Description: Writing skills for completing university coursework. Fulfills the liberal studies requirement for English composition. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: ((English Placement Test Results (ACT 17+; Accuplacer WR 4-7; IELTS 6+; PLACE 30+; SATI 340+, TOEFL PB 525+/CB 193+/IB 70+)) or (Test Results (ACT < 7; AccuplacerWR < 4; PLACE 10; SATI < 340) and Corequisite: ENG 100)) Requirement Designation: Foundation Requirement Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 2 |
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| Notes: Choose from any course the university offers that interests you. Some courses may have prerequisites | |||||
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | ART136 | Drawing Fundamentals II | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Representational and interpretive drawing in various media, with an emphasis on composition and creativity. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: ART 135 or International Exchange Student Group Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 2. | ART150 | Two-dimen Design Fundamentals | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Explores art elements and design principles applicable to all the visual arts, with an emphasis on two-dimensional organization and color theory. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Requirement Designation: Aesthetic & Humanistic Inquiry Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 3. | VC161 | History Of Visual Comm | 3 | ||
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Description: Introductory survey of major themes and historical phases of visual communication, development of visual communication, key people who nurtured its progress, events that linked contributions to civilization. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 4. | VC251 | Computer Imaging | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Introduction to computer literacy. Practical and technical concepts for entry-level image manipulation. Demonstrations, exercises, and concepts necessary for digital design. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 |
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| 5. | MAT114 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | ||
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Description: Contemporary quantitative methods, especially descriptive statistics, elementary probability, examples of statistical inference, linear and exponential models of growth and decay, and applicable discrete models. Fulfills liberal studies foundation requirement. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: (MAT 102X with a grade of C or better) or Math Placement Test Results (ALEKS/MATHA 35+; MATHC 30+; PLACE 43+) or International Exchange Student Group Requirement Designation: Foundation Requirement Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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Year 2
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | COM200 | Basic Communication Theory | 3 | ||
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Description: Introduces the nature, elements, concepts, and processes of communication in its many settings; examines vocabulary and research methods of communication studies. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: ENG 105 or HON 190 with grade of C or better or English Placement Test Results (PLACE 60+) Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| 2. | VC329 | Typographics I | 3 |
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Description: Studio course. Explores traditional and conceptual typographic applications. Focuses on letter, word, line, paragraph, and type-image relationships. Computer-generated type at the intermediate level. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 101, VC 251, and ART 135 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: VC329, VC 331, VC351 must be taken in the Fall term of the Sophomore year to keep students on track for Graduation |
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| 3. | VC331 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
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Description: Studio course. Beginning exploration of design as a visual language. Development of basic and computer skills related to formal principles of design and composition. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 101, VC 251, and ART 135 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: VC329, VC 331, VC351 must be taken in the Fall term of the Sophomore year to keep students on track for Graduation |
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| 4. | VC351 | Interactive Design I | 3 |
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Description: Studio course. Experimental and professional use of the computer as a tool for interative design. Focuses on technique, style, and concepts. Projects using web-based and interactive media. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 101, VC 251, and ART 135 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: VC329, VC 331, VC351 must be taken in the Fall term of the Sophomore year to keep students on track for graduation. |
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| 5. | LIBSTLAB | Liberal Studies (LAB) Course | 4 | ||
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | ARH142 | Western Art Since 1400 | 3 | ||
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Description: Surveys Western painting, sculpture, and architecture from the Renaissance through the twentieth century. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Requirement Designation: Aesthetic & Humanistic Inquiry Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 |
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| 2. | VC330 | Typographics II | 3 |
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Description: Studio course. Advanced typographic exploration and generation. Individualized study of type design, research, and technology in advanced experimental configurations and compositions. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 161, 329, 331, 351; ART 136; COM 101, 200 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Notes: VC 330 and VC 332 must be taken together the Spring term of the sophomore to keep students on track for graduation. |
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| 3. | VC332 | Graphic Design II | 3 |
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Description: Studio course. Intermediate exploration of graphic design. Focuses on specific forms of visual communication such as marks, grid systems, and corporate communications. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 161, 329, 331, 351; ART 136; COM 101, 200 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Notes: VC 330 and VC 332 must be taken together the Spring term of the sophomore to keep students on track for graduation. |
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| 4. | LIBSTCOURSE | Liberal Studies Course | 3 | ||
| Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better | |||||
| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 2 |
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Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Notes: Choose from any course the university offers that interests you. Some courses may have prerequisites |
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Year 3
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | Choose one of the options below: | ||||
| -Option A- | |||||
| ARH141 | Western Art To 1400 | 3 | |||
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Description: Surveys Western painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistory through the Gothic period. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Requirement Designation: Aesthetic & Humanistic Inquiry Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Summer 2013 Fall 2013 |
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| -Option B- | |||||
| ARHELECTIVE | ARH Elective | 3 | |||
| Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better | |||||
| 2. | VC333 | Graphic Design III | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Focuses on complex visual communication problems, such as packaging design and visual identity. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 330, 332; ART 150 with grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 |
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| 3. | LIBSTCOURSE | Liberal Studies Course | 3 | ||
| 4. | LIBSTSAS | Liberal Studies (SAS) Course | 3 | ||
| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Remember you can take any course at the university as long as you have the prerequisites. | |||||
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | JLWRCOURSE | Jr Level Writing Requirement | 3 |
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Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Notes: Choose from one of the following courses to meet the Junior Level Writing Requirement. Note these courses may have prerequisites that must be taken first. ENG 302W, ENG 305W, SC 300W, PR 372W. |
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| 2. | VC370 | Visual Communication Studios | 3 |
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Description: Professional or experimental studio practice, examines trends and media applications in visual communication expertise areas. Topics encompass studio practices used in motion graphics, animation, digital media, and print design. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Two completions of each topic are allowed. Only the first 6 units will count towards the major. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 161, 329, 331, 351; ART 136; COM 101, 200 w/ grades of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: This is a topics project course and may be repeated for up to 12 units but only 6 units will count toward the major requirements. |
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| 3. | VC433 | Graphic Design IV | 3 | ||
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Description: Studio course. Visual problems in typographic, diagrammatic, cartographic, and environmental displays of information. Ideation developed in two and three dimensions. Intermediate to advanced computer skills required. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 333 with a grade of C or better Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better |
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| 4. | LIBSTCOURSE | Liberal Studies Course | 3 | ||
| Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better | |||||
| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 | ||
Year 4
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ARH2XX/3XX | ARH Elective 200/300 level | 3 | ||
| Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better | |||||
| 2. | VC370 | Visual Communication Studios | 3 |
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Description: Professional or experimental studio practice, examines trends and media applications in visual communication expertise areas. Topics encompass studio practices used in motion graphics, animation, digital media, and print design. Letter grade only. May be repeated for up to 12 units of credit. Two completions of each topic are allowed. Only the first 6 units will count towards the major. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 161, 329, 331, 351; ART 136; COM 101, 200 w/ grades of C or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: This is a topics project course and may be repeated for up to 12 units but only 6 units will count toward the major requirements. |
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| 3. | LIBSTCOURSE | Liberal Studies Course | 3 | ||
| 4. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Select from any courses offered at the university. What about doing a minor? | |||||
| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Select from any courses offered at the university. Use this to build on your skills. | |||||
| Course # | Course Description | Units | Notes | ||
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| 1. | VC490C | Senior Project | 3 |
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Description: Analysis, development, and preparation of a professional portfolio plus a written capstone statement. Self promotion, resume, visual documentation, and an oral presentation are also required. 1 hr. lecture, 4 hrs. lab. Instructor consent required. Letter grade only. Course fee required. Prerequisite: VC 451 or VC 333, 6 units of VC 370, and all Art History and Junior-Level Writing requirements met, with grades greater than or equal to C. Admission to Visual Communication - Extended Major (BFA) and Senior Status or higher. Requirement Designation: Senior Capstone Grade Required: Grade of "C" or better Currently Scheduled: Fall 2013 Notes: Senior Capstone for major |
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| 2. | LIBSTCOURSE | Liberal Studies Course | 3 | ||
| 3. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Select from any courses offered at the university. What about doing a minor? | |||||
| 4. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Take another VC 370 to add to your portfolio | |||||
| 5. | GECOURSE | General Elective Course | 3 |
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| Notes: Take any course from the university as long as you have the prerequisites. | |||||
University Requirements Specified by Major
| University requirements includes 35 units of liberal studies and 6 units of diversity coursework. The courses listed below are required for the major, but may also be used to satisfy liberal studies and/or diversity. Know that if a course is used to satisfy more than one requirement it is only counted once in the cumulative totals. The sections that are blank can be satisfied with any course from the approved list of liberal studies or diversity. | |
| Foundation Requirements:English (FNRQ:ENG) (4 units) | ENG 105 (4) |
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| Foundation Requirements:Math (FNRQ:MAT) (3 units) | MAT 114 (3) |
| Aesthetic and Humanistic Inquiry (AHI) (6 units) | Student Choice (6) |
| Social and Political Worlds (SPW) (6 units) | Student Choice (6) |
| Cultural Understanding (CU) (6 units) | Student Choice (6) |
| Science/Applied Science (SAS/LAB) (7 units) | Student Choice (7) |
| Liberal Studies Elective (3 units) | Student Choice (3) |
| Diversity:U.S. Ethnic (DIV:ETHN) (3 units) | Student Choice (3) |
| Diversity:Global (DIV:GLBL) (3 units) | Student Choice (3) |
Program Information
PROGRAM INFORMATION
This Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication is designed to allow you to develop skills in the creative processes using art and technology to communicate ideas—so messages can be transformed into visual communication that transcend words. You will learn to use color, type, symbols, computer images, and photography to produce messages that clearly inform and persuade viewers. You learn to use aesthetic judgment with project management skills to develop overall communication strategies for clients; collaboration skills with marketing researchers, public relations specialists, and advertisers. You learn to work with illustrators, computer artists, photographers, and printers to complete compelling designs that effectively communicate client messages.
Courses for your major are offered in specific sequence and you must complete the communication core and required prerequisite courses in sequence. If you do not complete the necessary pre-requisites you will not be able to enroll in required courses and this may delay your graduation. You must complete ART 135 and VC 101 and VC 251 in your first two years of study, or your graduation may be delayed. You must complete VC 161, 329, 331, 351, ART 136, COM 101 and C0M 200 Before enrolling in VC 330, 332 and VC 370. Please note that you must complete the last five of your graphic design courses (see your online degree progress report) at NAU.
You must earn a grade of C or better in all courses required for this Visual Communication major and maintain a 2.5 GPA in your major.
You must earn a grade of “C” or better in the School of Communication Core (COM 101 and COM 200), Freshman Composition (ENG 105 or equivalent transfer ENG coursework) and Liberal Studies Mathematics Foundation Course.
BE AWARE THAT THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY OF SELECTING COURSES RESTS WITH YOU. IT IS YOUR FULL RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR COURSE OF STUDY, IN THEIR PROPER ORDER, SO YOU DON’T FIND YOURSELF IN YOUR SENIOR YEAR INELIGIBLE FOR GRADUATION.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office of Academic Services and Advising WEB Page: http://www.nau.edu/sbs/advising
School of Communication Building #16, Room 370
PHONE: 928-523-8055 or 928-523-6540
MAIL: sbs.advisor@nau.edu
General Information
Progression Plans are intended to provide a general road map related to the sequencing of courses.
For a full description of degree requirements, review the university catalog. To determine what requirements you may have already met through transfer credits, AP/IB courses, or test credits review your degree progress report.
Some courses may have pre-requisites and/or require appropriate placement scores in Mathematics and English. If you do not have the appropriate placement or pre-requisite courses, you may have to take more courses than are presented on the Progression Plan.
Not all classes are offered every term so use caution when changing the sequencing of courses.
For further clarification, refer to the catalog (link provided at the top of this page) or speak with an academic advisor.
