Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Interpersonal Communication

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

Art majors with an emphasis in drawing focus on observational skills. Students are trained to find their own voice and visual language and focus on shifts from observational skills to the conceptual aspect of making art. Faculty ensure students have skills in manipulating various drawing media with graphite, charcoal, ink, water color and mixed media (dry and wet products); acquiring a sense of proportion, rhythm, balance and weight to learn the methods of analyzing shapes and proportions of perspective drawing; and creating the three-dimensional illusions on a two-dimensional surface.

A major in Business Management at Northwest teaches students methods for managing and leading professional employees, motivating people on the job, producing quality products, scheduling maximum efficiency, and managing financial entanglements among companies. Students develop skills and knowledge in critical thinking, analyzing and effective communication techniques in a career. Hands-on approaches are utilized in preparation for a career in business while working in teams, learning negotiation skills, conflict resolution, operations of running a business, and presentation skills in upper level courses.

The Bachelor of Science in Criminology is an interdisciplinary study of crime and the criminal justice system. It is the broad investigation of the roles that sociological and psychological factors play in determining how a society defines crime, contributes to or deters criminal behavior, and responds to victims and offenders. Criminologists have a wide variety of career paths from which to choose. Those interested in working within the criminal justice system may pursue a number of government jobs including, careers within law enforcement, courts, or corrections.

English majors tend to be readers or writers. Many are both. Through coursework in literature, writing, linguistics and the history of the English language, students explore a diverse range of texts with the goal of becoming thoughtful and knowledgeable readers, writers, thinkers, communicators and artists.

In addition to reading and writing, students are introduced to the principles of linguistics, writing pedagogy, community literacies, publishing, workplace writing and creative writing. They read and engage in discussions about literary works, participate in literary criticism, write in a variety of analytical argumentative and creative genres, and are challenged to view language through artistic, social and scientific lenses.

Recreation majors at Northwest is the study of play and leisure in an individual’s life and methods to improve quality of life. Student can emphasize in:

• Recreation and Park Management which prepares students for program leadership and development, and budget and facility management;
• Corporation Recreation/Wellness which involve programs related to a person’s physical well-being;
• Therapeutic Recreation which prepares students with the skills to assess and evaluate the needs for individuals with special needs; and
• Sport Management prepares students for leadership roles in professional, collegiate and community sports organizations.

Students majoring in art with an emphasis in graphic design learn to create powerful, compelling design work that meets the needs of clients. Faculty ensure students learn the fundamentals of art and graduate with a diverse portfolio to use skills and tools in different aspects. Students get experience creating an idea-driven visual and create new ways to give a message that helps to educate and inform an audience.

Graphic design majors work closely with professionals and are actively involved in Northwest programs. Student engagement provides many opportunities for experimental learning including internships on the Northwest campus.

Earning a Political Science degree at Northwest prepares students for multiple employment opportunities in public service and private sectors including federal, state and local government, law, criminal justice system, municipal planning, city management, urban affairs, education, non-profit administration, campaigns and elections, public policy analysis and internal development and relations.

The major has three areas of emphasis: the american institutions (formerly criminal justice) emphasis provides an understanding of legislatures, police prosecutors, public offenders and courts and corrections; the public administration emphasis focuses on the decision making process and job opportunities in public organizations and local, state, federal and international agencies; and the global affairs emphasis studies the global trends and events, and enhances intercultural understanding.

Art majors with the emphasis in sculpture learn about traditional and non-traditional approaches to the sculptural process. Faculty challenge students to think about space and objects in different ways. Students learn professional vocabulary to methodically discuss their art in terms of principles and elements of design and for the purpose of writing an artist statement.

Students learn technical skills that include welding, basic woodwork, and medal and mold-making. Students use traditional and new processes.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (comprehensive) is for students who desire a broad approach to their Music education, including applied study, ensemble experiences, music composition, history and theory.

The B.A. in Music can also be paired with an emphasis area, which can include Audio Production, Business or Wellness. The B.A. in Music with Emphasis is intended to provide students with the same broad experience in Music that, when paired with the emphasis area, can lead to careers in Music Production, Arts Management/Administration, Entrepreneurship, Counseling, Studio Teaching and other Music-enhanced careers.

Programs in the Department of Language, Literature and Writing prepare students for meaningful lives as professionals in a global economy that demands innovative thinking, clear and effective writing, and cultural literacy. Our students and faculty form a close community of scholars who support each others' work, and who grow together in a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Students emerge from LLW programs able to express themselves creatively and professionally, and to engage with ideas critically and practically.