School of Fine Arts

Professor Candace Keller, Dean

Professors Yahui Zhang

Associate Professors Mark Hilliard, Steve Long

Assistant Professors Dejan Mraovic

Emeritus Professor Marti Runnels

The School of Fine Arts includes the departments of Art, Communication and Media Studies, and Theatre.

Purpose

The School of Fine Arts faculty believes works of art are powerful means of expression. These expressions provide cultural identity, promote engagement, interaction, and become dynamic forces in shaping and reflecting civilization. Central to higher education, the disciplines of the School of Fine Arts provide curricula, creative experiences and opportunities for self-expression, and performances that lead students to a deep understanding of the arts. This understanding engenders tangible opportunities for outreach into the community and beyond. Studying and participating in various modes of creative expression enhances communication skills and prepares students for social, aesthetic, and intellectual interaction. These creative expressions of faculty and students in art, communication studies, media communication, and theatre departments enrich the University and greater community.

Department of Art

The Art curriculum strives to instill in students a critical understanding of historical as well as contemporary art, to help them develop an intelligent evaluation of technical processes as they relate to creative expression, and to direct their creative abilities toward mature artistic proficiency.

The objectives of the Art curriculum are to provide students with a strong foundation in the history and critical evaluation of the arts, to give students a working knowledge of the media and their applications, and to develop the technical skills and conceptual abilities needed to enter the working fields of the visual arts at a competitive level.

Department of Communication and Media Studies

We strive to excel in communication education in a Christian environment so that our students will become whole persons, responsible citizens of the world, and successful professionals by demonstrating communicative competence in creating meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels and media.

Communication Studies focuses on human communication in a variety of formats, media and contexts. Our courses offer a balanced attention to theory, research and application. Coursework emphasizes the importance of communication in interpersonal, organizational, intercultural and political contexts. The department provides opportunities for students to gain experience and confidence in public speaking/presentations, to develop and hone skills in argumentation, to cultivate problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, and to handle conflicts on different levels in constructive manners through effective communication.

Media Communication prepares students in the production of media, the analysis and criticism of media texts, and the examination of the social and cultural effects of mass media. Our courses emphasize oral and written communication skills, critical thinking, and the ability to participate in and contribute to a technologically, economically, and politically interconnected global community in the consumption and production of media messages.

Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning, and service to God and humankind.

Department of Theatre

Instruction in theatre is intended to provide comprehensive theatre study through training and experience in acting, directing, design, technical theatre, and stage management, as well as a foundation in theatre history and literature. Theatre majors are thus prepared for graduate education and careers in the discipline.  The student body at large is afforded the opportunity to experience a wide range of theatre events as audience members or participants.

Programs

• Art (grades EC-12), B.A.
• Art Three-Dimensional Studio, B.F.A.
• Art Two-Dimensional Studio, B.F.A.
• Art, B.A.
• Art, B.G.S
• Art, Minor
• Communication (grades 6-12), B.A.
• Communication Studies, B.G.S.
• Communication, B.A.
• Communication, Minor
• Film Studies, Minor
• Graphic Design, B.A.
• Graphic Design, B.G.S.
• Graphic Design, Minor
• Media Communication Specialist, B.A.
• Media Communication Specialist, Minor
• Media Communication, B.G.S.
• Theatre (grades EC-12), B.A.
• Theatre - Musical Theatre, B.F.A.
• Theatre, B.A.
• Theatre, B.G.S.
• Theatre, Minor