Communication Arts (COAR)

COAR 201. Figure I: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTF 131. Enrollment is restricted to communication arts majors. Students will study and practice drawing from direct observation, using the human figure as the primary means to understand proportion, volume and spatial relationships. Course content includes skeletal structure, basic anatomy and the physical dynamics of the figure. A variety of drawing media are explored and assignments draw on historical and contemporary uses of the figure in art.

COAR 202. Figure II: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 201. Enrollment is restricted to communication arts majors. Continues direct observational drawing of the human, reinforcing learning outcomes from Figure I. Additional course content includes basic color relationships, costume and narrative aspects of the figure, including facial expression and full-body gesture. Various media are explored, and assignments are informed by historical and contemporary uses of the figure in art.

COAR 203. 3D I: Digital 3D Sculpting. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Enrollment is restricted to majors and minors in the Department of Communication Arts. The course introduces students with strong drawing and design backgrounds to the world of 3D through digital sculpting, modeling and visual storytelling. Students will work in both ZBrush and Maya to develop skills in organic and hard surface modeling, UV unwrapping, stylized texturing and lighting for illustration. The final project culminates in the creation of a 3D-rendered sequence that supports a narrative panel or comic-style page.

COAR 210. Concept I: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTF 132. Enrollment is restricted to communication arts majors. An introduction to concept design as it relates to drawing and visual storytelling to convey functionality, space and intent through the use of focal points, line, shape, form, linear perspective, composition, research and cinematic language in sequentially and thematically linked projects. Students apply platonic shapes and solids to convey structure, purpose and functionality for both inorganic and organic subjects. Applied human and comparative anatomy is used to create well-referenced, original character and creature designs. Students are introduced to the essentials of cinematic language as it relates to lenses, shot types and shot angles for creating original compositions utilizing their completed concepts as references. Students understand their role in the production pipeline and the importance of final presentation layouts.

COAR 211. Fundamentals of Typography. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: ARTF 132. An introduction to the study of typography as used in communication arts. Course will include the study of hand-drawn and digital letterforms and their context. Students will be introduced to professional digital methods (e.g., Illustrator).

COAR 300. Illustration III : ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 301 and COAR 332. An advanced course that synthesizes conceptual development, technical execution and personal voice within contemporary illustration practice. Students respond to real-world industry contexts and client-based challenges while exploring a range of traditional and digital media. Emphasis is placed on creative problem-solving, stylistic coherence and the translation of complex ideas into compelling visual communication.

COAR 301. Figure III: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 202. The course advances observational figure drawing with emphasis on anatomical understanding, expressive storytelling and material versatility. Students study proportion, light and color while exploring artistic anatomy, costume and gesture as tools for narrative communication. A range of wet and dry media are used to synthesize technical mastery and personal expression through the human form.

COAR 303. Color Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 210. An intermediate course in the application of color theory to specific illustrative problems. A number of color theories, both historical and contemporary, will be studied and applied.

COAR 305. Figure in Illustration. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 202. An introduction to the visual representation of the human form as it applies to illustration.

COAR 307. The Face. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 201 and COAR 202. Employing a variety of drawing media, students will explore the nuances of the human face as a subject. The course focuses on both process and the realization of final projects.

COAR 308. Cut Scene. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Studio course focusing on research and experimentation in specialized visual communication media utilizing consumer electronics.

COAR 309. 3D II: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 203. An intermediate-level course that builds on students’ foundational 3D skills to emphasize project organization, visual clarity and high-quality asset development for entertainment and visualization fields. Students will deepen their technical understanding of 3D workflows while creating compelling still-image sequences or high-fidelity visualizations. Projects will be tailored to individual career goals, with the option to focus on environmental design, character/creature development or scientific illustration. Final projects will consist of a fully realized 3D scene, render or turntable with optional camera animation.

COAR 310. VFX I: Synthetic Photography. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. The course explores the convergence of real-world photography and digital image creation, focusing on how cameras—both physical and synthetic—can be used to create visually compelling, cinematic imagery. Students will study the mechanics of photography, lighting and image capture alongside digital tools for layout, lighting and rendering in 3D environments. Emphasis is placed on storytelling through composition and light, file formats and image data, and producing rendered scenes that mirror or enhance real-world photographic techniques. Team-based assignments will culminate in photorealistic sequences designed collaboratively in 3D software.

COAR 311. Type and Presentation. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Students apply symbols, typography, logos and layouts using professional pixel and vector based software. They study shape manipulation, pattern and notan (figure/ground) relationships and solutions. Students use type as an expressive vehicle for clear layouts for visual and textual information. Students learn to document and prepare analog and digital deliverables for professional presentation. Research and application of the history of type, symbols, and impactful designers and their works will inform students’ projects.

COAR 320. Concept Drawing. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 202. Explores the use of drawing as a tool to communicate concepts. Various painting and drawing media will be explored. Assignments will incorporate applicable references to the history of art and contemporary developments.

COAR 321. Illustration I: Sequential. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 210. Sequential imagery as applied to books, graphic novels and film storyboarding. Various painting and drawing media will be explored. Assignments will incorporate applicable references to the history of art and contemporary developments.

COAR 325. Botanical Drawing. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 300. Students examine the major divisions and structures of plants and how to depict their unique form.

COAR 326. Imagery for Science Fiction and Fantasy. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 300 and 320. The course focuses on assignments for science fiction/fantasy subject matter and its various commercial applications.

COAR 327. Comics and Graphic Novels I. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 201 and COAR 202. The course develops skills essential for visual storytelling through comics and graphic novels.

COAR 328. Comics and Graphic Novels II. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 4.5 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 327. The course further develops skills essential to expanding understanding of visual storytelling through comics and graphic novels.

COAR 332. Illustration II: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 321. An intermediate illustration course exploring the use of computer and peripheral devices in the creation of personal work. Concept and visual metaphor will be robustly explored. Students will be introduced to relevant conceptual themes and professional methods and practices.

COAR 341. Scientific Illustration. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. An introductory course in the development of accurate representational imagery for recording scientific observations and ideas.

COAR 352. History of Visual Communications. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ARTH 103 and ARTH 104. An examination of the historical developments in visual communications from cave paintings to the contemporary.

COAR 353. History of Visual Communications II. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: ARTH 103 and 104. An examination of the historical developments in visual communications from modernism to the contemporary era.

COAR 355. History of Visual Art: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 12 credits toward graduation. Prerequisites: ARTH 103 and ARTH 104. An examination of the historical developments in visual communications with focus in a specific topic.

COAR 391. Communication Arts Topics. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Topical lectures in design issues and visual communications.

COAR 392. Research/Individual Study. 1-6 Hours.

Semester course; 1-2 lecture and 3-6 studio hours. 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Enrollment requires permission of instructor, approval of faculty adviser and chair. The structuring, research, execution and presentation of an independent project in visual communications under the direction of a faculty adviser. The student will be encouraged to become a self-generating problem seeker and solver with the ability to carry out self-stated goals.

COAR 399. Applied Arts Lab. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 1-4 seminar hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 0-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 24 credits toward graduation. Enrollment is restricted by permission of the instructor. The Applied Arts Lab is a project-based course connecting students from a variety of disciplines to work together to discover and solve real-world problems using the visual arts as the main tool. Projects may include aspects of comics, 3D graphics, illustration and game development. Students with relevant skill sets from across the university are invited to apply for an override.

COAR 401. Drawing Studies: The Figure (Advanced). 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. May be repeated for up to 12 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 301 or permission of instructor. Drawing from direct observation at an advanced level using the figure as the primary means to understand proportion, volume and spatial relationships. Various drawing and painting media will be explored.

COAR 407. Senior Project. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 300 and COAR 320. Enrollment restricted to students with senior status in communication arts. Focuses on the assessment and advancement of studio techniques, methods and practices. Students document and share their decision-making processes in the generation of creative projects.

COAR 421. Imagery for Children. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 311 and COAR 321. An advanced course developing both fiction and nonfiction illustrations intended for the preschool and elementary school children's publishing market.

COAR 425. Storytelling and Animation Production. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 321. Intermediate course in visual storytelling. Students would be benefitted by possessing a strong understanding of storyboarding. While prior experience in animation is advantageous, it is not required. Throughout the semester, students will engage in the creative process of producing an original animated short film. They will explore various independent animation techniques through smaller assignments and case studies, with a particular emphasis on 2D animation tools. Course topics will include story design, storyboarding, animatics, animation, sound design, music and editing. Students are expected to proactively seek resources and assistance as needed.

COAR 432. 3D III: ___. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 309. Enrollment is restricted to majors in the School of the Arts. The advanced course focuses on professional asset creation for games, visual effects, scientific illustration or architectural visualization. Students will deepen their expertise in modeling, UV mapping with UDIMs, high-resolution texturing and grooming techniques to produce visually stunning characters. The emphasis is on technical accuracy, detail and photorealism for offline rendering pipelines. Students will also explore basic rigging and camera-based presentation.

COAR 433. Game Design, Theory and Practice. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 203 and COAR 321. Students will study the history, theory and design of games, gaming concepts and narrative from past to present.

COAR 435. 3D IV: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 432. The advanced course focuses on capturing performances and introduces students to realtime technology using Unreal Engine. Students will use motion capture technologies to digitize their performances and adapt them to engine workflow. Students will also use simulation software to create particle effects to aid in digital storytelling and demonstrate mastery in performance capture, particle simulation and camera work in real-time environments.

COAR 436. VFX II: Studio. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 310. The course introduces students to the foundational principles and production workflows of live-action visual effects. Through the planning and creation of a short VFX shot, students will shoot their own live-action plates, collect on-set data including HDRIs and measurements, and track real-world cameras using Nuke. Using Maya, ZBrush and Substance Painter, students will model and texture digital assets that will be integrated into the footage. The course emphasizes practical skills in previsualization, 3D tracking, basic asset creation and shot integration.

COAR 437. VFX III: Studio. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 436. The course builds on the production fundamentals established in VFX I and expands into dynamic simulation and real-time VFX. Students will create advanced simulations (explosions, fluid and destruction) using Pyro in Cinema4D and Bifrost/Bullet in Maya from 3D IV. The course also dives deeper into the Unreal Engine pipeline for rendering cinematic shots in real time. Students will develop a complete VFX sequence that incorporates simulation, real-time deployment and advanced compositing.

COAR 445. Introduction to Game Development. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 3 studio hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CMSC 255. Enrollment is restricted to computer science majors and minors. A comprehensive course designed to introduce students to the foundational concepts and tools essential for game design and development. Students gain hands-on experience with industry-standard game engines to build and deploy their own games. Working both individually and collaboratively in teams, students develop a practical understanding of the creative and technical processes involved in bringing a game from concept to reality. Crosslisted as: CMSC 445.

COAR 450. Business of Art: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 352. Introduces the language of the creative enterprise, focusing on intellectual property, contracts and negotiations, tracking business performance and using financial data to improve decision-making.

COAR 462. Projects in Illustration. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits toward graduation. Enrollment is restricted to students with senior standing in communication arts. An advanced-level course in conceptualization, execution, realization and documentation as realized through a series of projects in illustration. Students will be required to create, acquire and structure projects that will test their conceptual and technical abilities. Project work will be exhibited, documented or printed. Various drawing, painting and mixed media will be explored. Assignments will incorporate applicable references to the history of art and contemporary developments.

COAR 463. Communication Arts Honors Studio. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits toward graduation. Enrollment is restricted to students with junior standing and a 3.0 GPA in communication arts and by permission of the communication arts faculty. An advanced course for selected students. Expectations include work on individual and group projects at a professional level.

COAR 464. Senior Project I: ____. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisites: COAR 450, and COAR 300 or COAR 437. Enrollment is restricted to students with senior standing in communication arts. Focuses on the curation and evolution of a portfolio that aligns with the student's professional goals. Integrates effective oral, written and visual communication, critical-thinking and advanced studio and professional practices.

COAR 465. Senior Project II. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Prerequisite: COAR 464. Focuses on the assessment and advancement of studio techniques, methods and practices. Students document and share their decision-making processes in the generation of creative projects.

COAR 491. Studio Topics in Communication Arts. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 3 studio hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 15 credits toward graduation. Topical studio focusing on research and experimentation in specialized visual communication media.

COAR 492. Communication Arts Internship. 1-6 Hours.

Semester course; 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing, 3.0 GPA or permission of the chair. Supervised pragmatic work experiences. Training is provided under the direction and supervision of qualified professional practitioners.