Jerry Holsopple and Jim Leaman, advisors
This major prepares graduates for marketing jobs and careers in businesses, nonprofits, NGOs, and higher education. Students will learn the impact marketing has on larger cultural forces and as a significant dimension of social change, advocacy and getting unique and challenging messages into the social dialogue. The marketing major consists of a common core (40 SH) and then one of two tracks (8-9 SH) for a total of 48-49 SH.
Marketing majors may complete a media and design track or a management track. Students in the media and design track will be assigned an advisor in the VACA department and will complete a sophomore review according to VACA catalog policies. Students in the management track will be assigned a business and leadership advisor and will apply for formal admission to the program according to business and leadership catalog policies.
The media and design track teaches a set of skills that enable students to create media forms ranging from the single image, to visual and text campaigns and longer form video storytelling. In addition to learning the technical skills of design, the management track prepares students for leadership and oversight roles of the marketing process.
The marketing major consists of the following courses for a total of 48-49 SH:
- BUAD 221 Principles of Management - 3
- CIS 211 Spreadsheet and Data Management - 1
- MKTG 301 Principles of Marketing - 3
- MKTG 311 Marketing Research - 3
- *MKTG 321 Consumer Behavior - 3
- *MKTG 330 Sales/E-Commerce - 3
- MKTG 410 Strategic Marketing Management - 3
- STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics - 2
- VACA 141 Foundations of Design - 4
- VACA 151 Photography I - 2
- VACA 142 Graphic Design I - 2
- VACA 242 Graphic Design II - 2
- VACA 344 Web Design and Social Media - 4
- VACA 381 Cinema and Visual Theory - 2
- WRIT 210 News and Feature Writing - 3
Media and Design Track
- VACA 252 Photography II - 4
- VACA 345 Advanced Photoshop - 4
Management Track
- ACTG 221 Financial Accounting - 3
- BUAD 101 Business at EMU - 3
- BUAD 461 Strategic Leadership in Organizations - 3
Senior Exhibits and Productions
VACA seniors in art, digital media and communication, or photography complete a major production or exhibit within their major. This senior exhibit/production represents a culminating event for every major—a chance to synthesize their learning experience in an outstanding body of work, to celebrate the accomplishments of a successful undergraduate career, and to showcase one's best work for the broader community. As such, this requires significant teamwork and collaboration with student colleagues and faculty, along with substantial preparation of the work for presentation during the semester of graduation. Marketing majors complete the capstone course MKTG 410 Strategic Marketing Management.
Portfolio Review Requirement for VACA Majors in Art, Digital Media and Communication, or Photography
Incoming students may declare a major in art, digital media and communication, or photography. Visual and communication arts faculty will conduct a portfolio review after incoming first-year students have been at EMU for three semesters. Transfer students (who have completed the equivalent of at least three semesters in a similar major elsewhere) will usually complete the review process after one semester at EMU. The VACA department chair may approve exceptions to the timeline. The chair will also approve an appropriate timeline for EMU students who change majors or for students who transfer in from a non-related program.
Students who do not pass the portfolio review will need to drop the major. They may continue to take VACA classes but will not have priority for course enrollment. Only VACA majors may enroll in "Senior Thesis/Senior Exhibit," internships, and independent studies.
Students who do not pass the review may re-apply to the major by requesting a new portfolio review after one year.