Download Theatre Transfer Pathway - MnSCU Academic and Student Affairs

May, 2016
Academic and Student Affairs
Minnesota State Transfer
Pathways Template
Theatre Transfer Pathway AA or AFA
www.asa.mnscu.edu/transfer/pathways/
Minnesota State
Transfer Pathway Template
Theatre Transfer Pathway
Associate of Arts or Associate of Fine Arts
Date Developed: Spring 2016
Date Final Pathway Approved: May 6, 2016
Campus preparation/implementation begins: Fall 2016
Earliest date program available to students: Fall 2017
Date to be reviewed: Spring 2021
Introduction and Overview
The purpose of a Minnesota State Transfer Pathway is to identify the courses a student at a
two-year college completes as part of an associate degree. Transfer Pathway associate degrees
(AA, AS, or AFA) are accepted at any Minnesota State university that offers a designated
bachelor’s degree. The university guarantees that a student transfers into a designated
bachelor’s program with junior standing and may complete the bachelor’s degree with an
additional 60 credits.
In accordance with the Laws of Minnesota 2015, Chapter 5, Article 3, Section 21 all Minnesota
State Colleges and Universities (Minnesota State) agree to the following principles governing
the transfer pathways for baccalaureate degrees. This transfer pathway specifically ensures
that a student who successfully completes a Theatre Transfer Pathway Associate of Arts (AA), or
Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree can transfer the entire completed degree into a designated
parallel baccalaureate degree program in Theatre at one of the seven Minnesota State
universities.
Transfer Pathways will:
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Be associate degrees, comprised of 60 semester credits (unless a prior waiver has been
granted), excluding any required developmental or remedial courses.
Meet all lower division major content and competency requirements needed to prepare
students to enroll in the major at the university.
Identify and require inclusion of prerequisite courses and the designation of Minnesota
Transfer Curriculum courses, as needed. All courses are included in the 60 credits.
Include lower division experiential learning activities required by direct entry university
students. Examples include but are not limited to: service-learning, internships,
undergraduate research etc. The lower division courses that are intended for the major
should be a minimum of 9 credits.
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Degree Requirements for Theatre Transfer Pathway
Typical
Course
Typical
Discipline
Typical Course Title
Credits
MnTC
Designator
Goal
Required Courses Intended for the Major
Usually the intended major’s core/foundational/beginning course(s). Delineate specific
courses and number of credits; include additional requirements such as lab or field
experiences. Courses may be in the discipline or they may be in related/supporting disciplines.
THTR
Theatre & Its Elements
3
6
THTR
Text Analysis
3
THTR
Practical Application
2 cr. min.
Restricted Range of Electives that will Apply to the Major
List specific lower-division elective courses that will transfer successfully into the major.
Indicate the number of courses/credits required. Courses may be in the discipline or they may
be in related/supporting disciplines.
Complete at least 3 credits and no more than 6 credits:
THTR
Performance
3
THTR
Stagecraft
3
Theatre Electives:
THTR
Completion of courses such that the total number of 6 - 9
credits within the discipline is no fewer than 20,
which may include either of the above courses
(Performance or Stagecraft).
Subtotal of Credits
20
MnTC Courses Both the AFA and the AA require completion of the entire MnTC.
Requirement or Recommendation
Credits
MnTC
Goal Area
1
As required by the institution
2
As required by the institution
3
As required by the institution
4
As required by the institution
5
As required by the institution
6
As required by the institution
7
10
Many courses from Goals 1 – 6 also meet Goals 7 – 10.
NA
40
Subtotal of Credits
General Electives
List the remaining credits. Ensure that any additional graduation requirements by colleges
can be included. List any lower-division elective courses that will support students’
preparation for the major but which may not necessarily count in the major.
0
Total number of Credits
60
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Notes and Comments:
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The Transfer Pathway degree template assumes that the student is college ready and
places into college level courses.
Categories of courses listed include:
o Courses which are required at the lower-division and will apply to major
requirements at the university.
o A restricted range of lower-division elective courses which will apply to major
requirements at the university. These courses should be ensured by the TPT not
to conflict or overlap with upper-division requirements at all universities that
offer the intended major. Students should choose courses based on their
interest, transfer university destination, and track into which transfer is
intended.
o General electives which may include a list of elective courses that will support
students’ preparation for the major and will not conflict with the requirements
of the intended major such as being taken at the upper-division level.
o Recommendations for MnTC courses that will best support the intended major.
o Additional courses in the discipline beyond those required in the pathway may or
may not be applicable to the university major.
Regarding the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum:
o Goal area requirements will vary based on degree type
 AA requires completion of all 10 goal areas (40 credits total)
 AFA varies: Theatre requires all 10 goal areas (40 credits total); Music
requires coursework in 6 of the 10 goal areas (30 credits total); Art
requires coursework in 6 of the 10 goal areas (24 credits total). Other
AFAs require coursework in 6 of 10 goal areas (24 credits).
o Colleges and universities may differ in their requirements for specific goals, e.g.,
the number of disciplines required within Goal 5.
o Many courses from Goals 1 – 6 also meet Goal 7 – 10. Credits count only once.
Students are advised to select MnTC courses with multiple goal assignments
whenever possible.
o If the MnTC is not completed: Students are advised to choose goal areas
depending on the transfer university destination. Thus, students should consult
with their advisor before selecting courses for satisfying the goal areas.
The Theatre Practical Application course is a practicum or internship. The student
should have 50 hours of experience in the Theatre setting for each credit.
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Learning Outcomes for Preparation in Theatre
For each of the specific courses that are preparatory to the major, list the minimum learning
outcomes that must be met. Optional: content topics may be listed for guidance only.
Theatre and Its Elements (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
1. Articulate the ways in which theatre has evolved and has been an integral part of
culture and society throughout history, and how theatre has been shaped by – and has
shaped – the culture and society in which it was created.
2. Analyze, research and evaluate dramatic literature both by reading scripts and by
viewing performances; and understand the influences each particular society has on the
playwrights and major themes within their work.
3. Define and analyze performance elements, different theatre spaces, and the various
collaborators needed for a theatrical production, including producers, directors,
designers, actors, technicians, etc.
4. Evaluate and articulate an informed response to live theatre productions, utilizing
knowledge and skills gained.
Coursework in this content area will develop a student’s knowledge of:
1. The social and historic context of the theatre, including exploration of the history and
evolution of theatre ritual performance, and other cultural expression.
2. The elements of performance and of different theatre spaces.
3. The roles and duties of different theatre artists involved in a production.
4. Theatrical criticism.
5. Dramatic text and literature and the analysis of such pieces.
6. Live theatre by experiencing the theatre arts in practice and engaging with theatre
artists.
Text Analysis (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes:
Students should be able to:
1. Use appropriate theatre terminology to analyze a script to identify elements such as
genre, conflict, plot structure, units/beats, subtext, theme, style, social context, etc.
through oral and/or written responses.
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2. Describe how theatre conventions and the social and historical context of drama are
shaped by the culture and time in which it was written.
3. Analyze and interpret plays from diverse cultures and time periods using different
perspectives, such as actor, designer, or director.
4. Read or view a play and use appropriate theatre terminology to express an informed
personal, critical reaction to the text or to the particular elements of a specific
production, including its classification of dramatic structure, genre, and style as well as
the ways in which the performers and designers may have interpreted the playwright’s
intent.
Coursework in this content area will develop a student’s knowledge of:
1. Dramatic literature from varying eras and cultures.
2. Literary elements as they are used in drama, such as plot structure, genre, subtext,
conflict, etc.
3. Analytical approaches to drama as text and performance.
4. The cultural and historical context of selected dramatic literature.
5. The role of drama as a cultural, historical, political or personal artifact.
6. Critical writing in response to drama.
7. Elements of production for selected plays.
Practical Application (at least 2 credits, 50 hours/credit)
Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
1. Identify the roles and duties of different theatre artists involved in a production.
2. Understand the elements of performance and of different theatre spaces and theatrical
styles.
3. Work collaboratively within a theatrical production process with professional decorum
and respect.
4. Draw information from a written text to determine artistic and aesthetic choices used to
interpret and communicate the writer/creator's vision.
5. Identify and utilize specific tools and methods of theatrical actors, designers, technicians
or managers.
6. Apply imagination and personal aesthetic to the interpretation of a publicly presented
theatrical work.
Practical work in this content area will develop a student’s knowledge of:
1. The roles and duties of different theatre artists and collaborators involved in a
production.
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2. The elements of performance and of different theatre spaces and theatrical styles.
3. The communication skills needed to work in the elements of performance such as
cooperation, collaboration, respect and responsibility.
4. Implementation of theory and physical practice in performance, design or management
of theatrical work.
5. Various production techniques.
Performance (3 credits)
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to:
1. Work collaboratively with professional decorum and respect.
2. Identify and apply vocal and movement skills in order to communicate freely and
expressively.
3. Apply specific techniques and critiques in order to create an expressive performance.
4. Use performance skills and techniques to create a performance or presentation of a
theatrical work, such as a monologue, scene, play, and/or other expressive pieces.
5. Use the skills of observation, aesthetic and analysis to create an informed critique of a
theatrical work.
6. Engage with live theatre and theatre artists to experience and understand theatre arts
in practice.
Coursework in this content area will develop a student’s knowledge of:
1. The skills needed to work in the elements of performance such as cooperation, respect,
responsibility, and collaboration.
2. Use of the voice and body in performance.
3. Imagination and application of a specific approach to the art of acting
4. Performance skills and techniques
Stagecraft (3 credits)
Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
1. Safely use common materials, fabrication tools, and theatrical equipment for the
desired effect of theatrical design.
2. Implement common theatrical production techniques.
3. Describe the elements of theatrical design as they apply to the concepts and meanings
of a script.
4. Identify the effectiveness of each member’s role in a collaborative theatrical production.
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5. Communicate effectively within a collaborative theatrical production.
6. Contribute to the overall outcome of theatrical production.
Coursework in this content area will develop a student’s knowledge of:
1. The safe use of common materials, fabrication tools, and theatrical equipment.
2. Common theatrical production techniques.
3. The elements of theatrical design as they apply to the concepts and meanings of a
script.
4. Various roles in a collaborative theatrical production and how to communicate
effectively within these roles.
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Degree Map and Course Sequencing
This is an example of a degree map/course sequencing for a full-time student in the Theatre
Transfer Pathway. Students are encouraged to see their advisor to facilitate planning a parttime schedule.
College, Theatre Transfer Pathways, AA or AFA, 60 credits
Semester One (15 credits)
Communication Goal 1 (3)
Natural Sciences Goal 3 (3)
Theatre and Its Elements TRANSFER (3)
Performance TRANSFER (3)
Social/Behavioral Sciences Goal 5 (3)
Semester Three (14 credits)
Practical Application TRANSFER(1)
Ethical and Civic Responsibility Goal 9 (3)
ELECTIVE (3) CC Chooses
Natural Sciences Goal 3 (4)
Social/Behavioral Sciences Goal 5 (3)
Semester Two (15 credits)
Communication Goal 1 (3)
Stagecraft TRANSFER (3)
ELECTIVE (3) CC Chooses
Mathematical/Logical Reasoning Goal 4 (3)
Humanities Goal 6 (3)
Semester Four (16 credits)
Practical Application TRANSFER (1)
ELECTIVE (3) CC Chooses as needed
Human Diversity Goal 7 (3)
Text Analysis TRANSFER (3)
Global Perspective Goal 8 (3)
People and the Environment Goal 10 (3)
University Theatre BA, 60 credits
Semester Five (16 credits)
Fundamentals of Directing (3)
Practical Application (1)
Theatre Elective (lower division) (3)
Theatre Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (3)
General Elective (upper division) (2)
Semester Seven (16 credits)
Careers/Portfolio (1)
Theatre Elective (upper division) (3)
Theatre Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (upper division) (2)
Semester Six (16 credits)
Theatre History I (3)
Practical Application (1)
Theatre Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (4)
General Elective (upper division) (4)
Semester Eight (12 credits)
Theatre History II (3)
Practical Application (1)
Theatre Elective (upper division) (3)
General Elective (4)
General Elective (upper division) (4)
Credit Breakdown
MnTC Electives at Community College
Direct Transfer Theatre CC Courses
Elective Theatre CC Courses
Lower Division University Theatre Credits
Upper Division Theatre Credits
Four-Year General Electives
40
14
6
9
22
11
TOTAL
120 credits
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Designated Degrees
This Theatre Transfer Pathway AS will transfer into specific designated majors at the
universities within Minnesota State. A list of designated degrees will be posted at the Transfer
Pathways website as the universities identify and approve them.
University GPA and Course Grade Transfer Requirements
Metropolitan State University – transfer GPA: Minimum of 16 transferable semester credits attempted
with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.
No specified additional GPA requirements for the major courses.
Minnesota State University, Mankato – transfer GPA: a minimum of 24 semester college level,
transferable credits with a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
All theatre major coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.
Minnesota State University, Moorhead – transfer GPA: a minimum of 24 academic semester credit
hours with a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
No specified additional GPA requirements for the major courses.
Southwest Minnesota State University – transfer GPA: Courses with grades that earn credit from other
post-secondary institutions will transfer.
A grade of “C-“ (C-minus) or better is required for major/minor coursework applied toward a degree in
the Theatre Program.
St. Cloud State University – transfer GPA: A minimum of 24 college-level credits with a cumulative
grade point average of 2.0. All credits with a “C-“ or higher from a regionally accredited institution are
considered for credit transfer.
No specified additional GPA requirements for the major courses.
Winona State University – transfer GPA: A minimum of 24 semester credits after high school
graduation at a nationally accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or higher will
generally be admitted. If your cumulative college GPA is between 2.2 and 2.39, a transfer specialist will
conduct a personal interview and review your application. WSU will accept “D” grades as part of the
MnTC if the cumulative MnTC GPA is 2.0.
Theatre major GPA requirements: Students are strongly recommended to take ENG 111 and CMST 191
in the first year and are required to complete these courses with a grade of “C” or better before
enrolling in 300 level THAD courses.
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Additional Information about Transfer Pathways
Development of the Transfer Pathway
The Transfer Pathway was developed by a Transfer Pathway Team (TPT) composed of faculty,
staff, and administrators. Midway through the development process, a proposed Transfer
Pathway was vetted with a process including a discipline stakeholders’ meeting and the
opportunity to provide feedback through a survey. The final Transfer Pathway was approved by
the Transfer Pathways Coordinating Team (TPCT) and was made available to the campuses for
implementation.
Responsibilities of the Associate Degree Institutions (Colleges)
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The AA and AFA leading to a parallel baccalaureate degree will include the minimum
number of credits and learning outcomes of -specific coursework that is preparatory for
the major as defined in the transfer pathway. Institutional partnerships may be
necessary in order to offer all courses at a college.
By awarding the transfer pathway (AA or AFA), the degree granting institution is
validating that the student has met the learning outcome requirements outlined in the
transfer pathway.
The associate degree college will publish the transfer pathway at a minimum in the
catalog and on the campus website.
Responsibilities of the Baccalaureate Degree Institutions (Universities)
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The baccalaureate degree university will recognize all learning outcomes attained within
the transfer pathway (AA or AFA) degree and accept the transfer student who has
earned the Transfer Pathway associate degree with full junior standing.
Students will be accepted into a designated baccalaureate degree program as long as
enrollment capacity is available and the student has met specific admission
requirements of the program.
Transfer and direct entry students will be treated in the same manner with regard to
university policy and procedure including, admission to the university major, minimum
GPA and course work grade requirements. For example: The transfer of coursework
with a grade less than a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the (AA or AFA) transfer pathway will
be consistent with the policies of direct entry students at the university.
The baccalaureate degree university will publish the designated bachelor‘s degrees
associated with the transfer pathway at a minimum in the catalog and on the campus
website.
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Transfer Appeal Process
Each bachelor degree university shall have a procedure through which a transfer student can
appeal a decision that he/she believes is not consistent with this transfer pathway using the
Transfer Review/Appeal process in eServices. The transfer appeal process shall be published, at
a minimum, in the institution’s information (catalog, campus website).
Transfer Pathway Revision and Assessment
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Once a statewide Transfer Pathway has been approved, no amendments to the
agreement will be considered within the initial six (6) months of the Transfer Pathway.
After that time, an institution may send a proposed amendment to the TPCT for review.
Any amendment to the approved pathway must be forwarded to the TPCT. If the TPCT
determines the change to be substantive, they will recall the discipline TPT for review of
the amendment. If the amendment is not substantive, the TPCT will have at least thirty
(30) days to review, comment and approve or deny the proposed amendments.
o The TPCT will exercise the responsibility for monitoring the effectiveness of the
Transfer Pathway and its implementation.
o The system office shall collect data annually from the institutions that will enable
the TPCT to assess the effectiveness of the Transfer Pathways in fostering a
seamless transfer process and the academic success of the transfer students at
the senior institutions.
Institutional Resolution of Disputes
o In the event that an associate degree institution considers the decision of a
bachelor degree institution to be inconsistent with this Transfer Pathway, the
associate degree institution shall consult directly with the bachelor degree
institution and attempt to resolve the matter.
o If the institutions are unable to resolve the issue, the associate degree institution
may submit their concern to the system office. The system office will act
according to the policies and procedures developed as part of the statewide
transfer pathways to baccalaureate degree. The determination made by the
system office will be binding upon the parties.
Implementation Date and Availability
o Having fulfilled the requirements outlined in the Transfer Pathway to
baccalaureate degree, students transferring with an AA, AS, or AFA from a
participating institution will be considered by the receiving baccalaureate
institution to have received adequate preparation in the field of study at the
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foundation level and therefore eligible to transfer as a junior into advanced
major coursework.
o Participating institutions will enact the Transfer Pathway in accordance to the
timeline outlined by the TPCT, but no later than fall 2017 or 2018 (depending
upon the transfer pathway).
o Continuation of the agreement remains in effect until such time as all
cooperating institutions of the statewide transfer pathways to baccalaureate
degree finally approve any revisions.
Maintenance of the Transfer Pathway
o The pathways will be reviewed by the discipline TPT every five years.
o If major changes develop in the discipline curriculum, a review may occur sooner
than five years.
Glossary of Terms
Advanced Coursework: Courses with advanced depth of content knowledge in the field of
study and carry the expectation of more complex competencies identified in the expected
student learning outcomes is referred to as advanced coursework. These courses may have
prerequisites and are usually beyond the “Introduction to…” or “Foundation of…” level.
Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA): A degree
consisting of at least 60 college-level credits and designed for transfer into a baccalaureate
degree program, and consistent with the definitions and requirements in System Procedure
3.36.1 Academic Programs.
Articulation Agreement: Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or
more colleges and universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program.
Articulation Agreements are mainly for specialized professional or technical programs offered
at colleges that can be applied to a specific major at the receiving university, and the entire
associate degree or program needs to be completed before transfer.
Career, Technical or Applied Courses: Courses that are part of a career degree that are very
specific and may not have an equivalent course at the university.
Competency: Includes knowledge, skills, and demonstrated abilities the student develops from
studying the required coursework and engaging in the experiential learning experiences of the
degree.
Content: Specific topic areas and depth of instruction of the topic areas that need to be
addressed for the student to be successful upon transfer. The content should align with
competencies and be delineated in the agreement.
Designated Baccalaureate Degree: A bachelor’s degree program in a comparable field of study
and with similar foundation-level discipline-specific competencies determined to be the
receiving degree program for the transfer pathway (AA, AS, AFA) associate degree program.
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Direct Entry Student: A student who entered a given university without first matriculating at
another college.
Discipline-Related Courses: Courses the TPT identified as part of the associate degree in the
transfer pathway that will apply to the designated baccalaureate degree. Discipline-related
courses may be in areas other than the baccalaureate major. For example, chemistry courses
can be discipline-related courses in the biology pathway toward a baccalaureate major in
biology.
Foundation Coursework (Core/Beginning): Courses at a level of comprehension usually
associated with freshman and sophomore students and typically offered during the first half of
a baccalaureate degree program.
Learning Outcomes: TPT members developed statements that describe essential learning that
students have achieved and which can be assessed and demonstrated at the end of a course or
program.
Lower-Division Courses: Typically these courses do not require prerequisite knowledge or may
require limited prerequisites. They are considered an introduction to the discipline or part of a
foundation for the discipline. The skills developed include comprehension, analysis, synthesis,
and application.
MnTC Framework: The number of credits and goal areas required for each associate degree
type: AA – 40 credits and 10 goal areas; AS – 30 credits and 6 goal areas; AFA Theatre - 40
credits and 10 goal areas; AFA Music - 30 credits and 6 goal areas; AFA Art and all others – 24
credits and 6 goal areas.
Parallel Baccalaureate Degree: A bachelor’s degree program in a comparable field of study as
the associate transfer pathway and with similar foundation-level discipline-specific
competencies.
Transfer Pathway(s): The alignment of curriculum between colleges and universities to ensure
efficient and effective movement of students from colleges to universities
Receiving Institution: The college or university to which a student is transferring courses or
credits.
Transfer: The process by which a student moves courses/credits from one postsecondary
institution to another.
Transfer Credit: The credit granted by a college or university for college-level courses or other
academic work completed at another college, university, through a national exam, or through
other means.
Transfer Guide: A tool that guides a student on courses to take before transferring to a
particular university.
Transfer Student: A student who enters a college or university after earning college-level credit
at another college or university, through a national exam, or through other means.
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