Download Descriptions of Proposed Theatre Courses

New Course Name: Theatre Portfolio
Bulletin Description:
TH 591 – Theatre Portfolio
2-4 cr., directed project
Prerequisite: Completion of at least 20 credits in the Theatre track.
Grading: S/U Grading
Multi-media projects related to theatrical productions are carried out under the
supervision of a faculty member, leading to the development of the professional
portfolio in the student’s area of specialization
Rationale:
Why? Provide graduate students the opportunity to develop a multi-media package
aimed at enhancing the marketability of one’s theatrical skills.
Required or elective? Required if TH 592 or TH 599 are not selected.
Which track? This course is designed solely for graduate students in the Theatre
track within the Department of English MA program.
Course Outline: As an individually designed project with yet-to-be-specified content and
approved via the graduate student’s MA committee ahead of time, TH 591
will provide an opportunity to review previous theatrical work, craft
summaries of relevant skills and knowledge, and provide tangible evidence
of theatrical proficiencies. The course will involve tailored activities
facilitated by the instructor and the creation of a substantial, portable
portfolio relevant to the employment-seeking process.
Course Objectives:
Objectives - At the end of the course, students will be able to present tangible
evidence of (a) their knowledge and skills related to theatre, (b)
theatrical productions they have been associated with, and (c) unique
qualities that improve their chances for employment in the marketplace
of theatre.
Assignments - Assignments for the course will be consistent with established
English Department standards (e.g., length). Though such will
depend upon the nature of the individual and their specialization,
assignments will include at a minimum a physical professional
portfolio subject to peer and instructor interrogation.
Evaluation & Assessment - Grades will be assigned and an independent
assessment of learning outcomes will be based upon
the quality of (a) the physical portfolio and (b) an exit
interview with the instructor. Additional assessment
will result from an examination of student feedback at
the end of the graduate program.
Staffing: Current graduate faculty are capable of teaching this course.
Equipment and Supplies: No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach this course.
Library Holdings: Holdings in the Olson Library and the Rapport Library in the Forest
Roberts Theatre are sufficient to service this course.
Costs: No additional costs will be associated with this course.
Effects on Other Departments: None anticipated.
Implementation Date: As warranted upon approval of the track.
New Course Name: Internship in Theatre
Bulletin Description:
TH 592 – Internship in Theatre
1-6 cr., supervised field-work
Prerequisite: Completion of at least 20 credits in the Theatre track. Consent of
instructor and department head.
Grading: S/U Grading
Individually designed for graduate students who wish to have an experience
working in field of performance or technical theatre. On-site supervisor and
instructor of record must be selected prior to enrollment in the course and
appropriate internship forms must be completed.
Rationale:
Why? Provide graduate students the opportunity to develop field-based experiences
that put into practice of one’s theatrical skills and knowledge.
Required or elective? Required if TH 591 or TH 599 are not selected.
Which track? This course is designed solely for graduate students in the Theatre
track within the Department of English MA program.
Course Outline: As an individually designed work experience with yet-to-be-specified
content and approved via the graduate student’s graduate advisor ahead
of time, TH 591 will provide an opportunity to apply theatrical work skills in
a professional theatre setting. The internship will involve tailored activities
facilitated by the on-site supervisor culminating in a substantial analysis
and critique at the end of the internship.
Course Objectives:
Objectives - At the end of the internship, students will be able to demonstrate their
ability to apply knowledge and skills related to the MA theatre track in
an actual employment situation.
Assignments - Assignments for the internship will be consistent with established
English Department standards and will depend upon the nature of
the individual organization and the student’s specialization.
Evaluation & Assessment - Grades will be assigned and an independent
assessment of learning outcomes will be based upon
feedback from the on-site supervisor and the student
using departmental rubrics and protocols. Additional
assessment will result from an examination of student
feedback at the end of the graduate program.
Staffing: Current graduate faculty are capable of facilitating this course.
Equipment and Supplies: No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach this course.
Library Holdings: Not applicable.
Costs: No additional costs will be associated with this course.
Effects on Other Departments: None anticipated.
Implementation Date: As warranted upon approval of the track.
New Course Name: Special Topics in Theatre
Bulletin Description:
TH 595 - Special Topics in Theatre
2-4 cr., lecture/discussion
Prerequisite: Admission to an NMU Graduate Program
Grading: A-F Grading
Study of a particular topic or problem in an area of theatre.
Note: May be repeated if topic differs.
Rationale:
Why? Provide graduate students the opportunity to take courses that are
experimental or timely in nature, or to take advantage of the expertise of a
visiting faculty member.
Required or elective? Elective.
Which track? This course is designed primarily for graduate students in the Theatre
track within the Department of English MA program, though it will be
open to other graduate students with advisor approval.
Course Outline: As a course with yet-to-be-specified content and approved via the
Department of Communication & Performance Studies (CAPS) Curriculum
Committee ahead of time, TH 595 will provide students with an in-depth
examination of material relevant to the study and practice of contemporary
theatre. The course will involve reading multiple texts, instructor-facilitated
seminar discussions, and participation in substantial research papers
and/or applied projects.
Course Objectives:
Objectives - At the end of the course, students will be able to (a) identify a range of
issues that are central to the subject at hand, (b) critically evaluate
opposing positions regarding that material, and (c) construct cogent
arguments in support of ideas associated with the topic that is being
taught.
Assignments - Assignments for the course will be consistent with established
English Department standards (e.g., length). Though such will
depend upon the nature of the individual and their specialization,
assignments will include at a minimum (a) an oral presentation
subject to peer and instructor interrogation, (b) a written analysis of
concepts germane to course content, and (c) a substantial research
paper or applied project related to the topic being examined.
Evaluation & Assessment - Grades will be assigned and an independent
assessment of learning outcomes will be based upon
the quality of (a) seminar discussions, (b) formal oral
presentations, and (c) written artifacts. Additional
assessment will result from an examination of student
feedback and capstone project at the end of the
graduate program.
Staffing: Current graduate faculty are capable of teaching this course.
Equipment and Supplies: No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach this course.
Library Holdings: Holdings in the Olson Library and the Rapport Library in the Forest
Roberts Theatre are sufficient to service this course.
Costs: No additional costs will be associated with this course.
Effects on Other Departments: None anticipated.
Implementation Date: As warranted upon approval of the track.
New Course Name: Directed Studies in Theatre
Bulletin Description:
TH 598 – Directed Studies in Theatre
1-4 cr., directed studies
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and department head.
Grading: A-F Grading
Independent study under the supervision of a member of the CAPS department.
Supervisor and study must be selected prior to enrollment in the course and
appropriate directed study forms must be completed. The content of the course
does not duplicate existing course content.
Rationale:
Why? Provide graduate students the opportunity to pursue advanced study relevant
to theatrical skills and knowledge that is not available in another formal
course.
Required or elective? Elective.
Which track? This course is designed primarily for graduate students in the Theatre
track within the Department of English MA program, though students
other graduate programs at NMU may elect to take the course with
their advisor’s approval.
Course Outline: As an individually designed research experience with yet-to-be-specified
content and approved via the supervising faculty member and the
student’s graduate advisor ahead of time, TH 598 provides an opportunity
to explore in-depth subjects that would not otherwise be available. The
directed study will involve a range of reading selected by the instructor
culminating in a substantial research paper at the end of the directed
study.
Course Objectives:
Objectives - At the end of the directed study, students will be able to demonstrate
their knowledge related to a specific area of investigation in the field of
Theatre.
Assignments - Assignments for the course will be consistent with established
English Department standards (e.g., length). Though such will
depend upon the nature of the individual and their specialization,
assignments will include at a minimum will consist of a major
research paper suitable for publication peer-review.
Evaluation & Assessment - Grades will be assigned and an independent
assessment of learning outcomes will be based upon
written manuscripts submitted by the graduate student.
Additional assessment will result from an examination
of student portfolios and feedback at the end of the
graduate program.
Staffing: Current graduate faculty are capable of supervising this course.
Equipment and Supplies: No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach this course.
Library Holdings: Holdings in the Olson Library and the Rapport Library in the Forest
Roberts Theatre are sufficient to service this course.
Costs: No additional costs will be associated with this course.
Effects on Other Departments: None anticipated.
Implementation Date: As warranted upon approval of the track.
New Course Name: Thesis
Bulletin Description:
TH 599 – Thesis
4-6 cr., directed project
Prerequisite: Completion of at least 20 credits in the Theatre track.
Grading: S/U Grading
The student develops a thesis or creative project with the help of a thesis advisor
and committee. Appropriate thesis forms must be completed prior to enrollment.
The thesis must be approved by the thesis committee and the College of
Graduate Studies. The student should consult the CAPS Department and the
College of Graduate Studies for specific requirements.
Rationale:
Why? Provide graduate students the opportunity to engage in an extended research
program devoted to a significant question or creative endeavor in the field of
Theatre.
Required or elective? Required if TH 591 or TH 592 are not selected.
Which track? This course is designed solely for graduate students in the Theatre
track within the Department of English MA program.
Course Outline: As an individually designed project with yet-to-be-specified content and
approved via the graduate student’s MA committee ahead of time, TH 599
will provide an opportunity to either (a) explore a significant issue
associated with theatre studies by reviewing previous scholarship, crafting
literature reviews that summarize existing knowledge, and providing a new
analysis of a specific issue or (b) engage in extensive background
research so as to craft and rationalize the components of a theatrical
production for the stage. The thesis will involve detailed, independent
study by the student and the creation of a substantial manuscript.
Course Objectives:
Objectives - At the end of the thesis project, students will be able to present
tangible evidence of (a) their research skills related to performance
studies, (b) their composition skills involving an extended scholarly
narrative, and (c) their ability to synthesize a range of theatre-related
analyses in the production of new scholarship.
Assignments - Assignments for the course will be consistent with established
English Department standards (e.g., length). Though such will
depend upon the nature of the individual and their specialization,
assignments will include at a minimum a thesis-length manuscript
subject to peer and committee interrogation.
Evaluation & Assessment - Grades will be assigned and an independent
assessment of learning outcomes will be based upon
the quality of (a) the final manuscript and (b) an exit
interview with the thesis advisor and committee.
Additional assessment will result from an examination
of the student portfolio and feedback at the end of the
graduate program.
Staffing: Current graduate faculty are capable of teaching this course.
Equipment and Supplies: No new equipment or supplies are needed to teach this course.
Library Holdings: Holdings in the Olson Library and the Rapport Library in the Forest
Roberts Theatre are sufficient to service this course.
Costs: No additional costs will be associated with this course.
Effects on Other Departments: None anticipated.
Implementation Date: As warranted upon approval of the track.