Assessment of Student Learning


Theatre Discipline


UNIT MISSION/GOAL(S)

To provide sound academic and practical training in theatre arts for undergraduate liberal arts students. To provide sound academic and practical training in theatre arts for students wishing to pursue graduate studies in the field. To provide sound academic and practical training in theatre arts for students preparing to teach in secondary schools. To help students develop an appreciation for and ability to produce quality theatre.

Unit Mission/goal(s) and the Institutional Mission Relation

We are exclusively undergraduate. Only undergraduate UMM students may participate in our co-curricular program. We provide quality theatre for the enjoyment and education of the campus and the community of Morris and of west central Minnesota. Students and faculty participate in excellent professional organizations such as the ACFT, USITT, SCA and their associated workshops and meetings. We are a resource for theatre in this region. Faculty members regularly participate in regionally produced theatre and serve as adjudicators to other Universities and to the region community theatres and secondary schools. The ChildrenŐs Theatre program is a recognized yearly endeavor.


STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES, EXPECTED OUTCOMES, ASSESSMENT METHODS & TOOLS, TIMELINE

Learning Objective 1
To provide a fundamental knowledge of the art, techniques and history of the theatre.
Expected Outcome 1
Students will be well-prepared to pursue graduate studies or teach in the field.
Method(s), Measure(s), and Instrument(s) for Expected Outcome 1
1. Conventional testing and evaluation throughout the theatre curriculum. a. course related written examinations b. course related presentations c. course related creative projects 2. Portfolio review in Junior Year 3. Senior Project
Timeline for the Outcome 1
Starting Date for the Implementation: In Progress
Anticipated Date for the First Results: In Progress

Learning Objective 2
To develop the ability to produce good theatre.
Expected Outcome 2
Students will be able to create quality theatre. Specific skills will be developed in the areas of acting, directing and design.
Method(s), Measure(s), and Instrument(s) for Expected Outcome 2
1. Participation in co-curricular production program: acting, running crew participation, design, box office management participation, directing. 2. Outside assessment of the quality of our theatrical productions. (See objective #2) 3. Outside assessment of the quality of our theatre majors a. ACTF review and Irene Ryan nominees b. MidAmerica Theatre Conference Design and Acting Competitions. c. University and Regional Theatre Association Auditions. d. acceptance of students into quality graduate theatre programs 4. Portfolios 5. Presentation of student produced/directed/designed productions.
Timeline for the Outcome 2
Starting Date for the Implementation: In Progress
Anticipated Date for the First Results: In Progress

Learning Objective 3
To develop an appreciation of quality theatre.
Expected Outcome 3
Students (all UMM students, not just Theatre majors) will appreciate that theatre can be qualitatively judged. They will recognize good theatre.
Method(s), Measure(s), and Instrument(s) for Expected Outcome 3
To appreciate good theatre, the campus must see good theatre. (And perhaps some bad theatre). The traditional method of evaluation a theatrical performance is through critical review and audience response. Critical review suggests an informed opinion and is accomplished by 1. having students in theatre courses provide written or oral reviews after each performance. 2. participating in the American College Theatre Festival. Trained ACTF evaluators critic the production. 3. The University Register usually provides a written review (by a student) of each production. Audience Response is determined by 1. the amount of applause at the end of the production. 2. the percentage of audience members that return to see subsequent productions 3. having post-performance review sessions with audience members for at least one performance of each production 4. written comments mailed from audience members 5. informal discussions after the production 6. discussions with majors during weekly theatre major meeting
Timeline for the Outcome 3
Starting Date for the Implementation: In Progress
Anticipated Date for the First Results: In Progress