THE
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND FILM
ASSESSMENT PLAN
2003-2004
THEATRE
GOAL 1. Students will demonstrate a broad
understanding of theatre history.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the
major trends and styles, notable plays, and principal figures in the history of
theatre and drama from ancient
GOAL 2. Students will develop critical thinking and writing skills.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze in writing plays drawn from different genres and historical periods in terms of their traditional components – plot, character, theme and language.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will be able to present their work in a suitable written format, such as a research paper.
GOAL 3. Students will express an understanding of the technical and design processes of modern theatrical production.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basics of set construction and design as well as one additional area of theatre technology.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will demonstrate, through participation in the production season, the ability to successfully fulfill at least two design and technical positions in costuming or scenic design or construction, or in sound or lighting design or implementation.
GOAL 4. Students will express an understanding of the managerial processes of modern theatrical production.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will demonstrate, through participation in the production season, the ability to successfully perform positions in stage management, box office management, house management, and/or advertising and promotion.
GOAL 5. Students will demonstrate a familiarity with the basic expressive techniques, rehearsal procedures, and approaches essential for theatrical performance, including experience acting in a performance.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will demonstrate a certain level of vocal proficiency and will be able to produce clear and articulate speech, with good vocal projection and breath support.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will demonstrate a certain level of physical proficiency and will possess a basic ability to use the body on stage as an instrument of characterization and to respond to various time and rhythm demands and spatial relationships.
OBJECTIVE C. Students will demonstrate, through participation in the production season, the ability to effectively audition for a production, and to conduct themselves successfully in rehearsal and live performance situations.
FILM
GOAL 1. Students
will be able to critically analyze a film.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will be able to define the specific terminology and language used in the critical analysis of a film.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will be able to analyze the cinematic techniques that go into the construction of a film.
GOAL 2. Students will demonstrate a broad understanding of cinema history.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will be able to identify the major periods and movements of cinema history and their significance on the aesthetic development of cinema.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will be able to situate the work of the significant authors and genres within the movements of cinema history.
OBJECTIVE C. Students will be able to contextualize these different movements, authors and genres of cinema history within their appropriate historical and cultural background.
OBJECTIVE D. Students will be able to analyze the aesthetics of a film, drawing on their knowledge of its historical and cultural context.
OBJECTIVE E. Students will be able to analyze and contextual films from world cinema and from films using a non-narrative form.
GOAL 3. Students will develop research and writing skills.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will be able to conduct independent research drawing on both primary and secondary visual and written materials.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will be able to present their work in a suitable written format, such as a research paper.
GOAL 4. Students will demonstrate proficiency in all areas of film/video production: shooting, lighting, audio recording and editing.
OBJECTIVE A. Students will be able to perform the basic editing functions of Final Cut Pro.
OBJECTIVE B. Students will be able to perform a "rough cut" edit of a 16mm film.
OBJECTIVE C. Students will be able to shoot a short film which demonstrates correct exposure and focus using a 16mm non-synch sound camera and light meter.
OBJECTIVE D. Students will be able to shoot a short video with a digital video camera correctly using manual exposure, focus, and white balance.
OBJECTIVE E. Students will be able to identify, select, and employ the appropriate audio recording equipment in a variety of studio and location situations for use in a film or video production.
OBJECTIVE F. Students will be able to execute a three point lighting setup.
GOAL 5. Students will develop an understanding of the aesthetics of film/video production.
OBJECTIVE A. Students' creative work will demonstrate mastery of the aesthetic concepts of composition, editing, lighting, and audio.
OBJECTIVE B. Students' creative work will demonstrate appropriate selection and competent execution of aesthetic forms and styles.
OBJECTIVE C. Students will engage in critical analysis of their own and their peer's creative work.
OBJECTIVE D. Students will complete at least one advanced film or video production course and demonstrate the ability to engage in advanced original and individual production work.
The Department of Theatre and Film is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in instruction, in artistic practice, in theatre and film public performances and presentations, and in research and scholarship in theatre and film.
The Department also recognizes that it has a public service responsibility, particularly to the campus and local community.
These goals are interdependent.
Educational Objectives
THEATRE
The Theatre area teaches technical and aesthetic skills in the area of theatre, voice production and movement techniques, theatre design and construction, theatre management and history and criticism of theatre. The educational objective is to prepare students for a variety of career paths or for advanced study in graduate school.
FILM
The Film/Video area teaches technical and aesthetic skills in film/video production, and history, theory, and criticism of film and media. The educational objective is to prepare students for a variety of careers in arts and media or for advanced study in graduate school.
Types of Assessment Data
Approaches to assessment in the theatre area have been limited to periodic portfolio reviews and feedback from external reviewers.
The film/video area has assessed student learning, sporadically since 1996, by administering a diagnostic test to graduating seniors. The first test evaluated general knowledge of film in a number of areas, with students choosing to answer questions from a number of sub-topics. The test was revised in the 2002-2003 year to be more general and comprehensive and fine tuned in the Fall of 2004.
In 2001 an external review by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) provided a baseline assessment of program strengths and weaknesses. From that review and the renewed emphasis on assessment by the University, the Department of Theatre and Film has undertaken a revitalization of its assessment practices. The following represents the Department’s assessment plan for 2003-2004.
THEATRE
1. Diagnostic tests to be given to graduating seniors (through the Professional Aspects course). Results to be used in curriculum planning to meet the student learning goals of the program. Addresses Goal 1 Objective A, Goal 2 Objective A, Goal 3 Objective A and the understanding (though not the demonstration of) Goal 5 Objectives A & B.
2. Writing samples from will be taken from all incoming theatre majors (through the Perspectives in Theatre course) and kept on file for comparison with other samples drawn from the same students throughout their time in the program. Addresses Goal 2, Objective A.
3. All final scene presentations from acting, voice, movement and directing class will be videotaped. Tapes to be kept on file for comparison with other samples drawn from the same students throughout their time in the program. Addresses the demonstration of student’s facility in Goal 5, Objectives A & B.
4. Continuation of outside evaluators for theatrical productions, which includes oral and written responses to all facets of production work. Addresses the demonstration of student facility in Goal 3 Objective B, Goal 4 Objective A and Goal 5 Objective C.
5. Exit interviews. Addresses students’ perception of the program and their own learning.
FILM
1. Diagnostic test to be given to all graduating seniors. Addresses Goals 1, 2 and 4.
2. Exit survey to be given to all graduating seniors. Addresses students perception of the program and their own learning.
3. Writing samples to be collected from freshmen and kept on file for comparison with other samples drawn from the same students throughout their time in the program. Writing samples to be collected from seniors. Addresses Goal 3.
4. Faculty from the film area, and external reviewers from affiliated disciplines, will assess the work of seniors shown in the Student Film Show. Addresses Goal 5 Objectives A, B and D. Senior students attending the show will also be asked to submit a short critique of the selected work. Addresses Goal 5, Objective C.
Timeline for Assessment
THEATRE
Fall 2003:
· Collect writing samples.
· Compile and administer diagnostic test to graduating seniors.
2003-2004:
· Videotape of final projects.
· Continue external reviews of production work
Spring 2004:
· Planning period for student portfolios including contents, review process, integration with required coursework, etc. When implemented, will more systematically assess the objectives now assessed through outside evaluators, as in item 4 above.
FILM
Fall 2003:
· Collect writing samples from Freshman in Cinema History class.
· Revise diagnostic test for graduating seniors.
Spring 2004:
· March 22, give diagnostic test & exit survey to graduating seniors.
· April 30, review senior productions through student film show.
· Collect writing samples from sophomores in Documentary Film.
· Collect writing samples from seniors in Cinema Studies Seminar.
Summer 2004:
· Analyze assessment data and develop a plan for assessment for following year.
Recent changes due to assessment
THEATRE
In theatre, the implementation of the Perspectives in Theatre course, a required course for theatre majors, was a result of assessment activities. This course provides a broad foundation for reading, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in the degree program. With its emphasis on writing, Perspectives addresses the learning goal of being able to analyze in writing plays drawn from different genres and historical periods. The approval of several upper division courses as WAC courses addresses this need as well.
FILM
After review of the exit tests taken by graduating seniors
in the three academic years from 1996 to 1999, the film faculty made two
specific changes to the Film/Video curriculum (effective Fall 2000). We added a required course in Cinema History
as exit tests showed a deficiency in student's historical knowledge. We also added requirements in international
cinema studies and non-narrative form, as these were the areas that the
students showed the most inconsistency in knowledge.
Future Plans
As our new assessment plan outlined above is implemented, additional adjustments in curriculum and resource allocation will be made to meet the needs identified in these assessment activities.
Assessment Liaisons
Department Assessment Coordinators
Theatre – Holly Monsos
Film – Elspeth kydd
Diagnostic Tests (Theatre and Film) – Curriculum Committee –Holly Monsos (chair), Stephen Berwind, Elspeth kydd and Kirby Wahl
Exit interviews (Theatre) & Surveys (Film) - Curriculum Committee (as above)
Writing Samples (Theatre and Film) – Curriculum Committee (as above)
Co-ordination of Review of Student Film Show (Film) – Dyrk Ashton and Elspeth kydd
Video Tapes (Theatre) – Performance faculty, Stephen Berwind, Sue Ott Rowlands and Kirby Wahl.
External Reviewers and Production reviewers (Theatre) – coordinated by the Chair, Sue Ott Rowlands.