MFA in Dance students will develop creative, technical, and academic skills appropriate to the profession.
Objective
Develop Choreographic Skill
Students will demonstrate substantial growth and proficiency in choreography, employing effective tools of composition to create well-crafted original statements in movement. The ability of students to create extended works of choreography is an important indicator of the Dance MFA Program's success in producing graduates who have developed appropriate creative capacities and are prepared for future professional endeavors.
Indicator
Evaluation Of Required Choreographic Work
Required Choreographic Work is evaluated on common standards of choreographic effectiveness: 1. successful communication of an idea; 2. effective use of innovative movement vocabulary; 3. Structure; 4. Transitions; 5. Space, time and energy; 6. Technology; 7. Collaboration with other artists; 8. Alternative performance spaces. 9. Successful matching of performers to the needs of the piece; 10. Well-rehearsed cast. These choreographic evaluations take place within the two required MFA choreography courses in (DNC 5676 and 578). Although evaluations are conducted by course instructors, above mentioned aesthetic and technical criteria which are pertinent to the particular choreographic work are applied by each instructor. Instructors judge student work as Not Meeting Standards/ Meeting Standards. Gradations of judgment and subtleties of critical impressions within those two categories are communicated to the student in extensive qualitative, face-to-face feedback.
Criterion
90% Of Students Will Be Judged Satisfactory In Proficiency
90% Students will be judged to have satisfactory proficiency in choreography based upon the instructor's evaluation on the pertinent common standards specified in the indicator.
Finding
Criterion Met
100% of MFA candidates enrolled in choreography for 2011-12 were judged as having demonstrated satisfactory proficiency in choreography.
Indicator
Presentation & Evaluation Of Thesis Concert
As the culmination of the MFA thesis project, students present a public performance of an extended original choreographic work which is evaluated by the Thesis Committee on common standards of choreographic effectiveness: 1. successful communication of an idea; 2. effective use of innovative movement vocabulary; 3. Structure; 4. Transitions; 5. Space, time and energy; 6. Technology; 7. Collaboration with other artists; 8. Alternative performance spaces. 9. Successful matching of performers to the needs of the piece; 10. Well-rehearsed cast. Extensive feedback is given during scheduled showings of the work in process, and in review of the concert following its presentation.
Criterion
All MFA Thesis Students Meet Choreographic Production Standards
100% of MFA Thesis performers will be assessed by Thesis Committee to meet standards for choreographic effectiveness. (In addition, Students who meet the standard for acceptable choreographic production will receive a passing score for that portion of DNC 699, Thesis II.)
Finding
Thesis Productions Were Successful
Three MFA candidates presented their thesis choreographic projects. All three received credit for thesis II, DANC 6399.
Action
Third Choreography Courses Proposal Submitted
Although all three MFA candidates passed the choreographic portion of the thesis, the need for more preparation in the development of extended creative work is identified. A proposal for an additional choreography course focused on creation of extended works has been passed by the College Curriculum Committee. We plan to add the course to the MFA in Dance curriculum.
Objective
Breadth Of Knowledge In The Field
MFA graduates should have a solid understanding of dance technique, choreography, production, and history, and should be able to write or speak from that base of information.
Indicator
Written Comprehensive Exam
Students will be given a choice of topics provided by graduate faculty, relevant to all aspects of study that the student has experienced in the program. A passing grade on the Dance MFA Program's written comprehensive examination will serve as an indicator that a Dance MFA candidate has acquired a breadth of knowledge in the field of dance. Additionally, the student's ability to write critically and at a standard acceptable to the profession will be demonstrated.
Criterion
Pass Rate
As demonstration that the Dance graduate program is successful in preparing students for the written comprehensive examination, at least 90% of students will pass the exam at the first sitting or upon retaking it.
Finding
Written Exam Was Not Conducted
The dance faculty determined that students need more practice in oral communication. Therefor, in the fall semester, MFA candidates were apprised that they would have a choice between writing their exams or undergoing an oral exam. All three candidates elected to have the oral exam. All three passed the oral exam.
Action
Retain Oral Examination
Because this was the first time we had administered an oral exam, faculty weren't entirely comfortable with the proceeding. We felt, though, that the immediacy of the experience was useful for the student, and efficient for faculty to evaluate. We were able to encourage students to expand on topics, to refute questions, and otherwise enter debate. Since dance students tend to be less comfortable expressing ideas orally, the dance faculty conclude that this is a valuable component to be retained. Whether students will continue to have a choice between an oral and a written exam has not yet been determined.