OATdb Archive

2012 - 2013

Dance BA

Goal
Continue To Support Dance BA During Phase-out
It is important that remaining Dance BA students continue to be academically and artistically supported as they move toward completion of the Dance BA degree which has been eliminated as a Dance degree program at SHSU for any student admitted as of Fall 2009 and after.

The dance faculty has been dissatisfied with the content of the BA in Dance.  It is not substantially different from the BFA, lacking its own "special" classes, simply having fewer requirements and creatinga two caste system in which those perceived as less talented are restricted in options to expand study of dance.  Lacking the faculty lines to develop a BA that is strong and distinctive, the dance faculty has resolved to eliminate the program but to continue to support those students who do not qualify or do not chose to change to the BFA program and who must complete their Dance BA program under the specifications given in the university catalog for the year in which they were admitted.

Objective
Dance BA Students Will Demonstrate Proficiency In Dance Technique
Dance BA students will  be expected to demonstrate proficiency in both Modern Dance and Ballet Technique by completion of their Dance major program

Indicator
Technique Placement Screening Assessment
Like all dance majors, the BA students will be required to undergo Technique class placement screening each semester in order to be 'placed' in the appropriate level technique class in that semester. 

The assessment is conducted by a jury of Modern or Ballet faculty, as appropriate. The faculty adjudicators use the Technique Placement Rubric (both attached) for either Ballet or Modern and rate students on a scale of 1-4 on 10 standards and then render judgment about the placement of the student which are translated into the three levels:
-Ready for the subsequent technique class level
-Not Ready and required to repeat the level last completed
-In Need of Remediation and required to take a level lower than the one  last completed. 

The assessments of Junior and Senior level  Dance BA Students who underwent technique class placement screening for either or both Ballet or Modern Technique  in  Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 were  identified, grouped, and summarized for the evaluation of their Technical competence in dance. 



Criterion
90% Of BA Juniors/ Seniors Promoted To Intermediate Ballet Or Modern
90% of the Juniors and Seniors assessed for this program evaluation will be judged technically competent to be placed in Intermediate level technique classes for Modern or Ballet.

All remaining BAs should complete their degrees by the spring of 2013. Should there be a significant shift in either the composition of faculty or student need, we may revisit the feasibility of offering the degree.


Finding
All BA Candidates Have Completed At Least One Semester Of Intermediate Technique
100% of the enrolled BA candidates completed with a grade of C or better a course in intermediate ballet, modern, or jazz technique

Action
No Remaining Action Required
Because we have not admitted any new BA students since 2010, and since every remaining BA student successfully completed at least one course at the intermediate level, there are no further actions to be taken for this objective.



Update to previous cycle's plan for continuous improvement The department supported the remaining BA candidates.  Of those who have been enrolled in dance at SHSU in the past few years, all but one graduated by May of 2013. 

Plan for continuous improvement Given our resources, the department has determined that we best serve our students by offering only the BFA at the undergraduate level.  We will continue to assess this question periodically in the strategic planning process.

The dance faculty continue to engage in discussion about our undergradute degree offerings.  The need for some alternative to the BFA is apparent.  Currently, we have no option, other than for the students to change their major entirely.  Since we do not have a minor, either, students changing from a dance major have accrued many dance credit hours that do not apply towards a degree.  After much discussion and failed attempts to create a curriculum for a  strong BA that can coordinate with the BFA curriculum, we are now investigating the option of offering a minor in dance.