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
No Active BA Students Remain Enrolled In The Program
In 2013-14, there were no students pursuing the BA in dance enrolled in dance courses. Several students have not completed the degree, but were not enrolled. Should they return to SHSU dance, we will facilitate completion of their degrees.
Action
Continue To Review Alternatives For The BFA Degree
The BFA is now the only undergraduate option in dance for those who either no longer want to obtain the BFA, were not admitted to the program, or who are advised out after the sophomore year. This creates an issue of students who may have earned significant hours in dance, but have nothing to apply them to if they change majors. We are thus proposing a minor. Dance has course offerings that support a minor. We will continue to assess the effectiveness of the degrees, including minors, that we offer.