St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 6
Humanities & Fine Arts
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Prepared by: Jeffrey Bleam
Phone: 8-0137
Proposal Number:
Email: jrbleam@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: TFSD
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: TH 270 - American Musical Theatre
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
GE 5 - History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
The development of the American Musical in relation to American cultural history. 3 cr, Fall
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
General education and elective for theatre majors
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12/11/2009
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 6: Humanities & Fine Arts
Expand appreciation and critical understanding of changing modes of human expression and systems of
thought in the arts and humanities, and develop abilities in the creation and performance of meaning.
Approaching “musical theatre” as a unique combination of music, dance, and theatre, this course
examines the development of the form through the 20th and 21st centuries in relation to shifting societal concerns,
desires, and belief systems. Balancing mainstream and minority representations, the course explores how popular
culture (as a blend of “low” and “high” art) can be used to investigate the society that created it and raise
questions concerning the interrelatedness of the arts with larger economic, political, and personal concerns.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 6, it must address at least 5 of the 7 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
2. Describe and appreciate works in the arts and humanities as expressions of individual and collective values
within an intellectual, cultural, historical and social context.
3. Interpret and respond critically to works from various cultures in the arts and humanities.
4. Explore intellectually the ideas expressed in works in the arts and humanities.
5. Engage in creative processes or interpretive performance.
6. Articulate an informed personal response to works in the arts and humanities.
7. Analyze the diverse means of communication in the arts and humanities.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
1.
Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
Students compare the form and function of musical theatre as it changes over time and in relation to cultural
circumstances. They describe the differences between musical reviews, “book” musicals, and concept musicals.
They also relate these forms to appropriate styles of music, dance, and visual design.
2.
Describe and appreciate works in the arts and humanities as expressions of individual and collective
values within an intellectual, cultural, historical and social context.
Students discuss musical theatre as a reflection of the desires, apprehensions, and belief systems of American
culture at any given point throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. In addition to examining the musical’s
12/11/2009
embodiment or critique of collective values, they also examine its relation to individual cultural groups such as
African-American, Latino/a, Jewish immigrants, and specific groups of women from flappers to feminists.
4.
Explore intellectually the ideas expressed in works in the arts and humanities.
Students employ a social/historical analysis to specific musicals, focusing on issues of politics and economics.
They also practice more specific analytical devices such as queer theory, gender studies, and postcolonialist
viewpoints.
6.
Articulate an informed personal response to works in the arts and humanities.
Through class discussions, small-group projects (class size permitting), and written papers, students develop
individual conclusions regarding a piece of musical theatre as an historically and culturally contingent artifact. In
doing so, they are encouraged to develop a more critical awareness of popular culture as a whole.
7.
Analyze the diverse means of communication in the arts and humanities.
Students discuss and identify the diverse means of communication employed in musical theatre; text, music,
visual design, and dance. Students will examine how, at times, those languages work to create a cohesive whole
and how, at other times, the mediums and messages purposely contradict each other in the interests of rhetorical
effect. Within those various mediums, students also identify how style and tone are used differently by particular
cultural groups.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Musical Theatre in relation to Historic Considerations: 60% (L.O. 1,2,4,7)
Pre-WWII - 20
WWII / Cold War- 15
Mid-late 1960s - 5
1970s - 10
1980s/1990s -5
Contemporary trends - 5
Musical Theatre in relation to Gender and Sexuality issues: 10% (L.O. 1,2,4,7)
Musical Theatre in relation to Racial issues: 15% (L.O. 1,2,4,7)
Critical methodologies: 10% (L.O.2, 4,6,7)
Personal/Group reflection: 5% (L.O. 4,6)
12/11/2009
12/11/2009
St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: TFSD
Course or Course(s): TH 270 - American Musical Theatre
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date