St. Cloud State University
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
General Education Goal Area 8
Global Perspectives
Proposal Number:
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Prepared by: Brenda Wentworth
Phone: 8-3221 Email: bwentworth@stcloudstate.edu
Requesting Unit: Theatre, Film Studies and Dance
Department, Course Number, Title: TH 130 World Theatre
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New Course Existing Course
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Will this course be flagged as a diversity course? No
Already Designated as Diversity Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
No Yes
Goal Area 6: Humanities and Fine Arts
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Cultural, historical, and aesthetic interpretations of non-western drama throughout the world. African-
American and North or South American Latino/a drama may also be included. 3 cr. S
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 students
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. no
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.
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12. Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 8: Global Perspectives
Develop a comparative perspective and understanding of one’s place in a global context.
Students in the course study a wide variety of forms of drama (mostly African and Asian), both traditional and contemporary. They focus on the cultural influences that formed the dramas and how the drama has influenced the culture. The course balances readings of plays and the history of theatre with viewing films of performances from various cultures. Discussions of the readings and the viewings focus on how theatre illustrates the values and beliefs of a particular culture. Students compare historical issues with contemporary issues in the scripts.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 8, it must address at least 4 of the 5 student learning outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Explain how they are connected and related to people elsewhere in the world.
2. Describe similarities and differences among global places and populations.
3. Analyze how political, economic or cultural elements influence relations among the world’s states, peoples, or societies.
4. Analyze specific international issues and propose and evaluate responses.
5. Articulate a vision of their individual roles and responsibilities in a common global future.
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. Using the institutions that all cultures have in common, such as government, religion, education, etc., students discuss what differences and commonalities exist. They explore gender roles, social expectations in various relationships, political and economic history, etc. They look at how Western culture has dominated theatre and performance by viewing or reading traditional plays and contemporary plays.
2. They investigate through drama the implications of the values and beliefs of a culture through the various modes of performance seen in the culture. Students compare what they know of American culture and performance to what they discover about other cultures and performances.
3. By looking at the past in various cultures and examining what performances can tell us about the values and beliefs of the culture, students are able to discern how governments, religions, gender roles, cultural exchanges, etc., have changed the various modes of performances.
5. It is very important that students are able to view other cultures from various perspectives. Always applying a
Western perspective or an American perspective to another culture’s values and beliefs prevents understanding the other culture. In the global society (and economy) that exists on our planet, it is important be able to respect or at least tolerate differences because those differences are what lead to conflict. By discussing the conflict in the
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plays and exploring the implications of the values and beliefs of the characters, students investigate perspectives held by the various characters in the dramas.
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.
Africa 25%
10% Discussion of political and theatre history and traditions (1, 3, 5)
8% Viewing and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
7% Reading and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
China 25%
10% Discussion of political and theatre history and traditions (1, 3, 5)
8% Viewing and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
7% Reading and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
Japan 25%
10% Discussion of political and theatre history and traditions (1, 3, 5)
8% Viewing and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
7% Reading and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
India 25%
10% Discussion of political and theatre history and traditions (1, 3, 5)
8% Viewing and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
7% Reading and discussing performances (2, 3, 5)
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Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Department: Theatre, Film Studies and Dance
Course or Course(s): TH 130 World Theatre
Proposal Number
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Approve
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
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Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Chairperson
Committee
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Signature
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
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FA Senate
Signature
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Action of Academic Vice President:
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Entered in Curriculum Data File
Date
Date
Remarks:
12/11/2009