Assessment Report for the BA Degree of the Dance Program
School of Music and Dance
2008-09
Fall 2008
Discuss Old #1 Perform in Public as Dancers
Data on evaluation of the final project for Danc 145B, Choreography II, was collected.
The project is the presentation of a solo dance work choreographed and preformed by
each student. This was an evening event attended by the public. Thirteen dance majors
were involved in the presentation. Of those, 9 were awarded “A” and 3 were assigned
“B”. In addition to performing their own solo all students were involved in two group
works, one of which was a structured improvisation and the other was a compilation of a
separate classroom assignment which was a solo. Each student was required to learn the
study of another student; hence this concert involved an array of approaches to
performance. First each student performed their own choreography, then each student
performed the work of another choreographer and finally each student participated in an
improvisation. The faculty agreed that students were excelling in public performance and
that the combination of the other course work, primarily technique classes and other
activities in the program that the success of this outcome was substantial.
Discuss Old #2 Develop visual and aural perceptions
Evaluation data was collected on a mid-term exam in Danc 40B, Modern II. In order to
succeed the student must utilize both aural and visual perception to succeed. Aural
perception is made apparent by the understanding of the rhythm of the exam
combinations and the ability to adapt that element to the music being played by the
accompanist. The visual aspect is the student’s ability to translate the demonstration of
the instructor on to their own bodies with clarity of line, direction and energy intent. Of
19 majors, 7 received “A”, 11 were awarded “B” and one, a “C”. The faculty agreed that
at this level of technique that the students were only beginning to refine these abilities
and that at the next two levels of technique that they would be substantially improved by
those
Collect data on New #2 An understanding of the choreographic processes, aesthetic
properties of style, and the ways these are shaped by artistic and cultural ideas and
contexts.
Evaluation data collected based upon an assignment in Dance 145C, Choreography III,
which requires the student to understand the cubistic style in art in painting and sculpture
and to translate the concept into a movement study. This will be supplemented by an exit
survey completed by graduating seniors that addresses this issue. Also to be collected are
evaluation data on the final project in Danc 145A, Choreography I. This assignment is a
benchmark for the understanding of choreographic processes.
Collect data on #7 An understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of dance
styles.
The faculty will examine final grades of a cross section of majors in at least two different
styles of movement technique class to determine if students are achieving this outcome.
This will be supplemented by an exit survey completed by graduating seniors that
addresses this issue.
Spring 2009
Discuss New #2 An understanding of the choreographic processes, aesthetic properties
of style, and the ways these are shaped by artistic and cultural ideas and contexts.
After an introduction to the style of Cubism the students are required to adapt this style
into movement, to utilize the concept of planes and solids in movement and the
deconstruction objects with little emphasis on translatable or subjective content. This
requires them to think in an entirely different way where there is little or no regard to
phrasing or integration of development. The head is perceived as merely another limb,
with no more importance than an arm or a leg, hence the lack of integrated facial focus.
There were thirteen majors in the class and 12 received “A” and 1 was assigned a “B”.
The faculty agreed that the results of this assignment were a testament to the success of
the program in this particular outcome. The final project in Choreography I is a clear
indication of choreographic understanding. Of the fifteen majors in this class11 were
awarded and “A” and 4 received a “B”. This class of students had been observed in
performance by the accreditation team that visited the Dance Program in the fall. The
senior evaluator commented that the work of this class was “beyond Choreography I. The
faculty has felt secure about the success of the choreography series and the achievement
of students in that arena.
Discuss New #7 An understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of dance styles.
Final grades were collected for the seven majors taking two upper division technique
classes from among modern, jazz and ballet. Of those seven one had achieved “A” in two
styles, two had one “A” and one “B”, two received “B” in two areas and one earned a
“B” and a “C”. All majors must select an area of specialization in their junior year and
are expected to excel in that area. A secondary and usually weaker area is also pursued.
The faculty concurred that these results were in keeping with the goals of the program
and hence this learning outcome. This was supplemented by an exit survey completed by
graduating seniors that addresses this issue. The student were asked to rate their
proficiency in more than one area of dance techniques and styles. Of the seven who
responded, four felt that they had achieved proficiency in more that one area “to a good
extent” and three responded “to a great degree” These serve confirm the success of the
program in this outcome.
Collect data on New #6 Ability in performing areas consistent with the goals and
objectives of the specific liberal arts degree program being followed and appropriate to
the individual’s needs and interests.
Data will be collected over the next three semesters addressing this outcome. In the fall of
2009 performance in public showings of choreography by Danc 145C, Choreography III,
will be evaluated as well as performance in the final project of that course, a fully
produced work for from 2-4 dancers. In the spring intermediate level classes achievement
in modern and jazz in will be addressed, as well as performance by BA majors in the
Portfolio Concert.