VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT: STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOME ASSESSMENT SPRING 2009
The Visual and Performing Arts Department has conducted an assessment of student
learning outcomes. First we identified five general areas of student learning outcomes
that apply to all disciplines of art and then a faculty member in each discipline outlined
the details of each outcome as it applies to their specific art form and they have listed the
classes in which each particular SLO is addressed. Listed below are:
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5.
6.
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Five categories of SLOs applicable to all areas of VPA
SLOs applied to Theatre
SLOs applied to Dance
SLOs applied to Visual Art
SLOs applied to Art History/Cultural Theory
SLOs applied to Music
SLOs applied to Arts and Technology
VPA Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students learn the language of the art form
2. Students learn about the art form in a Global Context
3. Students make their own art works
4. Students perform/exhibit/screen their art work
5. Students learn about documenting their work and about career development
Student Learning Outcomes: Theatre
1. Learning the language of Theatre:
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Learn about the history of major theatrical movements and subsequent theoretical
contributions.
Learn the fundamentals of acting, design, playwriting and management.
Acquire a familiarity with critical theatrical texts and practitioners.
Learn the language of theatre as it applies to text analysis and interpretation.
Acquire skills in various acting, voice and movement techniques which include:
o living truthfully in the text and understanding given circumstances,
psychological gesture, character development, and physical technique.
Acquire aesthetic and stylistic appreciation of various approaches to making and
practicing theatre.
Develop openness to new ideas and artistic processes.
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Learn collaborative skills as they apply to making theatre.
Develop the artistic self in relation to chosen field of study.
Students learn fundamentals of design and playwriting.
Related THEATRE courses:
TA: 120, 301, 323, 305, 401, 410, 421, 489
2. Learning about Theatre in a Global Context:
 Learn about theatre history and theory in a global context.
 Learn about Western and Eastern performance training methods and practices.
 Learn some of the basic concepts and theories of theatre in a global context and
develop skills to use these concepts and ideas in practice and critique.
 Students are asked to study theatrical texts in English and Spanish.
TA: 120, 323, 401, 410, 421
3. Students create performance work and discuss their processes:
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Students demonstrate knowledge through faculty mentored performances,
independently generated projects, interdisciplinary projects, research and
scholarly projects, and intradepartmental collaborations.
Students develop ability to synthesize ideas and integrate information and use this
information to create new performance work.
Students develop devising skills to create work independently.
Students develop ability to think creatively.
Students develop collaboration skills with others.
Students develop respect for others and support others in their creative process.
Students expand ability to offer constructive and critical feedback to peers.
Students learn skills of professionalism in performance production.
Students expand sense of responsibility.
TA: 120, 301, 305, 401, 410, 421, 489
4. Students present their own work and perform in the works of other students and
faculty:
 Students demonstrate knowledge through faculty mentored performances,
independently generated projects, interdisciplinary projects, and intradepartmental
collaborations.
 Students present research and creative work publicly in classroom settings as well
as fully produced performance events. These include end of the year showings,
film projects and plays.
 Students develop ability to synthesize ideas and integrate information to create
theatre events. This includes acting and design skills.
 Students develop interdisciplinary collaboration skills.
 Students learn skills of professionalism in performance production.
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Students expand sense of responsibility by supporting the work of other students.
Students learn skills of offering and receiving constructive feedback.
Students practice civic engagement through community Service Learning
opportunities.
TA: 301, 310, 311, 305, 401, 410, 421, 489
5. Documentation of Work and Career Development:
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Students acquire business and promotion skills to be competitive in the field.
Students create resumes and design portfolios.
Students expand upon commitment to their personal achievement and creative
goals.
Students learn hands-on skills in documentation via various media.
Students appreciate the dynamic of creating interdisciplinary artwork through
practice.
Students develop a deep commitment to their personal achievement and creative
life
Students cultivate sophisticated ability to follow directions and utilize creative
techniques so that they will continue to practice techniques beyond graduation.
Students acquire a life long appreciation of theatre and performance.
Students learn skills of professionalism and organization.
Students develop responsibility through independent learning practices.
TA: 301, 310, 311, 305, 401, 410, 421, 489
Student Learning Outcomes: Dance
1. Learning the language of Dance:
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Students understand basic concepts and theories of various contemporary
choreographic practices.
Students develop the ability to discuss dance intelligently, using an analytic
language of choreography and performance.
Students develop openness to new ideas and artistic processes.
Students cultivate respect for their body by both understanding and challenging
their sense of physicality.
Students acquire physical training to cultivate an intelligent approach to dance
and an acute understanding of their own bodies.
Students learn new movement vocabulary.
Students acquire a life long appreciation of dance and performance.
Related DNCE Courses which have been taught regularly since 2001:
DNCE 101, DNCE 201, DNCE 301, DNCE 320, DNCE 323, DNCE 324, DNCE 390
2. Learning about Dance in a Global Context:
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Students develop an appreciation for diverse dance practices around the world.
Students practice diverse dance forms from various cultures.
Students discover and reflect upon their personal cultural history and ethnic
identity through reading texts, viewing dances and practicing various cultural
dance forms.
Students critically analyze dance in various cultures and gain intelligent
understanding of the related political and social histories.
Related DNCE Courses which have been taught regularly since 2001:
DNCE 101, DNCE 320, DNCE 323
3. Students create their own Choreographies:
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Students develop skills for the application of contemporary dance practices.
Students develop ability to think creatively.
Students develop collaboration skills with others to create work.
Students develop respect for others and support others in their creative process.
Students expand ability to offer constructive and critical feedback to peers.
Students learn skills of professionalism in performance production.
Students expand sense of responsibility.
Related DNCE Courses which have been taught regularly since 2001:
DNCE 101, DNCE 323, DNCE 390
4. Students present their own work and perform in the works of other students and
faculty:
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Students develop performance skills.
Students develop ability to synthesize ideas and integrate information to create a
dance piece performed for a public audience.
Students develop collaboration skills with other dancers and students in other
disciplines such as theatre, video, visual art, and music.
Students understand the value of interdisciplinarity as integral to creating
performance work.
Students learn skills of professionalism in performance production.
Students expand sense of responsibility.
Students learn skills of offering and receiving constructive feedback.
Related Courses which have been taught regularly since 2001:
DNCE 101, DNCE 201, DNCE 301, DNCE 320, DNCE 323, DNCE 324, DNCE 390
5. Documentation of Work and Career Development:
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Students expand upon commitment to their personal achievement and creative
goals.
Students practice skills of processing self-development.
Students learn hands-on skills in documentation via various media.
Students appreciate the dynamic of creating interdisciplinary artwork through
practice.
Students understand the value of interdisciplinarity as integral to creating
performance work.
Students practice civic engagement through the production of community dance
projects through internships, independent studies, and Service Learning
opportunities.
Students learn skills of professionalism and organization.
Students develop responsibility through independent learning practices.
Student Learning Outcomes: Visual Arts
1. Learning the language of Visual Arts:
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Students understand basic vocabulary of visual arts such as the visual elements
(line, shape, mass, texture, color, light and dark, time and motion, space) and
design principles (unity and variety, balance, scale and proportion, repetition and
rhythm, directional forces, contrast, emphasis and subordination)
Students learn about the history and theories of artistic practices
Students learn about contemporary themes and practices in Visual Arts
Students develop the ability to discuss work using the analytic language of visual
arts including the basic vocabulary described in point 1 as well as the terms
related to the various media they work with (this includes reading and writing
assignments as well as group critiques of work).
Students develop openness to new ideas and artistic processes.
Students learn about the artistic techniques and tools used in the various media of
visual arts (such as drawing, sculpture, installation art, etc).
Students learn to combine technical training with intelligent idea development
(this includes library research, mind mapping and other brainstorming techniques
combined with technical workshops).
Students acquire a life long appreciation of the visual arts.
Related Courses:
VSAR 120, VSAR 130, VSAR 222, VSAR 323, VSAR 423, VSAR 307, VSAR 326,
VSAR 301, VSAR 406, VSAR 131, VSAR 110
2. Learning about Visual Art in a Global Context:
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Students learn about the history of artistic practices around the world
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Students learn about contemporary artistic practices around the world
Students learn to consider the function of art in various cultures
Students discover and reflect upon their personal cultural history and ethnic
identity through reading texts and viewing as well as creating art
Students critically analyze visual art in various cultures and gain intelligent
understanding of the related political and social histories.
Related Courses:
VSAR 120, VSAR 222, VSAR 323, VSAR 423, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 301,
VSAR 406
3. Students create their own Art:
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Students develop skills in various art forms (2-D and 3-D) including use of
materials, tools and techniques
Students develop skills in contemporary and interdisciplinary art forms such as
installation art as well as cross disciplinary practices such as visualizing science
through art
Students develop ability to think creatively.
Students develop respect for others and support others in their creative process.
Students expand ability to offer constructive and critical feedback to peers
(building on the skills developed under rubric 1 learning the language).
Students learn skills of professionalism such as writing proposals and artist
statements.
Students expand sense of responsibility in completing some long-term final
projects
Students learn and practice study skills as well as self-discipline and time
management
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Related Courses:
VSAR 130, VSAR 301, VSAR 406, VSAR 131, VSAR 110, (new courses coming up in
art and science
4. Students present their work
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Students develop skills in completing projects with good craftsmanship and
attention to detail so they can present them professionally
Students develop understanding of how presentation affects their work
Students practice exhibiting their work in the Arts Foyer gallery as well as
elsewhere on and off campus
Students develop ability to view their own work from the point of view of an
audience (and learn to think about who their audience is)
Students develop collaboration skills with other students in the mounting of
exhibitions
Students learn about exhibition design and installation
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Students expand sense of responsibility.
Students expand their skills of offering and receiving constructive feedback
Related Courses:
VSAR 130, VSAR 301, VSAR 406
5. Documentation of Work and Career Development:
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Students learn about the importance of presenting their work in a professional
manner
Students learn how to photograph their work and create a portfolio
Students learn to write proposals (useful for future grant, exhibition and job
applications)
Students learn to create curriculum vitae and apply for graduate school or jobs
Students learn hands-on skills in documentation via various media including
video
Students practice civic engagement through community projects, internships,
independent studies, and Service Learning opportunities.
Students learn skills of professionalism and organization.
Students develop responsibility through independent learning practices.
Related Courses:
VPA 302, VSAR 301, VSAR 406, VPA 498 A,B,C, VPA 495 A,B,C, Capstone
Student Learning Outcomes: Art History/Cultural Theory
SLOs in this area share common goals with the other VPA areas, especially Visual Art,
but differ in the fact that courses taught in Art History/Cultural Theory focus on teaching
from cultural and theoretical perspectives in specific subject areas of contemporary art/art
history in order to give VPA students a background in the history and theory of the work
they create in their studio courses as well as gaining a strong background in
contemporary art history.
Thus, the SLOs in this area coincide with the VPA SLOs 1-4, and instead of 5. , the fifth
SLO for Art History/Cultural Theory is: 5. Career Development.
SLOs in Art History/Cultural also share perspectives with Visual Art because the
teaching of Art History/Cultural Theory courses also gives students the opportunity to
create artwork in relation to the subject areas they are learning about.
1. Students learn the language of Art History/Cultural Theory:
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Students learn about the history and theories of contemporary art history and
practice
Students learn about contemporary subjects, themes, practices and artists in art
history
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Students learn to articulate and critically analyze the languages of various art
forms in relation to the specific subject matter and cultural/historical subjects at
issue
VSAR 222, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 405, VSAR 423, VSAR 425
2. Learning about Art History/Cultural Theory in a Global Context:
Students learn about artwork produced around the world
Students learn the cultural and historical importance of the artworks studied in
relation to a cluster of cultural/social issues including: the articulation of the
concerns of particular groups of peoples and their artistic strategies used to
express/reflect/deflect their identities, goals, representations and
misrepresentations in a global context
.
VSAR 222, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 405, VSAR 423, VSAR 425
3. Students are given the option to create their own artwork:
>> Note that this SLO in Art History/Cultural Theory courses differs from SLOs
in the other VPA areas because this area is not within the Studio Arts
.
Students can create artworks in response to the subject matter studied, in
collaboration with a research project that demonstrates knowledge of the
particular art historical, cultural and issue-based area studied
VSAR 222, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 405, VSAR 423, VSAR 425
4. Students present their work
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Students present their work in a public context in the Arts Foyer and in other on
and off campus locations
Students learn the importance of working collaboratively with their colleagues in
putting together the exhibition
Students learn responsibility for articulating what their work is about in a public
context
VSAR 222, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 405, VSAR 423, VSAR 425
5. Career Development
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Students learn responsibility in completing a written research project or research
project and related artwork
Students learn focus and organizational skills through presenting their research on
panels with other students modeled after professional conference presentations
VSAR 222, VSAR 307, VSAR 326, VSAR 405, VSAR 423, VSAR 425
Student Learning Outcomes: Music
1. Learning the language of Music:
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Students learn the language of music including scales, chords, harmony, rhythm,
analysis, counterpoint, form, instrumentation, reading skills, ear-training, and
music technology.
2. Learning about Music in a Global Context:
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Students learn about music culture in a global context including Western concert
music, American popular music, and music from other global traditions
3. Students create their own Music:
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Students create their own work in performance, music technology, improvisation
and/or composition
4. Students present their work
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Students present their work in a public forum either through recitals, installations,
or presentations of technology or composition work
5. Documentation of Work and Career Development:
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Students document their work in the form of recordings, papers or videos.
Students provide community service through internships or concerts in the
community.
Students learn skills for a career in music or admission to graduate school.
Student Learning Outcomes: Arts and Technology
1. Learning the language of Arts and Technology:
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Student develop fluency in the theory and practice of new digital technologies
through hands on learning of up-to-date software and hardware, and through
reading and responding to theoretical texts
2. Learning about Arts and Technology in a Global Context:
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Students develop a multi-disciplinary and global perspective in the arts
through studying artistic practice across cultures
Students will be able to critically analyze works of art from a broad range of
cultures and styles through reading about, writing about and experiencing the
arts of different cultures
Students discover their own cultural histories and ethnic identities through
reading about diverse identities and reflecting on their own through writing,
research and artistic production
3. Students create their own work:
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Students learn to collaborate across disciplines through interdisciplinary
course instruction and through developing and executing artwork in
production groups
Students produce art with an emphasis on the creative use of digital
technology through experimentation with new technologies
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4. Students present their work
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Students Present their work in a public forum or on the Internet
5. Documentation of Work and Career Development:
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Students practice civic engagement through the production of community digital
media projects.