Attachment L
Plan for Assessing Expected Student Learning: Photography and Film, BFA
Mission and Purpose Statement
The mission of the BFA in Photography and Film is to facilitate a comprehensive intellectual, artistic and technical understanding and
use of the mediums of photography and filmmaking, and to foster a climate that inspires creativity, intellectual curiosity, freedom of
expression, critical thinking, and a broad perception of cultural diversity.
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Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
Attachment L
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Goals
The BFA in Photography & Film, Film track,
provides creative and conceptual
experiences and training leading to
achievement in Creativity
The BFA in Photography & Film, Film track,
provides creative and conceptual
experiences and training leading to
achievement in Technical Proficiency
The BFA in Photography & Film, Film track,
provides creative and conceptual
experiences and training leading to
achievement in Professionalism
The BFA in Photography & Film, Film track,
provides creative and conceptual
experiences and training leading to
achievement in Critical Thinking
The BFA in Photography & Film, Film track,
provides creative and conceptual
experiences and training leading to
achievement in Communication
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Effective Visual Communication: Students can effectively author and present visual illustrations,
representations, descriptions, explanations and/or contextualizations of their artistic, research
based, and career oriented film pursuits, ideas, and emotions for a broad range of purposes and
audiences.
Studio Technique: Students definitively recognize, explain, employ, appraise, and compute the
use of basic to advanced independent and artisanal tools, technologies, and processes sufficient
to advance their work from concept to finished product. Students display evidence of
professional proficiency regarding the methods and modes of production presented in required
courses covering technical mastery of analogue, abstract, and digital filmmaking processes and
techniques
Professional Practice Skills: Students demonstrate and apply broad knowledge of current
business practices and resources used by independent narrative, documentary and experimental
filmmakers. Students are capable of estimating costs, administering their legal rights as authors,
establishing a professional network, generating and distributing marketing materials,
establishing a reliable mode of production, acquiring additional training, and devising business
plans. Students can recognize ethical issues when presented within the context of professional
practice.
Historical Perspective: Students clearly recall a functional knowledge of the history and theory of
independent narrative, experimental and documentary film; define the relationship of film to the
visual disciplines, and relate the medium's influence on culture.
Applied Criticism/Theory: Students can analyze, assess, and debate contemporary socio-political
issues and theoretical discourses within the context of contemporary independent narrative,
experimental and/or documentary film. Topics to be examined can include but are not limited to
multiculturalism, environmentalism, queer theory, gender studies, postmodernism, modernism,
psychoanalysis, Marxism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and the post-digital.
Effective Oral Communication: Students can effectively deliver oral descriptions, explanations
and/or contextualizations of their artistic, research based, and career oriented film pursuits,
ideas, and emotions for a broad range of purposes and audiences.
Effective Written Communication: Students can effectively author written descriptions,
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Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
Attachment L
explanations and/or contextualizations of their artistic, research based, and career oriented film
pursuits, ideas, and emotions for a broad range of purposes and audiences.
Measures Aligned to Outcomes
Learning Outcome
Effective Visual Communication: Students can effectively
author and present visual illustrations, representations,
descriptions, explanations and/or contextualizations of their
artistic, research based, and career oriented film pursuits,
ideas, and emotions for a broad range of purposes and
audiences.
Studio Technique: Students definitively recognize, explain,
employ, appraise, and compute the use of basic to advanced
independent and artisanal tools, technologies, and processes
sufficient to advance their work from concept to finished
product. Students display evidence of professional proficiency
regarding the methods and modes of production presented in
required courses covering technical mastery of analogue,
abstract, and digital filmmaking processes and techniques.
Professional Practice Skills: Students demonstrate and apply
broad knowledge of current business practices and resources
used by independent narrative, documentary and experimental
filmmakers. Students are capable of estimating costs,
administering their legal rights as authors, establishing a
professional network, generating and distributing marketing
materials, establishing a reliable mode of production, acquiring
additional training, and devising business plans. Students can
recognize ethical issues when presented within the context of
professional practice.
Direct Measure/Assessment
• PHTO 485 Thesis Film 2
(capstone project)
• PHTO 485 Thesis Film 2
(capstone project)
• PHTO 475 supporting
documentation accompanying
Junior Advanced Workshop
Project
• PHTO 436 Final
project/documentation in
Professional Practice “Senior
Suitcase” course
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Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
Indirect Measure/Assessment
• Participation & engagement in
Junior Workshop collaborative
class and in Thesis Film 1 and
Thesis Film 2 classes as
assessed by instructor of record
• Participation & engagement in
Junior Workshop collaborative
class and in Thesis Film 1 and
Thesis Film 2 classes as
assessed by instructor of record
• Participation in local or regional
professional and/or internship
opportunities
• Participation in local or regional
curatorial and/or screening
opportunities
Attachment L
Historical Perspective: Students clearly recall a functional
knowledge of the history and theory of independent narrative,
experimental and documentary film; define the relationship of
film to the visual disciplines, and relate the medium's influence
on culture.
Applied Criticism/Theory: Students can analyze, assess, and
debate contemporary socio-political issues and theoretical
discourses within the context of contemporary independent
narrative, experimental and/or documentary film. Topics to be
examined can include but are not limited to multiculturalism,
environmentalism, queer theory, gender studies,
postmodernism, modernism, psychoanalysis, Marxism, poststructuralism, post-colonialism, and the post-digital.
Effective Oral Communication: Students can effectively
deliver oral descriptions, explanations and/or contextualizations
of their artistic, research based, and career oriented film
pursuits, ideas, and emotions for a broad range of purposes
and audiences.
Effective Written Communication: Students can effectively
author written descriptions, explanations and/or
contextualizations of their artistic, research based, and career
oriented film pursuits, ideas, and emotions for a broad range of
purposes and audiences.
• Classroom discussions
• PHTO 494 Advanced
Documentary - Final
project/concept paper
• Classroom discussions
• PHTO 494 Advanced
Documentary - Final
project/concept paper
• PHTO 484 Thesis Film 1 and
PHTO 485 Thesis Film 2
public presentations of work
• PHTO 436 Final
project/documentation in
Professional Practice “Senior
Suitcase” course
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Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
• Participation in local/regional
conference and critical discourse
opportunities
• Participation in local/regional
conference and critical discourse
opportunities
• Classroom discussions
• Participation in local/regional
conference and critical discourse
opportunities
• Participation in funding
initiatives, grant- and proposal
writing opportunities
Attachment L
Curriculum Map
Key: I=Introduce; R= Reinforce; A=Assess
Course
PHTO 260
Sequencing
PHTO 275
Film as Material
PHTO 280
Moving Pixels
PHTO 281
Digital Imaging 1
PHTO 294
Documentary 1
PHTO 350
Concepts 1
PHTO 361
Sound & Color
PHTO 377
Film Image
PHTO 390
Writing for the
Screen
PHTO 392
Animation
PHTO 395
Revolutionary
CInema
PHTO 436
3
4
1 Historical
2 Applied
Effective Visual
Effective Oral
Perspectives Criticism/Theory
Communication Communication
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
5
7
6 Studio Professional
Effective
Written
Technique
Practice
Communication
Skills
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
R
R
I
I/R
I
I
R
R
I
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
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R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
A
A
Attachment L
Senior Suitcase
PHTO 475
Advanced
Production
Workshop
PHTO 484
Thesis Film 1
PHTO 485
Thesis Film 2
PHTO 494
Documentary 2
R
R
R
R
A
R
R
A
A
A
A
R
R
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R
R
A
R
R
A
R
R
R
Attachment L
Standards for Performance on Measures
Learning Outcomes
Beginning
Acceptable
Target
Effective Visual Communication:
Students can effectively author and
present visual illustrations,
representations, descriptions,
explanations and/or
contextualizations of their artistic,
research based, and career oriented
film pursuits, ideas, and emotions for
a broad range of purposes and
audiences.
Understanding of basic
processes and protocols for
moving image production in a
range of formats.
Introductory critical skills that
allow for a discussion of
image form, content and
meaning.
Competency in technical
requirements for the
production of their artistic,
research based and career
oriented filmmaking pursuits,
including the fundamentals of
color theory and digital
workflow.
Advanced understanding of the
historical and aesthetic contexts
for filmmaking as a medium of
artistic expression; ability to
explore, implement and sustain
creative projects over time, and
technical mastery in the medium
and tools needed to complete an
individual body of work.
Studio Technique: Students
definitively recognize, explain,
employ, appraise, and compute the
use of basic to advanced
independent and artisanal tools,
technologies, and processes
sufficient to advance their work from
concept to finished product. Students
display evidence of professional
proficiency regarding the methods
and modes of production presented
in required courses covering
technical mastery of analogue,
abstract, and digital filmmaking
processes and techniques.
Professional Practice Skills:
Students demonstrate and apply
broad knowledge of current business
practices and resources used by
independent narrative, documentary
Understanding of basic
processes and protocols for
moving image production in a
range of formats.
Introductory critical skills that
allow for a discussion of
image form, content and
meaning.
Competency in technical
requirements for the
production of their artistic,
research based and career
oriented filmmaking pursuits,
including the fundamentals of
color theory and digital
workflow.
Advanced understanding of the
historical and aesthetic contexts
for filmmaking as a medium of
artistic expression; ability to
explore, implement and sustain
creative projects over time, and
technical mastery in the medium
and tools needed to complete an
individual body of work.
Ability to research and apply
basic knowledge of current
business practices by
filmmakers with a beginning
grasp of intellectual property
Competency in budgeting and
accounting skills deployed by
working filmmakers;
fundamentals of protecting
image use and distribution via
An understanding of copyright
and intellectual property law, as
well as an understanding of
contracts, business estimates,
invoicing and fundraising; the
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Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
Attachment L
and experimental filmmakers.
Students are capable of estimating
costs, administering their legal rights
as authors, establishing a
professional network, generating and
distributing marketing materials,
establishing a reliable mode of
production, acquiring additional
training, and devising business plans.
Historical Perspective: Students
clearly recall a functional knowledge
of the history and theory of
independent narrative, experimental
and documentary film; define the
relationship of film to the visual
disciplines, and relate the medium's
influence on culture.
Applied Criticism/Theory: Students
can analyze, assess, and debate
contemporary socio-political issues
and theoretical discourses within the
context of contemporary independent
narrative, experimental and/or
documentary film.
Effective Oral Communication:
Students can effectively deliver oral
descriptions, explanations and/or
contextualizations of their artistic,
research based, and career oriented
and budgeting.
copyright.
Comprehension of the
fundamental vocabulary and
concepts of film history in
narrative, documentary and
experimental modes; a basic
understanding of theories of
the visual.
Competency in analysis and
critical reflection, orally and in
writing, on significant works
related to area of study; an
understanding of a range of
historical film practices,
trends, ethical issues and
concerns within a wider
artistic and social context.
Knowledge of some of the
key texts in the discipline, but
little appreciation for specific
theoretical discourses,
ideologies, etc. Students can
demonstrate a beginning
grasp of the conceptual
connections between various
narrative and non-narrative
approaches to filmmaking.
Competency in the
fundamental vocabulary of
narrative, documentary and
experimental modes of
filmmaking. Introductory
Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
Competency in analysis and
critical reflection, orally and in
writing, on significant works
related to area of study; an
understanding of a range of
historical film practices,
trends, ethical issues and
concerns within a wider
artistic and social context.
Nuanced understanding of
key concepts and technical
vocabulary and how they
relate to artistic, research
based, and career oriented
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ability to plan and budget for a
range of media projects and
related promotional materials.
In depth analysis and critical
reflection, orally and in writing;
ability to analyze, assess and
debate socio-political issues and
theoretical discourses within the
context of the history of film; the
ability to apply a broad perception
of cultural diversity and creative
alternatives to criticism, theory
and artistic expression.
In depth analysis and critical
reflection, orally and in writing;
ability to analyze, assess and
debate socio-political issues and
theoretical discourses within the
context of the history of film; the
ability to apply a broad perception
of cultural diversity and creative
alternatives to criticism, theory
and artistic expression.
Understanding of the relationship
between theory and practice in a
range of filmmaking modes is
deep. Students can apply a
broad perception of cultural
Attachment L
film pursuits, ideas, and emotions for
a broad range of purposes and
audiences.
Effective Written Communication:
Students can effectively author
written descriptions, explanations
and/or contextualizations of their
artistic, research based, and career
oriented film pursuits, ideas, and
emotions for a broad range of
purposes and audiences.
critical skills that allow for a
discussion of image form,
content and meaning.
film pursuits is evident in
student oral presentations
and class discussions.
Knowledge of some of the
key texts in the discipline, but
little appreciation for specific
theoretical discourses,
ideologies, etc. Knowledge of
the basic vocabulary needed
to write about moving image
media.
Students grasp the
disciplinary roots of the ideas
that inform their critical
evaluations.
Ability to report on and
synthesize in writing the
relationship between theory
and practice in various modes
of filmmaking.
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Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Office of Planning and Decision Support
September 2013
diversity and creative alternatives
to criticism, theory and artistic
expression in oral presentations
and class discussions.
Understanding of the relationship
between theory and practice in a
range of filmmaking modes is
deep. Students can apply a
broad perception of cultural
diversity and creative alternatives
to criticism, theory and artistic
expression in writing; students
challenge/advance the field by
positing new areas of inquiry.