Campus Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

What are the student learning outcomes in your unit? 

Performing Arts identifies three distinct areas of learning: classroom study, lab experience, and production praxis.  These areas support five department specific student learning outcomes for theatre majors: 

• Students develop general knowledge of the standards, vocabulary, and skills required for theatre production and management as well as familiarity with the literary foundations and historical conventions of western and contemporary theatre.
• Students develop a personal voice and individual expression in the performing arts.
• Students are prepared to define their place as theatre artists and makers in the larger community.

Theatre majors are prepared for entry level positions in the performance professions and in competitive MFA and MA theatre programs

 Which outcome did you assess this academic year?

Outcome two:  students developing a personal voice and individual expression in the performing arts.

How did you assess their skills before, during and/or at the end of the semester/ academic year?

Production work done for “Theatre Northwest” is evaluated on an individual and group (collaborative) basis, and by student peer review.     In the area of classroom study we use oral/written tests, project evaluations, and reflective and analytic writing to evaluate student outcomes.  In the lab experience student outcomes are measured by oral/written tests, project evaluation, and by the student’s ability to bring knowledge and skills into praxis on the stage. 

Please summarize the data you have collected this semester/academic year.

Examinations, analytical and response papers, journals

Written and verbal responses to changing genres of performances.

Please describe any programmatic changes you have made or are planning to make based on the data you have collected.

We plan to develop an online class in Theatre Appreciation , to expand the experiences in off-campus in productions and in an attempt to recruit more students.

Our programmatic changes include changes in course offerings and greater flexibility in course applied processes, particularly as we anticipate a change in venue (the black box on Grant Street) this academic year.