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Program Change:
P01047
Program Title: BFA in Art
Undergraduate
Describe the proposed degree program change(s) in terms of how the changes differ from the program as currently approved and published in the latest WOU catalog (specify the latest catalog date).
The Art Department is proposing that studio art courses change from 3-credit to 4-credit courses. There are several compelling reasons to make this change. The set of proposals submitted to the curriculum committee at this time will serve to restructure the program and retain current course content.
The pragmatic reason for making the change to four credit studio art courses is to align our program with the rest of the public universities in Oregon: all of the other universities in Oregon, as well as two of our feeder community colleges (Chemeketa and Linn-Benton) have already increased the credit level of their studio art courses from three to four credits. Aligning our university¿s programs in these subjects will align transfer credit equivalencies, which will make transferring from these institutions less complicated and more time-efficient for such students.
The educational reason for this transition is to improve the art student¿s experience within the art major: more attention and time to focus on fewer classes, more streamlined advising, and fewer conflicts in the schedule of classes. Students will also benefit from an increase in instructors¿ time dedicated to preparation, maintaining studio spaces, and availability outside of class. The overall credits an art major will receive will remain the same as currently listed in the catalog. With this plan we anticipate that the total content, and the skill level that students can achieve in their chosen concentration area, will increase.
Describe the reasons for making this change:
current catalog description is on page 49 in the 2011-2012 catalog, and appears in the attached PDF.
Proposed catalog description:
Art (B.F.A.)
(No change to Mission and Learning Outcomes)
(133 credits)
A 204 Art History: Prehistoric through Late Antiquity (4)
A 205 Art History: Middle Ages through Renaissance (4)
A 206 Art History: Baroque through Contemporary (4)
A 115 Beginning Design: 2-D (4)
A 116 Beginning Design: 3-D (4)
A 119 Digital Presentation for Artists (4)
A 130 Beginning Drawing (4)
Contracted art courses (12) See advisor
Minimum of three 200 level studio courses
A 230 Introduction to Life Drawing (4)
A 315 Intermediate Design: 2D or A 316 Intermediate Design: 3D (4)
A 304, A 305, A 306 History of Modern Art sequence (12)
Upper division studio sequences (36)
300 and 400 level in Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Visual Communication Design disciplines.
Twelve additional credits of upper division studio coursework* (12)
A 412 Practicum ** and/or A 413 International Studio Art Study*** (3)
A 445, A 455, A 475, A485 or A 495 B.F.A. Thesis Project in primary concentration area* (18).
Capstone course(s) for specific major (4 credits total)
ART MAJOR
A318 Production: Gallery Exhibition, A 418 Gallery Exhibition,
A 419 Professional Concerns
VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN MAJOR
A429 Portfolio & Professional Preparation
* Concentration areas: ceramics, printmaking, painting, sculpture, or visual communication design.
** Practicum (Service Learning) and International Studies may be combined to meet the 3 credit requirement.
*** A 413 this requirement may be met with studio art courses from another accredited university only if offered outside of the U.S.
Completion of the Liberal Arts Core curriculum, and the BA/BS requirements for language or math/computer science is part of the BFA in Art.
A minor is not required for a BFA in Art.
For Dean Review only:
How and when will the effectiveness of these changes be determined?
We will determine the effectiveness of these changes through our current assessment practices, which are reviewed every year during faculty retreats. Upon acceptance of this proposal, we will develop updated assessment pre-exams that reflect reorganized course content and expanded work in upper division courses.
It will take a four-year cycle to determine the effectiveness of the shift from three to four credits through pre- and post-test assessment. The faculty will also monitor changes and compare results in student proficiency scores evaluated during portfolio presentations required in A429 and A498.
We anticipate immediate improvement in ease of scheduling, both in departmental planning and student advising. Advising will be less complex; students will have an easier time understanding major and minor requirements and completing plans recommended during individual and group advising sessions.
Approval Queue
| Step |
Approver |
Decision |
Timestamp |
|
1 - Department |
Jodie Garrison |
Approved | March 30 2012 |
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2 - Division |
Scott Grim |
Approved | April 06 2012 |
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3 - Division Curriculum |
Jodie Garrison |
Approved | April 07 2012 |
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4 - Library Dean |
Jodie Garrison |
Approved | April 07 2012 |
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5 - Curriculum Committee |
Thaddeus Shannon |
Approved | April 18 2012 |
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6 - Faculty Senate |
Gavin Keulks |
Approved | May 08 2012 |
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7 - Dean |
Stephen Scheck |
Approved | May 09 2012 |
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8 - Provost |
Kent Neely |
Approved | May 10 2012 |
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9 - President |
Dianna Nickelson |
Approved | May 11 2012 |
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Attached Files:
| Change_Program_Art_BFA_mar30.pdf |
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