Presidential Advisory Committee of
Proposal
12-05
(Voting Units: Academic Senators)
Fine
Arts Department Degree Proposal
Audio
Production and Technology, B.S.
1. Program
Description:
A Bachelor of Science degree in Audio
Production and Technology is an interdisciplinary program that integrates
studies in music and theatre production with comprehensive coursework in
engineering technology and computer science.
Throughout the entertainment industry, current consumer expectations and
technological advances are driving a need for audio production professionals
who are educated not only in the fundamentals of music and theatre, but also in
specific areas of technology. Acoustics, electro-acoustics, electronics,
computer applications, mechanical operations, and other disciplines are at the
heart of modern audio production and this degree.
2. Rationale:
The entertainment industry has a
specific need for audio production artists who have solid foundations in
technology. The modern audio production
and technology professional needs training in the fundamentals and traditions
of music and theatre, integrated with technological skills gained from studies
in engineering, computer science, and media production.
Standards for entry into careers in
audio are continually increasing and the necessary technical and artistic
expertise is rarely obtainable through apprenticeship/internship opportunities
without the addition of a strong undergraduate education. In many cases an undergraduate degree is
required for entry into apprenticeship and internship positions.
Currently, there are few baccalaureate
degree programs in audio production and technology. It is the intent of the Fine Arts Department
to integrate theatrical and musical training with engineering technology to
create a comprehensive Audio Production and Technology program. The student will receive a solid education in
general sound arts practices, aesthetics, and history as well as knowledge of
fundamental engineering technology underlying all aspects of the entertainment
industry. The graduate of this program
will have marketable skills for a broad range of sound arts professions that
includes traditional theatre, concerts, and studios, but goes far beyond.
3. Related
Programs:
- At
Current Fine Arts degrees
Technical Theatre Minor
Music Technology Minor
Theatre Arts Minor
Art Minor
Music Minor
Other proposed Fine Arts degrees
Theatre and Entertainment Technology,
B.A.
Theatre and Entertainment Technology,
B.S.
Sound Design, B.A.
•
Other Institutions
Across the Country:
- These programs are similar to the proposed, however, our program provides a broader engineering technology base and more music and theatre in some cases:
In the Region:
Similar
Degrees
B.F.A. in Performing Arts
Technology with a concentration in either Music or Media Arts.
B.S. in Sound Engineering.
Degree in Electrical Engineering with a music minor.
Benchmark Institutions:
No
other benchmark institutions have specific study in sound.
Two
institutions have degree programs that touch on this area.
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute currently offers a degree in electronic media that is
visually focused. We expect this will
change, at least at the graduate level, with the opening of their new Experimental
Media and Performing Arts center.
Carnegie Mellon offers a minor in Music
Technology and no other sound specific degrees.
4. Projected
Enrollment:
The program is planned to grow
modestly. We are confident of an initial
enrollment of between three and five students in the major when this program is
launched, prospectively in Fall’05. By
2009, total enrollment is expected to grow to twelve to fifteen in the major,
and we will graduate our first class.
5. Scheduling Plans:
This degree will be administered as
part of the regular course schedule, including alternate-year cycling of
certain courses. The proposed teaching
schedule is Attachment A.
6.
Curriculum Design: Audio Production
and Technology Major, BS – 125 credits
Major Requirements: 42 credits
Foundation Courses: Take all 33 credits
FA
1701 Backstage Technology (new course) 3
FA
1702 Lighting and Sound Technology (new course) 3
FA
2500 Music Theory I 3
FA
2821 Performance Design Principles (new course) 3
FA 3530 Music Theory II 3
FA 3560 Music History 3
FA 3650 Production
Management (new course) 3
FA 3730 Sound Design 3
FA 4740 Transducer Theory
(new course) 3
FA 3740 Recording 3
FA 4972 Final Project 3
Practicum: Take all 9 credits
FA 2661 Mainstage: Runcrew 2
FA 2662: Mainstage: Sound
Runcrew 3
FA 3662 Mainstage: Sound
Management and Design 4
Computer
Science/Engineering/Math/Science/Technology Sequence: 40-44 credits
CET 1110 Introduction to
CAD 2
Take one of the following concentrations for
38-42 credits
Electrical Engineering Technology: 38-42 credits
EET 1120 Circuits I1 4
EET 2120 Circuits II1 4
EET 2220 Electronic
Devices and Circuit Theory 4
EET 3225 Special Electronic
Devices 4
EET 3367 Communication
Systems 4
EET 4367 Wireless
Communications 4
MAT
1155 or MA 10321 4-5
MAT
1195 or MA 1160 or MA 11611 3-5
MAT
2215 or MA 2160.1 3-4
3
credit science class with a separate lab1 4
1These
courses fulfill the General Education Science/Mathematics requirement.
Computer Science: 41 credits
CS
1121 (Intro. to CS I AND CS 1122 Intro to CS II) OR
(CS 1131 Comp Sci I)1 4-5
CS 1721 Object Oriented
Programming1 1
CS
2321 Data Structures1 3
CS 2141 Software
Development using C++ 3
CS 2311 Discrete Structures 3
CS 3141 Team Software
Project 3
MA
1032 Data, Functions, & Graphs Plus1&2 4
MA
1150, MA 1151, MA 1160, or MA 1161 4-5
MA
2150, MA 2160, or MA 1090 3-4
EET,
MET, MA, EE, MEEM, MAT, SAT, CET, CE, or CS elective 6-9
3
credit science class with a separate lab1 4
1These
courses fulfill the General Education Science/Mathematics requirement.
2MA 1032 requires proficiency in MA 0099. Credit in MA 0099 does not count towards graduation.
Free
Electives: 11-15 credits
General
Education Requirements: 28 credits – see course catalog
Co-Curricular Activities: 3 credits
7. New Course Descriptions:
The proposed new courses have been carefully designed to rely on present faculty and facilities. Appropriate restructuring of positions has already taken place. Each of the theatre and entertainment technology faculty (hired in 2000 and 2002) has been charged with developing courses for the minor in technical theatre that was introduced in the 2000-01 academic year and to design the degree proposals currently under consideration. These faculty and their courses serve as a foundation for the proposed degrees.
Some of the new courses are redesigned older courses (r), and several courses will be offered in alternating years (a). There may be a modest reduction in the total number of sections of Speech to avoid faculty overloads.
FA 1701
Backstage Technology (r) An
overview of the basic techniques, theories, and terminology of technical
theatre. Focus on practical application of stagecraft and rigging for a
theatrical production, safety in technical theatre, physical theatre structures,
production processes, and theatre organization.
Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0)
Semesters Offered: Fall.
FA 1702
Lighting and Sound Technology An overview of
the basics of theatrical lighting, stage electrics, audio systems, and
techniques for theatrical production.
Focus on practical application of static and automated lighting for a
theatrical production, including instrumentation and control. Introduction to live sound reinforcement,
recording, and complex playback. Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring.
FA
2800 Script Analysis (r) An examination of drama for the purpose of gaining various textual
methods of analysis for production: character analysis, thematic analysis,
functional analysis, and plot analysis. This class emphasizes learning
how to examine and understand a playscript for design production. Prerequisites: None.
Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters
Offered: Fall.
FA 2821 Performance Design Principles (r) An introduction to the design principles of the live art and entertainment industry, including design needs, production methods, equipment, and facilities for various venues. Among the applications to be surveyed are theatre, concerts, theme parks, museums, and corporate events. Related career opportunities will be explored. Prerequisites: None. Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring.
FA 3650 Production Management (a) Procedures and skills of effective production
management. Authoritative coordination
of performers and technicians during rehearsal and performance periods.
Maintenance and use of the production prompt book, notation, of ground plan and
blocking; scene shifts; cues for lighting, sound, special effects, and
performers; opening and calling the show; post-show wrap-up. Practical experience in stage managing. Prerequisites:
FA 1701, FA 1702 Credits:
3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-3-0) Semesters
Offered: Spring; Offered alternate
years, beginning with 2005-06 academic year.
FA 3821 Modern
Theatre History (a) An examination
of American and European theatre history from the late 1700s to modern
times. An emphasis on the interrelationships among technology and theatre
space, design and drama, and how culture and society affected style. Prerequisites:
UN1002 or UN1003. Credits:
3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab:
(0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Spring; Offered alternate years, beginning
with 2006-07 academic year.
FA 4740
Transducer Theory (a) In depth study
of Microphone and Loudspeaker design as it applies to usage in recording and
live sound reinforcement with an emphasis on interaction with the acoustical
environment. Prerequisite: FA 3730 Sound Design. Credits: 3.0 Lec-Rec-Lab:
(0-3-0) Semesters Offered: Fall; Offered alternate years, beginning with
2005-06 academic year.
8. Library
& Other Learning Resources:
The J. Robert Van Pelt Library
offers services and resources to meet the informational and research needs of
the University and to support members of the University community in the
development of skills to be information literate and lifelong learners. Librarians offer a range of services,
including workshops, online tutorials, course-related library seminars, and
consultation services for students and faculty.
Students will be directed to active
and regular use of the university library.
This library has a broad range of print resources available in areas
such as theatre architecture, costumes, scenery, stage lighting, and theatrical
sound. There is also an extensive
collection of play script anthologies and other dramatic literature. There are resources, not specific to theatre,
that are relevant to research for students in this degree program. These include but are not limited to books on
general history and architecture as well as journals on topics such as audio
engineering.
The Fine Arts Department Conference Room offers a collection of classic and recent play scripts, as well as relevant theatre and audio journals. These include:
Theatre Design
and Technology: the USITT journal
for design, production and technology professionals in the performing arts and
entertainment industry, Stage
Directions: a resource for the non-equity theatre market, Pro Lights and Staging News, Front of House: live sound news, Lighting Dimensions, and Entertainment
Design: on the art and technology of show business.
Much
information is transitory in this area and current trends in design are
important to the student’s education. Online resources will be a necessary
research tool. The United States
Institute for Theatre Technology’s website, www.usitt.org,
is one such resource.
9. Computing Access Fee:
A computer access fee of $200.00
will be assessed with each semester’s tuition.
Individual courses may require additional computer fees.
10. Faculty Resumes : See Attachment B
11. &
13. Available/Needed Equipment &
Space:
In addition to facilities and equipment
across the Michigan Tech campus that we encourage students to look at and take
part in while here at Michigan Tech, the spaces and equipment dedicated to the
needs of theatre include:
- Theatres
Proscenium theatre
1100-seat venue
State-of-the-art facilities and
equipment
McArdle Theatre,
Black box theatre
Flexible seating up to 265
2004 ETC lighting system
Calumet Theatre
Historic proscenium theatre
Hemp rigging
- Shops,
Studios, Laboratories
Scene shops, 110 Rozsa, 206 Walker
Costume shop, 204
Light lab, 210
Recording studio, 214, 215 & 208 Rozsa
Sound technology lab, 210
Computer lab, 213 Rozsa
12. Program Costs:
- Year 1: No new funds will be required to launch this program.
The basic resources have been put in place in a systemic manner throughout
the past several years. These include facilities in Walker and Rozsa
as well as faculty and staff positions in theatre and entertainment
technology. In order to provide majors with hands-on opportunities
to study various aspects of the Audio Production and Technology major, the
increase in production budgets will be met from Department funds,
including gifts from alumni, friends, and newly-developed corporate
sponsors.
- Years 2 & 3: With the
anticipated success of the Audio Production and Technology major, the
Department is planning "internal" restructuring of faculty and
staff, to be accomplished through attrition. No requests for new
faculty or staff positions are planned during the first three years of
this program.
14. Policies, Regulations, & Rules:
The program will be administered by the
Fine Arts Department in accordance with standard Michigan Tech policies
governing baccalaureate degrees. The
chair of the Department of Fine Arts will appoint a faculty member to direct
the Audio Production and Technology degree program.
During the first two years in the
program, an Audio Production and Technology major will be assigned to a faculty
advisor. In the third year, the student
will choose an area of emphasis and may choose another advisor with expertise
in the emphasis area.
The Minor in Technical Theatre, the
Minor in Music Technology, and the Minor in Theatre Arts are not available to
an Audio Production and Technology major.
15. Accreditation Requirements:
Accreditation through organizations
such as the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) or the National
Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is being explored for relevance to the
university and these programs.
16. Internal
Status of Proposal:
Progression Date Submitted for Review Date Approved
- Department/School 09.28.04 09.28.04
- Dean of
Sciences & Arts 10.04.04 10.11.04
- Provost 10.26.04
- University
Support Units
- University
Senate
- Academic
Affairs Off. Comm.
- Board of
Control
- Provost
Final Decision
- Vice
Provost for Instruction
- Campus
Implementation
17. Planned
Implementation Date:
Fall 2005
Attachment
A
Fine
Arts Proposed Teaching Schedules
Richard Blanning
|
Fall FA 2330 Art Appreciation FA 2821 Live Art and Entertainment Design Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3333 Sculpture Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 4300 Advanced Sculpture |
Spring FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3330 Art History I FA 3150 Life Drawing Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 3340 Art History II FA 3300 3-D Design |
Debra Bruch
|
Fall FA 2800 Script Analysis FA 2090 Speech UN 1001 Perspectives |
Spring UN 1002 World Cultures Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 3780 Directing for Theatre FA 3821 Modern Theatre History Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting FA 3810 Ancient Theatre History |
Mary Carol Friedrich
|
Fall FA 1701 Backstage Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 3 Sections Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 4750 Advanced Lighting Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 3760 Costume Design |
Spring FA 1702 Stage Electrics and Sound Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 2 Sections Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 3700 Scenic Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 3750 Lighting Design |
Christopher Plummer
|
Fall FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 3 Sections FA 3730 Sound Design Alternate years beginning 2006-07 FA 4730 Advanced Sound Design Alternate years beginning 2005-06 FA 4740 Transducer Theory |
Spring FA 1702 Stage Electrics and Sound Technology FA 2661 Mainstage Theatre: Crew 2 Sections Alternate years
beginning 2006-07 FA 3740 Recording Alternate years beginning 2005-06: FA 3650 Production Management FA 2660 Mainstage Theatre: Acting |
Suzanne Stephens
|
Fall FA 3670 Acting Ensemble FA 2660 Mainstage Directing FA 2600 Technique of Acting |
Spring FA 3670 Acting Ensemble FA 2090 Speech 2 Sections |
Attachment
B
Michigan Tech Department of Fine Arts Faculty
All CVs
available upon request
Mary
Ann Beckwith - NWS
Professor of Art
B.A., Art and English;
Professional Activities:
Professor Beckwith teaches drawing and watermedia. She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, and is a signature member and a Nautilus Fellow of the International Society of Experimental Artists. She is a member of Allied Artists of America, American Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, and the Society of Layerists in Multimedia. She has had numerous national exhibitions, conducts workshops around the country, and has published two books on watercolor.
Richard
Blanning
Associate Professor of Theatre and
Art
M.F.A., Playwriting, Acting, and
Management;
City,
Professional Activities:
Professor Blanning directs theatre productions and teaches theatre appreciation, art appreciation, art history, live art and entertainment design, three-dimensional design, and advanced sculpture courses. Many of his original plays have been produced, and he has professional experience in directing, theatre management, scenic art, stage carpentry, and acting. He is a member of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. Professor Blanning has been on panels for and presented many papers on creativity and the arts.
Dr.
Debra Bruch
Associate
Professor of Theatre
Ph.D.,
Theory & Criticism and Theatre History;
Professional Activities:
Dr. Bruch is a director, scenic
designer, and actor. She teaches
directing, script analysis, theatre history, speech and World Cultures courses. She has published articles and book chapters
on acting/directing methods and Australian drama. Many of her original plays have been
published and produced. Dr. Bruch is a
member of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education where she is the past
chair and representative for the Religion and Theatre Focus Group for
ATHE. She has chaired panels and
presented papers on religious theatre and Australian theatre and is the editor
for The Journal of Religion and Theatre.
Mary Carol Friedrich
Assistant
Professor of Theatre
M.F.A.,
Design and Technical Theatre,
Professional Activities:
Professor Friedrich teaches technical theatre, lighting design, costume design, and scene design. She designs in these areas and manages the costume shop. She has published articles on costuming research and techniques and has been a panel member and presented papers in the areas of color science and costume archaeology. She conducts workshops on color science for theatre design. She has worked professionally as a technical director, master electrician, and scene painter. Professor Friedrich is a member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and is affiliated with the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival as an adjudicator and clinician.
Michael
J. Irish
Associate
Professor of Music
M.M.E.,
Jazz Studies,
Professional Activities:
Professor Irish teaches music theory and is the director of jazz studies. He has composed and arranged many jazz compositions that have been performed on campus and across the country. He has performed nationally and internationally at numerous jazz festivals and concerts. Professor Irish is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators. His publications include compositions, instructional materials, and articles on guitarists and jazz. He was the recipient of the first National Band Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Jazz Education.
Dr. Milton L. Olsson
Professor
of Music
D.M.A.,
Literature and Performance of Choral Music,
Professional Activities:
Dr. Olsson chairs the Department of
Fine Arts where he conducts the Concert Choir and the Keweenaw Symphony
Orchestra. His choirs have performed nationally and internationally, and his
choral compositions are available through National Music Publishers (NMP). He is affiliated with the American Choral
Directors Association and the Michigan School Vocal Music Association (MSVMA),
and is a choral adjudicator and clinician.
Christopher Plummer
Assistant
Professor of Theatre
M.F.A.,
Sound Design,
Professional Activities:
Professor Plummer is a sound designer,
director, and recording engineer. He
teaches sound design, transducer
theory, recording, production management and is director of the recording
studio. He has designed sound professionally in
Dr. Suzanne A. Stephens
Associate
Professor of Fine Arts
Ph.D.,
English/Contemporary American Drama,
Professional Activities:
Dr. Stephens teaches theatre
appreciation, improvisation, and acting.
She directs mainstage productions and The Troupe, Michigan Tech's
improvisational comedy ensemble. She has
taught workshops on creative dramatics and has taken children’s shows on
regional tours. Dr. Stephens is active
in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. She has acted professionally and is a
Certified Kripalu Yoga Instructor.
Attachment
C
Michigan Tech Department of Fine Arts Degree Overview
The graphic below represents how the
four proposed degrees fit into Michigan Tech’s current offerings. The degrees have been designed to provide
students specific choices in aural and visual study relevant to their
particular post graduation goals. Degrees on the left have a strong engineering
focus for students interested in designing and building specific pieces of
equipment. Degrees on the right focus on
artistic background and are for students interested in working as artists on
productions. Degrees in the middle
provide a balance of artistic and engineering background for students
interested in entering into consulting or other support positions not directly
involved with either designing and building equipment or producing productions
but needing experience in both areas.
Adopted by the PAC (formerly Senate): 9 February 2005
Approved by President Mroz: 21 February 2005
Approved by BOC: 5 May 2005