BACKGROUND:

This proposal was developed by the Humanities Department over the past two years. The following priorities for the MTU Theater have been developed by the Humanities Department and are consistent with the University's role statement and the Humanities Department's function within the University:

1. to provide general education and cultural enrichment to the entire student body through participation in performance and attendance as members of the audience
   
   
2. to support the University's role in the community by enhancing University-community relations through such methods as theater performance and attendance, and direct educational and expert assistance to local schools, and
   
   
3. to develop reasonable and sound academic courses and programs that will strengthen and improve the theater's ability to fulfill #1 and #2 above.

This proposed program does not attempt to establish a multifaceted theater program (acting, directing, voice, costuming, theater history, etc.) as can be found in other state university programs, but rather focuses on one aspect of theater (technical theater) by which our students and faculty can attain identification and recognition. This degree program will establish the necessary academic and professional direction of the nucleus of students and faculty association with the University theater and enable them to better fulfill their primary objectives of providing broad educational and cultural services to the campus and community. Michigan Tech can bring the arts and technology together in a unique way because of its exceptional curricula and facilities in science and engineering. The combined technical and theater background will qualify individuals to seek employment in such areas as design, technical direction, theater material research, performing arts engineering, consulting, and related areas. The Arts and Technology program will attract students to MTU to enroll in a course of study which would be unique, particularly oriented toward job placement, and a bridge over the unnecessary gap between technology and the arts.

The program was endorsed by the Faculty of the Humanities Department on January 24, 1978 by a 27 to 0 vote. The program has been endorsed by the administrative heads of the Humanities Department, the Department of Electrical Engineering, the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, the College of Sciences and Arts, and the College of Engineering. The proposal was reviewed by the Senate Curricular Policy Committee and is recommended for presentation to the Senate in accordance with Senate Policy 10-70, Procedure for Developing Significant changes in the Academic Programs.

PROPOSAL:

The Senate of Michigan Technological University approves of the establishment of a Bachelor of Arts in Arts and Technology degree program with an option in Technical Theater. A description of the program follows: (Available by request from the Senate Office)

Adopted by Senate : 15 March 1978
Approved by Administration: 14 April 1978