GPC: Report to Academic Senate

Committee Name: Graduate Programs Committee

Chair:John Rebers

Subject:GPC Recommendations

First Reading:November 2, 2010

Recommendations:

  1. The Graduate Programs Committee recommends approval of a Theatre Track for the English Master of Arts program. We also recommend approval of the following new courses associated with the program:
  2. TH 591, Practicum in Theatre
  3. TH 592, Theatre Portfolio
  4. TH 595, Special Topics in Theatre
  5. TH 598, Directed Studies in Theatre
  6. TH 599, Thesis
  7. Rationale

The rationale for the program is that formalizing a new Theater Track for the English Master of Arts Program has several benefits. Our goal is to streamline the course of study creation process for those students who have an interest in studying English and Theatre. The English Department sometimes offers theatre-related courses to its own graduate students (e.g., EN 403 and EN 505) and, in the past, students have produced Masters Theses consisting of one-act plays. The department would like to expand these options through cooperative arrangements with the theater faculty, which this proposal would allow to happen and give greater acknowledgment to the course of study through the track. The formalization of a track for Pedagogy in the English Department, for example, led to an increase in interest in the pedagogy courses offered by the department. In the same way, this track will allow an option for a second track to some of our students. We also hope that the track will prove attractive to high school English and Theater teachers who wish to pursue advanced training.

By developing a new Theater Track for the English Master of Arts Program, the continuing support provided by the graduate artistic interns will allow the CAPS Department to more effectively partner with others to follow the Road Map to 2015. In particular, one of the goals expressed by the Road Map is to “increase collaboration with local communities, schools, governments, development groups and other partners to enhance community and economic development in the Upper Peninsula.” Toward that end, our graduate artistic interns run outreach programs such as student matinees of FRT productions for area junior high and high school students, or the Panowski Play Prize for writers around the UP and across the world. These programs (especially as we try to grow and expand them) serve the mission of the University. Likewise, they provide a “uniquely Northern” learning experience for the graduate students—experiences they are not likely to gain in other graduate institutions. These practical hands-on experiences would sit well within the Theatre Track for the English Masters program. Without the support of the interns, it would be nearly impossible for the faculty alone to maintain this level of outreach.

The Theater Track, as we have already indicated, will also allow us to attract current high school teachers who teach drama and/or theater and wish to receive advanced training, in line with the Road Map goal of establishing community interrelationships and support.

  1. The Graduate Programs Committee recommends approval of a request from the English Department to change the title and description for EN 591

New Title and Description:

EN 591 MA, Practicum

1-6 cr.

Offered: on Demand

Graded: A/F

Prerequisite: Approval of the department's graduate or thesis committee

Supervised practical work at a newspaper, public relations agency or in a related field. Work is assigned and directly supervised by participating agency, with the student reporting regularly to a faculty member, who also grades the student's performance.

Note: May be repeated for up to 6 credits.

Old Title and Description:

EN 591 MA Internship

1-6 cr.

Prerequisite: Approval of the department’s graduate or thesis committee

Supervised practical work at a newspaper, public relations agency or in a related field. Work is assigned and directly supervised by participating agency, with the student reporting regularly to a faculty member, who also grades the student’s performance.
Note: May be repeated for up to 6 credits.

  1. Rationale: These changes would provide consistency with the courses in the Theatre Department at this level. The changes would also allow these completion projects to comply with the language for remuneration in the current NMU AAUP Master Agreement.

  1. The Graduate Programs Committee recommends graduate faculty status for those listed below. An explanation of the different levels of graduate faculty is provided at the end of this report.

Faculty Member / Department / Level / Term / Dates
Kim Hegmegee / CAPS / 1 / 1 year / 2010-2011

Criteria for Appointment to the Graduate Faculty:

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Current curriculum vitae.
  3. Department Head cover Letter.
  4. Evidence of Appropriate additional study or experience.
  5. Evidence of graduate teaching experience and effectiveness.
  6. Indication of the graduate faculty status requested, and, in the case of Level 1 Graduate Faculty, the duration of the appointment.
  7. In the case of Level 1 Graduate Faculty, a description of the courses to be taught (Level 1 Graduate Faculty may teach only those courses for which they are pre-approved.)

Levels of Graduate Faculty Status

Level 3 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for members of the bargaining unit or individuals holding faculty status at NMU who have successfully taught at the graduate level and/or supervised thesis work, and has evidence of professional development. Only faculty members with level three status may chair a graduate thesis committee. Level three status will be reviewed every 5 years.

Level 2 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for members of the faculty who are either new or have not taught at the graduate level previously. A person at this level can teach graduate courses and serve on thesis committees. This status can be requested for 1 to 3 years.

Level 1 Graduate Faculty Status

This is for someone who is not a member of the bargaining unit. A person at this level can teach graduate courses and serve on, but not chair, thesis committees. They must have a terminal degree or appropriate experience. This status can be requested for 1 to 3 years.

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