UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

Peck School of the Arts

Inter-Arts

• Courses: Fine Arts

COURSE OF STUDY

The BFA in Inter-Arts is designed to nurture and develop a mature interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary artist, critic, or scholar. The three tracks leading to the Inter-Arts BFA degree lay strong developmental foundations coupled with advanced project creation by students in all tracks. Each track provides a capstone experience in which the student reveals advanced interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary accomplishment as well as a unique personal voice.

Students majoring in Inter-Arts can choose one of three tracks: the Inter-Arts track (Track 1), the DIVAS track – Digital Imaging Visualization Animation and Sound (Track 2), or the Musical Theatre track (Track 3).

The three Inter-Arts tracks leading to the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts require a minimum of 120 credits for graduation distributed as follows:

1. Peck School of the Arts Inter-Arts major/Inter-Arts track:

2. Peck School of the Arts Inter-Arts major/DIVAS track:

3. Peck School of the Arts Inter-Arts major/Musical Theatre track:

*All Inter-Arts BFA students who complete an introductory level course in four of the PSOA's five departments will have met the PSOA distribution requirement.

INTER-ARTS TRACK (TRACK 1)

Students must select two 36-credit options from the following four department curricula in order to complete the 72-credit studio course component of the Inter-Arts Track 1.

Art Curriculum (36 cr.)

A portfolio review is required for admission. Please see admission requirements for Visual Art Program.

Pre-Art Requirements

As per pre-Art requirements of the Visual Art Department, students also must complete the campus math and English requirements and have a 2.75 GPA before taking any 200-level and above Visual Art studio courses.

Art Core Courses

A portfolio/proposal review is required after 18 credits are completed. Review is administered by faculty in student's area of concentration.

Visual Art Capstone Requirement

A grade of B- or better is required in all studio courses after portfolio/proposal review.

Film Curriculum(36 cr.)

Film Core Courses

Students can choose to complete remaining 21 credits in either the film production option or the conceptual studies option.

Music Curriculum (36 cr.)

Audition Requirement. Students selecting the Inter-Arts Music Curriculum option must pass an audition at the 200 level of proficiency.

¹May be waived by proficiency examination and that credit taken as music elective.
² May be waived by examination and that credit may be taken as either a music elective or as an additional semester of MusPerf 2xx.

Theatre Curriculum (36 cr.)

Note: At the present time there is no Inter-Arts Track 1 option in dance.

DIGITAL IMAGING VISUALIZATION ANIMATION and SOUND (DIVAS) TRACK (Track 2)

Admission Requirements

Students planning to pursue the DIVAS track of the Inter-Arts degree must meet the admission and degree requirements of the Peck School of the Arts. In addition, DIVAS track majors must:

1. Have their portfolio reviewed and approved by the DIVAS faculty review committee.
2. Have the signed approval of the DIVAS program coordinator.
3. Have an approved program of study filed with the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services.
4. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.75.

DIVAS courses as follows:

Inter-Arts Core: 12 cr. (included in PSOA general core curriculum)

Pre-DIVAS: 12 cr.

Portfolio review. After completing the Inter-Arts Core and Pre-DIVAS requirements, students submit one video, one website, one audio composition, one project of their choice, a personal statement of application, and a copy of their academic transcript for review by DIVAS program faculty on the last days of classes of fall and spring semesters.

DIVAS Core: 24 cr.
Courses are selected from each of the following four competency groups (2D, 3D, 4D, and Programming) or from the approved list maintained by the DIVAS track coordinator. Students must complete course work in all of the four areas. Students must take course prerequisites or seek permission of instructor for admission.

2D

3D

4D

Programming

Community

Theory+Context: 6 cr.
Electives (300-level or above - from approved list)

DIVAS Electives: 9-12 cr.
(from DIVAS core, 300 level or above)

Capstone Courses: 12 cr.

General Electives: 9 cr.

Student Evaluation/Capstone Courses

End of Year One GPA Ranking. When pre-DIVAS sections are over-enrolled, entry into these courses will be determined through ranking student GPA in the four Inter-Arts Core courses.

DIVAS students must maintain a 2.75 GPA or better standing in all DIVAS courses. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program.

End of Third Semester or Equivalent Portfolio Review. Student will submit one video work, one website, one audio composition and one project of student's choice, along with a personal statement and their UWM transcript. Review Committee will consist of a minimum of one representative faculty member from each discipline and a maximum of six faculty. Faculty who have worked with these students are encouraged to share impressions of student work, maturity, and growth.

Forum. The 1- to 3-credit program seminars offer students the opportunity to explore contemporary issues, critique each other's work, and view and evaluate local and regional exhibitions and performances while building the programmatic community.

DIVAS Junior and Senior Projects. Students must complete the projects in good standing.

Appeal Process
Any DIVAS student who is dropped from the program (due to failing portfolio review or to grades that do not meet the DIVAS program requirements) has the right to an appeal. The appeals committee will consist of all full-time tenure track or tenured faculty from the DIVAS Advisory Committee, a faculty member of the student's own choosing, and the DIVAS track coordinator. In addition, a Peck School of the Arts Student Services advisor will be present as a nonvoting member. A student's next recourse is to the BFA Inter-Arts degree coordinator, the associate dean, and the dean.

MUSICAL THEATRE TRACK (TRACK 3)

Admission Requirements
To be admitted in good standing, applicants (incoming freshmen and transfer students) must meet general University academic requirements.  In addition, applicants for the Musical Theatre track of the Inter-Arts program also must submit the following in one complete packet for review by Musical Theatre track faculty:

1. A letter of intent form to enter the program and completed application form.
2. Copies of high school (freshmen) or college (transfer students) transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for this purpose).
3. Two confidential letters of reference, preferably from instructors familiar with the student’s artistic and/or academic abilities. (Letters should be submitted in sealed envelopes and will remain confidential and the property of UWM.)
4. Live audition interview.

Applicants are requested to submit the aforementioned materials in one packet, and may do so in person or by mail to the address listed below. This preliminary packet should not be submitted along with the initial application for admission to the University, and will not be accepted via email. The recommended deadline for submission is February 15.

Entrance Audition
After submitting these materials, applicants to the Musical Theatre track of the Inter-Arts BFA degree program must audition for entry into the Musical Theatre track. Audition dates are scheduled during the spring term prior to entry in the fall. The audition consists of the student presenting a prepared vocal solo, theatrical monologue, movement solo and being prepared to take part in singing, acting and/or movement exercises/classes, to be followed by the completion of a writing exercise that asks each student to express and specify their personal artistic interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to begin the program in the fall term to progress most logically through the program. Applicants who demonstrate a level of maturity, experience and professional performance potential in at least two of the three areas of study during the audition process have an excellent opportunity for admittance/acceptance as a pre-major.

For more information about the Musical Theatre track and the application and audition procedures, please contact Musical Theatre Program, c/o Dean's Office, Peck School of the Arts, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI  53201, (414) 229-4762.

Pre-Major Status
Once accepted, students become pre-majors until they successfully complete the first year of required courses for the Musical Theatre track and maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA. At that point, their academic and artistic growth is reviewed for official entry into the track by the program faculty (see Student Evaluation/Capstone Course section). Students are required to attend all classes, auditions, workshops, seminars and performances arranged in conjunction with or as a part of their training in the Musical Theatre track.   

Transfer students must complete 40 Musical Theatre track credits in residence at UWM in order to graduate. Level of ability must be evaluated by course instructors at the beginning of each course for proper level placement. If a student is recommended for a higher level of a specific course, the student may then select one of the listed Musical Theatre track electives to augment his or her training.

BFA IN INTER-ARTS: MUSICAL THEATRE TRACK

University Core Curriculum: 30 cr.

30 credits outside PSOA        
Humanities - 6 cr.       
Social Sciences - 6 cr.        
Natural Sciences lab course - 6 cr.  (one lab course)     
Cultural Diversity
Additional Electives - 12 cr.

Inter-Arts Core Curriculum: 12 cr.       
12 credits in four of five PSOA departments                          

General Elective: 3 cr.        
3 cr. from outside/inside area of emphasis

Musical Theatre Track Core Curriculum: 72 cr.

Musical Theatre Track Electives: 13 cr.       
8 cr. from listed Dance, Music and Theatre courses                                        

Total: 130 cr.

MUSICAL THEATRE TRACK CORE CURRICULUM

Students majoring in the Inter-Arts BFA/Musical Theatre track must take the following in order to fulfill their 12 Inter-Arts core curriculum requirements:

^* Musical Theatre track pre-majors who fail to test into the Music 123/125/127 theory sequence must complete both Music 101 – Music Fundamentals and the Music 123/125/127 theory sequence. 

Students in the Inter-Arts Musical Theatre track will be trained thoroughly in the performance skills necessary to compete in the professional world of musical theatre. Included in this track are a solid developmental and pedagogical foundation in music (voice, theory and musicianship, piano, large and small music ensembles); dance (history of the musical theatre art form, ballet, tap, jazz and theatre dance); and theatre (acting, play analysis, and theatre production). Students will be expected to meet the high standards expected of them at all developmental levels of the program, preparing them for what they will encounter in the professional world. In addition, students will be able to build on their pre-existing talents in a dynamic and innovative arena.

Several required courses of the Musical Theatre track will have placement level testing the first week of classes. This ensures that students are placed at appropriate class level and receive the best training possible. Students who have extensive background in one or more of the three areas of study may test out of some courses and advance to a higher level of training, thus opening up credits for study in other related areas.

In some instances, the pre-major student in Musical Theatre may need to take preparatory courses and is expected to do so. Just as students should consistently rise to the level of excellence expected in each area of study, Musical Theatre track majors also should apply themselves as much as possible in the areas in which they may have less experience, thus equalizing their personal talents and professional performance potential. Pre-majors who do not demonstrate a level of advancement or improvement – either artistically, academically or both – in the program curriculum may not advance or may be denied acceptance as a major.

Any applicant accepted as a pre-Musical Theatre track student is responsible for completing any preparatory classes he or she needs in order to successfully test into required music courses for this track. (See asterisks).

Required Courses
All students in the BFA in Inter-Arts: Musical Theatre track are required to successfully complete the following courses with a cumulative 2.75 GPA:

**Pre-majors may need to take MusPerf 001 – Fundamentals of Piano in lieu of or in combination with MusPerf 101 - Piano Lessons for a total of 2 credits over two semesters.

*** In addition, pre-majors who need extra preparation prior to MusPerf 211 - Voice Lessons are required to take Music 140 – Class Voice for up to two semesters, and then may move to MusPerf 211 – Voice Lessons for a combined total of 4 credits over four semesters. 

Electives. All students in the BFA in Inter-Arts: Musical Theatre track are required to successfully complete 13 credits from the following courses: 

SAMPLE CURRICULUM - REQUIRED COURSES IN 4-YEAR PLAN

Year 1

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Year 2

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Year 3

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Year 4

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

STUDENT EVALUATION

Musical Theatre track students must maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA. Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the program.

Pre-majors who do not demonstrate a level of advancement or improvement - either artistically, academically or both - in the program curriculum may not advance or may be denied acceptance as a major.

End of Second Semester Audition/Review Process. A student's academic and artistic growth is reviewed for official entry into the track by the program faculty. Students will choose and present one vocal, one movement and one acting example that each displays an area of artistic growth by the student. The review committee will consist of a minimum of one representative from each discipline and a maximum of six faculty. Faculty who have worked with these students are encouraged to share impressions of student work, maturity and growth. 

Performance/Crew Requirements (FA 489 – Fine Arts Workshop I). All majors are required to audition for all musical theatre productions. Students not cast in a musical theatre production may be required to participate on the various technical crew work associated with that production. Every major must serve on the crew of at least one musical theatre production.

Musical Theatre Track Senior Project/CAPSTONE (FA 599 – Independent Study). Students are expected to create and present a juried senior project in musical theatre for performance in their senior year. It must reflect the students’ artistic growth and high level of performance excellence in music, dance and theatre.

Appeal Process
Any Musical Theatre track student who is dropped from the program because of the end of second semester audition/review or because of grades that do not meet the Musical Theatre track program requirements has the right to appeal.  The appeals committee will consist of full-time tenure track or tenured faculty from the Peck School of the Arts’ Dance, Music and Theatre departments, a faculty member of the student’s own choosing, and the Musical Theatre track coordinator. In addition, a Peck School of the Arts Student Services advisor will be present as a non-voting member.  A student’s next recourse is to the BFA Inter-Arts degree coordinator, the associate dean, and the dean.

Courses