Curriculum Action Notice

From:

Academic Affairs Committee

Date:

October 15, 2002

This is a bulletin from the Academic Affairs Committee concerning proposed curriculum actions. Within the next 10 days, please forward any comments or concerns to the AAC Chair, Helen Biblehimer, Elliott Hall 203, ext. 4521, hbiblehi@mnsfld.edu.

The department of Music has requested the following changes:

Action: Bachlor of Music; Elective Studies in Business

Rationale for Change:

• to meet state mandate of 120 hour degree programs
• to maintain national association of schools of music accreditation standards and to comply with Pennsylvania department of education mandates

List all changes (e.g. degree, program, addition/deletion of courses, etc.)

Degree: Remains Bachelor of Music; Elective Studies in Business
Program: Current degree revised to meet State mandate for 120 hour program and to meet NASM Accreditation and PDE mandates.
Delete: MU 314 Computer Music Notation, 1 Credit Hour
Delete: MU 250 Basic Conducting, 1 credit hour.

The following changes are proposed relating to cross-counting music courses in the general education block: (Total 9 hrs - 6 in humanities and 3 in Fine Arts)

Total Hours Anticipated in Cross-Counting *12 SH
*Only 3 SH total of MEN would count in Fine Arts. Additional credits in
these areas are required of the music education degree.

Plan for Meeting the 120 Hour Rule

Degree: Bachelor of Music Elective Studies in Business Current Hours: 134

Accrediting Body: National Association of Schools of Music

Recommended Strategy for Lowering Music Business to 120 hours:

1. Allow 6 credits of music history to count in the Humanities Block
   Justification: Within the last four years we removed an entire course form the music history sequence, reducing total credits in this area from 12 to 9. We cannot combine information from these courses and meet our NASM mandate to include global issues in these courses as well, and we are currently working towards developing a G designation for this subject area. In addition, any further reduction in this area would compromise our NASM accreditation and would cause a significant loss in integrity of the subject area.
2. Allow 3 hours of MEN 33___ (Music Ensemble) to count in the Fine Arts Block, Core Courses. The music ensemble courses at MU meet the goals and objects of the general education subcommittee Core Courses in Fine Arts in that through these courses, students demonstrate:
   • Knowledge of at least one of the varying forms of artistic expression.
   • Knowledge of behaviors that promote personal well-being
3. Reduce the hours of MAP 33___ applied credit given in the first two semesters from 2 credits to 1 credits. This move would reflect more accurately the general state of music performance majors when they arrive, giving the department time to generate and develop more appropriate practice/preparatory skills. Furthermore, this reduction would keep the major area inline with NASM Recommendations.
4. Delete MU 250 Basic Conducting from this degree plan. The business curriculum does not demand this area for the degree and a level of competency may be met through work done in Basic Music I and Basic Music II. This reduction reflects a 1 SH deletion from the total curriculum.