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Requirements
Performing and Applied Arts
The Department of Performing and Applied Arts (PART) is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the intersections of music, theatre, dance, design, and production. Students who major in PART will receive a well-rounded education intended to prepare them to be interdisciplinary artists unafraid to take risks and make change.
Applied art is any form of art created with a specific practical purpose in mind. This includes purposes outside of aesthetic appreciation, developing skills through the design and creation process useful in various disciplines, and “Learning by doing”, a unique characteristic of Beloit’s approach to pedagogy.
Graduates of our program are not only artists, but are also prepared to live as self-actualizing citizens and individuals. Our classes offer students (majors and non-majors alike) opportunities to think critically, create adventurously, and collaborate successfully. We empower students with knowledge and encourage the pursuit of excellence in all they do.
All courses, productions, ensembles, lessons, and work study opportunities are open to majors and non-majors, of all backgrounds and skill levels, and guide students to do the following:
- Connect skills, methods, and modes of knowledge across disciplines and apply them to new contexts.
- Develop and refine skills in such areas as performance and production, text, sound, and movement analysis, public speaking, design, and project management.
- Build communities in our classes and ensembles.
- Interrogate our positions within the changing conventions of performance and production studies.
- Empower students to creatively respond to local and global social justice concerns.
Majors
Note: All courses listed below are worth 1 unit unless otherwise noted.
- Seven units of conceptual fundamentals from the following areas:
- One unit of historiography: Performing and Applied Arts 150
- One unit of theory chosen from Performing and Applied Arts 170 or 221
- One unit of embodiment chosen from Performing and Applied Arts 100, 106, 113, 115, 180 or Health and Society 110, 301
- One unit of composition chosen from Performing and Applied Arts 207, 248, 255, or 351
- One unit of career preparation: Performing and Applied Arts 275 (.5) and 375 (.5) This requirement can be completed in one year or divided into early and later years after declaration.
- Two units of collaboration
- Theory and Practice (1 unit): Performing and Applied Arts 143 (.5) and 144 (.5).
- Practicum (1 unit): Performing and Applied Arts 80 (.25-1) Students are encouraged to complete at least .25 unit of this requirement in the first year after declaration and .25 unit in the second year after declaration. The remaining .5 unit may be completed at any time.
- Three units of specialization courses. Specialization courses enable students to explore specific topic areas. In consultation with the advisor, students may select multiple courses within one topic or from multiple topics.
- Production: Performing and Applied Arts 112, 114, 140, 240 (.5), 241 (.5), 242 (.5), 245, 247 (.5), 260, 263, 265, 310, 312
- Dance: Performing and Applied Arts 113, 213, 313 (Modern); 115, 215, 315 (Ballet); 180 (.75), 360, 370, Health and Society 110, 301
- Music: Performing and Applied Arts 011-069 (.25), 90, 170, 220, 229, 255, 260, 265, 270, 276
- Theatre: Performing and Applied Arts 100, 106, 206, 207, 222, 225, 288, 306, 351
- Arts: Performing and Applied Arts 219, 220, 221, 222, 276, 285, 243 (.5), 290, 310, Media Studies 270 (if topic is appropriate)
- Two units to broaden perspectives chosen from outside the department in consultation with the advisor.
- Writing/communication requirement: Competent communication in Performing and Applied Arts is attained through the successful completion of various courses pertinent to three distinct interactive modes. Physical and oral proficiency is achieved in embodiment courses, acting and dance courses, music courses, and practica (participation in production). Proficiency in writing is acquired in Performing and Applied Arts 150, 219, 220, 221, 285, 290, and 310. Visual communication skills are gained in design courses, directing courses, composition courses, and stagecraft courses. Graduating majors must be able to communicate clearly through the media they have studied. In addition, they should be able to describe, explain, and critique comprehensively both the artistic processes and the products of that art through means of oral and physical communication, written documentation, and visual presentation.
- PART encourages an internship, field term or summer participation in a professional environment or in specialized overseas study.
Minors
Note: All courses listed below are worth 1 unit unless otherwise noted.
- Two units of conceptual fundamental courses:
- One unit of theory or history chosen from Performing and Applied Arts 150, 170, or 221
- One unit of collaboration chosen from Performing and Applied Arts 80 (.25-1), 143 (.5), 144 (.5)
- Four units of electives from Performing and Applied Arts courses or Health and Society 110, 301, as determined in consultation with an advisor.
Legacy Music, Theatre, and Dance Majors & Minors
With the foundation of the Performing and Applied Arts department and offerings, previous related majors and minors will be discontinued.
Students enrolled at any time before the end of the spring 2025 semester may declare the following majors and minors. Students interested should contact their advisor to explore their options.
Music Majors & Minors
- Nine and one-half to eleven departmental units:
- Music 150, 170, and 270.
- Four additional units chosen from Music 200-299.*
- Two courses of Music Lessons, chosen from Music 010-044 (.25).
- Two courses of Music Ensemble, chosen from Music 050-074 (.25), 276* (1).
- An additional two courses of either Music Lessons (Music 010-044 (.25)) or Music Ensemble (Music 050-074 (.25), 276* (1)).
- Music 300.
- Two supporting courses:
- One chosen from Anthropology 100, Critical Identity Studies 101, Media Studies 110, 270, Theatre and Dance 202, 343-347.
- One chosen from English 190, Journalism 125, 225, 228, Theatre and Dance 106, 113 (.75), 115 (.75), 117 (.75), 142, (.5), 199, 300.
- The department recommends at least 2 units of study of a language that is not the student’s first language.
- To declare this major, each student must have a curricular planning meeting with a music advisor.
*MUSI 276 MULTI Ensemble may be taken twice for credit. Students may choose to count it only once as a 200-level course (1b), up to twice as a Music Ensemble (1d or 1e), or once as a 200-level course and once as an Ensemble.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Music courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Music advisor or the PART chair.
- Five and one-half to seven departmental units:
- Two units chosen from Music 150 and 170.
- Three units chosen from Music 200-299.*
- Two courses of Music Ensemble 050-074 (.25), 276* (1).
*MUSI 276 MULTI Ensemble may be taken twice for credit. Students may choose to count it only once as a 200-level course (1b), up to twice as a Music Ensemble (1c), or once as a 200-level course and once as an Ensemble.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Music courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Music advisor or the PART chair.
Theatre/Dance Majors & Minors
All courses listed below are worth 1 unit unless otherwise noted.
- Theatre and Dance 202 and 360 (.5 unit).
- Two units of contextual theories and perspectives: Theatre and Dance 237 and 242.
- Eight classes in technique chosen in consultation with the advisor from among Theatre and Dance 113 (.75), 115 (.75),117 (.75), 213 (.5), 215 (.5), 217 (.5), 313 (.5), 315 (.5), and 317 (.5). (At least 1 unit must be at the 300 level and 1 unit must be ballet.)
- One unit of production skills: Theatre and Dance 112.
- Two units to develop expertise chosen from department offerings in consultation with the advisor.
- Two units to broaden perspectives chosen from outside the department in consultation with the advisor.
- Only 1 unit of Theatre Practicum in at least two different areas may be counted for the dance field of concentration.
- Students are required to serve on two crew assignments. Crew assignments must not overlap and must differ in nature. Crew assignments are to support theatre or dance, and no two assignments are to be in the same area (i.e. scenic, lighting, costume, etc.).
- Writing/communication requirement: Competent communication in theatre and dance is attained through the successful completion of various courses pertinent to three distinct interactive modes. Physical and oral proficiency is achieved in acting and dance courses, and practica (participation in production). Proficiency in writing is acquired in Theatre and Dance 199, 202, 237, 245, 247, 343, 345, 347. Visual communication skills are gained in design courses, directing courses, and stagecraft courses. Graduating majors must be able to communicate clearly through the medium in which they have concentrated. In addition, they should be able to describe, explain, and critique comprehensively both the artistic processes and the products of that art through means of oral and physical communication, written documentation, and visual presentation.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Theatre and Dance courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Theatre and Dance advisor or the PART chair.
All courses listed below are worth 1 unit unless otherwise noted.
- Theatre and Dance 202 and 360 (.5).
- Two units of historical perspectives chosen from: Theatre and Dance 245, 247, 343, 345, or 347.
- Four units of introductory technique and analysis: Theatre and Dance 106, 112, 114, and 199.
- Three units to develop expertise chosen from department offerings in consultation with the advisor. Must include one 200-level and two 300-level courses.
- Two units to broaden perspectives chosen from outside the department in consultation with the advisor.
- Only one unit of practicum in at least two different areas may be counted for the major.
- Students are required to serve on two crew assignments. Crew assignments must not overlap and must differ in nature. Crew assignments are to support theatre or dance, and no two assignments are to be in the same area (i.e. scenic, lighting, costume, etc.).
- Writing/communication requirement: Competent communication in theatre and dance is attained through the successful completion of various courses pertinent to three distinct interactive modes. Physical and oral proficiency is achieved in acting and dance courses, and practica (participation in production). Proficiency in writing is acquired in Theatre and Dance 199, 202, 237, 245, 247, 343, 345, 347. Visual communication skills are gained in design courses, directing courses, and stagecraft courses. Graduating majors must be able to communicate clearly through the medium in which they have concentrated. In addition, they should be able to describe, explain, and critique comprehensively both the artistic processes and the products of that art through means of oral and physical communication, written documentation, and visual presentation.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Theatre and Dance courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Theatre and Dance advisor or the PART chair.
- Three units chosen in consultation with the advisor from Theatre and Dance 112, 202, 237, 242, 246 or Health and Society 301.
- Two units of technique chosen from Theatre and Dance 113 (.5), 115 (.5), 117(.5), 213 (.5), 215 (.5), 217 (.5), 313 (.5), 315 (.5), and 317 (.5). At least 1.5 units must be at the 200 level or above, .5 unit must be ballet.
- One unit of theatre and dance electives chosen in consultation with the advisor.
- Recommendation to serve on one crew assignment to support theatre or dance.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Theatre and Dance courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Theatre and Dance advisor or the PART chair.
- Theatre and Dance 106, 112 or 114, 199.
- One theatre history course: 200-level or 300-level.
- Two additional units chosen in consultation with advisor from Theatre and Dance 202, 206, 225, 240 (.5), 245, 247, 250, 306, 310, 343, 345, 347, 350, 351, 360 (.5), 390 (.25-1), or theatre practicum credit. (Only one unit of Theatre and Dance 390 (special project) may be counted toward the minor.)
- Recommended: serve on one crew assignment to support theatre or dance.
Performing and Applied Arts (PART) courses that have the same course numbers as Theatre and Dance courses can be used to meet these requirements. For questions about other courses, please contact your Theatre and Dance advisor or the PART chair.