MEADOWS SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for Graduation

Students who are candidates for a degree in Meadows School of the Arts must submit a formal application for graduation to the Undergraduate Academic Services Office by the end of the first week of class for December and May graduation, and by the second day of summer school for August graduation. In addition to the requirements for general education and the major, candidates for graduation must also fulfill the following requirements:

1. Credits:
1. A minimum total of 122 term credit hours (125 for art majors, 123 for dance and theatre majors, and 124 to 133 for music majors seeking the Bachelor of Music).
2. Each student with a major in Meadows School of the Arts will complete, as a co-curricular requirement, three term credit hours of course work within Meadows but outside the division in which he or she is a major.
2. Grades:
1. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 on all attempted SMU work and a minimum 2.00 G.P.A. in the major area of study.
2. A maximum of 12 term credit hours with a grade of P at the student’s election.
3. Residency:
1. A minimum total of 60 term credit hours in residency.
2. A maximum of 15 term credit hours of transfer work after matriculation.

A degree from Meadows School of the Arts is awarded by the faculty only in recognition of developed abilities, demonstrated knowledge of the student’s particular field of study, and the capacity to express an understanding of the art medium; merely passing all courses is not necessarily sufficient.

Requirements for the Major

Candidates for undergraduate degrees must complete the requirements for an academic major in one of the divisions in Meadows. Students usually declare a major at the end of the first year. Students may major in more than one program within Meadows, or combine a major in Meadows with one in a different school. All course work counting toward a major must be taken for a letter grade, except for those courses that are routinely designated Pass/Fail. To change majors or to declare a second major, students must process appropriate forms in the Undergraduate Academic Services Office.

General Education Requirements

The general education requirements of the University must be met by all undergraduate students, regardless of degree program or major. All courses used to meet general education requirements must be taken for a letter grade. Questions concerning general education requirements may be directed to advisers or the Undergraduate Academic Services Office.

Double Majors

A student who wishes to double major (majors in two departmental areas or in two schools) must satisfy the requirements of each department or school.

Graduation Honors

There are three classes of graduation honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude. Eligibility for graduation honors will be based upon a student’s total academic program. All academic work attempted at other colleges or universities that is equivalent to SMU work will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A. For students who have transferred to SMU, two grade-point averages will be calculated, that for all work attempted, and that for work completed at SMU. Honors will be based on the lower of the two averages.

Commencement Activities Prior to Completion
of Degree Requirements

Participation in May graduation activities is allowed to students who are within six hours of completing graduation requirements and are enrolled to complete the required work during the summer following graduation activities. Students who meet the above requirements may petition to participate in commencement activities.

Interdisciplinary Course Offerings (MSA)

1010/1110. Undergraduate Teaching Practicum. Development of teaching and leadership skills through preparing lesson plans, leading discussion groups, assessing course presentations, and coordinating/developing supplemental learning experiences. The corresponding course by the same professor is required as either a prerequisite or corequisite. Students will spend a minimum of one hour per week preparing a lesson plan, one hour in discussion planning with the professor and one hour leading a discussion/listening group.

1315. Mass Media and Technology. An overview of technology as it applies to mass media in America, emphasizing the access of information via the Internet. Topics include the expanding nature of technology, legal aspects and the effects of technology on society.

2051/3351 and 2052/3352. Artists in the World – The Teaching Artist as Catalyst. Introduces artists-in-training to the basic principles, practices and priorities of the artist as teacher in the community. Provides a foundation in any artistic discipline and for the most common kinds of education work that artists undertake, such as working with young people (in schools and other settings), teaching one’s art form, curriculum integration and in-depth residencies, creating artistically authentic programs with an education thrust, working in challenging situations, and working with adults in performance, educational and professional settings. This is a two semester sequence. Students must take MSA 2051 or 3351 in order to enroll in either MSA 2052 or 3352. Completion of MSA 2052 or 3352 will make students eligible to apply for a competitive paid Fellowship in the following year. Minimum 3.0 G.P.A. and instructor consent required.

2301. Mass Media and Society. A survey of all print and broadcast media – their backgrounds as well as their current status as industries. Ethics, law, effects of mass media, international communication, advertising and public relations also are treated.

5005, 5101, 5102, 5103, 5104. Workshop: Microcomputers in the Arts.

5105, 5205, 5305. Directed Study.

5301. Microcomputer Applications in the Arts. An in-depth survey of available courseware and utilities programs in the arts, including sound and graphics application. Introduction to structured BASIC programming for arts application.

5302. Developing Computer-Based Instructional Materials for the Arts. A course designed to provide students with skill in hierarchical, structure program design in BASIC computer language, including sound and graphics routines. Explores pedagogical approaches, using the computer, appropriate to the student’s arts discipline.

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