Western Michigan University School of Music. Proposed Curricular Changes for B.S. Multimedia Arts Technology

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1 Western Michigan University School of Music Proposed Curricular Changes for B.S. Multimedia Arts Technology 1. Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Arts Technology. Action New degree The Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Arts Technology (B.S. MAT) is designed to offer career opportunities in the recording, sound reinforcement, intermedia performance, and entertainment industries. Students in this degree receive intensive, hands-on instruction and experience utilizing state-of-the-art electronic equipment and labs. p.2 2. B.S. MAT Sample 4-year program guide p.9 3. MUS 5645 Audio for Video. Action New course. Audio for video focuses on generative and sound design projects for video games, film, other commercial projects, installation art, and sonic art. Aesthetic, conceptual, and technological topics in relationship to creating such projects will be discussed at the beginning of the semester. The remainder of the semester will focus on facilitating and discussing student projects. p MUS 5655 Special Topics in MAT. Action New course. MUS 5655 is a variable topic course focusing on more advanced topics relevant to the intersections between the arts and technology. Potential topics include: *Business aspects of being an independent generative artist, working in the video game industry, working the film industry, and working in the recording industry *Aesthetic, historic, theoretical, and conceptual issues surrounding art and technology *Advanced concepts of acoustics, sound reinforcement, and specialized recording projects, such as recording a large acoustic ensemble *Specific, relevant technological topics that will not be covered elsewhere in the curriculum can be covered in this course as needed; examples could include computer programming for audiovisual art (Processing/Jitter), sensors and parametric mapping for multimedia projects, and advanced video filters and audio effect processing for audiovisual art (AfterEffects) p MUS 5965 Sound Reinforcement Practicum. Action New course. MUS 5965 provides students hands-on experience with audio system setup (e.g., microphones, speakers, mixers), control, and live sound reinforcement at School of Music and/or other events. p.22

2 REQUEST TO COLLEGE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE FOR CURRICULAR IMPROVEMENTS DEPARTMENT: Music PROPOSED EFFECTIVE SEMESTER: Fall 2014 COLLEGE: CFA PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS Academic Program Substantive Changes Misc. Changes New degree* New course Title New major* Pre or Co-requisites Description (attach current & proposed) New curriculum* Deletion (required by others) Deletion (not required by others) New concentration* #, different level #, same level New certificate Credit hours Variable credit New minor Enrollment restriction Credit/no credit Revised major -level restriction Cross-listing Revised minor Prefix Title and description COGE reapproval Admission requirements (attach current & proposed) Other (explain**) Graduation requirements General education (select one) Deletion Transfer Not Applicable Other (explain**) Other (explain**) ** Other: Title of degree, curriculum, major, minor, concentration, or certificate: Bachelor of Science - Multimedia Arts Technology Existing course prefix and #: Proposed course prefix and #: Credit hours: Existing course title: Proposed course title: Existing course prerequisite & co-requisite(s): Proposed course prerequisite(s) If there are multiple prerequisites, connect with and or or. To remove prerequisites, enter none. Proposed course co-requisite(s) If there are multiple corequisites, they are always joined by and. Proposed course prerequisite(s) that can also be taken concurrently: Is there a minimum grade for the prerequisites or corequisites? The default grades are D for undergraduates and C for graduates. Major/minor or classification restrictions: List the Banner 4 character codes and whether they should be included or excluded. For 5000 level prerequisites & corequisites: Do these apply to: (circle one) undergraduates graduates both Specifications for University Schedule of Classes: a. title (maximum of 30 spaces): b. Multi-topic course: No Yes c. Repeatable for credit: No Yes d. Mandatory credit/no credit: No Yes e. Type of class and contact hours per week (check type and indicate hours as appropriate) 1. Lecture 3. Lecture/lab/discussion 5. Independent study 2. Lab or discussion 4. Seminar or studio 6. Supervision or practicum CIP Code (Registrar s use only): Chair/Director Chair, College Curriculum Committee Date Date Dean Date: Graduate Dean: Date Curriculum Manager: Return to dean Date Forward to: Date Chair, COGE/ PEB / FS President FOR PROPOSALS REQUIRING GSC/USC REVIEW: Date * Approve Disapprove Chair, GSC/USC Date * Approve Disapprove Provost Date

3 1. Explain briefly and clearly the proposed improvement. A new major degree: Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Arts Technology Proposed catalog copy: Bachelor of Science Degree in Multimedia Arts Technology (122 credit hours) The Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Arts Technology is designed to offer career opportunities in the recording, sound reinforcement, intermedia performance, and entertainment industries. Students in this degree receive intensive, hands-on instruction and experience utilizing state-of-the-art electronic equipment and labs. Admission procedures for the B.S. MAT include: 1) An application to the University during the initial filing period; 2) Attending a New Student Audition Day to: a. complete an interview with Multimedia Arts Technology faculty (including portfolio and brief performance on your chosen instrument) b. complete the theory and aural skills testing; c. attend informational sessions at the School of Music Consult with Music s Undergraduate Advisor for additional details. Grading Requirement: Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses taken to fulfill major course requirements. 1. General Education Electives (37 credit hours) 2. Major Core Music Program: (18-20 credit hours) Required courses: (1 credit hours) Mus 1010 Music Convocation (6 semesters) 0.0 credit hours Mus 1140 Digital Media in Music 1.0 MUS 3520 Non-Western Music 4.0 (MUS 3520 fulfills baccalaureate-level writing requirement) Music Theory - 1 course selected from: (2-3 credit hours) MUS 1590 Fundamentals of Music 2.0 MUS 1600 Basic Music I (must waive Mus 1590 by exam) 3.0 Music Appreciation - 1 course selected from: (3-4 credit hours) MUS 1500 Music Appreciation: Live Music: 4.0 MUS 1520 Rock Music: Genesis and Development 4.0 MUS 1510 Music Appreciation: Jazz/Pop 4.0 MUS 3500 American Music 4.0 MUS 4500 Music Appreciation: The Symphony 3.0 Music Performance - 8 credit hours selected from: MUS 1020 Piano Class I 2.0 MUS 1030 Piano Class II 2.0 MUS 1240 Guitar Class I 2.0 MUS 1250 Guitar Class II 2.0 MUS 1000 Applied Music 2.0*+ Ensemble Electives 1.0*+ (MUS 1070, 1080, 1090, 1100, 1110, 1120, 1130, 1180, 1190, 2100, 2120, 2180, 3170, 5170, 5220)

4 These courses may be repeated for credit.* Applied Music and Ensembles are available to students who can qualify by audition with appropriate applied faculty and/or ensemble director.+ Required Laptop Purchase To complete this program, the student must have the use of a Mac laptop computer. Please consult with the MAT Faculty for current hardware and software recommendations. 3. Major Requirements in Multimedia Arts Technology (37-8 credit hours) Required courses: (28-29 credit hours) MUS 1940 Introduction to Audio Engineering 2.0 credit hours MUS 2220 Computer Music Design 3.0 MUS 2240 Electronic Music Techniques 2.0 MUS 5220 KLOrk: Kalamazoo Laptop Orchestra 2.0 (minimum)* MUS 5640 Seminar in Electronic Music 6.0 (minimum)* MUS 5960 Multi-track Recording 2.0 MUS 5645 Audio for Video (new course) 3.0 MUS 5655 Special Topics in Multimedia Arts Technology (new course) MUS 5965 Sound Reinforcement Practicum (new course) 2.0 (minimum)* MUS 5990 Projects in Recording Technology 4.0 (minimum)* Interdisciplinary Cognates (minimum 9 credit hours selected from the following): ART 2750 Video Art I 3.0 COM 2560 Digital Media: Planning & Operations 3.0 COM 3050 Video Game Design 3.0 ECE 1000 Fundamentals of Circuits & Electronics 3.0 ECE 1010 Fundamentals of Electronics & Machines 3.0 ECE 2500 Digital Logic 3.0 MUS 5655 Special Topics in Multimedia Arts Technology (new course) (if repeated)* PHYS 1010 The Science of Music 3.0 Capstone Project: (4 credit hours) MUS 5970 Projects in Music 4.0 The capstone project brings together acquired skills and knowledge, which is an outgrowth of the candidate s course work and has been approved by the MAT faculty. The capstone project will provide the student with significant artifacts as part of their portfolio for graduate school applications and/or potential employers. Students register for 2 credit hours each semester during their final year and are required to give a thirtyminute public presentation of the project. 4. A Minor in Another Department of the University (15 credit hours minimum) (Note: In the event that the credit hours for the minor requirements established by the department which offers that minor are greater than 15, the students may make an appropriate adjustment in the hours allowed for free electives.) 5. Free Electives (8-10 credit hours)

5 =========================== 2. Rationale. Give your reason(s) for the proposed improvement. (If your proposal includes prerequisites, justify those, too.) By a very conservative estimate, at least 80% of professional music production today incorporates some kind of technology. Basically all popular music in performance, production, and creative processes is dependent on electronics. Almost all Jazz performance practices involve live sound reinforcement (i.e., amplification, mixing, and/or audio signal processing). Orchestral/instrumental components of movies, even when they are not combined with digital audio, are composed based on a knowledge of the studio production practices that will determine the final product. Any composer/performer who wants to be involved in the movie music industry should understand these practices. In the video game music industry the situation is similar; however it is less common for there to be acoustic sound sources involved. Also, the video game industry expects composers to know at least some computer programming and to master other technology that determines how music can work in video game systems. In gross economic terms, the video game industry is bigger than the commercial movie and music businesses combined. So, all music that happens outside of the concert hall in developed countries today, and increasingly more and more music that is created for the concert hall, requires a working knowledge of audio software and/or hardware to create, produce, and perform. There is a pressing need and interest for individual performers to develop expertise in audio and video technology as part of their entrepreneurial skill set. They will be called upon to record, edit and produce their own performances for promotional purposes, communicate with professional audio engineers regarding microphone techniques and sound reinforcement, and utilize computers to enhance live performances. The term multimedia is used within the discipline of music both to encompass sound production which combines acoustic and electronic sources, as well as to designate generative creative works which combine sound with other media (e.g., visual and movement-based) and thus is the appropriate term for this degree. Within the School of Music, a Multimedia Arts Technology degree will make our curriculum more relevant than most existing academic music programs, but it is merely expanding our offerings to be inclusive with actual music practice in the world today. At the moment, most academic music programs (even ones incorporating technology) are based on traditional, conservatory-style models; therefore, we have the opportunity to create a unique degree within Michigan and (outside of liberal arts programs like Oberlin) within a larger geographical region. This will be great recruitment tool for the College of Fine Arts, increasing enrollment over the next 4-6 years while we build the program. This degree would provide a much needed space for highly talented musicians who did not start playing an instrument at an early age to learn, experiment, and grow as musicians engaged with the technology that is the basis of the majority of music making today. This will also help us in attracting a more diverse student demographic. However, it is imperative that we act upon this at this time. As is evident from activities in professional societies and conferences, many other schools are in the planning stages of creating new degrees in this field. If we do not get our degree established now, we will be behind other institutions and will lose any advantage we would have had in recruiting. Although it the B.S. MAT is being proposed by the School of Music, it is our intention that this degree serve as the starting point for a more comprehensive, interdisciplinary degree within the College of Fine Arts. Multimedia technology is increasingly involved in either the creation or mediation of creative/artistic activities in all of the fine arts disciplines. Moreover, there is a high degree of knowledge transference, both in terms of concept and process, between digital media for various arts: for example, a digital audio workstation (such as Pro Tools or Logic) has many similar properties in terms of interface and processes as a digital video editor (such as Premiere or Final Cut Pro); programming audio in ChucK/Super Collider uses similar procedural logic and control structures as programming in a video language, such as Processing/Flash; MIDI is used as a control language for both musical synthesizers and theatrical lighting. In some cases, multiple arts disciplines work within the very same programming tools. Max/MSP/Jitter is an example of this kind of intermedia interface: the MIDI-rate max control, audio signal processing/synthesis, and video signal processing/synthesis are housed in a single application and the control structures work for both audio and visual processing/synthesis. Similarly, once the B.S. in MAT gets established, we hope that other units will gradually

6 contribute more of their own multimedia courses to the curriculum so that we can have a flexible and adaptive multi-disciplinary program in arts and technology that is housed within a single degree. When this happens, we can create new concentrations from each unit for particular career paths within multimedia arts technology. 3. Effect on other colleges, departments or programs. If consultation with others is required, attach evidence of consultation and support. If objections have been raised, document the resolution. Demonstrate that the program you propose is not a duplication of an existing one. The B.S. MAT does not duplicate any degrees offered by any other colleges or departments. There are some course electives which are included as Interdisciplinary Cognates from Art, Communciation, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Physics. These departments have expressed support for the inclusion of their courses as electives within the B.S. MAT degree. 4. Effect on your department s programs. Show how the proposed change fits with other departmental offerings. The B.S. MAT complements the existing program offerings of the School of Music. Current music majors will have greater awareness of and exposure to the technological elements that affect their field. Their own performance activities will be enhanced by collaboration with and support by MAT majors on recording projects, sound reinforcement for their recitals, and interactive live performance. Finally, with more course offerings available related to arts and technology, some music majors may choose to take selected technology courses as electives. 5. Effects on enrolled students: Are program conflicts avoided? Will your proposal make it easier or harder for students to meet graduation requirements? Can students complete the program in a reasonable time? Show that you have considered scheduling needs and demands on students time. If a required course will be offered during summer only, provide a rationale. The attached sample program guide illustrates how the B.S. MAT degree would fit within a 4-year program of study. It is expected that students will be able to avoid scheduling conflicts and complete the program in a reasonable time. 6. Student or external market demand. What is your anticipated student audience? What evidence of student or market demand or need exists? What is the estimated enrollment? What other factors make your proposal beneficial to students? A recent survey of WMU students responded to by 33 music majors and 44 non-music majors (16 of whom are currently music minors) reinforces what we expect in terms of a high level of interest this degree. When asked about their interest in pursuing a Major in Multimedia Arts Technology 42.9% (33) of respondents indicated that they "strongly agree" and 27.3% (21) indicated that they "agree." Anecdotally, every year we have students and prospective students inquiring about what offerings Western has in audio engineering or music technology. It is our expectation that once this degree is in place, we will be able to recruit new students to WMU and the College of Fine Arts who previously would have attended other schools. Currently, the School of Music is limited in its ability to expand because we have reached capacity or close to capacity in many of the required courses for our existing majors (e.g, applied instruction, music theory, music history). The proposed B.S. MAT has considerably fewer requirements in these existing core music courses. As such, we will be able to admit new majors beyond our current totals, without over-extending our existing degree programs. Based on enrollment in the School of Music's audio engineering courses over the past 20 years, there is steady market of students interested in this general field of study. Both the population of these audio engineering courses and the more recently created laptop orchestra (Mus 2220 and Mus 5220) are consistently comprised of an even mix of music majors and majors from other colleges. As such it is anticipated that there is a market in both of these demographics from within the university for a B.S. in Multimedia Arts Technology.

7 Within the state, there are degrees related to arts and technology at the University of Michigan (B.Mus. in Performing Arts Technology), Wayne State University (B.Mus. in Music Technology), and Central Michigan University (Minor in Media Design, Production, and Technology). These demonstrate the viability of this type of degree in general and the need for WMU to develop its own unique offering in this field to remain competitive. The proposed B.S. MAT degree is distinctive from the aforementioned degrees in the following ways: 1. It is not a traditional performance degree and thus will draw from a different pool of applicants. The programs at UoM and Wayne State, for example, have significantly more requirements in applied performance, music theory, music history and other coursework typically required of Bachelor of Music programs, as well as admissions requirements comparable to performance majors. While the B.S. MAT does include a core of traditional music courses, they represent only about 1/3rd of the major. 2. It is not exclusively a trade or technical audio engineering degree. Students will be involved in both technical and creative/generative aspects of multimedia production. 7. Effects on resources. Explain how your proposal would affect department and University resources, including faculty, equipment, space, technology, and library holdings. Tell how you will staff additions to the program. If more advising will be needed, how will you provide for it? How often will course(s) be offered? What will be the initial one-time costs and the ongoing base-funding costs for the proposed program? (Attach additional pages, as necessary.) The School of Music already has the faculty expertise to offer this program. To accommodate teaching load, however, we have been told by the Director of the School of Music that the Dean has endorsed a term position to provide additional support to this program, with the potential for becoming tenure-track if the new degree demonstrates continued new enrollments for the College. Our initial goal is to recruit and retain a maximum of 10 new students to the College each year. Most of the courses within the degree proposal are already being offered and the technology and facilities already exist to be able to offer the three newly-proposed courses: MUS Audio for Video, MUS Special Topics in MAT, and MUS Sound Reinforcement Practicum. There have already been substantive discussions both within the School of Music and the College of Fine Arts, regarding future upgrades and expansion of facilities and equipment related to technology. These upgrades would allow us to expand the offerings for this degree and increase enrollment. 8. General education criteria. For a general education course, indicate how this course will meet the criteria for the area or proficiency. (See the General Education Policy for descriptions of each area and proficiency and the criteria. Attach additional pages as necessary. Attach a syllabus if (a) proposing a new course, (b) requesting certification for baccalaureate-level writing, or (c) requesting reapproval of an existing course.) Not applicable 9. List the learning outcomes for the proposed course or the revised or proposed major, minor, or concentration. These are the outcomes that the department will use for future assessments of the course or program. 1. Students will learn the basics of sound propagation and perception, common operation principles of microphones and speakers and understand the basics of analog recording. 2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of digital audio and MIDI technology and demonstrate the ability to operate the audio sample editing, recording, organization, and mixing features of a digital audio workstation through creative-artistic projects. 3. Students will demonstrate basic familiarity with procedural and object-oriented computer programming in the context of virtual musical instrument design, user interfaces, and digital sound synthesis. 4. Students will develop technical knowledge and skills and conceptual and aesthetic reasoning related to creating audio for various types of visual and movement-based media 5. Studen understanding of aesthetic issues related to fixed media-audio, interactive electronics, and multimedia, through

8 such activities as study of repertoire and cultural phenomena incorporating audio or audiovisual media, reading assignments, event attendance and live performance. 6. Develop entrepreneurial skills related to a career involving multimeda arts and technology 10. Describe how this curriculum change is a response to assessment outcomes that are part of a departmental or college assessment plan or informal assessment activities. In 2008, the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD) conducted a study, "The Future of the Arts in Higher Education" (Merrion, 2008), to forecast the needs for undergraduate studies in the arts in the next decade. One of the recurring conclusions of this study is that technology must pervade the pedagogy and content of new arts curricula. The new curriculum will feature more prevalent interdisciplinary projects and programs, becoming more integrated with commerce, science and globally diverse constituencies. Digital media will highly influence the dissemination, methodology and presentation of art, creating new art forms through blends of live performance, networking and multimedia. The B.S. in Multimedia Arts Technology aligns well with the goals and strategies outlined in the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan, most notably: Strategy 1.4: Develop and increase the use of current and emerging technologies in curricula and co-curricula matters Strategy 1.10: Embrace emerging technology and emerging pedagogy facilitating a distinctive learning environment Strategy 1.11: Increase interdisciplinary teaching and interdisciplinary minors and majors to provide students with the knowledge to work in the world 11. (Undergraduate proposals only) Describe, in detail, how this curriculum change affects transfer articulation for Michigan community colleges. For course changes, include detail on necessary changes to transfer articulation from Michigan community college courses. For new majors or minors, describe transfer guidelines to be developed with Michigan community colleges. For revisions to majors or minors, describe necessary revisions to Michigan community college guidelines. Department chairs should seek assistance from college advising directors or from the admissions office in completing this section. Students will be awarded departmental credit (i.e. Music credit) if they transfer a similar course from a Michigan community college. For most students, these courses will simply be counted as elective credit towards graduation. Students intending to major or minor in music will have the opportunity to take appropriate transfer exams to determine whether this course could fulfill major or minor requirements here at WMU. This is in accordance with the National Association of Schools of Music standards ( Handbook) 3. Transfer of Credit a. Presentation of a satisfactory transcript from a collegiate institution accredited by an agency or association recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education is one criterion for transferring credit. b. In granting course credit to transfer students, the receiving institution shall maintain policies to assure that the overall educational experience of the transferring student is at least equal in quality to that of the student taking all of his or her work at the member school. c. Transfer credit shall be granted for courses taken at another institution only when the course work involved and the level of the transfer applicant s achievement in it permit the student to complete the remaining course work successfully. d. Accreditation by the Association carries with it no obligation to accept, without examination, music credits from other member schools.

9 Sample 4-year Program Guide B.S. Multimedia Arts Technology First-year: Fall fo r MUS 1590 Fundamentals OR Music or MUS 1600 Basic Music I Mus 1140 Digital Media in Music 2.0 MUS 1940 Introduction to Audio Engineering 2.0 MUS 2240 Electronic Music Techniques 2.0 General Education First-year: Spring MUS 1500 Music Appreciation: Live Music OR MUS 1520 Rock 4.0 Music: Genesis and Development OR MUS 1510 Music Appreciation: Jazz/Pop MUS 1020 Piano Class I OR MUS 1240 Guitar Class I 2.0 MUS 5960 Multi-track Recording 2.0 General Education 4.0 ECE 1000 Fundamentals of Circuits and Electronics Sophomore: Fall MUS 1030 Piano Class II OR MUS 1250 Guitar Class II 2.0 MUS 5990 Projects in Recording Technology 2.0 MUS 5640 Seminar in Electronic Music 2.0 General Education 6.0 ART 2750 Video Art Sophomore: Spring MUS 1000 Applied Music OR Ensemble Electives 2.0 MUS 5990 Projects in Recording Technology 2.0 Credit for minor 3.0 General Education 6.0 MUS 2220 Computer Music Design

10 Junior: Fall MUS 3500 American Music OR MUS 3520 Non-Western Music OR MUS 4500 Music Appreciation: The Symphony MUS 1000 Applied Music OR Ensemble Electives 2.0 MUS 5220 KLOrk: Kalamazoo Laptop Orchestra 1.0 MUS 5965 Sound Reinforcement Practicum 1.0 Credit for minor 3.0 General Education Junior: Spring MUS 5640 Seminar in Electronic Music 2.0 Credit for minor 3.0 Free Elective General Education 4.0 COM 3050 Video Game Design Senior: Fall MUS 5965 Sound Reinforcement Practicum 1.0 MUS 5220 KLOrk: Kalamazoo Laptop Orchestra 1.0 MUS 5645 Audio for Video 3.0 MUS 5640 Seminar in Electronic Music 2.0 Credit for minor 3.0 General Education Senior: Spring MUS 5970 Projects in Music 4.0 for minor 3.0 Elective MUS 5655 Special Topics in Multimedia Arts Technology 3.0 General Education