This section is divided into the following categories and you can jump ahead by clicking on the appropriate topic.
           Minimum Course Requirements, Objective & Proficiencies
           Syllabi
           Textbook Selection
           Play Selection
           Additional Fees
           Field Trips
           Attendance Policies
           Grading
           Special Topics Courses
           Independent Study Courses
           Student Evaluations
           Peer Evaluations

Minimum Course Requirements
In order to assure some uniformity of courses throughout the 13 UW Colleges, the Department has adopted a set of minimum objectives and minimum requirements for each course in the Communication and Theatre Arts curriculum (See Appendix C).

In addition, the UW Colleges are in the process of integrating assessment procedures into the general education curriculum (See Appendix G).  A copy of the adopted proficiencies for the Colleges, as well as a listing of the departmentally determined proficiencies, is also included in Appendix C.

Although each instructor is free to add other objectives, requirements, and/or proficiencies to the course, it is expected that the minimum objectives, requirements, and proficiencies by clearly stated on the syllabus and fulfilled by each instructor.  (A sample first page for a syllabus is also found in Appendix C.)

Syllabi
Having a syllabus for each course is a departmental expectation.  A book of sample syllabi from previous semesters should be available on each campus.  If you cannot locate this book, consult your mentor for help.  Also see Appendix C.

A Syllabus might contain the following information:

• Instructor's name, office, office hours, telephone number, e-mail address
• Course description
• Textbook and/or other required materials
• Course objectives
• Course proficiencies
• Course requirements
• Statement referring to special needs of students
• Statement referring to religious holiday policy
• Assessment statement
• Overview of course
• Tentative semester schedule including final drop date & final exam date/time
• Attendance policy

Play Selection
Selection of the theatrical season is totally within the domain of the theatre director.  Directors should keep in mind parameters such as budget, previous seasons, educational value, available facility, cast size, number of interested students, potential audiences, etc.  New directors should confer with their mentors prior to announcing a season.

The producing agent on any campus, when 131 credit is offered, is the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts representative (typically the faculty member teaching other theatre courses). When a faculty member teaches 131, the following objectives should drive the course.

·        Maximizing the level of student involvement

·        Recognizing the link between this credit and the larger academic program: including ties to the curriculum (i.e. plays taught in the Introduction to Theatre and other departments within the Colleges) and campus themes.

Additional Fees
Any out-of-pocket expenses which students might be expected to pay (especially, for example, the purchase of theatre tickets) should be indicated in the timetable.  It is imperative that student expenses be known to the student prior to the beginning of the semester.  (This is a University requirement.)  Check with your business manager to determine any special procedures for your campus.

Field Trips

Any out-of-pocket expenses which students might be expected to pay (especially, for example, the purchase of theatre tickets) should be indicated in the timetable.  It is imperative that student expenses be known to the student prior to the beginning of the semester.  (This is a University requirement.)  Check with your business manager to determine any special procedures for your campus. Should the field trip be optional, there is no requirement to list it in the timetable.

Field trips which require additional payments should be handled as described above. 

The following are questions and answers to frequently asked questions concerning University liability:

Q:  When we take classes on field trips, are we, the students, and any other people attending the field trip covered by insurance?

A:  Faculty/staff are covered if working within the scope of their duties.  Chartered busses must have standard insurance limits of coverage as per purchasing specifications.  No additional insurance for students is provided by the University.  (Your business manager would know the standard insurance limits and will take care of that with the purchase order.  No additional coverage is supplied for students beyond that coverage.)

 Q:  Must students or anyone else attending the field trip sign any kind of a release form?  If so, what should that form say?

A:  A release form is not necessary unless that student is a minor or the trip is overnight.  If the student is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign.  The release/hold harmless form should be typed on campus letterhead.  (A sample form is included in Appendix E.)

 Q:  If it is more convenient for a student to drive his/her own car for some reason, should this be allowed?  Does it affect any insurance?

A:  The University frowns on asking students to use their own vehicles.  We offer no insurance coverage when using this method.  If students' personal vehicles are used, each student should sign a release form.  (This is also the procedure to use if students provide their own transportation to the theatre.)

 Q:  If the class decides to go on a field trip that is not originally included on the syllabus, does doing so affect insurance?

A:  No - as long as the field trip meets the mission of the institution.

 Q:  Students now pay for field trips at the same time they pay for their tuition.  How should students be assessed for a field trip that was not originally scheduled?

A:  The Department should provide a list of the students that must pay to the Business Manager, and payments should be made to the Business Office.  Checks should be made out to the specific UW College.  Check with your Business Manager for the proper procedure.  (Note: this method can also work for COM 130 where students may wish to buy additional tickets to plays which are being attended.) 

Q:  What liability would instructors face if students were injured or killed on a field trip?  Does the UW cover that liability?

A:  If an instructor's negligence led to the death and the instructor was acting within the scope of his/her duties at the time, there would be coverage.  If the death was not caused by the instructor's negligence, there would be no coverage.  (Even though coverage does not "officially" exist, all aggrieved parties do have the right to file a claim to the State Claims Board as per section 893.82 of the State Statutes.  Individuals have 90 days to file such claims.)

Attendance Policies
Your attendance at all classes is presumed.  Check with your local campus for policies on absences and colleague coverage.  Many members of the Department have adopted strict attendance policies for their students.  Such a policy is at your own prerogative; however, any attendance policy should be stated in writing, preferably in the syllabus, and distributed to all students.

Grading
The UW Colleges use the grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, and F.  Auditors - who may register only if there is room in a section and with your permission - receive grades of CO (Completed) or IA (Incomplete audit).  Occasionally, a student may opt to take a course on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (pass/fail) basis. Check with your Student Services Office for the policy/procedure in the case of an Incomplete.
        It is UW Colleges policy to provide all student with midterm grades.  The procedure for doing this varies from campus to campus; however, all instructors should anticipate providing feedback to students in ample time prior to the final date for dropping classes (the 10th week of the semester).

COM 298:  Special Topics Courses
Faculty may choose to offer courses in their own areas of interest and expertise - providing that such courses are appropriate for the lower division college experience, that they serve the students adequately, and that they fit into a balanced program of Communication & Theatre Arts offerings on the campus. These proposals (which must be submitted on the appropriate form) require approval from the Campus Dean and Curriculum Committee and the Department Chair - who may consult with the Department Curriculum Committee.  Courses that require a designation for the Associate Degree (such as Humanities, Social Science or Application & Performance) must also be approved by the Colleges Curriculum Committee.  All approvals must be obtained prior to the printing of the student timetable

COM 299:  Independent Study/Reading Courses

Students who wish to pursue additional study in an area in which they have already taken introductory course work may sign up for an independent study course for one to three credits. These courses need approval of local Curriculum Committee and the Department Chair within the first two weeks of the semester.  (Any special degree designation must also be approved by the Colleges Curriculum Committee.)   299 courses are taught on an overload basis.

Student Evaluations
A standardized form for student evaluations will be provided by your local administrative offices.  While you are free to administer an additional form if you wish, the official form itself must be used.  Tenured faculty are required to use student evaluations approximately once every three semesters (as designated by the Faculty Senate).  All tenure-track and ad hoc instructors must administer student evaluations each semester.  All IAS (lecturers) must administer evaluations in all classes during the first two semesters of their employment and at least one semester per year thereafter.  Evaluations must also be administered whenever an IAS teaches a course for the first time.

Peer Evaluations
All new instructional staff can expect colleague visitation once or twice during the first semester of employment and at periodic times thereafter.  Since most visitations involve travel across the state, you will always be asked to arrange for a visit at a mutually convenient time. (There will be no surprise appearances.)  After each visit, you will receive written feedback from your colleague; a copy of the visitation report will also be sent to the department chair, members of the Executive Committee, and the campus dean.