The Department of Dance adheres to the following basic definitions when informing, guiding, and evaluating its faculty members.

1. Teaching ability is reflected in both effective conduct of assigned courses and leadership in informal learning situations at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. It includes direction of individual and group research and creative projects, academic counseling of individual students, and guidance of departmental student groups. Artistic direction in the performance aspects of the department is evaluated as a proportionate share of the teaching load in considering the faculty member's effectiveness. Student evaluations of teaching, classroom visits by colleagues, and evaluative statements generated in a formal group meeting are commonly used as evidence to assess teaching/advising effectiveness.

Criteria for Evaluation of Teaching

The instructor demonstrates the ability to:

a. Plan materials that are appropriate to the level of the particular class population
b. Structure a lesson focused in one or more goals or objectives
c. Plan materials and techniques supportive to the goals or objectives
d. Draw on related resources such as visual, auditory, and verbal support systems to enrich the learning process
e. Teach through concepts
f. Develop materials in a progressive manner
g. Change and adjust material in terms of class needs and responses
h. Pace the class in accordance with the given time allotment
i. Make a strong and responsive connection with the class
j. Communicate material clearly
k. Project a positive attitude
l. Support course objectives with appropriate written materials
m. Recognize the individual student and give meaningful guidance

In Addition, for Technique Teachers:
n. Provide accurate rhythmic support when presenting material
o. Teach through movement principles
p. Analyze and clarify movement
q. Translate movement into "dancing"
r. Provide an effective demonstrator

Documentation of the Evaluation of Teaching

The written analysis and recommendation of the full eligible faculty through the promotion and tenure committee and the subsequent chair's letter to the dean are based on student evaluations, course evaluations, peer evaluations, self-evaluations, alumni evaluations, and outside professional evaluations. Every student has the opportunity to evaluate courses in the department. The mechanism used is the university SEI form supplemented by written comments. SEIs and comment sheets are distributed, collected, and delivered to the department administrative office by students. Comment sheets are typed and forwarded to the department chair for review. The chair prepares summary responses which are forwarded to faculty members with the typed student comments. Upon receipt of the SEI quantitative data, faculty members forward a copy to the department chair.

Courses are evaluated on a regular basis by the department Curriculum Committee. The committee considers matters such as appropriate objectives, degree of currency, clarity of syllabi, and relevance to the curriculum as a whole.

Peer evaluations are arrived at through systematic observation of teaching which has at its core sequential observation of several classes. Peer assessment focuses on course content, as well as clarity and appropriateness of delivery and degree of engaging the students in the learning process within the confines of the given nature of the course.

Self-evaluations are provided by each faculty on a yearly basis in conjunction with the written annual report and meeting with the department chair.

Alumni evaluations are solicited by the department chair. The letter of request provides guidelines that encourage an objective assessment of advising and teaching.

Outside professional evaluations are also solicited by the chair. Guidelines encourage an objective assessment of research.