Aurora University To Debut Art, Theater, Special Education Majors; Museum Studies Minor

AURORA, Ill, August 9, 2007—Aurora University will introduce Bachelor of Arts degrees in art, theatre and special education, and a minor in museum studies this fall.

Lora de Lacey, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, said the art and theatre additions are in response to growing enrollments in fine arts courses.

“The addition of an art major to the range of majors offered at the university will broaden the array of programs with which we seek to attract academically well-prepared, intellectually curious and sophisticated applicants,” de Lacey said.

“The new art major builds on current strong enrollments in studio art courses. Over the next few years, we expect to add courses in art history, photography, and sculpture.”

De Lacey said several existing studio courses were modified to streamline the new curriculum.

She said the art program at Aurora University offers students a broad based foundation program designed to encourage aesthetic appreciation, sensitivity and skill building in the visual arts through study in the classroom and studio.

The department offers a concentration in studio art which allows students to select an emphasis in one or more artistic media including drawing, painting, photography and sculpture. A 24-semester hour selection of required core courses provides students with a foundation in both studio art and art history.

Additionally, a senior seminar and exhibit of students’ work demonstrates the acquisition of appropriate knowledge and skills on completion of the program.

The new theatre major, and a revised theatre minor, are designed to provide a creative outlet for current and future students.

De Lacey said, “The object of the theatre major is to help students develop, in an educational and professional manner, their knowledge of theatre, from ancient to modern conceptions of the art to the practical skills of producing and performing.

“The goal is to provide a strong knowledge and skill base, to enable majors to pursue graduate or professional study in theatre arts or to fill entry level positions in the theatre industry. Depending on the mix of courses students choose, they may earn a strong generalist degree or build a focused program in performance, design and production, or scholarship.

“If theatre study is used as a second major,” de Lacey said, “skills gained will also enhance careers such as arts organization management, education, and social work, while developing the student’s ability to create personal expression.”

She added that the theatre department is committed to the proposition that broad interdisciplinary knowledge is imperative for all practitioners of theatre. Students are encouraged to double major in areas such as history, education, literature/English, foreign language, or business, as well as to participate in the other programs in the Division of Fine Arts.

According to de Lacey, the mission of AU’s theatre department is to provide students with a strong base in theatre performance, production and scholarship; instill an awareness of the viability of theatre arts across disciplines; and to promote deep respect for the theatre and those who practice it.

The AU museum studies minor is designed to train students for entry level jobs in museums and to prepare them for graduate school. Students majoring in history, art, English, education, and the sciences may desire a minor in museum studies.

Core courses provide a working knowledge and historical foundation of the role of museums in society and the variety of jobs held by museum professionals. The program offers extensive opportunities for experiential learning through practical application and internships in area museums and in AU’s collections. They include the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures and the Jenks Memorial Collection of Adventual Materials.

De Lacey said, “Museums are places where the power of learning transforms the visitor. This course of study will connect the Schingoethe museum directly to the education of our undergraduate students and enhance their educational experience at Aurora University.”

The special education major reflects interest expressed by prospective students and a need by area principals who responded to a survey. Additionally, there is a shortage of special education teachers according to statistics compiled by state and national agencies. The special education major seeks to prepare candidates to use varied theoretical and research based practices to help disabled students to reach their full potential.

Students will gain experience in the varied settings and roles of the special educator, including expanding consulting and collaborative roles in the inclusive classroom. The major will allow candidates to complete all coursework for an Illinois State Board of Education Type 10 Learning Behavior Specialist I certificate.

In the AU program, prospective teachers will build a knowledge base to identify and intervene with students who exhibit a wide range of disabilities. They include learning disabilities, cognitive impairments (mental retardation and traumatic brain injury), autism, social/emotional disabilities, and physical disabilities/other health impaired.

Varied clinical practice and field experiences are parts of all courses to enable students to apply theory to practice and practice to theory. The field experiences culminate in a semester-long student teaching experience in special education.

Don Wold, Dean of the College of Education, said, “Aurora University is pleased that we received immediate Illinois State Board of Education approval for both our graduate and undergraduate special education programs.

“This allows the college to begin intensive teacher preparation in one of the state of Illinois' most critical teacher shortage areas. Quality programming has been designed to provide a rich classroom experience with practical application of concepts."

For more information, call (630) 844-5833 or e-mail admission@aurora.edu.

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