College of Fine Arts Merges Schools of Dance, Theater, Film

Because many students within the various colleges at OU pursue interdisciplinary work, CoFa recognized the trend and began to address the possibility of curriculum reorganization in May 2010. And although no plans are official, a plan is being developed to allow new opportunities for growth and collaboration for students, faculty and staff across disciplines.

“The entire college explored how to enhance teaching, learning and performing in a changing artistic and educational landscape,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Pam Benoit. “As a result of the hard work that has been done, students will be able to move easily between disciplines and pursue their artistic and expressive passions in new ways.”

Students’ input was a vital part of the formation process, as well as two years of research and input from faculty and staff.

“Many of our students were already pursuing interdisciplinary work with their peers and were enthused that we were determined to facilitate it further,” said Dean of the College of Fine Arts Charles McWeeny. “Our intention with merging the programs is to give students the rounded and strong educational background that they need to fully realize their promise.”

McWeeny also said students who want to focus exclusively on one discipline still have the option to do so, but the goal is to create a more welcoming space for those who want to work across disciplines.

Another focus of the immersion plan is the possible development of a Center for Arts Innovation and Studies. It serves to encourage both interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration, research and scholarship. A few new ventures of The Center include themes and clusters for interdisciplinary research and practice, new certificate programs, college-wide interdisciplinary undergraduate courses and collaborate interdisciplinary opportunities with international studies, technology, sciences and medicine.

College of Fine Arts Manager of Marketing and Communication Claire Berlin said the new vision is still an ongoing process and with the change to semesters, the plan came at the right time.

“The change to semesters will be able to create more of a long-term community with interdisciplinary work that goes on a few weeks later. Programs could see and work with the extended fall semester and even into spring semester,” said Berlin.