Master of Arts in Performance Studies: Performance and Portfolio Track

Performance and Portfolio Track Guidelines

I. DESCRIPTION
The Performance and Portfolio Track offers a unique opportunity for students who want to combine
performance and analysis in a single final research project. Suitable performances include, but are not
limited to:

The Performance and Portfolio Track requires three components: a performance, a portfolio (bio, documentation and essay) and a defense. NOTE: The portfolio involves substantial research rather than a simple description. The student should work on the portfolio before and concurrently with the performance.

II. COMMITTEE
The candidate will choose an advisor, write and defend the Prospectus, and form a committee in consultation with their advisor following the standard program process. The committee will consist of the advisor (who is also the committee chair), at least one other faculty member within Performance Studies and one committee member from another Texas A&M University department. Students may also choose to have two co-advisors: one to guide the performance component and the other to assist with the portfolio. If a student chooses to have co-advisors, at least one co-advisor must be on the graduate faculty in the Performance Studies program. Ideally, members on the committee should be faculty members with whom the student has had coursework or whose expertise relates directly to the student’s project.

III. PERFORMANCE
There are no specific rules regarding the format, length, location or content of the performance. However, practical considerations such as budget, scheduling, space availability and university rules must be taken into consideration at an initial stage. It is up to the student to present the scope, feasibility and research goals of the performance project in the Prospectus defense at the end of the first year. A clearly defined plan for completing the project will be expected. Performances that fail to materialize due to poor planning will not count toward the master’s degree. For that reason, it is crucial that the student works closely with their advisor and other committee members, communicating with all parties involved and developing a clear and realistic timeline prior to the defense. The student should discuss the performance plan with the director of graduate studies within two weeks after defending the Prospectus to ensure feasibility.

Additionally, while the performance may involve collaboration with other people, the candidate plays the central role in conceiving, designing and/or presenting the performance, and bears all responsibility for its successful completion.

The student and advisor will define the type of artifact to be created — e.g., film, intermedia event, sonic environment, curated exhibition — the means of presenting it to the committee, and the process of documenting it for the portfolio. For live performances, students should verify all committee members are able to attend the performance.

IV. PORTFOLIO
The portfolio must include a short bio, documentation of the performance and a critical essay. The student will submit a professional portfolio to the committee within two weeks after presenting the performance. The portfolio must include:

• A professional bio of 250 words.
• Documentation of the performance:
  a. Drafts or sketches from the different stages in the development of the performance.
  b. Video and/or photos of the event (if the project is an event such as a play, concert or exhibit).
  c. Additional documentation (programs, fliers or reviews) should be submitted as well.

• An essay containing the following sections:
  a. A critical discussion (minimum 5,000 words) of topics that informed the performance, such as performances, artworks, artists, scholars, social/cultural issues, historical events, theories and methods.
  b. A reflection on the challenges, achievements and possibilities brought about by the implementation of performance as a means of social/cultural intervention.
  c. A plan detailing professional goals and institutions or organizations to be targeted for future work.

V. DEFENSE
The Performance and Portfolio Defense is an oral discussion between the student and her/his committee — similar to the Defense in the Thesis track and the Oral Examination in the Comprehensive Examination track. The student’s collaborators (if any) may also attend the Defense.

Before the Defense, the student must:

1. Submit Degree Plan to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGAPS) in the semester prior to graduation (see OGAPS calendar for deadlines).
2. Candidate schedules the place, date and time of the Defense in consultation with the supervisor, committee members and director of graduate studies. Defenses are scheduled for 60 minutes.
3. Apply for degree and pay graduation fee.
4. Check to make sure degree program and advisory committee are up to date and course work is complete.
5. Submit Request and Announcement of the Final Examination at least 10 working days before the oral examination (see OGAPS calendar for deadlines).
   

Procedure for the Defense

1. Student and committee meet briefly as scheduled. (2, above)
2. Student leaves the room.
3. Committee discusses any concerns and establishes the order of questioning.
4. Student comes back into the room.
5. Committee members ask student a round of questions. Time permitting, the committee asks a second round of questions.
6. Student leaves the room.
7. Committee discusses the written and oral components and decides on pass, fail with revisions or
   fail. In case of fail with revisions, committee establishes a timeline for student to revise and resubmit the portfolio.
8. Student comes back into the room.
9. Supervisor informs the student of pass/fail decision and of the requested revisions (if any).
10. Defense concludes.
    

Degree Plan for Performance and Portfolio Track

Required Foundational Courses (First Year): 9 credit hours

Course	Title	Semester Credit Hours
PERF 600	Graduate Scholarship in Performance Studies	3
PERF 601	Theories in Performance Studies	3
PERF 602	Research Methods in Performance Studies	3

Required Track Courses (Second Year): 3 hours

PERF 685

Directed Studies (with graduate advisor)

3

Elective Internal Courses: 12-15 hours

PERF 603-6821 PERF 600-6942	[TBD] [TBD]	Up to 15
PERF 685	Directed Studies	Up to 3
PERF 689	Topics in Performance Studies	Up to 6

Elective External Courses³: 6-9 hours

[TBD]

[TBD]

6-9

Total: 36

¹ Pending approval from the DGS, students can take one additional PERF 685.

² Except FILM 685, FILM 689 and FILM 691.

³ Students must consult with their advisor and the DGS before registering for external courses.