Advising Hints
Advising is a cooperative process between advisor and student, resulting in a professional relationship that serves to guide the student in the preparation for his/her chosen field. This process includes:
Advisors can also serve as a source of information and referral for students, particularly when students are in need of academic support (i.e.: Learning Enhancement Center, Writing Center, tutors); physical health services or counseling; financial aid questions and services; or career counseling services. Many advisors also play a role in writing letters of recommendation for advisees for graduate school, job opportunities, or other purposes, though letter writing is certainly not the exclusive domain of the advisor.
The Plan of Study reflects both the intentional nature of the Millikin Program of Student Learning (MPSL) and the variability of individual student needs. The plan is developed through partnerships between students and their advisors, and is organized around the learning goals and guided by central values, guided questions, etc.
The Plan of Study is a flexible, evolving document which seeks constantly to assess a student's strengths, weaknesses, and interests in exploring particular topics or experiences.
The Plan of Study is the basis for decisions involving options and electives within the Millikin Plan of Student Learning. The Plan weaves together all parts of the program focusing on investigating the three core questions: Who am I? How do I know? and What should I do?
First, go to the professor of the class you wanted to take and ask if you can be signed in. If the class is overbooked, then go back to the list of courses for the semester and look for another section of your course that might still be open or find another class that meets your criteria within your plan of study. Go back and discuss your new option with your advisor.
No course should be allowed to count for more than one university studies requirement.
For Example:
"Finite Math" could count as your Quantitative Analysis class or 3 credits of the semiotics Track.
No course taken for the completion of a sequential program element may be simultaneously counted for completion of a requirement in the student's major.
For Example:
If you take "American Dramatic Literature" it may count as a US Studies class or a Dramatic Literature class, but not both, because US Studies is a sequential program element.
Non-sequential elements may include courses required by the major.
For Example:
BFA Musical Theatre majors are required to take "Integrated Theatre Studies I" for 3 Distribution credits.
All courses that fulfill requirements for the sequential program will be numbered with an IN prefix.
For Example:
If you take "European Dramatic Literature" as a Global Studies class, it should have an IN prefix, and you should sign up for it under that prefix. If you take it for your Dramatic Literature requirement it will have a TH prefix. It is the same course, the student must make sure it is registered with the appropriate prefix.
Students may count dramatic literature course from Distribution Requirement (one course taken outside of Theatre and Dance Department) in major.
For Example:
If you take one of the "Shakespeare" classes from the English Department-it may count as one of your Dramatic Literature requirements AND as 3 credits of your Distribution requirement. You will still need then to take 3 credits of another Theatre elective to fulfill the total number of credits required for your degree program
Fine Arts Requirement is satisfied for all theatre students through required classes in the major.
For Example:
Classes in Acting II, Advanced Scene Study, Introduction to Design Studio
For Example:
Courses such as any Art History, Music History, Anthropology, Global
Aesthetics, Slave Narratives, etc.
Semiotics:
Study of symbolic languages such as music theory, piano, mathematics,
and computer classes (9 credits)
For Example:
A student could take three courses in computers such as Web Design, Advanced Web Graphics and Flash.A Musical Theatre student could take a third semester of Music Theory and Ear Training (4 credits) in addition to theory required for the major. (4 credits from Theory 111, 112) + 1 credit of class piano complete the requirement.
Cultures
and Societies:
Student chooses a topic to study with at least one course at
the 200 level. (9 credits)
A specific area of the world. For example a student who chooses to study non-western culture might take the following three courses from three different majors: Modern China, Non-Western Art History, Global Haiku.
A specific topical focus: For example, a student who chooses Gender Studies might take the following: Gendered Communication, Sociology of Gender, and a seminar on the works of Virginia Woolf.
If a student successfully passes language courses numbered 103 and 114 then only the Second Language Track has been completed. The student must also successfully complete the course numbered 223 to fulfill the BA language requirement.
If a student successfully passes language courses numbered 114 and 223, then both the BA requirement and the language track has been completed.
If a student is placed at the 223 level, and passes that course then the BA requirement has been completed, but one more course at the 300 level must be taken to complete the Second Language Track.
As defined in the Bulletin:
"An experiential component designed to have students link theory and practice and to provide learning in another community or environment beyond the Millikin classroom. Offerings that have such an experiential component as a central element would fulfill this off-campus credit."
Off-Campus examples could include:
For Example:
- Acting in a Mainstage production.
- Serving as a Teaching Assistant in a class.
- Working with Storyteller Theatre for the Decatur Parks District, or with Decatur's Theatre 7.
- Creative Drama activities in schools.
- Work at a summer stock theatre.
- Volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity or The Red Cross
Note: (experiences do not have to be theatre based.)
BFA Acting, Design/Tech, Directing and BA Theatre majors all are required to take one Dramatic Literature course taught outside of the Theatre Department. Typically, this requirement is filled through the Shakespeare course offered every semester in the English Department. From time to time, other dramatic literature courses are offered in the English Department such as Modern Drama or Restoration Drama.