In an effort to bring greater flexibility to the music department's curriculum, six music majors signed and handed in a petition last Thursday to the department chair proposing several variations on the current major.
Faculty members in the music department will meet today to discuss the petition.
Currently, there is only one way of achieving a music degree -- by taking three theory courses, three history courses, four courses to focus the major, three to six terms of lessons and three to six terms of performance in a group. To allow for more specialized study to occur, the petition proposes three new majors: music composition, music history and the revised music major.
According to the petition, the reason behind these new divisions stems from the belief that, "a student will have some experience in performance, history and composition. [But] she can choose to make her education well-rounded or specialized."
The petition gives a parallel to the separate studio art and art history majors. The proposal explains that a studio art major may wish to know more about renaissance art and take an appropriate class, but is not forced to do so and vice versa.
All three majors have Music 2, 20 and 21 as prerequisites, but differ in the number of music history, composition and performance courses required, as well as the extent of participation in music ensembles that would be required.
Brent Reidy '05, who helped write the petition, explained that a change in the curriculum will help students get the most out of their education by specializing in what they are most interested in. Reidy is also a member of The Dartmouth staff.
Asked whether this proposal increases the focus on vocational skills, Reidy replied, "If someone is serious enough to pursue a vocation in music, he will take courses above and beyond the music major."
According to Reidy, the petition was handed over to the department chair, Professor Larry Polansky, without previous discussion with the faculty. "There wasn't much of a talk beforehand because I thought presenting the department with a signed petition would make a stronger statement and reflect our desire to improve our education," Reidy said.
Music Professor Bill Summers said that due to the term system, he understood why students wanted to get their ideas written up and in front of the faculty early in the term. "I feel that it is good to have these students' ideas out on the table for faculty and all of our majors and minors to examine and discuss," Summers said.
Reidy expressed that more than finding an immediate solution, making a statement was more important.
"Even if the faculty disapproves of the proposal, it's fine. The most important thing is starting a discussion between students and professors and creating the best solution" he said.
Although the petition explicitly states that it is not meant to antagonize anyone, music major John Myers '03 did not sign the petition for this very reason.
"I felt the overall tone of the first 'manifesto' was more aggressive than necessary. It made it seem as if we needed to revolt against the department. I personally believe that we all have the same interests," Myers said.
"I would rather this 'movement' be students simply giving input instead of making 'demands.' We don't need to demand anything. We just need to ask and discuss," Myers added.
Several other student-initiated organizations have tried to change aspects of the College's academic curriculum in recent years.
Meetings were initiated last winter for people who wanted to have an Asian American studies minor at Dartmouth.
In May of 2001, the college decided to offer Korean language and cultural classes. However, this commitment from the college came after 12 years of student lobbying -- since the foundation of the Korean American Student Association in 1989.
