Undergraduate Performance Scholar Capstone

The Undergraduate Performance Scholar Capstone is a two-semester program that allows students to explore the impact that art has had on their academic career at Texas A&M. Students will create a project that unites their specific discipline and their educational experience.

Learning Objectives:
  • Identifying the importance of art in academia
  • Cultivating a deep understanding of their specific discipline
  • Enhancing their academic experience through artistic expression
  • Conveying their understanding of art’s role in their academic career through performance
To be eligible for the Undergraduate Performance Scholar Capstone. The student must have:
  • A cumulative GPR of 3.0 or better
  • Identified a faculty advisor/mentor/expert in a field related to their specific discipline
  • A Proposal and Timeline (Proposal must be approved by the faculty advisor and LAUNCH)
  • A source of media (paintings, audition recordings, writing samples, etc.) that showcases the discipline on which the student will be basing their project
Undergraduate Performance Scholar candidates will submit a two-page proposal and a timeline of activities by early spring or fall with the approval of their faculty advisor/mentor. Successful candidates will be notified of their acceptance into the program by the end of the add/drop period of each semester.

Creating A Performance Scholar Project

After submitting the Proposal and Timeline, the Undergraduate Performance Scholar (UPS) will develop a project showcasing their artistic discipline and explore how art has impacted their college experience. In the first semester, the UPS will identify how they intend to showcase their art. In the second semester, the UPS will give a public presentation. The presentation may include, but is not limited to: recitals, dramatic interpretation, book readings, art exhibits, e-exhibits, etc. The UPS will also provide three written reflections per semester (six total) on the progress of their projects as well as any issues they have run into and their method for solving them. They will participate in any eCampus discussions pertaining to their experiences, provide both LAUNCH and their UPS advisor/mentor with a final write up of their program efforts.
The UPS advisor will be expected to ensure that the UPS is proposing an appropriate project, provide or obtain any necessary permissions, mentor the UPS with provide an end-of-the-semester assessment of the success of the project. The UPS Advisor will return the assessment of the student’s performance to capstones@tamu.edu.
The Faculty Advisor/Mentor will be responsible for
  1. Assisting the UPS in creating a performance that adequately showcases their understanding of the impact of art in their lives and academic careers
  2. Providing support as the UPS researches their specific discipline
  3. Critiquing and/or editing creative works produced by the UPS
UGST 497
Each capstone student must register for UGST 497 upon applying to their specific capstone program. The UGST 497 course has sections designated to each particular capstone. Students applying to the Undergraduate Performance Scholars Capstone Program are required to register for the corresponding section for two consecutive semesters. This course does not have a physical meeting place or time and may be taken for 0-6 credits.
Public Presentation and Submissions (2nd Semester UPS only)
The Undergraduate Performance Scholar’s Public Presentation is satisfied by (but is not limited to) a recital, book reading, concert, play, or exhibit. Students will also submit a summary of their capstone experience in the in the form of a blog. (Blog entries will be submitted to their ePortfolio if applicable). A link to the student’s blog must be submitted before the last day of Fall/Spring classes to capstones@tamu.edu.

This capstone may be completed from Fall to Spring or Spring to Fall.