I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 9/15/09)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
X III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program School of Theatre & Dance: BFA in
Course #
U THTR 255 (DRAM
Theatre, Design/Tech Specialization
231)
Course Title
Drafting for the Theatre I
Prerequisite
Credits
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Mike Monsos
x5138
michael.monsos@umontana.edu
Program Chair Mark Dean
x2879
Dean
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
X
Instructor
Phone / Email
Change
Remove
Date
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
Bachelor of Fine Arts students in
Design/Technology are required (by School
of Theatre & Dance and National Association
of Schools of Theatre [NAST] standards) to
pass a sequence of courses that instill a
fluency in the method of communication for
theatre designers and technicians. The
course sequence depends on the design
emphasis in which the student is enrolled. All
students take THTR 255 (DRAM 231):
Drafting for Theatre, which addresses handdrafting. They then take one of three
approved courses which address specific
learning outcomes for their respective
emphases. Lighting students take THTR 355
Section 01 (DRAM 332.01): Computer-Aided
Drafting/VectorWorks, scenery students take
THTR 355 Section 02 (DRAM 332.02):
Computer-Aided Drafting/AutoCAD, and
costuming students take THTR 345 (DRAM
341): Flat Pattern Design & Drafting.
These courses are recognized globally and
are a requirement for NAST accreditation of a
university design/technology program.
Another condition of our NAST accreditation
is the required credit load for BFA
Design/Tech students, which stands at 72
credits (excluding general education
courses). The ability to use these existing
courses as an appropriate substitute for
symbolic systems courses currently in place
would ease the current credit load on our
students, is an appropriate substitute with
respect to rigorous student learning goals,
and would be used only by a very select
group—those students wishing to earn the
pre-professional degree of a BFA in
Design/Technology.
Drafting sequence for BFA Design/Tech
students to be designated as an acceptable
substitution for the UM General Education
Symbolic Systems sequence (Group III).
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
The BFA degree with a Design/Technology emphasis in the School of Theatre & Dance has an extended
curriculum (72 credits) as mandated by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) which
requires fluency in hand drafting and either computer drafting or flat-pattern drafting. As drafting is the
recognized means of communication within the theatre design/technology industry, it is imperative that
our students not only understand, but are highly skilled in this means of dialogue. The hand-drafting
course, which serves as a pre-requisite for the flat-pattern design and CAD classes, is an academically
challenging class that teaches students the language of lines and the drafting standards as articulated by
the United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT).
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Rigorously presents a mapping between a
Design concepts for theatre can be quite abstract
real-world system and a human abstraction of
and are often new forms that have never before
the system.
existed. Our students are learning how to
translate these wildly creative and unique designs
into clear, understandable, and accurate patterns
that can be calculated, measured, and
constructed. It is important to note that there are
not set rules, guidelines or designs for a theatre
production. Each show exists within its own
concept and almost always generates a new
perspective and physical characteristics that may
never have been used before. Students are
constantly challenged to turn abstract
expressions into concrete objects—something
that is impossible without the ability to draft well
and to communicate through draftings.
2. Applies analysis, reasoning and creative
Students must be able to use analysis, reasoning,
thinking in the understanding and manipulation and creative thought in order to create measured
of symbolic codes.
drawings which convey all the necessary
information from an unrealized three-dimensional,
sculptural object that exists only in conceptual
form to two-dimensional drawings. If students do
not learn to create accurate, comprehensive,
understandable drawings that adhere to universal
standards, it will be impossible for them to
succeed in this field.
Hand drafting is a means of communication that
requires absolute precision and understanding in
order for it to function. Students must be able to
transpose the spoken and written word, along
with three-dimensional objects, into clear,
concise, multi-view two-dimensional measured
draftings.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the symbols Students will understand all the symbols,
and the transformations of the system.
graphics, line-types, views, dimensioning,
notation, line-weights, etc., for use in handdrafting development for theatre, film, and
television.
2. Relay and interpret information in terms of
Students will learn the meaning and significance
the given symbolic system.
of all symbols and graphics so that they are
successful both in the creation and the reading of
measurable drawings.
3. Apply creative thinking using the symbolic
Students will learn how to translate design ideas
system in order to solve problems and
from the conceptual stage to realized, accurate,
communicate ideas.
measurable drawings.
3. Utilizes alternative methods of
communication, perception, and expression in
order to encourage rigorous thinking.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
Drafting for the Theatre I
Course #:
Time:
Room:
Instructor:
Text:
Drama 231
MW 11:10-1:00
McGill 215
Mike Monsos
PARTV Building Room 192
243-5138
michael.monsos@umontana.edu
“Drafting for the Theatre” by Dennis Dorn and Mark Shanda
plus handouts
Materials Needed:
30-60 Triangle, 45 Triangle, 2-3 lead holders, lead (there are 18 different
grades of lead, I recommend “2B”, “H”, and “2H”), lead pointer, eraser shield,
pink eraser, kneaded eraser, architect’s square, drafting dots or tape, compass,
cleaning pad and dusting brush, and a variety of paper and vellum.
Course Description:
This course is designed to develop drafting skills for theatre. Topics will
include basic layout of floor plans and elevations, graphic standards, use of
drafting equipment, geometric construction, section views, orthographic views
and perspective drafting.
Course Objectives:
This course will give students the skills to adequately prepare hand draftings for
various applications including drafting for the stage, television and film.
Students will gain knowledge of accepted drafting techniques and standards.
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject
to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by
the University.
All students need to be familiar with the Student Conduct code. The code is
available for review online at: www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/Index.cfm/page/1321.
Grading:
This course will consist of 16 assignments including the final project.
Assignments:
20 points each
300 points
Final
100 points
100 points
Attendance+
100 points
100 points
Total
500 points
450-500 points
400-449 points
350-399 points
300-349 points
299 and below
A
B
C
D
F
Attendance policy:
Attendance is extremely important; it is assumed students will attend all classes.
Only two absences are allowed, each absence after two will result in the loss of
ten points from the student’s total points. Assignments are due either on or prior
to due date. Late assignments will not be accepted, exceptions may be made at
the discretion of the instructor.
SCHEDULE
Jan 26
Introduction to the course. Tools. Chapter 1
Assignment #1, go shopping.
Jan 28
Setting up the drawing, title blocks, borders. USITT standard alphabet of lines,
dimensioning and standard symbols. Chapter 2
Assignment #2 given.
Feb 2
Lettering. Chapter 3
Assignment #3 given.
Assignment #2 due.
Feb 4
Tool use, scale rule. Chapter 4
Assignment #4 given.
Assignment #3 due
Feb 9
Geometry. Chapter 5
Assignment #5 given.
Assignment #4 due
Feb 11
Geometry continued. Chapter 5
Assignment #5 part 2 given.
Feb 16
No class- Holiday
Feb 18
Drafting views. Chapter 6
Assignment #6 given
Assignment #5 due
Feb 23
Section views. Chapter 7
Assignment #7 given
Assignment #6 due
Feb 25
True size and shape. Chapter 8
Assignment #8 given
Assignment #7 due
Mar 2
Dimensioning. Chapter 9
Assignment #9 given
Assignment #8 due
Mar 4
Notation. Chapter 10
Assignment #10 given
Assignment #9 due
Mar 9
Creating measured drawings. Chapter 11
Assignment #11 given
Assignment #10 due
Mar 11
Library visit-historic draftings
Mar 16
Work on Theatre floor plan/ sectionals
Instructor gone-USITT/Cincinnati
Mar 18
Work on Theatre floor plan/ sectionals
Instructor gone-USITT/Cincinnati
Mar 23
Perspective drawing
Window drawing done in class
Assignment #11 due
Mar 25
Freehand perspective
Freehand turned in after class
Mar 30
Spring Break
Apr 1
Spring Break
Apr 6
Drop Point Perspective drawing. Addendum in text
Perspective drawing project assigned
Apr 8
Work on perspective drawing assignment
Apr 13
2nd Drop point perspective
Drop point perspective assigned
Drop point perspective assignment due
Apr 15
Work on drop point perspective
Apr 20
Final project assigned
Drop point perspective #2 due
Apr 27
Work on final project
Apr 29
Work on final project
Apr 4
Work on final project
Apr 6
Work on final project
May 14th, Thursday, 10:10-12:10
Final. Project due.
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the
practices and procedures outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance
Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama/index.html.
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.