Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
School of Theatre & Dance
Course Title
Acting VIII: Company
Course #
UG THTR 426
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Acting VIII: Company
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Jere Hodgin
Phone/ email :
x2877
Program Chair/Director:
Date
jere.hodgin@umontana.edu
Mark Dean
x2879
Other affected programs:
Dean:
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
UG 426 Acting VIII: Company 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., THTR 425. Extensive studio and scene work
involving performance analysis and theory.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
We are proposing this course to replace the need for acting majors to repeat THTR 421 during their final year
in the program. By creating this course, students can experience different and specific in-depth training each of
their eight semesters in the program and the course can be flexible in catering to the training needs of a
specific class of undergraduate and graduate actors.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
Yes.
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Graduate students are expected to take a leadership role in the conduct of this class and will be assigned to
small groups of undergraduate students to lead through exercises, scenes, and monologues during the
progression of the semester. The graduate students will therefore serve as mentors ands student directors
while also continuing to practice the craft of acting in their own presentation of scenes and monologues.
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
YES
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
X
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
$25
Justification: The fee is used to prepare audition materials, take field trips, and to provide other items to
enhance the student’s professional portfolio. Other courses in this area of training for the Theatre & Dance
acting program are assessed an identical fee.
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
From:
To:
NO
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to
UG. Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
5. Other programs affected by the change
6. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
Syllabus
THTR 426: Acting VIII
COMPANY
This is an advanced acting class combining graduate and undergraduate students in an exploration of
the concept of ensemble building and the destruction of realistic scripts.
The focus of this phase of the “company experience” generally will be realism moving into nonrealism. Moving from what is known to the unknown of our imaginations.
The class will engage in exercises designed to build ensemble while working on advanced scene
study.
The scene study will develop as the semester progresses from work on realistic drama to a
deconstruction of the same material, examining and exploring the possibilities inherent in a realistic
text when a more current and “outside-the-box” approach is employed taking it perhaps out of the
realm of realism to any number of possibilities of artistic and theatrical expression. The culmination
of the semester will be a sharing of where we are with the work with our colleagues in whatever
form we feel is appropriate at the time.
To foster an encouraging and productive environment for our work, we will treat the Schreiber Gym
as a sacred space. Please remove your shoes and socks before entering the classroom and cease all
conversation. Once you have stowed your belongings, begin to straighten the area, picking up any
trash and returning any rehearsal furniture to the periphery. If you arrive early, use this time for
silent reflection, meditation, or stretching. If you must speak, speak only of the work we will as a
company. This does not mean we will not have the freedom to laugh and enjoy our ensemble, but
we must remain focused on our tasks.
In addition, we require that you wear only black movement clothes to class: tight-fitting and
restrictive clothing and anything too revealing (showing skin) will not be acceptable. No hats,
hooded sweatshirts, or anything that covers the head will be allowed, except black accessories
necessary to discretely keep long hair out of ones face. To insure your own safety and the safety of
others remove all jewelry before class. Small studs worn in piercings to keep them from closing are
permissible. To give you time to acquire the necessary garments, the dress code will be enforced
fully starting the second week of class. Be prepared to work barefoot.
As an upper-level acting course there are no un-excused absences. Three absences drop the grade a
letter and so on. Chronic lateness will also be noted with grade change when appropriate.
Grades will be determined by attendance, involvement, intellectual and creative contribution to the
process, engagement, preparedness, contribution to the ensemble and a five page reflective paper as
the semester comes to an end.
Attendance
Process
Reflection
25%
50%
25%
Class structure:
Week 1-2
Week 3-6
Week 7-8
Week 9-12
Week 13-14
Company building exercises and monologues
Realism
The deconstructive tool box
Deconstruction and re-interpretation
preparation for the sharing experience
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 on line at
http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama/index.html.
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 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/VPS/Index.cfm/page/1321.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.