Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
School of Theatre & Dance
Course #
G THTR 501
(DRAM 520)
Introduction to Graduate Studies
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Intro to Grad Studies
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Renaming course and lowering number of credits
Course Title
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.) 
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
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)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
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
X From:
To:
2
1
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
G 520 Introduction to Graduate Study 2 cr.
Offered autumn. Introduction to basic research and
writing skills.
YES
NO
X
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
G 501 Introduction to Graduate Studies 1 cr.
Offered autumn. Introduction to basic research
and writing skills.
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)
5. Other programs affected by the change
6. Justification for proposed change
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
We wish to have the course’s title in line with a
specific course in the design/tech division. We are
lowering the number of credits for this course in
order to reflect the number of contact hours and
outside work required by the course.
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.
Introduction to Graduate Studies
FALL 2010
“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it.”
—Bertolt Brecht
THTR 501
1 credit
F 8:10-9:00 AM
McGill 125
Professor: Dr. Ann C. Wright
Office: McGill 212B Phone: 243-5846 Mailbox: PARTV 197
Email: ann.wright@umontana.edu
Office Hours: TTh 11:00-12:30, or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed as an introduction to the specific reading, research, writing, and critical
thinking skills necessary for academic success as a graduate student. This will be accomplished not
only through selected readings, but also through ample opportunity to practice these skills. The
content for the course focuses on the development of theatre studies—including the component parts
of dramaturgy, performance theory, and criticism—as an academic discipline and its relationship to
the larger academy.
Students will explore research and citation methodology preferred by the MFA and MA in the
Theatre and Dance Program at The University of Montana including an introduction to both the
Modern language Association (MLA) and the Chicago styles for documentation. It will also offer a
review of the scholarly writing process, an introduction to the library’s reference materials including
the Internet and other electronic resources, and an examination of the role of
actor/director/designer/scholar as dramaturge. Initial development of important documents such as
the Teaching Philosophy, Curriculum Vitae and/or resume, and the preparation of cover letters for
job applications will be introduced. Students will also become acquainted with Graduate Office
requirements, forms, fees, formats, and timelines.
This course, faithfully undertaken, will provide students with a strong foundational knowledge
aimed at enhancing both their skills and experiences as readers, writers, practitioners, audience
members, and scholars of Theatre.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Strunk & White, The Elements of Style, New York: Longman, 1999. ISBN-13: 9780205309023
Gibaldi, Phyllis Franklin (Foreword by.) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 6th
Ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 2003. ISBN-13:
9780873529860
Margaret D. Mahan (Preface by.) Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers,
Editors, and Publishers by University of Chicago. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
2003. ISBN-13: 9780226104034
POLICIES:
Basic Requirements:
– Students are required to complete reading, writing assignments by the specified due date.
Follow the course schedule carefully to keep track of assignments.
– Class participation is encouraged. Each student will receive a participation grade based
not only on productive participation* in class, but also on behavior and attitude in the
classroom. Please be courteous and respectful to your peers and your instructors.
* “Productive participation” means being prepared for class; asking
relevant questions; contributing informed, relevant comments;
engaging in the process of learning through group discussion; and
being open to informed, intelligent debate. You do not always have to
agree with your peers or your instructor, but you do always need to be
respectful of differing opinions, and you must always be certain that
your positions are informed by your own reading, research, and
experience, not merely by what you’ve heard from someone else.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES:
Several assignments require familiarity with the Library. We will begin to gain this expertise
through a Library and Resources tour. For special assistance, ask for Tammy Ravas, Fine Arts
Librarian and Media Coordinator. She can be reached through her office at MLIB 315, by phone at
243-4402, or via Email at tammy.ravas@umontana.edu.
DEPARTMENTAL RULES AND REGS:
All Drama/Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre and Dance Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama/index.html. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “handbook.”
Please consult the 2008-2009 Handbook for specific information regarding attendance policies,
absences, tardies, missed or late assignments or tests, ways to challenge a grade, special
accommodations, scholastic dishonesty, and other areas of interest.
A NOTE ABOUT ATTENDANCE POLICIES, TARDINESS, ETC.:
Departmental policy allows for one unexcused absences for classes that run once a week. Each
subsequent unexcused absence will result in the lowering of your final grade by 1/3 of a letter grade.
The only excuses accepted for absences are illness accompanied by a doctor’s note; death in the
family, also with a note; university obligation, with appropriate documentation; and, religious
holidays as outlined in the departmental Handbook.
Class begins promptly at 8:10, and two excessive tardies (after 8:15) will be counted as an absence.
If you are absent, or late, you are responsible for finding out what you missed and making up all
work. If you know in advance that you are going to be absent, you are required to submit in
advance any work that will be due during your absence, and you will be responsible for making up
all work missed during the absence. It is obviously to your advantage to learn what you have
missed.
Written work will not be considered if it is not typed and ready to be turned in at the beginning of
the class period for which the assignment is due. Computer/printer problems do not constitute a
valid excuse for a late paper. (Notice the “period” there!) In other words, NO LATE WORK, OR
SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL, WILL BE ACCEPTED. Also, please don’t try to hastily knock
something out by hand during the class period for which an assignment is due. It will not be
accepted.
* Please turn in all written assignments typed, double spaced, 1.3” margins, 12 pt. Times
New Roman (or other “readable font”), following MLA or Chicago guidelines for style.
Number all pages, after the first page, in the upper right-hand corner, and insert your last
name as illustrated on this syllabus. Cover pages (title pages) are not necessary (save the
trees!) Place your name, the course number, the title of the assignment, and the date in the
top left-hand corner of the first page. Please STAPLE pages together!!!
Some of your assignments will overlap with the requirements for DRAM 402. Consider this a good
thing!
Bottom line: This is your field, folks! Don’t miss class—don’t skim on the assigned reading.
Complete all of the written assignments. The information you will gain from this class is vital to
your development of a strong foundation in your discipline.
GRADING/ASSESSMENT:
25% - Evidence of reading assigned material and ability to incorporate it into
practice
50% - Productive participation
25% - Evidence of creative and critical thinking as demonstrated in development of
Teaching Philosophy, Curriculum Vitae/Resume, annotated
bibliography, and other written assignments for the course.
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/VPSA/Index.cfm/page/1321. If you have any questions regarding what is
entailed by the term “plagiarism,” please see me immediately.
STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
Students with disabilities or special needs should notify me as soon as possible after the onset of
class work. Accommodations can be arranged.
A NOTE ABOUT YOUR SYLLABUS:
This syllabus is a guide for you to use to keep up with your assignments and to plan for important
due dates—refer to your syllabus every day; that’s why it’s here. If you are confused about any
assignment as it appears on the syllabus, please ask me about it before the day it’s due.
Due to the possibility of unforeseen delays and/or rapid progress, this syllabus is subject to change
at the discretion of the instructor. You will always be notified in advance if there are any changes.
Course Schedule
9/4 – Introduction
9/11 - Navigating academia
9/18 - Mentorship and the Importance of Teaching Responsibilities (in and out of the classroom.)
Development of a Teaching Philosophy
9/25 – Editing the Teaching Philosophy
10/2 - The Library: Book and Internet Research, and additional resources
10/9 – Editing the annotated bibliography
10/16 - Plagiarism and Intellectual Property
10/23 - Dramaturgy: Literary, Production, Contextual
10/30 - Writing: Style and style manuals
11/6 - Writing: The Proposal, the Abstract, the Bibliography
11/13 –Editing the proposal, abstract and bibliography
11/20 - Writing: The body copy for a conference paper, for your final project
12/4 - Curriculum Vitae/Resume
12/11 - Conference Participation and Affiliation
Finals week (TBA) - Inter-campus contacts and how to develop them, re-editing the Teaching
Philosophy, wrap up discussion
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.