Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
School of Theatre & Dance
Course Title
Scene Design II
Prefix and Course #
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Scene Design II
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Removing graduate increment
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Mike Monsos
Phone/ email :
x5138
Program
Chair/Director:
Other affected
programs
Dean:
U THTR 450
Date
michael.monsos@umontana.edu
Mark Dean
mark.dean@umontana.edu
Dr. Stephen Kalm
stephen.kalm@umontana.edu
Are other departments/programs affected by this
Please obtain signature(s) from the
modification because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
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.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines
if course is interdisciplinary. (http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. Be sure to include learning outcomes
on syllabus or paste below. The course number may be changed at the system level.
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 - see procedure 301.30
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convented courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by
Administration and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific
conditions according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-121.pdf . Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
YES
NO
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number
From:
Level U, UG, X From:
UG
Change
G
To:
To:
U
Co-convened
Description Change
Repeatability
Change in Credits
From:
Cross Listing
(primary
To:
program
initiates form)
Prerequisites
Is there a fee associated with the
course?
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
UG 450 (DRAM 335) Scene Design II 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., THTR 350 (DRAM 334). A continuation
of the techniques and projects in 350.
Yes
U 450 Scene Design II 3 cr. Offered spring.
Prereq., THTR 350. A continuation of the
techniques and projects in 350.
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
C 550 Graduate Scene Design 3 cr. (R-12) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instr.
Development of specific design skills in scenery through unrealized design opportunities as well as design
concept and process development. Co-convenes with THTR 450.
5. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether this change will eliminate the course’s common course
status.
YES
NO
X
No.
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference procedure 301.30:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/
grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
(syllabus required in section V)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. Justification for proposed change
Have you reviewed the graduate
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
We are removing the graduate increment for this
course due to the concurrent proposals being
made for co-convened graduate design courses.
The course can then follow Grad Council’s
requirements for a co-convening 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.
SCENE DESIGN II
THTR 450-01 McGill215
Tue-Thur 11:10-12:30
3 credits, Prereq. THTR 335
Instructor: Alessia Carpoca
Office Hours: Tue/Thur 9-11am
Phone: 406 531 5836
E-mail: alessia.carpoca@mso.umt.edu
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this class is to build your portfolio of work in design to a professional level of
achievement. We will concentrate on enhancing your skills in all the graphic areas: technical
drawing, modeling, rendering - and developing your personal voice and style as a designer.
Course Description:
A lecture and projects course to develop principles in set design for the stage. The emphasis on the
design process will include text interpretation, sketching and model building techniques.
Writing Component: Each student will be responsible for a note book/resource file, for each play.
This notebook will document in separate sections individual analysis of the script, class discussions,
group discussions, graphic sources and supporting research (social, economic, political etc)
From the notebook students will develop a free writing draft, outlining their concept of each
project. This draft will discuss the metaphor discovered in the research and the students’ design
concept of the play. The draft will be shared with the rest of the class. The student will then revise
the draft to a finished typed position paper solidifying their personal concept and design
direction. This will result in a finished colored model for each play.
A final Design Package will result. It will include: a notebook/resource file, concept paper and
set model.
Scenery Definitions:
A "Set" shall include but not be limited to: architectural design of the performance space, together
with its surface treatment, masking, properties including hand properties (but not including costume
accessories), furniture, set dressing, visible transitions, projected images and special effects related
to it.
"Preliminary Design is defined as including a floor plan with measurements and a front elevation
sketch or preliminary model exhibiting proportion and size, noting special treatment, mechanical
devices or such additional information as to enable the theatre to estimate cost, on the understanding
that the Preliminary designs reflect discussions among the designer, the director and the theatre.
"Completed Design" is defined as including coloured renderings and/or working scale model(s),
accurate scale floor plan(s) and section(s), basic technical drawings detailing all scenic elements,
painting elevations or equivalent, complete props list indicating colour and dimensions, a list of
special effects, and any additional details pertaining to overall design sufficient for detailed costing
and realization. Completed Design information shall be supplied to any other designers as requested.
"Approved Design" is defined as the Completed Design with all modifications and changes made to
the satisfaction of the director, theatre, and designer, and which have been initialed and dated by the
parties hereto. Commencement of the construction or implementation of any portion of the design
shall also be deemed approval of that portion of the design.
Grading:
Assignments are due on the date given on the course outline. They will be presented to the class. If
you skip the class because you aren't finished with the assignments you will just be sure you’ll learn
nothing at all for that day. Therefore, bring your work in progress to the class even if you aren’t
finished.
Here is what I will look for when grading, in order of priority:
1) did you complete the entire assignment?
2) did your work show signs of improvement from start to finish?
3) did you follow instructions as well as you could?
4) How "good" is your work compared to:
your other work in class
others' work in this class
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
http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very physical in nature.
Please proceed through class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your
personal safety and the safety of others. Students participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance
do so at their own risk.
Project #1:
Design scenery for ”Hamlet Machine” by Heine Muller. This is a very difficult play to understand
especially if you do not know Shakespeare’s plays well. On the other end it gives you the
opportunity to play as much as you would like since it could be easily design with an abstract or non
realistic set. You are to do the design as if it would be staged in the Masquer Theatre . The final
presentation must include a notebook/resource file, concept paper and set sketches.
Project #2:
Design scenery for ”Lend me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig. Anyone who reviews your portfolio can be
expected to have some acquaintance with this play, this is both a bonus (that person can have some
opinion about your design) and a challenge (that person will have seen numerous designs for the
show already) You are to do the design as if it would be staged in the Montana Theatre or similar
size proscenium. The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file, concept paper and set
model.
Project #3:
Design scenery for “La Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni. This is a period opera set in the
south of Italy and as such it present a completely different challenge from a play or musical. You
MUST retain the flavor and detail of the period that the author intended - no updates or other
"change of date" concepts.) Ground plan and section drawing for an opera theatre will be provided.
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file, concept paper and set model.
Project #4:
Design scenery for “Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare. This is a significant play that you are likely to
encounter as a professional designer. Anyone who reviews your portfolio can be expected to have
some acquaintance with this play with the same advantages and disadvantages as above. You are to
do the design as if it would be staged in the Masquer Theatre. The final presentation must include a
notebook/resource file, concept paper and set model.
Grade Weight:
Project 1
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file
(25), concept paper (25) and set sketches (50).
Project 2
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file
(50), concept paper(50) and set model (100).
Project 3
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file
(50), concept paper (50) and set model (200).
Project 4
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file
(50), concept paper (50) and set model (200).
Classwork Class attendance, partecipation, collaboration and support on
improvements of classmates during critique
Feb 10
100
March 15
200
April 19
300
Mon May 300
9
8:1010:00
100
Required Texts:
”Lend me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig. Available at the bookstore.
“La Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni. Available as course reserve materials in the library at
a later date.
“Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare. Available as course reserve materials in the library.
You are also required to see “Nixon in China” by J.Adams (Roxy theatre Feb 12th at 11am or Feb
19th at 7:00pm) and “Le Comte Ory” by G.Rossini (Roxy theatre April 9th at 11:00 a16 or April 4th
at 7:00pm)both will be discussed in class.
Class Policies/ Attendance:
1. Good attendance is a good idea . Absences must be limited to reasons of illness or serious
emergency and must be excused by the instructor. Your grade will drop one full letter grade after 3
unexcused absences. I expect you to be here for ALL meetings…
2. Your classmates and your teachers cannot read your mind. It is your right and responsibility to
share your ideas, questions and needs with your colleagues in the classroom.
3. The instructor will make any effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Please talk to me.
Suggested Art and Crafts Materials:
-Pencils (lead not charcoal)
-Eraser
-3 ring binder or Portfolio in which to keep your work
-Folders or binders. You’ll turn in a research binder for project #1, #2, #3 and 4#.
-Painting medium (will discuss in class)
-Model building supplies (will discuss in class)
Course Schedule:
Please note that this may change due to a variety of circumstances, large scale changes will result in
the issue of a new schedule, minor alterations will be handled in class.
Date
Jan 25
Jan 27
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 22
Feb 24
Mar 1
Mar 3
Topic
Introductions. Lecture 1: Greek and Roman
Discussion on play 1 Lecture 2 Medieval
Discuss research and concept statement for
Play 1 Lecture 3: Renaissance
Present to the class initial sketches
Lecture 4 and 5: Baroque and 18th century
Critique: present to class finished sketches
Discuss
for
Play Play
1 2 and present to class concept
statement.
Model building workshop
Present research to class Lecture 6: 19th
Lecture 7: Edward Gordon Craig and
century
Adolphe Appia Discuss “Nixon in China”
Present initial sketches Play 2 Lecture
8:Robert Edmund Jones, Boris Aronson.
Sodering workshop
Mar 8 USITT
Mar 10 USITT
Assignment / Activity
Read play 1
Start research for Play 1 write a
More
research
and start
concept
statement
sketching/model
work on model
Read Play 2and write a Concept
Start
research for Play 2
Statement
Build Model box for Masquer
Theatre
More research and start sketching/
Apr 21
Apr 26
Apr 28
May 3
May 5
May 9
SPRING BREAK
Present revised model Play 3
Model painting workshop
Critique: Present to class finished model
for Play 3
Discuss
4 Lecture
13: Julie Taymor,
Discuss Play
“Le Comte
Ory”
George Tyspin and Robert Wilson
Present research and sketches Play 4.
Lecture 14:PQ 2003-2007 designers
Present sketch model
Work on model in class
Critique: Present to class finished model
for Play 4
100
Work on sketches
Read Lecture 9: Donald Oeslanger,
Mordecai Gorelick, Jo Mielziner and
work
sketch model
Tanyaon
Moiseiwitsch
Read Lecture 10: Josef Svoboda,
Ezio Frigerio and Ming Cho Lee
Mar 15 Critique: present to class finished model
PlayPlay
2 3 Lecture 11: Ralph Funnicello,
Mar 17 for
Discuss
Santo Loquasto,
Mar 22 Present research and concept statement Play 3 work on sketches
Mar 24 Present initial sketches play 3
work on model
Mar 29 Lecture 12: John Conklin, Richard Hudson,
Richard Jones & Anthony McDonald
Mar 31 Present sketch model Play 3
work on model
Apr 5 SPRING BREAK
Apr 7
Apr 12
Apr 14
Apr 19
points
Read play 4
200
300
research play 4
Revise sketches and start model
building
8:10-10:00
GRADUATE SCENE DESIGN
THTR 550-01 McGill215
Tue-Thur 11:10-12:30
3 credits, Prereq. THTR 550
Instructor: Alessia Carpoca
Office Hours: Tue/Thur 9-11am
Phone: 406 531 5836
E-mail: alessia.carpoca@mso.umt.edu
300
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this class is to build your portfolio of work in design to a professional level of achievement.
We will concentrate on enhancing your skills in all the graphic areas: technical drawing, modeling, rendering
- and developing your personal voice and style as a designer.
This course will also giving you knowledge and experience towards working, communicating and developing
scene designs. You’ll study the role scene design and the designer play in the educational and professional
world. You will also explore teaching methodologies in design as you assist undergraduate students in THTR
450 to analyze, execute, and understand their scenic design theories and processes. You will be expected to
also engage in additional cohort interactions on your own.
Course Description:
A lecture and projects course to develop principles in set design for the stage. The emphasis on the design
process will include text interpretation, sketching and model building techniques.
Writing Component: Each student will be responsible for a note book/resource file, for each play. This
notebook will document in separate sections individual analysis of the script, class discussions, group
discussions, graphic sources and supporting research (social, economic, political etc)
From the notebook students will develop a free writing draft, outlining their concept of each project. This
draft will discuss the metaphor discovered in the research and the students’ design concept of the play. The
draft will be shared with the rest of the class. The student will then revise the draft to a finished typed
position paper solidifying their personal concept and design direction. This will result in a finished colored
model for each play.
A final Design Package will result. It will include: a notebook/resource file, concept paper and set
model.
Scenery Definitions:
A "Set" shall include but not be limited to: architectural design of the performance space, together with its
surface treatment, masking, properties including hand properties (but not including costume accessories),
furniture, set dressing, visible transitions, projected images and special effects related to it.
"Preliminary Design is defined as including a floor plan with measurements and a front elevation sketch or
preliminary model exhibiting proportion and size, noting special treatment, mechanical devices or such
additional information as to enable the theatre to estimate cost, on the understanding that the Preliminary
designs reflect discussions among the designer, the director and the theatre.
"Completed Design" is defined as including coloured renderings and/or working scale model(s), accurate
scale floor plan(s) and section(s), basic technical drawings detailing all scenic elements, painting elevations
or equivalent, complete props list indicating colour and dimensions, a list of special effects, and any
additional details pertaining to overall design sufficient for detailed costing and realization. Completed
Design information shall be supplied to any other designers as requested.
"Approved Design" is defined as the Completed Design with all modifications and changes made to the
satisfaction of the director, theatre, and designer, and which have been initialed and dated by the parties
hereto. Commencement of the construction or implementation of any portion of the design shall also be
deemed approval of that portion of the design.
Grading:
Assignments are due on the date given on the course outline. They will be presented to the class. Therefore,
bring your work in progress to the class even if you aren’t finished.
Here is what I will look for when grading, in order of priority:
1) did you complete the entire assignment?
2) did your work show signs of improvement from start to finish?
3) did you follow instructions as well as you could?
4) How "good" is your work compared to:
your other work in class
others' work in this class
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
http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures outlined in
the School of Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very physical in nature. Please
proceed through class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety and
the safety of others. Students participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so at their own risk.
Project #1:
Design scenery for ”Hamlet Machine” by Heine Muller. This is a very difficult play to understand especially
if you do not know Shakespeare’s plays well. On the other end it gives you the opportunity to play as much
as you would like since it could be easily design with an abstract or non realistic set. You are to do the design
as if it would be staged in the Masquer Theatre . The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file,
concept paper and set sketches.
Project #2:
Design scenery for ”Lend me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig. Anyone who reviews your portfolio can be expected
to have some acquaintance with this play, this is both a bonus (that person can have some opinion about your
design) and a challenge (that person will have seen numerous designs for the show already) You are to do the
design as if it would be staged in the Montana Theatre or similar size proscenium. The final presentation must
include a notebook/resource file, concept paper and set model.
Project #3:
Design scenery for “La Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni. This is a period opera set in the south of
Italy and as such it present a completely different challenge from a play or musical. You MUST retain the
flavor and detail of the period that the author intended - no updates or other "change of date" concepts.)
Ground plan and section drawing for an opera theatre will be provided. The final presentation must include a
notebook/resource file, concept paper and set model.
Project #4:
Design scenery for “Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare. This is a significant play that you are likely to encounter
as a professional designer. Anyone who reviews your portfolio can be expected to have some acquaintance
with this play with the same advantages and disadvantages as above. You are to do the design as if it would
be staged in the Masquer Theatre. The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file, concept paper
and set model.
Grade Weight:
Project 1
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file (25),
concept paper (25) and set sketches (50).
Project 2
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file (50),
concept paper(50) and set model (100).
Project 3
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file (50),
concept paper (50) and set model (200).
Project 4
The final presentation must include a notebook/resource file (50),
concept paper (50) and set model (200).
Feb 10
100
March 15
200
April 19
300
Mon May
9
8:10-10:00
300
Classwork Class attendance, partecipation, collaboration and support on
improvements of classmates during critique
Mentoring/Active participation in outside meetings with peers
100
200
Required Texts:
”Lend me a Tenor” by Ken Ludwig. Available at the bookstore.
“La Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni. Available as course reserve materials in the library at a later
date.
“Macbeth” by W. Shakespeare. Available as course reserve materials in the library.
You are also required to see “Nixon in China” by J.Adams (Roxy theatre Feb 12th at 11am or Feb 19th at
7:00pm) and “Le Comte Ory” by G.Rossini (Roxy theatre April 9th at 11:00 a16 or April 4th at 7:00pm)both
will be discussed in class.
Class Policies/ Attendance:
1. Good attendance is a good idea . Absences must be limited to reasons of illness or serious emergency and
must be excused by the instructor. Your grade will drop one full letter grade after 3 unexcused absences. I
expect you to be here for ALL meetings…
2. Your classmates and your teachers cannot read your mind. It is your right and responsibility to share your
ideas, questions and needs with your colleagues in the classroom.
3. The instructor will make any effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Please talk to me.
Suggested Art and Crafts Materials:
-Pencils (lead not charcoal)
-Eraser
-3 ring binder or Portfolio in which to keep your work
-Folders or binders. You’ll turn in a research binder for project #1, #2, #3 and 4#.
-Painting medium (will discuss in class)
-Model building supplies (will discuss in class)
Course Schedule:
Please note that this may change due to a variety of circumstances, large scale changes will result in the issue
of a new schedule, minor alterations will be handled in class.
Date
Jan 25
Jan 27
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 22
Feb 24
Mar 1
Mar 3
Mar 8
Mar 10
Mar 15
Topic
Assignment / Activity
Introductions. Lecture 1: Greek and Roman Read play 1
Discussion on play 1 Lecture 2 Medieval
Start research for Play 1 write a concept
statement
Discuss research and concept statement for More
research and start sketching/model
Play 1 Lecture 3: Renaissance
Present to the class initial sketches
Lecture 4 and 5: Baroque and 18th century work on model
Critique: present to class finished sketches Read Play 2and write a Concept
Statement
for
Play Play
1 2 and present to class concept Start
Discuss
research for Play 2
statement.
Model building workshop
Build Model box for Masquer Theatre
Present research to class Lecture 6: 19th
More research and start sketching/
Lecture 7: Edward Gordon Craig and
century
Adolphe Appia Discuss “Nixon in China”
Present initial sketches Play 2 Lecture
Work on sketches
8:Robert Edmund Jones, Boris Aronson.
Sodering workshop
Read Lecture 9: Donald Oeslanger,
Mordecai Gorelick, Jo Mielziner and
work
sketch model
USITT
Tanyaon
Moiseiwitsch
Read Lecture 10: Josef Svoboda, Ezio
USITT
Frigerio and Ming Cho Lee
Critique: present to class finished model
for Play 2
points
100
200
Mar 17
Mar 31
Apr 5
Discuss Play 3 Lecture 11: Ralph Funnicello,
Santo Loquasto,
Present research and concept statement Play work on sketches
3
Present initial sketches play 3
work on model
Lecture 12: John Conklin, Richard Hudson,
Richard Jones & Anthony McDonald
Present sketch model Play 3
work on model
SPRING BREAK
Apr 7
SPRING BREAK
Apr 12
Apr 14
Apr 19
Present revised model Play 3
Model painting workshop
Critique: Present to class finished model
for Play 3
Discuss Play
4 Lecture
13: Julie Taymor,
“Le Comte
Ory”
George Tyspin and Robert Wilson
Present research and sketches Play 4.
Lecture 14:PQ 2003-2007 designers
Present sketch model
Work on model in class
Critique: Present to class finished model
for Play 4
Mar 22
Mar 24
Mar 29
Apr 21
Apr 26
Apr 28
May 3
May 5
May 9
Read play 4
300
research play 4
Revise sketches and start model building
8:10-10:00
300
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.
Revised 5-4-11