I. ASCRC General Education Form
(revised 1/27/11)
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
Remove
(submit separate forms
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
X
IV: Expressive Arts IX: American & European if requesting more than one
V: Literary & Artistic Studies X: Indigenous & Global general education group
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies XI: Natural Sciences w/ lab

w/out lab

*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
Course #
U THTR 102A
Course Title
Introduction to Theatre Design
Prerequisite
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Credits
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
3
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor
Michael Monsos
Contact
Phone / Email x5138 michael.monsos@umontana.edu
Program Chair
Director
Dean
Mark Dean x2879
Dr. Stephen Kalm
Date
III. Type of request
New One-time Only Renew
X
Change
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
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://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
The course introduces and exposes students to the world of theatrical design: costumes, scenery, and lighting. Students will learn how designers develop concepts, analyze texts, and create artistic visions in a theatrical format and how to articulate and communicate design ideas to others. Students will develop drawing techniques, learn theatre terminology, and a gain a deeper appreciation of the work of a production design team.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx

Courses guide students, whether in individual or group settings, to acquire foundational skills to engage in the creative process and/or in interpretive performance.
Through direct experience (for example, attendance and involvement with live performance, exhibitions, workshops, and readings), they will engage in critical assessment of their own work and the work of others.
Students learn about the creative process of design from the reading of the text up to the point of a completed design. Once students have discovered and understand the process a design team goes through, they can learn to express their own vision, design, and ideas by creating sketches, models, and renderings of their artistic vision.
Students study the process designers go through to articulate their visions. By creating their own work as individuals and members of a team, they can gain a deep understanding of that process.
Students must be able to communicate their ideas to the class (an audience) and must be able to respond and critique the work of their peers. In addition, students will be expected to constructively and intelligently critique the work of the department and of any theatrical performance they attend.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Express themselves in the making of an original work or creative performance.
After completion of this class, students should feel comfortable in expressing their artistic visions in a basic foundational manner with respect to designed elements of scenery, costumes, and lighting through sketches, models, and verbal communication.
Understand the genres and/or forms that have shaped the medium.
of others.
Critique the quality of their own work and that
Students will have an understanding and appreciation for the work of theatrical designers, knowing the process and the work necessary to create artistically designed production concepts.
This course demands students feel comfortable defending their own artistic choices while also questioning the choices of others. Theatrical design must stand up to critique, evaluation, and judgment by its very nature of being on display in a theatre. If a student cannot discover how to comment on perceived qualities, then he/she will not be able to survive professionally.
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

THTR 102A 01 Introduction to Theatre Design
(3 credits)
Meeting Times for section 02: Tue- Thur 9:40-11:00 SS254
Meeting Times for section 01: Tue- Thur 11:10 to 12:30 SS254
Instructor : Alessia Carpoca
Office hours : by appointment or Tue-Thur 1:00-2:00 Fri 2:00-3:00 PARTV 198
Phone : 406 2436709
Email : alessia.carpoca@mso.umt.edu
Welcome to Introduction to Theatre Design. This class will introduce the theatre and non-theatre student to the basic elements of theatre design and drawing. By the end of the semester the student should be able to demonstrate:
1: The ability to understand a text and its characters and to create and draw visual images for the stage from it.
2: The ability to communicate his/hers vision of a play to other members of a creative team.
3: The ability to sketch basic design ideas.
4: The ability to speak with other theatre people using the right terminology.
5: Ultimately to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of all performing arts and of how a creative team of designer can contribute to the success of a performance.
Class format: Lecture in-class and out-of-class projects, presentations of individual and collaborative work. The class has a course supplement using UM Online Moodle Website. The syllabi, readings, assignments, research materials, e-mails and contact info of the entire class will be in it. It is your responsibility to use Moodle the same way you will use a course package. Keep in mind that in Moodle this class is divided in modules, Costume Design, Scene Design, Lighting Design, Quiz, Present
Laughter and Critique Papers. The modules are in order with the timeline of the class, to find what you should be reading or working on each week first look at the date in this syllabus and then you could figure out which module you should look at.
Class Policies:
1.
I'm requesting that you assist me in maintaining the best space possible for interaction and learning. Disruptions to this positive and safe atmosphere will not be tolerated. To that end, cell phones should be turned off or (if absolutely necessary) taken immediately out of the room if it rings. Do not talk during class unless you are contributing to the discussion. Common sense and common courtesy will enable you to participate fully in this class and for the class as a whole to move forward.
2.
Class attendance is your responsibility. Your grade will drop 20 points for each absence after 3 unexcused absences. Tardiness is annoying and not tolerated in professional situations and I request that you be on time. Also, if you must leave class early please inform me prior to the start of class.
3.
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.
4.
The instructor will make any effort to accommodate students with disabilities. Please talk to me.
5.
Any work not turned in will be assigned zero points rather than an F grade. Work turned in late will be downgraded by a full letter grade. For example instead of 100 points (A) you will get a maximum of 89 points (B+)
6.
All written projects must be typed. Un-typed work will not be accepted.

Each student will be responsible for submitting homework through Moodle. Exceptions will be made only for drawings, renderings and models. For the group design project a 3 ring binder could be used to show the work of the entire group.
The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students (DSS). If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with
DSS, please contact DSS in Lommasson 154. I will work with you and DSS to provide an appropriate accommodation.
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 http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
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. Due to safety considerations, at no point during a student’s time spent in class or serving on a production (in any capacity) should non-enrolled persons be guests of that student without my consent .
Presence of such unauthorized persons in a class, shop, or any backstage/off-stage area will negatively affect a student’s grade. 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.
Texts required :
“Present Laughter” by Noel Coward for the Group Project.
Grading:
Assignments are due on the date given on the course outline.
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) did you do more than was assigned?
5) how "good" is your work compared to your other work in class, others' work in this class
You will earn points rather than letter grades for your projects. At the end of the semester points will be translated into letters following the university guidelines. If you do not show up for the group presentation you will receive 0 points for that project (and you will probably fail this class since the project is worth 30% of your grade)
Please note that late work will be accepted till Dec 1st. There will not be any extra credit for this class.
Grade Weight : Due date Points
Project 1
Individual
Costume Design
Sep 20 100

Project 2
Individual
Set Design
Oct 13 100
Critique Paper1
Individual
Critique the Costume Design for the play The Elephant Man
By Oct 18
5pm
50
Project 3 Nov 1 100
Individual
Lighting Design
Theatre Terms Quiz Nov 3 200
Individual
Quiz on Theatre Terms studied in class and through the course package.
Critique Paper 2
Individual
Critique the Set Design for Grace or the Art of Climbing
By Nov 15
5pm
50
Design 1
“Present Laughter” by
Noel Coward
Group
Critique.
Every group should bring text analysis, character analysis, set, costume, and lighting ideas and present it to the class. Handle it to me after the presentation in a binder with the group list of names.
Dec 6 or 8 300
Final Project: Critique
Paper 3 Individual
Due to my office by Thursday May 12th by 10am
PARTV Building Room 198 in the box in front of the door.
Final review paper on all design aspects for You Can’t Take It with You or Dance
Up Close
Wed Dec 15 th by 10am.
100
Total: 1000
Critique Paper 1 should consist of the design review of The Real Legend of Sleepy Hollow (September
10-11) or The Elephant Man October 4-8, 11-15 and should focus on costume design (2 to 3 pages).
Critique Paper 2 should consist of the design review Grace, or the Art of Climbing November 1-5, 8-
12 and should focus on scene design (2 to 3 pages).
Critique Paper 3 should review You Can’t Take It with You November 29-December 3, 6-10 and focus on scenery, costume and lighting design (3 to 5 pages). If you have an interest in Dance you could elect to review Dance Up Close as your Critique Paper 3 and focus on Costume and lighting (Dec 6-10)
Tools & Materials List Required for all

Soft pencils (2B)

Erasers (kneaded grey) and sharpener

Pastel pencils (Generals 12 box around $11.00)

A decent sketchpad bigger than 8.5 x 11 inches for class exercises.

Stump Blender

Sobo craft glue or elmers glue
 18” Straight edge ruler (a metal one will be better)
Tools & Materials List Required for each group for Design 1

Scissors

X-acto knife with blade n.10

Masking tape

Painting palette

Cheap Brushes (Dynasty or Princeton) and acrylics (discuss in class)
 3 sheets of black 1/8” foam core for each group (discuss in class)

Bass or balsa wood sticks for each group (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, and minor alterations will be handled in class.
D a t e Topic Assignment / Activity Points
8/30 Introduction, syllabus, Lecture Day 1: Design and
Production Jobs .
Drawing on the Right side of the Brain.
Read Design and Production Jobs
Process
and The Production
on Moodle under QUIZ also today’s lecture is in Quiz
9/01 Lecture Day 2: Costume Design 1.
Costume Design 1 Basic.
9 Classification of characters. Cinderella Project
Choose your music and research general clothing for music bands. Bring samples to class. At least 10 images.
9/06 Character Sketch Treasure Hunt ( Bring a digital camera to class if you have one…)
Make a list using the 9 classifications of characters. After write a 1-page bio/story of the lead singer.
9/08 Lecture Day 4: Costume Design 2.
Research materials and Line Drawings
9/13 Lecture Day 5: Costume Design 3.
Elements and Principles of visual language.
Research specifics for your lead singer, colors, materials, details, etc. (15-20 images) Create a line drawing for the lead singer using the template provided
Read The Costume Designer on Moodle under Costume Design, readings. Bring line drawing to next class
9/15 Lecture Day 6: Costume Design 4
Bring pencils, pastels, etc….
Costume Renderings
Project 1 due Sept 20 th .
9/20 Project 1 due . Theatre Terminology. Class meets in the lobby of the Montana Theatre please do not wear Moodle under Scene Design, Readings high heels or flip flops
Read “
Variations on the Death of Trotsky”
(VDT) on
9/22 Lecture Day 8: Scene Design 1
Discuss “
Variations on the Death of Trotsky”
Scene Design Basics
9/27 Lecture Day 9: Scene Design 2
Realism versus abstraction. Primary and secondary research for set.
Write a list of locations, time, season etc and analysis of play 2. Read item 4 and 5 in Stage Terminology (Readings) and
The Physical Stage and Auditorium in Scene Design (readings)
Research images for “VDT” (include 10 images of scenery and
10 iof props) Read “
Words, Words, Words”
on Moodle under Scene Design, Readings by Sept 29 th .
100
9/29 Found Spaces Treasure Hunt ( Bring a digital camera to class if you have one…)
Read The Set Designer on Bb in Scene Design (Readings)
10/04 Step by step set Design Sketch and work on collage in class.
10/06 Lecture Day 12: Scene Design 3
Principles of composition and visualization of space.
Theatre Blocks exercise.
Recycling for Model Building.
10/11 Build model in class
10/13 Project 2 due.
Lecture Day 14: Lighting Design 1
Basics of Lighting Design. Discuss light and shadow.
10/18 Lecture Day 15: Lighting Design 2
How to start a lighting design. How to prepare the paper work.
Critique Paper 1 due
10/20 Lecture Day 16: Lighting Design 3
Gather materials for model building and finish set sketch
Write a “laundry” list. Finish Set Design Sketch
Finish your set design and research binder.
Read Drawings of "dramatic moments” and Light and Dark
Studies of a "simple set" and look at the examples
Read The Lighting Designer on Bb in Lighting Design (Readings)
Develop a lighting concept and a list of necessities
Create a research folder for lighting effects
100
50
Make a storyboard. Bring to class research and your set design for project 2
10/25 Class meets in the lobby of the Montana Theatre Finish the storyboard.
10/27
Light and Shadow Sketch
11/01
Project 3 due. Review of all chapters
11/03 QUIZ
11/08 Discuss
“Present Laughter” Collaboration and the final idea. Start working with your group on ground plan and initial Set sketch.
In class discussion and group division
11/10
Model building: bring foam core, x-acto knife, metal ruler and pencil to class.
11/15 Finish model box and start line drawings
Read “Present Laughter” by Noel Coward
Start developing a text and character analysis
Research images for set design and costume des ign.
Research images for lighting design
100
200

11/17 Critique Paper 2 due.
Ground Plan and initial Set Design Sketch Due.
11/22
Work in class on costume design & lighting design
11/29 Portfolio and presentation tools and skills
12/01 Work in progress
50
12/06 Critique Design 1 . Every group should bring text analysis, character analysis, set, costume, lighting ideas and present it to the class
12/08 Critique Design 1.
Every group should bring text analysis, character analysis, set, costume, lighting ideas and present it to the class
12/15 Final project: Critique Paper 3 Due to my office by Wed Dec 15 th
by 10 am.
PARTV Building Room 198 in the box in front of the door.
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.
300
100