Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
School of Theatre & Dance
Course Title
U THTR 375
(DRAM 379)
Course #
Directing I
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Summarize the change(s) proposed
Directing I
Renaming course, changing prerequisites, and removing
graduate increment
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:
Prerequisites
X
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
UG 379 Introduction to Directing 3 cr. Offered
spring. Prereq., DRAM 103A, 214 or 111A, 220L.
YES
NO
X
X From:
To:
UG
U
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
U 375 Directing I 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq.,
THTR 120A or 220, 230L. Open to juniors and
Open to juniors, seniors and graduate students.
Introduction to the analytical skills, staging and
conceptual techniques of the director; includes some
practical application in scene work.
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
seniors. Introduction to the analytical skills,
staging and conceptual techniques of the director;
includes some practical application in scene work.
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
We are proposing a new course title to more
accurately reflect the nature of the course and to
allow for additional courses to be renamed and no
longer restricted from undergraduates wishing to
continue the study of directing. We no longer
require THTR 102A of our BFA actors, so it is
necessary to update prerequisites for this course
for accuracy. Graduate students start the directing
sequence with another course, so we are
removing the graduate designation from the
course as well.
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.
THTR 375
Directing I
Jere Hodgin
School of Theatre and Dance
College of Visual and Performing Arts
jere.hodgin@umontana.edu
McGill 216
243-2877
Office Hours: Noon- 2:00 Monday; 10:30- noon Wednesday; and by Appointment
Term: Fall 2009
Location: PARTV- Masquer Theatre
Description:
This class and lab are designed to introduce the student to the concept of the directorial function
historically and to experience what a director does within the framework of production of a play—
from preparation to performance.
Objectives:
To study the unique method of textual analysis a director employs
To explore the concepts of Action, Shaping of Drama, and Character as they relate to interpreting a
script
To study Composition for the stage by exploring scenic, lighting, and sound design
To explore the formation of a Production Concept for a play
Text:
Creative Play Direction by Robert Cohen & John Harrop
In addition, you are assigned two plays to read and analyze -Proof by David Auburn
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Other assigned reading will include various articles, essays, and trade publications that relate to specific
topics with which we deal in class.
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/name/StudentConductCode.
School of Theatre and Dance Policies:
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.
Graded Course Requirements:
Written Responses to Plays (30%)
Written Exercises: Text Analysis, Character Analysis, Plot, Script Analysis (10%)
Rehearsal Journal (5%)
Participation (20%)
Monologue Work and Presentation (10%)
Scene Work and Presentation (20%)
Profile of Self Development (5%)
Note: As this class is based on participation, attendance is requisite. The collaborative and
creative processes of theatre are the foundation of our class. Mutual feedback and a free exchange of ideas
are necessary. Your attendance supports the work; your absence has an effect upon the work of the entire
class. More than three unapproved and unexcused absences will result in a full grade reduction of
one level.
Calendar:
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
1 September
3 September
8 September
10 September
15 September
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
17 September
22 September
24 September
29 September
1 October
6 October
8 October
13 October
Thursday
15 October
Introduction
“The Directorial Function or The Director’s Mind”
“The Role of the Director”
“Interpreting the Script”
Discussion of Hamlet and Proof; Analysis Paper
Due
“Understanding the Action”
“Understanding the Action” Contd.
”The Shape of Drama”
”Understanding Character”
“Forming a Production Concept”
“Forming a Production Concept” Contd.
“Composition- Design & Ground Plan”
Monologue & Scene Selection Due; “CompositionBlocking”
“Composition- Blocking” Contd.
Tuesday
20 October
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
22 October
27 October
29 October
3 November
5 November
10 November
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
Thursday
Tuesday
12 November
17 November
19 November
24 November
26 November
1 December
3 December
8 December
Thursday
10 December
Thursday
Brighton Beach Memoirs Discussion; Response
Paper Due
“Composition- Lighting”
“Composition- Sound”
Auditions- Monologues and Scenes
“Working With Actors- Objectives”
In-Class Rehearsals of Monologues
Eurydice Discussion; Response Paper Due
In-Class Rehearsals of Monologues
Presentation/Critique of Monologues
Presentation/Critique of Monologues
In-Class Rehearsals of Scenes
T’giving Holiday
In-Class Rehearsals of Scenes
In-Class Rehearsals of Scenes
Presentation of Scenes- Round One;
Rehearsal Journals Due
Presentation of Scenes- Round Two;
Rehearsal Journals Due
Discussion of Hamlet; Response Paper Due;
Profile of Self Development Due
17 December
1:10- 3:10 pm
Exam Period
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.