Theatre Graphics

Course Details

Course Number: 3483  Section Number: 01

Fall 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B120

Days & Times:

 T - Th 9:30

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Don Henschel Jr.   
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Course Objectives

 

Course Objectives:

1.     To introduce and practice the concepts of basic hand and computer-aided drafting for the theatre.

 

2.     To practice and reinforce the elements of standard scenic practice.

 

3.     To prepare the student for work in Scene Design and Stage Lighting Design.

 

4.     To reinforce the ability to present one's work on paper in order to gain employment or entrance to a graduate school.

 

         

 


Course Expectations

 

The essence of a production team is collaboration.  The exchange of ideas, moods, and concepts necessitates a good deal of communication.  Some exchanges can take place in a didactic straightforward mode.  Some must be couched in secondary references to literary, musical, or poetic comparisons and analogies.  In any event, someone is eventually going to want to know what that costume, hand prop, set piece, or lighting effect is going to look like.  "Draw me a picture." Josef Svoboda, the most influential scenographer in the last 30 years said, "To draw . . .is our language!"

          This course is designed to aid us in presenting our thoughts and designs in graphic form.  This ability will help in collaborating with a director; it should also aid in building a portfolio for entrance into graduate programs or positions in the profession.  It is the logical precursor to the study of scene design and/or lighting design.

          While there is still a valid place for hand drafting, only the first few weeks are spent at the drafting tables.  Most of the work will be generated via drawing and CAD programs.  We will master the basics of two graphic programs, Google SketchUp and Vectorworks .

 


Grading Standards

Course grading will be based on daily assignments – 50%, Midterm exam – 20% and the final project at 30%. The instructor reserves the right to adjust or cancel assignments as the course progresses.  If, for some reason, assignments administered total somewhat more or fewer than 100 points, the method of obtaining the final grade will remain essentially the same:  the total points achieved will be divided by the total points possible to obtain a percentage, and a grade will be assigned according to the percentage scale outlined above.  Absences cost ½ a final letter grade each.

          The final project will be discussed in detail later but you should be thinking of a full-length single-set play that you'd like to draft.  It needn't be a unique concept.  I want you to concentrate on the drafting not the design.

 

 

 

 

 


Final Exam12/11/2012  8:00

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

Federal privacy law prohibits the release of information about

 students to certain parties outside of the university without the signed consent of the student.  Thus, in almost all cases I will not discuss your academic progress or other matters with your parents.  Regardless of these important legal considerations, it is my general policy to communicate with the students, not their parents, even when a student has signed a consent form.  College students are adults and are expected to behave accordingly.

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a

disability, if you have emergency medical information that needs sharing, or if you need special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with the me as soon as possible.

          All MSU policies regarding academic integrity apply to this course. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. For any material or ideas obtained from other sources, such as the text or things you see on the web, in the library, etc., a source reference must be given. Direct quotes from any source must be identified as such. All exam answers must be your own, and you must not provide any assistance to other students during exams. Any instances of academic dishonesty WILL be pursued under the MSU regulations concerning academic integrity.

 

 

 


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.