Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Opera/Musical Theatre (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3370-01

Course: MUSC 3370-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32028

Course Description

This course involves the preparation and performance of compositions from the realm of opera and/or musical theatre. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 99 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Text and Materials


New materials are presented and learned every semester in preparation to perform from memory and be staged. When a large opera is being rehearsed, the preparation may take both semesters to prepare for performances.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop performing skills incorporating solo vocal and ensemble performance, stage movement, and understanding of opera fundamentals which is assessed by the production and performance of the opera, scenes, or ensembles.

Students will prepare for and perform productions in a professional and credible manner which is assessed in the performances presented.

Course Requirements

Learning Assessment Outcomes

Attendance and attitude are principal determinants of grade: failure to attend class can lower your grade, or result in failure, as indicated above.

Exceptions to any of these policies due to extenuating circumstances will be handled on an individual basis by and to the satisfaction of the Director.

Students will be assessed by the following criteria:

  • Ability to sing in tune with correct rhythms
  • Ability to move and present a believable character on stage.
  • Ability to perform in a public venue before the university and community with confidence and correct stylistic ability

Course Outline

Course Outline

Class Schedule:
Thorley Recital Hall
4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Night Rehearsals if needed 7:00-9:00
Saturdays as arranged only if needed

Important Dates

  • Create Set and Costumes: Beginning of November---- Thorley Recital Hall
  • Dress Rehearsals: 4:00, November 5, 6, 2025  Thorley Recital Hall
  • November 11- 14, 2025 — 7:30 p.m. curtain (call time 6:00 p.m.)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Students must be at rehearsals.  The work in creating an opera or musical theatre must take place during rehearsals.  Students must practice and learn their outside of rehearsals so that the time in rehearsal is used effectively.  If a student is ill, he or she must make up the time that they have missed in rehearsal outside of class, in order to keep from slowing the rehearsal process.

Attendance Policy

General Ground Rules

You are expected to practice and be prepared for each and every rehearsal. Every person in the group is important to the sound and the performance of the literature.
Attendance counts. NO unexcused absences are allowed. Students are asked to notify the instructor of all bona fide emergencies as soon as possible. After one unexcused absence, a meeting with the director will be necessary. The meeting will be documented in writing, with copies to the Chairman and the student's file.
You are expected to be at each rehearsal WHEN SCHEDULED and to be on time for each and every rehearsal. Work takes place in class, and rehearsals cannot be made up. When someone is absent, the ensemble suffers; therefore, rehearsals must be attended. Unexcused cuts will result in an automatic failure.
If you are ill and cannot come to a scheduled rehearsal, you should notify the instructor well in advance (one hour before rehearsal is not sufficient). You may text, leave notes in my box, or telephone messages.
You are responsible for bringing a pencil and music to every rehearsal and for marking your music as directed by Professor Modesitt or the Music Director.
Fall Semester 2025 rehearsals will take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in Thorley Recital Hall.
If you are cast in the shows and fail to be at scheduled rehearsals, you may be replaced in your role.
Please check the bulletin board outside Room 205 in case rehearsal schedules must be changed due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness of cast members and plan accordingly.

Custom

General Information

This is a 2-credit course.
Office: 205 Music [Upper Level]
Office Hours: by appointment
Telephone: (O) 435-865-8166 (H) 435-865-1812 (C) 435-704-4875
Email: modesitt@suu.edu
Cell phones must be turned off during rehearsal and class time.
No text messaging is permitted during rehearsals.

Syllabus Changes

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.