Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Back to Syllabus Search | Browse by Department
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Creative Dramatics (Face-to-Face)

THEA 2900-01

Course: THEA 2900-01
Credits: 1.5
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30650

Course Description

Explores process-focused creative drama and movement methodologies. Foundational skills and techniques are developed through laboratory experiences and opportunities for a practical understanding of how use creative dramatics to explore foundations in theatre; build skills in communication, voice, and body; and allow children to gain new understanding of themselves and the world around them. (Fall - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): THEA 1033 and THEA 1713 and THEA 1813 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None 

Required Texts

Creative Drama in the Classroom and Beyond, 8th edition by Nellie McCaslin

Learning Outcomes

1. Explore, utilize, and build skills in creative drama techniques to use in traditional and non-traditional
classrooms including: imagination, movement & rhythms, pantomime, improvisation, puppetry &
masks, story-telling, and building plays from existing sources and original works.
2. Explore and evaluate a variety of creative drama techniques that can be used in educational settings.
3. Build additional foundational creative drama skills in problem solving, imagination, movement,
improvisation, puppetry & masks, and story-telling.
4. Create and employ creative drama and movement lesson plans utilizing research-based methodologies.
5. Collect and critically evaluate creative dramatics techniques, lesson plans, and activities in creating
personal reference and resource tools.
6. Build confidence and skills as a performer and theatre educator.
7. Plan, produce, and perform artistic works, employing creative dramatics skills and techniques

Course Requirements

Attendance, Participation, & Social Contract:
All students are expected to attend and participate actively in the
community of this course— complete requisite readings and complete
assigned material before class begins, contribute to class discussions,
working periods, and performances in ways that are constructive to your
fellow colleagues, and to demonstrate openly, your learning process with
the material. The choice not to contribute to class discussions or to foster
a negative classroom environment will detract from your final grade.

Resource & Reference Catalog
Develop a format to collect all resources discussed and explored within
the classroom, as well as peer lesson plans.
Research creative dramatics activities and complete a critical analysis.

Performances/Projects
A performance or project will be assigned as a culmination of each unit
explored. Some are individual works, others group works. Active
collaboration is required, and critical feedback, that supports the learning
process of every student, is expected.

Teaching Experience
This course requires an outside of class teaching experience. Ideally,
teaching as part of WonderStage! The experience will be on a Tuesday
final project developing, writing, and executing a lesson plan employing

Course Outline

Week 1 (8/27) – Introduction to the course, overview of syllabus, and discussion of creative space and procedures for a safe environment.

Week 2 (9/3) – Introduction to creative drama with an example to establish a creative space.

Week 3 (9/8) – Exploration of what creative drama is and learning "Get to Know You" games.

Week 4 (9/15) – Discuss the role of theatre games in the classroom and share experiences from the "Get-to-Know-You" games.

Week 5 (9/22) – Focus on imagination, play, and audience interaction, including response and feedback techniques.

Week 6 (9/29) – Learn about movement, rhythms, and dance as tools for expression in creative drama.

Week 7 (10/6) – Study the art of pantomime, focusing on expression through body language without words.

Week 8 (10/15) – Introduction to improvisation and its significance in creative drama.

Week 9 (10/20) – Learn about puppetry and masks, incorporating them as creative tools in drama.

Week 10 (10/27) – Explore dramatic structure, including playing from stories and storytelling techniques.

Week 11 (11/3) – Examine readers' theatre, poetry, and public speaking in a drama context.

Week 12 (11/10) – Discuss the integration of creative drama in the classroom and its impact on learning.

Week 13 (11/17) – Explore creative drama for children with special needs and the benefits it offers in inclusive settings.

Week 14 (12/1) – Review creative drama in alternative spaces, including after-school programs, and conclude with final reflections.

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

Assignments/Late work:
Most assignments will be due by 11:59 pm and submitted through Canvas on the date they are due, unless
otherwise noted on the syllabus or in class. All assignments should be typed unless otherwise specified by the
instructor. Late work will be penalized 10% per day (not class period) that they are late.

Attendance Policy

Departmental Absence Policy
Attendance policies vary by instructor and course section. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the specific attendance expectations for each course. These policies will be clearly outlined in the instructor's syllabus or course information. If clarification is needed, students should proactively contact their instructor.
Lecture Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one is courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade with an additional 1/3 for every additional absence.
Studio Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel.  Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one in courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by a full letter grade with an additional 1/3 grade for every additional absence.

Additional Information

  • Any student missing more than 25% of class meetings cannot receive a passing grade in departmental courses.
  • Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Fees

None

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.