Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

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

Scenic Design (Face-to-Face)

THEA 4343-01

Course: THEA 4343-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30668

Course Description

This course serves as a deeper exploration to the role of scenic designer. We will cover the building blocks of technical communication and artistic expression, while working towards refining your artistic aesthetic. We will also explore sketching, drafting, digital manipulation, and model building techniques in conjunction with approaches towards discussion, script analysis, and research for scenic design. The goal is that these techniques and approaches will lead toward developing an exciting design aesthetic that will enable students to create compelling three-dimensional designed environments derived from, and supported by, the story. (Fall - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): THEA 2523 and THEA 2533 and THEA 3223 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

There is no required course text. That being said, there are two scripts that you will need for this course which will be discussed on the first day of class. These scripts will be around $15 per script. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Read & interpret a script for scene design
  2. Develop problem solving skills to accomplish desired designs
  3. Gain a stronger understanding of scenic design
  4. Explore and refine personal design aesthetics
  5. Clearly communicate design ideas to colleagues through:
    • Visually and orally interpreting an idea for the design of a script
    • Researching historical as well as emotional images
    • Creating Draftings necessary to effectively communicate designs including groundplans and elevations
    • Creating renderings for a design with hard media as well as digitally
    • Creating scale models and more


Course Requirements

A basic breakdown by assignment is:
            
Points    Assignment                                Grade Percentage
100       Rendering Project                                      10%
200       Word Design Project                                  20%
             80         Initials               8%
             120       Finals                12%
250       The Royale Design Project                         25%
             40         Initials               4%
             90         Prelims              9%        
             120       Finals                12%
350       Collected Stories Design Project                35%
             60         Initials               6%
             120       Prelims              12%      
             170       Finals                17%
100       Attendance & Participation                         10%
1000 Points Possible


Course Outline

Week 1 – Introduction to Course & Materials:
Review syllabus, course expectations, and required materials. 

Week 2 –Designer Roles & Building Blocks
Discussing the Designers Role, the Design Process, & reviewing the Elements & Principles of Composition

Week 3 – Continued Building Blocks & Beginning Rendering
Researching, Sketching, Collages & Beginning the Rendering Project

Week 4 – Groundplans & Word Design Project:
Reviewing Groundplans & Word Design Initials

Week 5 – Word Design & Building Blocks Continued:
Continuing Word Design Project, Drafting Elevations, & Model Making Introduction

Week 6 – Word Design Project:
Work Days for Word Design Project & Begin First Show Project

Week 7 – Word Design & First Show:
Present Final Designs for Word Design Project & Discussion of First Show

Week 8 – First Show Project:
Presentation of Initials for First Show 

Week 9 – Sketchup:
Demonstration & In-Class Workday for Sketchup

Week 10 – First Show Project:
In-Class Workdays on First Show Design Package

Week 11 – First Show & Second Show Project:
Presentation of Final Design Package for First Show & Discussion for Second Show

Week 12 – Second Show Project:
Model Making Demonstration & Second Show Initial Design Presentations

Week 13 – Second Show Project:
Model Making Demonstration Continued & Second Show Prelim Design Presentations  

Week 14 – Second Show Project:
In-Class Workdays for Second Show Project

Week 15 – Finals:
Presentation of Final Design Package for Second Show Project

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

All work is to be completed to the best of your abilities, prior to the due date, and submitted on time. With the exception of circumstances beyond the student's control (i.e. Sudden Illness, bereavement, etc.) or prior arrangements have been made with the instructor BEFORE the due date, any assignments turned in after the due date will have 5% deducted for EACH day it is late. Absence from class on the day an assignment is due is not a valid excuse and makeup work will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

The Department attendance policy states:
  • 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.

If clarification is needed, students should proactively contact me so we can discuss. 

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.