Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Back to Syllabus Search | Browse by Department
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Design Analysis (Face-to-Face)

THEA 1813-01

Course: THEA 1813-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 11590

Course Description

Introduction to the analytical process required to understand and create theatrical designs. Students will grasp an understanding and application of the elements and principles of design utilized, an exploration of the design process and responsibilities of each theatrical design discipline-scenery, costumes, lighting, and sound. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
  • Recognize the fundamentals of the elements of design and principles of composition to analyze other theatrical designs in the industry
  • Utilize the element of design and principles of composition to support a script, director’s concept, and other designer’s ideas to create strong, cohesive, theatrical designs
  • Gain an introductory understanding of the major fields of theatrical design, including scenic, costume, lighting, and sound design
  • Determine research needs and conduct basic research necessary for a theatrical design piece
  • Practice collaborative skills through theatrical design projects
  • Create a theatrical design for theatrical disciplines

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for this course, however, it is expected that you read the assigned readings or power points prior to the class the content is discussed

Course Fees

There are no required supplies in this course. However, it is highly recommended that any money that would have been used on a textbook be set aside to purchase a variety of supplies needed to create the projects throughout the semester. Do not let your lack of financial planning inhibit your creativity or affect your grade. If finances become a challenge for this course, please come and talk with me as soon as possible. 

Course Requirements

A basic breakdown by assignment is:
Points    Assignment                                Grade Percentage
150      Activities                                                     15%
                  In-Class Design Activities – multiple activities will be done during class in order to explore and apply the concepts (e.g. the design elements) discussed during lectures. Some activities will be done individually others will be done as group work.
300      Assignment & Projects                               30%
                  Elements Tell a Story: City, City Analysis & Design: Apply an understanding of how design elements support a text by developing a design statement and supporting the design ideas through written language and visual images. The design formally presented in class.
                  Design Principles & Design Analysis: Collection of production images and written documentation analyzing theatrical production designs by exploring the use of design principles.
                  Director & Designer Collaboration: Cornell Music Box – a project exploring the collaborative relationship between director and designer, resulting in an execution of all the steps in the theatrical design process: Analysis, Research, Development of a Design Concept, and Execution of the Design.
250       Quizzes                                                      25%
                  A quiz will be given at the completion of each theatrical design discipline unit.
                  - Quiz #1 – Elements, Principles, Theatrical Composition, & Concepts
                  - Quiz #2 – Scenic Design
                  - Quiz #3 – Costume Design
                  - Quiz #4 – Lighting Design
                  - Quiz #5 – Sound Design
300      Final Collaborative Design Project           30%
                  Using an assigned script, the class will work together conducting a through a script analysis and research components. Students will then function within a collaborative team as a theatrical designer in one of the disciplines and work together to develop a design concept and create a final design for their assigned respective discipline (scenic, costume, lighting, or sound).
1000 Points Possible

Course Outline

Week 1 – Introduction to Course & Materials:
     Course Introduction, Design Introduction, & Collages
Week 2 – Elements of Design:
     Elements of Design – Line, Shape, Form, & Space
Week 3 – Elements of Design:
     Elements of Design – Texture, Pattern, Color, & Value
Week 4 – Elements of Design & Textual Analysis:
     Continuation of Color, Text Analysis, & City, City Project
Week 5 – Design Statements & Communication:
     Expressing Design Ideas, How to Present Designs, & City, City Presentations
Week 6 – Principles of Composition & Design Concepts:
     Principles of Design, How to Apply them, & Design Concepts
Week 7 – Design Concepts:
     Analyzing a Design & Directors Concepts
Week 8 – Collaboration:
     Production Hierarchy, Working within a team, & Introduction to Cornell Music Box
Week 9 – Cornell Music Box Continued:
     Continuation of Cornell Music Box Project & Group Work
Week 10 – Scenic Design:
     Inclusion in the theatre & an Exploration into Scenic Design 
Week 11 – Costume Design:
     Wrap up Scenic Design & an Exploration into Costume Design 
Week 12 – Lighting Design:
     Wrap up Costume Design & an Exploration into Lighting Design 
Week 13 – Sound Design:
     Wrap up Lighting Design & an Exploration into Sound Design 
Week 14 – Final Project:
     Analyzing Pullman Car Hiawatha & In-Class Workdays
Week 15 – Finals: 
     Presentation of Pullman Car Hiawatha Final 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.