Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Sound Design (Face-to-Face)

THEA 3573-01

Course: THEA 3573-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 11949

Course Description

This course will provide students with the basic skills necessary for the execution of sound design for the theatre. This will include the proper use and hookup of equipment, basic recording and playback of sound and digital audio editing. To learn the process of sound design for theatre productions including script analysis, conceptual approaches to sound, sound plots, cue synopsis, music underscoring, atmospheric sound, spot effects and speaker placement. To become proficient with the following types of sound design delivery systems: live sound effects, microphone techniques, digital audio recording software, and digital audio playback software.

Required Texts

Required Text: Sound and Music for the Theatre (4th Edition) by James LeBrecht & Deena Kaye

ISBN: 978–1–315–77647–7 (Available from the library as an ebook.)

Required Tools: Access to computer with audio tools such as Audacity and Qlab. Design lab access is available through the theatre office. 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Become familiar with the operation and maintenance of basic audio equipment used in the theatre.
  2. Gain awareness of psychoacoustic phenomena and the physics of sound.
  3. Analyze and critically review peer and professional designs to strengthen knowledge of sound design for the theatre.
  4. Execute basic production processes in the areas of sound design and technology.
  5. Develop research skills and script analysis techniques to support the work of both realized and unrealized sound designs.
  6. Create a sound portfolio.

Course Requirements

Below is a brief overview of projects assigned over the course of the semester; additional homework and reading is required but not covered here:

  • Review Papers (two required):

    During the course of the semester you will be attending various theatrical productions put on during the mainstage season or second studio. Other productions may also satisfy this requirement with instructor permission. Write a review of two productions. The review should concentrate on the technical or design aspects of the production’s sound.

  • Research Exercises:

    Varied, weekly assignments dealing with various aspects of sound research - both historical and conceptual.

  • Editing Exercises:

    Varied, weekly assignments dealing with various aspects of sound editing and software.

  • Storytelling:

    Using only sounds and without dialogue, tell a specific story.

  • Environmental Design:

    Use sounds to simulate a specific environment without visual stimulus.

  • Foley:

    Create a specific soundscape using only self-produced foley effects. These elements will be individually recorded and then layered in editing to create the desired final mix.

  • In Class Practicals:

    Many classes will take the form of a sound lab including practicing the basics of sound system setup, usage, and strike. Participation is expected.

  • Complete Sound Design:

    Over the course of the semester, you will complete a sound design as assigned. This one, large project will be broken into a series of steps across the semester but ultimately turned in as a complete package. This will include research, documentation, sound editing, and the realization of sound in a theatrical space.

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A 94% to 100%
A- 90% to < 94%
B+ 87% to < 90%
B 84% to < 87%
B- 80% to < 84%
C+ 77% to < 80%
C 74% to < 77%
C- 70% to < 74%
D+ 67% to < 70%
D 64% to < 67%
D- 60% to < 64%
F 0% to < 60%

Course Outline

Week: | Topic:
W1 | Introduction to the purpose of sound and commercial critique. Descriptive sound assignment.
W2 | Defining the sound designer role and key personnel. Script analysis and discussion of Eurydice.
W3 | Examination of the functions and physical properties of sound.
W4 | Discussion of design concepts and research preparation. Practical introduction to DAWs.
W5 | Overview of research and copyright. Introduction to QLab basics.
W6 | Training on advanced QLab functions. Dedicated time to work in class.
W7 | Practical training on analogue mixers. Microphone laboratory exercises.
W8 | Implementation of surround sound in QLab. Dedicated time to work in class.
W9 | Storm project development. Presentation of projects.
W10 | Practical instruction on digital mixers.
W11 | Laboratory sessions focused on mixing for musical theatre.
W12 | Dedicated time for final projects. Editing and programming.
W13 | Project workday and demonstrations of previous editing and research assignments.
W14 | Final project preparations and continued demonstrations of previous assignments.
W15 | Submission and presentation of the final project.

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

Late Assignments:

Except as noted, assignments will be submitted online. Consult the assignment information on Canvas for all due dates and times. As many assignments will be shared and critiqued during class, it is essential that assignments are submitted on time for optimal feedback. Presentations must meet the due dates as scheduled. Presentation dates will not be rescheduled except as required under university policies. Such exceptions MUST be documented and have advanced notice, otherwise no accommodation will be provided. Late projects may be accepted with a penalty increasing 3% daily. If you need to be absent, work due during your absence must be turned in ahead of time.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. A student is allotted THREE (3) unexcused absences (for classes meeting TWO DAYS per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each additional unexcused absence will incur a half-letter grade deduction from a student’s cumulative grade as outlined below:

0 additional unexcused absences: A 
1 additional unexcused absence:   A- 
2 additional unexcused absences: B 
3 additional unexcused absences: C+ 
4 additional unexcused absences: C- 
5 additional unexcused absences: D
6 additional unexcused absences: F

In addition to attendance, grades are contingent upon the completion and quality of all other course requirements as outlined by the professor. For purposes of grading, no distinction between excused and unexcused absences (excluding recognized religious holidays and approved university functions) as absenteeism affects the progress of the entire class. Unexcused absences from practical labs conducted during class will not be rescheduled.

If you know you will be absent in advance, please notify your professor.

Tardiness: If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered tardy. Three instances of tardiness to a class will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Statement of Risk

Campus Resources and Canvas Information

SUU Campus Resources and Services

SUU has several resources and services available to support you during your time here at SUU, please review this list of SUU Campus Resources and Services and the Student Handbook. For more information on Canvas and other technologies, and their statements on Accessibility and Privacy statements please review our Vendor Resources page.

Financial Security Statement

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.  

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

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.