Course Objectives

This course will assist you in developing and demonstrating:

1.     an understanding of drafting technique from hand drafting to CAD

a.     Knowledge of the development of theatre

2.     proper use of vocabulary relevant to drafting as it relates to theatre

a.     Theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application

b.     Employability

3.     a firm knowledge of the industry expectations of a draftsperson

a.     Theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application

b.     Employability

c.     Professionalism

Course Requirements

To succeed in this course, you will need to ensure the following requirements are met, daily.

1.     Daily participation in all activities is mandatory. Foundational information is given and explained in class and then built upon over the semester. Absences will cause many issues as you move forward in this course.

2.     Completion of the assigned projects on the due date. Incomplete assignments will be graded as such and could be grounds for significant point loss. Late assignments will not be accepted.

3.     Keep track of your grades using the section under tentative schedule of this syllabus. If an assignment is returned on a day that you are absent, it is your responsibility to seek out the missing items and grade.

4.     D2L will be utilized during this course.

5.     It is a mandate that all faculty use the official MSU student emails. No other email will be used.

6.     Header information on all assignments must be in one line and contain the following: Your first and last name, the date of submission, and the class name and number. For Instance: 

Eric Koger              January 24^th, 2024                  THEA 3353 Drafting for Theatre

In addition, all work MUST be typed, printed, stapled, spell-checked, and grammar checked prior to class beginning. Documents that do not meet these criteria will be assessed a point deduction. 

***When printing, make sure that your name is clearly typed on your work. Not hand scrawled.

7.     You are responsible for ensuring your desk and work materials are cleaned with antibacterial spray before you leave class or lab hours.

8.     During finals week, you are required to attend class. Each class meets at a specific time that will not overlap with other exam times. 

a.     The final for this class is, Wednesday, May 9^th at 3:30 – 5:30pm.

Disclaimer

The information provided within this syllabus may be subject to change. Always assume that the syllabus is correct unless the instructor has made a formal amendment.

Textbook

Allen, Kevin Lee. Vectorworks for Entertainment Design: Using Vectorworks to Design and Document Scenery, Lighting, and Sound. Focal Press. 2015, ISBN: 978-0-415-72613-9

Supplies

None needed.

Distance Learning Preparation 

To ensure our preparedness for any potential health concerns, there are several requirements. If the course is forced to an online modality, it is expected that the student will be able to make that transition with ease. A working video camera with sound and a stable internet connection, are vital. In addition, when in class via ZOOM, the student must be always visible in their ZOOM window. If the student cannot be seen, they will be counted absent. When setting up for a ZOOM class, the student’s class environment must be free of distraction and external noise. 

This means, no driving or walking somewhere or doing laundry while in class. In addition, ensure you are in an environment that you can participate audibly without significant background noise.

Cell Phones and Other Recording Devices

Cell phones must be silenced and put away completely out of sight and not looked at until the class is over. If at any point your cell phone is NOT put away and silenced, you will be asked to leave for the remainder of the day.

The use of cell phones and other recording or electronic devices is strictly prohibited during class. The instructor may direct, from time to time, on the possible use of cell phones for legitimate class reasons. Recording the class is prohibited, unless it is part of a reasonable accommodation under ADA, or by obtaining written consent by the instructor.

Computer and Tablet Usage

Often electronic devices provide distraction during class. The use of electronic devices during class is prohibited unless specifically mentioned otherwise. Note taking should be accomplished with a writing utensil and paper. Always be prepared with the proper note taking materials when in class.

Conduct Statement

Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to benefit from the instruction will result in the instructor removing the disruptive student(s) from the class.

Academic Dishonesty Statement

Plagiarism is (1) the use of source material of other persons (either published or unpublished, including the Internet) without following the accepted techniques of giving credit or (2) the submission for credit of work not the individuals to whom credit is given. If a student in the class is caught plagiarizing, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. The Student Creed developed and adopted by the MSU Student Government reinforces the discouragement of plagiarism and other unethical behaviors. The first statement of the Creed reads, “As an MSU student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so.” Plagiarism is lying, cheating, and stealing.

ChatGPT and AI

AI Writing tools are not permitted for any stage or phase of work in this class. If you use these tools, your actions would be considered academically dishonest and treated as plagiarism. 

Student Privacy Statement

In accordance with Federal Privacy Laws a student’s personal information is protected. 

As an instructor it is unlawful for me to share your personal information (including grades) with anyone unless I have written consent. This means I will not be able to discuss your grades with parents. 

Disability Support Statement

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the 

Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Campus Carry

Facts about campus carry can be found at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/

Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law.

Tentative Schedule

A detailed daily schedule is posted in a separate file. 

Attendance

You must attend the required class periods. You are responsible for any information that you miss due to absenteeism. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class. Excessive lateness may count as an absence and will be determined by the instructor. 

Unavoidable absence â€“ Jury duty, death in the family, etc. You must send notification by email to the instructor explaining the situation prior to missing the class. Be sure to include your name, class period (day/time) and your situation. 

Late assignments will not be accepted. Quizzes missed due to absenteeism cannot be made up.

Feeling sick and opting not to attend class will be a normal absence. For that absence to be excused, an official doctor’s note must be submitted within 3 days of the absence.

Makeup policy: Late assignments will NOT be accepted. All D2L assignments must be uploaded before class, the day they are due. Some assignments may be collected during the class period in which they are due. Quizzes missed due to absenteeism cannot be made up. Presentations must also be presented the day they are due and cannot be made up.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.