Course Syllabus
Course: THEA 2204
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Theater Arts
Title: Costume Design For Theatre & Film
Semester Approved: Fall 2020
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2025
End Semester: Spring 2026
Catalog Description: What would Eliza Doolittle, the Sugar Plum Fairy, Annie Hall, or Miranda Priestly be without their costumes? Just as there are great fashion designers, there are great costume designers whose work is celebrated for its contributions to the movies, theater, and dance. In this course, students study the techniques and practices of theatrical costume design and illustration. Topics include analyzing the play script, costume history, textiles, research, costume plot, budget, illustrating costume design and construction of costumes for theatrical performance.
General Education Requirements: Fine Arts (FA)
Semesters Offered: Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 1
Justification: This course is similar to introductory costume design and costume history related courses offered by University of Utah THEA 2140 Costume Design I, Weber State University THEA 2022 Costume Fundamentals, Utah Valley University THEA 2541 Costume History, Southern Utah University THEA 2541 costume lab, Dixie State University Theatre Workshop: Costumes and THEA 2240 Costume Design I, and Salt Lake Community College FASH 2340 Costuming. All of which offer theatre programs. Course fills a lower division core for theatre majors wishing to transfer to a four-year institution. It also responds to the unique need of the Snow College Theatre Department majors and minors to costume design and rendering techniques to support a theatrical production for each year's theatrical season.
Courses to be designated as a Fine Arts (FA) General Education experience are expected to provide students with an understanding of the basic conceptual frameworks, historical and cultural contexts of artistic works, and be instilled with a sensibility of the creative process. Assessment will occur through the student's ability to critically evaluate creative works using the language and methodology appropriate to the disciplines of dance, music, theater, and/or the visual arts.Theatre is the art and craft of play production. It includes the study of dramatic literature and theory, theatre history, acting, set design, lighting design, costume design and film. In addition to the scholarly exploration of these subjects, the theatre program emphasizes the practical application of knowledge gained and skills learned through annual performances before live audiences.Theatre also explores the historical, cultural and social milieu that produced significant works of dramatic literature.
General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will be able to articulate in written assignments the dynamics of the creative process including the development of a lifetime sensibility as it applies to the elements of dance, music, theater, or visual arts as presented onstage. Students will develop a better understanding of how theatre as an art form, (and more specifically costume design) presents an overview of the basic human condition and shows the struggles and successes of human relationships.
2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will complete research for various historical fashion periods and styles in order to identify their respective time periods in relation to the utilization of creating costumes they will choose to develop in the course. Class discussion and presentations will provide the student relevant feedback to either refute or confirm their analysis. Students will develop increased ability to read, retrieve, evaluate and interpret the material they research as determined by both instructor and peer feedback.
5: A student who completes the GE curriculum can communicate effectively through writing and speaking. Students will demonstrate through classroom discussion and written critiques an understanding of conceptual and elemental principles fundamental to the creation of artistic expression as it pertains to costume design. This process includes an exploration of literature, psychology, sociology, visual arts, and practical design. Students will be required to evaluate costumes in live or filmed theatre productions and write critiques of the periods and styles in the productions thereby exhibiting an ability to critically analyze artistic works using appropriate techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies. Their responses will be evaluated through class lectures and discussion.
6: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason quantitatively. This course allows students an opportunity to creatively explore the art of costume by analyzing scripts and determining the best fit elements for a production. The student will be able to articulate through quizzes and written critiques the dynamics of the creative process as it relates to dance, music, theater, and or visual arts.
General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students will demonstrate the creative basics and develop the appreciation of a lifetime of sensibility as it applies to costume design. In addition, they will learn creative collaboration skills through a design team project. Students will demonstrate understanding through individual and group projects. Students will demonstrate the creative basics and develop the appreciation of a lifetime of sensibility as it applies to costume design. In addition, they will learn creative collaboration skills through a design team project. Students will demonstrate understanding through individual and group projects.
2: Provide an informed synopsis of the performing and/or visual arts in the contexts of culture and history through reading and interpreting pertinent information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic digital illustration software, internet research, access digital and hand copy scripts, and learn how to create a basic digital portfolio. Students will be asked to consider how current theatrical design and construction practices fit within the overall historical and cultural framework of theatrical development. Students are asked to show mastery through graded projects and class assignments.
3: Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and elemental principles fundamental to the creation of various forms of artistic expression. Students will be able to demonstrate creative artistic design methods and techniques. Students will also be able to develop artistic expression through creative design elements and utilizing proper tools and equipment such as light table, watercolor, pencils, fabrics, and collaging. Students will show improved understanding of how various methods of costume design help audience members have a greater understanding of a play's message, theme, mood, and time and place. Students will be evaluated through projects and in-class evaluations.
4: Exhibit an ability to critically analyze artistic works using appropriate techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies. Students will demonstrate basic creative collaboration skills analysis. Laboratory exercises and designs will be evaluated on preparation, initiative, attitude, dependability, and technique through project completion. Students will demonstrate ability to critically analyze the dynamics of the creative process including the development of a lifetime sensibility as it applies to the disciplines of dance, music, theater, or visual arts.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Practical Application. Move your learning beyond the classroom and participate in the hands-on application of skills, methods, and techniques required by the different areas of theatre. Develop in-depth understanding of how costume design contributes to the creation of theater through course work, portfolio development, and participation in design work in actualized productions. Students will be evaluated through costume design projects and in-class evaluation.
Collaborative Artistry. Develop the ability to collaborate in a group: assist fellow artists toward a single creative goal, clearly communicating while understanding responsibilities in theatre. Create and utilize and costume designer essential communication paperwork including costume plot, costume show budget, costume pieces list, fabric swatch research for purchasing, wardrobe crew paperwork. Students will demonstrate ability to critcally analyze through script analysis and Costume critiques.
Theoretical Understanding. Apply theoretical concepts fundamental to the theatrical arts used in performance, design and/or technical theatre, informing creativity and expression with structure. Become proficient in the skills necessary to be a costume designer. Skills gained include figure drawing, costume rendering, water-color painting, appropriate fabric selection. Students will demonstrate ability to critcally analyze through script analysis and through their portfolio development.
Historical Foundation. Recognize the historical developments of dramatic literature, theatrical tradition, and the discrete periods, styles, and genres that comprise them. Gain an historical knowledge of clothing and Art History as a part of understanding the link between Art and clothing as it applies to theater. Students will demonstrate ability to critcally analyze through script analysis and through their portfolio development.
Reflective Criticism. Engage in the creative process through critique, thoughtful analysis, interpretation, and a refinement of knowledge and self-expression. Class presentations with peer and professor feedback. Students presented work will include creating mood boards, color stories, and illustrations. Students will be evaluated through costume design projects and in-class evaluations.
Cultural Appreciation. Understand the importance of drama as an art form through its impact on society, its diversity of perspectives and/or contribute to the cultural life of the campus. Script analysis to break down character identity through costume as self-expression. Students will demonstrate ability to critically analyze through script analysis and costume critiques.
Content:
The course provides opportunity for both theoretical and practical experience in the various aspects of design theatre through lecture, hands-on experience and both independent and group project opportunities. Units of study include:
Create a detailed costume script analysis.
Design costumes based upon concept, analysis and research.
Define specific terms and periods of costuming pertaining to plays.
Collaborate with a design team.
Construct a personal costume design portfolio digitally and a printed version.
Formulate a detailed costume budget.
Research, render, and present costume designs.
Key Performance Indicators:
Course outcomes will be assessed by the following means:
Costume Design Project 20 to 40%
Script Analysis 10 to 20%
Portfolio Development 20 to 30%
Written Quizzes 10 to 20%
Costume Design Critque of Theatrical or Film 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
The Costume Designer’s Handbook by Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey current edition.
Character Costume Figure Drawing: Step-by-Step Drawing Methods for Theatre Costume Designers current edition by Tan Huaixiang
Pedagogy Statement:
This course will be taught in a manner that reflects current best practices in costume design through a mix of lectures, discussions, and classroom activities.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Online
Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 20