Course Syllabus

Scene from The Little Mermaid on Broadway featuring red-headed Ariel and Ursula the sea witch. Ariel is singing into a shell.

THAR21A, Introduction to Costume Technology
Section 6154 - Course Syllabus

Course Description

Introduction to practical application of methods, materials, and techniques used in costume construction with additional emphasis on related crafts and design as applied to the creative storytelling process of a public performance.

Link to Course Outlines

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1.  Construct costumes using safe and effective costume construction techniques.
2.  Explain the role of costume design in the creative storytelling process of a theatrical performance.

Class Meetings

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This class meets via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-4:50 PM beginning January 20, 2021, and ending May 19, 2021.

Need help with Canvas or Zoom? Go to the Distance Education Student Help Page

A bit about the Zoom classroom!

Please select an area in your home that will be set up with your sewing machine, table, steam iron, and computer or cellphone. Students are asked to keep their video turned ON and microphone OFF through the lecture portion of class time. You may turn your microphone on when the instructor calls for questions. You can also use the chat option for course related comments and questions throughout the class time.

FROM THE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES:

Zoom meetings will take place for each class session at the days/time(s) listed above. Students are expected to be online with a functioning mic, and/or camera for the duration of the live session. This course requires each student to have access to a basic domestic sewing machine (sewing machines may be available for loan), sewing kit, fabric (possibly supplied by the department), and costume patterns on the first day of class. Please check the SRJC Bookstore and the Canvas course page for details as they become available.

The above section consists of 5 hours of scheduled/synchronous online lab MW 2:30-4:50pm. 

This class normally requires a corequisite of THAR 25 or THAR 25.1 or THAR 25.5 working with 1-2 productions this spring. Although the two Theatre Arts productions will be produced remotely this spring, a limited number of production opportunities are still available. Students wishing to complete the corequisite this spring may request a production position by contacting the instructor Coleen Trivett ctrivett@santarosa.edu. Students who prefer to defer their production corequisite until fall 2021 may petition to do so; contact the instructor for instructions.

Instructor Contact

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Coleen Scott Trivett

Email: ctrivett@santarosa.edu 

Phone: 707-527-4268 (x4268)

Office: Burbank 147

Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 2:00-2:30PM via Zoom and by appointment.

I respond to emails within 24hours. I never respond on weekends, so please expect a response to those messages on Monday.

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.

Course Objectives

You can view the course objectives by going to the official Course Outline on the SRJC website.

Course Assignments

This is an overview of the general assignments for this course.  Specific assignments and instructions can be found in the individual Modules for this course as the semester progresses.

1.  Read five pages a week.
2.  Develop a notebook of required hand sewing and machine sewing techniques with appropriate descriptive information.
3.  Develop a swatch book of fabrics including pertinent content information and record results of a burn test using a rubric.
4.  Complete two of the following beginning sewing projects:
      a)  Sewing Tool bag,
      b)   Utility apron,
      c)   Period shirt
      d) Drawstring pants
5.  Construct one or more costume items for a major SRJC Theatre Arts production with effective and safe use of all appropriate equipment, tools, and materials.
6.  Complete all assigned tasks, including organization, alterations, and practical maintenance of costumes used during the run of a major SRJC production. (there will be remote opportunities for this work)
7.  Draft a basic pattern.
8.  Write a character analysis outline with supporting visual aids for costume design development.
9.   Write a 500 word Design Statement essay for costume design development.
10. Create a research collage for costume design development.
11. Design and render a costume that is based on a specific character from a play, musical, or historical event.
12. Complete the construction of a final design project by first using a commercial pattern and /or basic pattern drafting techniques.
13. Complete the construction of an accessory to accompany the final costume design project. (If time permits)
14.  Multiple choice quiz on safety.
15. Participate in the Course Meet and Greet discussion.

Supplies

A sewing machine and steam iron are required for this class. 

Please contact me if you need to borrow either of these pieces of equipment from SRJC.

There are additional supplies needed for your sewing kit, and these can be purchased from various vendors. Click Here for The Supply List. It can also be found in the first module. You will need many of your supplies by the second week of class. We are hoping to offer some of the additional supplies at no cost and will schedule no-contact pickups on campus after the start of class.  

Textbook

There is no required textbook for this course.  Reading material and instructions will be provided for each assignment within course modules.  Two suggested texts are recommended below and will be available through the campus bookstore soon.

Suggested Texts:

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The Costume Technician's Handbook

Costume Construction by Katharine Strand Evans

Required Software

You will need the following software for this course. 

Important Dates

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Holiday, No Classes) January 18, 2021
  • Professional Development Day (No Classes): January 19, 2021
  • Day Class Begins: Wednesday, January 20, 2021
  • Mandatory Professional Development Activity Institutional Day (No Classes) February 11, 2021
  • Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: Tuesday January 26, 2021
  • Last Day to Drop and be eligible for enrollment/course fee refund: Sunday, January 31, 2021
  • Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: Sunday, February 7, 2021
  • Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Sunday, February 7, 2021
  • Lincoln's Day Holiday (No Classes) February 12, 2021
  • Washington's Day Holiday (No Classes) February 15, 2021
  • Professional Development 1/2 Flex Day (No Classes) March 26, 2021
  • Spring Break (No Classes) March 22-28, 2021
  • Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: Sunday, April 25, 2021
  • Day Class Ends: Wednesday, May 19, 2021
  • Final Exam: Wednesday, May 26, 2021, 1PM-3:45PM
  • Commencement, May 29, 2021
  • Memorial Day (Holiday) May 31, 2021

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

The instructor will post announcements on the “Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

Attendance

Each class meeting with be held at the scheduled time through Zoom. Students will be admitted into the virtual classroom by the instructor.  All 5 hours of lab instruction in this course is synchronous.

• You are allowed a total of 2 absences for the semester. These include both excused and unexcused absences, Illness, Dr.'s appointments, work conflicts, transportation issues, family emergencies, etc. I recommend that you use them only for such events.
• Any anticipated absences for the semester (class/team events, work conferences, personal responsibilities, etc) must be discussed with me within the first two weeks of class and will count as part of your two absences.
• For the purpose of late work, an 'Excused Absence' is defined as: illness or hospitalization accompanied by a note from your doctor for an office visit or hospitalization.
• Please send me an email when you are ill. We are part of a team now. We need to know how you are in order to help you.

Late Policy

All assignments are due on the due date. A late submission will receive a point penalty. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement.]

Exams

Final Exam

This is a project based course. The Final Exam will be comprised of a completed Final Project presented by each participating student on the scheduled Final Exam day.

 Final Exam Day: Wednesday, May 26, 2021 1:00pm-3:45pm

Grading Policy

Grading Policy

Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I post grades and comments in the Canvas grade book within one week after each due date. 

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A

90%

450 points or more

B

80%

449 to 400 points

C

70%

399 to 350 points

D

60%

349 to 300 points

There is no Pass/No Pass grading option for this course.

Total points values for assignments may be adjusted over the course of the semester at the instructor's discretion, but will always be adjusted in favor of the student. The total percentage of points required to pass the course will remain in proportion to the chart above.

Standards of Conduct

The Sonoma County Junior College District supports a safe, productive learning environment to foster intellectual curiosity, integrity and accomplishment as defined in the District Mission and Goals.

The District holds that students shall conduct themselves in a manner which reflects their awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. Interference with the District’s mission, objectives, or community life shall be cause for disciplinary action.

We will conduct ourselves in a manner, which reflects our awareness of common standards of decency and the rights of others. All students are expected to know the Student Conduct PolicyLinks to an external site. and adhere to it in this class. Students who violate the code may be suspended from 2 classes and may be referred to the Conduct Dean for discipline.

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity

 

Other Important Policies and Practices

Respect 

The best way to learn is through active participation; therefore, we respect others when talking by being on-time, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another’s viewpoint.

Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:

  • Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
  • Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
  • Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
  • Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
  • Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
  • Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
  • Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.

TITLE 9: 

This initiative is in compliance with Title IX and the Campus SVE Act, and addresses critical issues including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Given the importance of this training, the District is required by federal and state law to offer all incoming and continuing students at all campuses education and awareness programs on sexual misconduct prevention.

Title 9: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) prohibits sex (gender-based) discrimination and harassment in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial funding, including for employment, academic, educational, extracurricular and athletic activities.

  • Protects all people regardless of their gender or gender identity from sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, which are forms of discrimination, and

  • Requires institutions to take necessary steps to prevent sexual misconduct on their campuses, and to respond promptly and effectively when sexual misconduct is reported.

 

STUDENT EQUITY: 

Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) aspires to be an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable learning community. Its mission is to passionately cultivate learning through the development of its diverse community.

What is Student Equity?

Title V California Education Code state the goal of Student Equity is “…to close achievement gaps in access and success in underrepresented student groups, as identified in local student equity plans.”

In the state of California and at SRJC, we have a diverse student population from a variety of backgrounds. The data shows that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are not achieving their academic goals at the same rate as the average population. At SRJC, the Office of Student Equity is committed to supporting campus wide efforts focused on reducing these achievement gaps. 

Health Services

Health issues (physical and mental) can interfere with your academic success. Student Health Services is here to support you. Details are at shs.santarosa.edu.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

If you need disability related accommodations for this class, please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to the instructor as soon as possible. If you have not received authorization from DRD, please contact them directly. DRD is located in Bertolini Hall, 3rdFloor on the Santa Rosa campus, and Jacobs Hall Room101l on the Petaluma Campus.

Emergency Procedures

  • Register your Cell Phone with REGROUP and Nixle.  [Links to an external site]
  • This course requires the safe use of machinery and hazardous materials. CAREFULLY review safety procedures in "Working in Our Virtual Costume Studio" listed in Modules. 

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.