4/25/2024 1:05:07 AM	THAR 127.4 Course Outline as of Spring 2016	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  THAR 127.4	Title:  PROPS WKSHP WEAPONS
Full Title:  Properties Workshop: Weaponry and Specialty Items
Last Reviewed:4/26/2021

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	2.00	Lecture Scheduled	1.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	17.50
Minimum	2.00	Lab Scheduled	3.00		8 min.	Lab Scheduled	52.50
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	4.00			Contact Total	70.00
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  35.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 105.00

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

This course provides  instruction in the skills involved in the design and construction of stage properties, with a focus on theatrical weaponry and specialty props.  Students will work on focus-related projects, as well as properties for SRJC productions.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of THAR 27

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course provides  instruction in the skills involved in the design and construction of stage properties, with a focus on theatrical weaponry and specialty props.  Students will work on focus-related projects, as well as properties for SRJC productions.

(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of THAR 27
Recommended:Course Completion or Concurrent Enrollment in THAR 2
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to conceptualize, communicate,

construct, refurbish, and organize theatrical weaponry and specialty props used in stage

and camera productions.

Objectives:

In order to achieve these learning outcomes, during the course the student will:

1.   Read and analyze a play with respect to props.

2.   Identify and evaluate the props needed for a production.

3.   Design and create props using a variety of techniques and concepts.

4.   Demonstrate creative problem solving in prop designing.

5.   Work collaboratively and communicate with a design and directorial team.

6.   Develop organizational tools and skills to plan the props for the run of a show.

7.   Identify production and script needs in order to develop a purchasing strategy within a given budget.

8.   Renovate or adapt existing props using a variety of techniques and concepts.

9.   Conduct and apply historical and stylistic research in the creation of prop design.

10.  Safely use tool and materials in order to construct a prop weapon for a theatrical production.

11.  Mentoring beginning students in the construction and management of weaponry and specialty items.

Topics and Scope

 I.   Introduction

    A.  Define stage properties, props master, props manager and props organization

    B.  Introduction to historical styles

2.  Safety

    A.  Shop safety

    B.  Safe use of materials and equipment

    C.  Explanation of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)

    D.  The importance of protective clothing and masks

3. Script analysis and strategizing for an assigned play

    A.  Evaluation of props requirements of an assigned play

    B.  Strategizing which props can be bought, pulled from stock, or built

    C.  Consideration of the play's period and socioeconomic situation in relation to props

    D.  Consideration of the play's style, such as realism vs. fantasy

4.  Research

    A.  Investigate sources of historical information

    B.  Discuss and investigate creative nontraditional research approaches

5.  Purchasing

    A.  Budgeting

    B.  Buying props

    C.  Researching sources

6.  Managing props in production

    A.  Organization and placement

    B.  Tracking

    C.  Inventory and maintenance

    D.  Working with actors

7. Weapons

    A.  Brief historical look at weapons

    B.  Sources of weapons for stage

 8. Weapon safety

     A.  Handling of weapons

    B.  Storage and transportation of weapons

 9. Creating faux weapons

    A.  Materials

    B.  Techniques

    C.  Finishes

10. Assisting peers in the construction and management of weaponry and specialty items.

Assignments:

THAR 127.4 students will participate in class activities relating to the properties requirements

for the semester's productions.  However, the following assignments will focus primarily on

developing skills relating to theatrical weaponry and speciality props.

 

Homework and class assignments:

 

1.  Read 5-10 pages of the required material per week.

 

2.  Quizzes:  One or more quizzes on assigned reading and/or safety issues.

 

3.  Read, analyze, and research 3-4 assigned plays from a property designer's

    viewpoint. Scripts will include the 2-3 SRJC productions for the current semester;

      instructor may select 1-2 additional scripts for class discussion and exercises.

     With each script, the student will:

         A.  Identify required and potential props.

         B.  Develop a props list, scene by scene.

         C.  Identify the period and style of each play.

         D.  Research and collect visual images representing the period of the play.

         E.  Research the identified props within the play's period, providing

                images/sketches.

 

4.  Design Team Assignment

     Students will work in groups of 2-3 to simulate the collaborative process of a

     design team.

          Assignment example:

         A.  The team is assigned one or more specific props for an upcoming production.

         B.  The team strategizes how the prop(s) will be constructed, selects

                appropriate materials, and applies techniques in the construction of the

                assigned prop(s).

 

5.  Production Attendance Essays:

         A.  Attend 2-3 SRJC productions  (Note:  Students receive one free

               ticket per production.)

         B.  Write a 500 word essay on each play, focusing on the props used.

 

6.  Props Purchasing Assignment:

         A.  Research 2-4 purchasing sources for an assigned object or material.

         B.  Present findings to class, including price, availability and delivery information.

 

7.  Final Project:  

          Problem-solve, strategize, and construct an instructor-assigned prop for

         theatrical use.

          (Instructor may assign a prop for a specific production or independent of

          any specific script or show.)

 

Additional assignments may include:

 

8.  Props Management Assignment:

         A.  Develop a problem-solving strategy for organizing and managing props

              for a production, in theory or practical application.

         B.  Document the management strategy in a 500 word page paper (Strategy Paper).

 

9.  Specialized Prop Construction Assignment(s):

           Examples include a foam carving or casting project.

 

10.  Peer assisting in the construction and management of weaponry and speciality items.

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
2-3 production essays; Strategy paper.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 20 - 40%
Script analysis, research, strategizing and purchasing assignments
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 40 - 60%
Props design and construction assignments; Design Team assignment.
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 5 - 15%
Quizzes on reading/safety
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 5 - 10%
Participation and attendance

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

The Theatre Props Handbook: Second Edition. James, Thurston. Players Press: 2000 (Classic)     

The Prop Builders Molding and Casting Handbook. James, Thurston. Betterway Books: 1989 (Classic)

 

Intructor prepared materials.

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