TH-135: Costume Construction

Course, prefix, number, & title: TH-135 Costume Construction

Hours (Class, recitation, Laboratory, studio): 2 class hours, 2 studio hours

Credits: 3

Pre-requisites (if any): None

Co-requisites (if any): None

Course Description in college catalog:

Students will learn the elementary skills required in the construction of garments and costumes. Through project based learning, students will learn the different techniques employed in hand sewing, machine sewing, fabric selection and the operation of costume shop equipment. Emphasis will be placed on basic pattern making, flat patterning, and draping. Student will apply their skills to various personal sewing and building projects, as well as being involved in builds and alterations for current theatrical productions. This will garner a greater understanding of the process and function of a professional costume shop.

Academic programs for which this course serves as a requirement or an elective:

A.S. Theatre, (Concentration: Acting) Elective

A.S. Theatre, (Concentration: Technical Theatre) Elective

General Education Outcomes: Below is a listing of General Education Outcome(s) that this course supports.

1. Communicate effectively in various forms

2. Reason quantitatively as required in various fields of interest and in everyday life

Course-specific student learning outcomes:

a. Read and analyze plays, identifying design elements pertinent to costume design and creation. 

b. Demonstrate a progressive understanding of the various elements and basic interrelated processes of costume creation, interpretation, and production through the building of a costume in the realization of a costume design.

c. Build and create a variety of construction projects utilizing appropriate methods.

d. Discuss and identify components of theatre in a framework of artistic methodology and to demonstrate an appreciation and express a comprehension of the technical areas, specifically costume and garment construction, in which it was produced.

e. Apply appropriate vocabulary to identify and distinguish all aspects of costume and garment construction, draping, patterning, machine sewing, and hand sewing.

f. Make practical application of knowledge gained in the course by collaborating in and the creation of costumes for a theatrical work and by serving on a costume crew.

Program-specific outcomes

I. Engage in the creation and execution of works of theatre.

II. Analyze plays perceptively.

Concentration-specific outcomes: Technical Theatre

A. Employ stagecraft knowledge, skills, and tools.

B. Articulate the basic elements and interrelated processes of theatrical production.

Methods by which student learning will be assessed and evaluated; describe the types of methods to be employed; note whether certain methods are required for all sections:

High & low stakes performance
High & low stakes writing
High & low stakes testing

Jury Requirement

This course is part of the department’s student jury assessment process. At the end of each semester, students present a capstone project, a demonstration of technique, for a panel of theatre faculty. Acting courses present a monologue, scene, or other demonstration of acting technique. Technical theatre courses present a portfolio of course content, or other demonstration of technical theatre technique. The jury provides an opportunity for students to showcase their work and for faculty to celebrate and assess progressive development.

Formal grading of the jury is left to the discretion of the course professor. The department’s course syllabus will identify if a course requires a jury presentation. The professor's course outline will identify how a jury presentation may impact the final course grade. The jury is scheduled outside of regular course meetings.

Academic Integrity policy (department or College):
Academic honesty is expected of all students. Any violation of academic integrity is taken extremely seriously. All assignments and projects must be the original work of the student or teammates. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any questions regarding academic integrity should be brought to the attention of the instructor. The following is the Queensborough Community College Policy on Academic Integrity: "It is the official policy of the College that all acts or attempted acts that are violations of Academic Integrity be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. At the faculty member's discretion and with the concurrence of the student or students involved, some cases though reported to the Office of Student Affairs may be resolved within the confines of the course and department. The instructor has the authority to adjust the offender's grade as deemed appropriate, including assigning an F to the assignment or exercise or, in more serious cases, an F to the student for the entire course." Read the University's policy on Academic Integrity opens in a new window.

Disabilities
Any student who feels that he or she may need an accommodation based upon the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services in Science Building, Room S-132, 718-631-6257, to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. You can visit the Office of Accessibility Services website.