Undergraduate Courses
THED 225 Survey of Themed Entertainment Industry
Students in this course are introduced to the Themed Entertainment Industry. They explore the process involved in the delivery a new project, observe working operational venues and study the design and operational criteria utilized during each phase of a project life cycle.
THED 300 Themed Entertainment Design
Students gain practical experience by designing projects utilizing standard industry practice. Students experience the collaborative process that is essential in the themed entertainment industry. Prerequisite(s): PROD 210, THED 225.
THED 325 Large Project Design Studio
Students replicate key phases of large project design process from generating the necessary working drawings and artwork through the generation of detailed plans. A large project typically has a multi-million dollar budget with over a two year design-build schedule and a diverse multi-disciplinary/departmental design team. Prerequisite(s): THED 300.
SFDM 399 Off-campus Disney Imagineering
This off-campus course provides students with the opportunity to experience the design and implementation of theme parks through behind-the-scenes workshops led by Imagineers in the Walt Disney Word theme parks and resorts. Students research the development of the theme park, Imagineering and the Disney brand and utilize this knowledge during their work in Walt Disney World. The final project is the concept development of a themed attraction. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.
Students in this course are introduced to the Themed Entertainment Industry. They explore the process involved in the delivery a new project, observe working operational venues and study the design and operational criteria utilized during each phase of a project life cycle.
THED 300 Themed Entertainment Design
Students gain practical experience by designing projects utilizing standard industry practice. Students experience the collaborative process that is essential in the themed entertainment industry. Prerequisite(s): PROD 210, THED 225.
THED 325 Large Project Design Studio
Students replicate key phases of large project design process from generating the necessary working drawings and artwork through the generation of detailed plans. A large project typically has a multi-million dollar budget with over a two year design-build schedule and a diverse multi-disciplinary/departmental design team. Prerequisite(s): THED 300.
SFDM 399 Off-campus Disney Imagineering
This off-campus course provides students with the opportunity to experience the design and implementation of theme parks through behind-the-scenes workshops led by Imagineers in the Walt Disney Word theme parks and resorts. Students research the development of the theme park, Imagineering and the Disney brand and utilize this knowledge during their work in Walt Disney World. The final project is the concept development of a themed attraction. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.
Graduate Courses
THED 720 Themed Entertainment Industry
Students explore design projects that replicate key phases – conceptualization, design, building, management and delivery of themed entertainment enterprises and organizations. They research industry history, visit a working operational venue and study the design and operational criteria used at every phase of the project's life cycle.
THED 730 Concept Design Studio
The conceptual design phase of any project is the most critical phase for establishing goals, design criteria, content and scope. In this course, students focus on conceptual design projects typical in the industry and develop multiple designs exploring the established goals, design criteria, content and scope. This process develops the student's ability to design multiple concept solutions. Prerequisite(s): THED 720.
THED 735 Component Design Studio
Through both individual and team projects, students participate in all phases of design for "components" in a complex design scheme. These may include merchandise carts, restaurants, merchandise displays, attractions, hotels and any types of projects that require this level of design process. Prerequisite(s): THED 730.
THED 765 Design for Themed Entertainment
Students focus on design projects typical of common projects in the industry. Students and professor choose assignments such as the repurposing or expanding of an existing attraction or facility, adding a new major sponsor or new merchandise expansion shop at the exit of an existing attraction, creating a new outdoor stage for live performance in an unused land area based on the needs, interests and composition of the class. Prerequisite(s): PROD 750, THED 735.
THED 775 Large Project Design Studio
Students focus on large design projects typical of the industry. Projects may include such large-scale ventures as a new theme park attraction, a new hotel inside a theme park, new water park attraction, a new transportation complex, a major resort expansion project with show, interior design, exterior building facades, exhibit designs for a museum, aquarium, city tourism district or similar projects. Students analyze the guest experience for both proposed and operating attractions, parks and resorts. Prerequisite(s): THED 765.
THED 777 Collaborative Design Studio
Students focus on multidisciplinary projects, working in teams on complex design projects such as an expansion to an existing theme park, a new hotel added to an existing resort complex, a new event for a "Las Vegas style" water feature sound and light spectacle or a large scale "EPCOT style" parade event. Student proposals for specific projects are intended to best utilize the skills of the teams and are adjusted to meet the needs of the class design experience and expertise. Prerequisite(s): THED 775.
THED 779F Graduate Field Internship
Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
THED 779T Graduate Teaching Internship
Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
THED 790 Themed Entertainment Design M.F.A. Thesis
The themed entertainment design thesis for M.F.A. students is the culmination of the learning and growth by the student over the course of study. It concludes with a comprehensive design presentation, in conjunction with supporting written documentation and the demonstration of an understanding of the importance of the narrative in creating a successful guest experience. Prerequisite(s): THED 775 and completion of the review for candidacy.
Students explore design projects that replicate key phases – conceptualization, design, building, management and delivery of themed entertainment enterprises and organizations. They research industry history, visit a working operational venue and study the design and operational criteria used at every phase of the project's life cycle.
THED 730 Concept Design Studio
The conceptual design phase of any project is the most critical phase for establishing goals, design criteria, content and scope. In this course, students focus on conceptual design projects typical in the industry and develop multiple designs exploring the established goals, design criteria, content and scope. This process develops the student's ability to design multiple concept solutions. Prerequisite(s): THED 720.
THED 735 Component Design Studio
Through both individual and team projects, students participate in all phases of design for "components" in a complex design scheme. These may include merchandise carts, restaurants, merchandise displays, attractions, hotels and any types of projects that require this level of design process. Prerequisite(s): THED 730.
THED 765 Design for Themed Entertainment
Students focus on design projects typical of common projects in the industry. Students and professor choose assignments such as the repurposing or expanding of an existing attraction or facility, adding a new major sponsor or new merchandise expansion shop at the exit of an existing attraction, creating a new outdoor stage for live performance in an unused land area based on the needs, interests and composition of the class. Prerequisite(s): PROD 750, THED 735.
THED 775 Large Project Design Studio
Students focus on large design projects typical of the industry. Projects may include such large-scale ventures as a new theme park attraction, a new hotel inside a theme park, new water park attraction, a new transportation complex, a major resort expansion project with show, interior design, exterior building facades, exhibit designs for a museum, aquarium, city tourism district or similar projects. Students analyze the guest experience for both proposed and operating attractions, parks and resorts. Prerequisite(s): THED 765.
THED 777 Collaborative Design Studio
Students focus on multidisciplinary projects, working in teams on complex design projects such as an expansion to an existing theme park, a new hotel added to an existing resort complex, a new event for a "Las Vegas style" water feature sound and light spectacle or a large scale "EPCOT style" parade event. Student proposals for specific projects are intended to best utilize the skills of the teams and are adjusted to meet the needs of the class design experience and expertise. Prerequisite(s): THED 775.
THED 779F Graduate Field Internship
Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
THED 779T Graduate Teaching Internship
Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.
THED 790 Themed Entertainment Design M.F.A. Thesis
The themed entertainment design thesis for M.F.A. students is the culmination of the learning and growth by the student over the course of study. It concludes with a comprehensive design presentation, in conjunction with supporting written documentation and the demonstration of an understanding of the importance of the narrative in creating a successful guest experience. Prerequisite(s): THED 775 and completion of the review for candidacy.
