Voice & Diction

The primary objective in Voice and Diction is specific improvement of the speaking voice. To achieve this, we will A: focus on analyzing the physiology of vocal production communication theory, and B: use phonetics to analyze and discuss speech.  Students will learn to use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to analyze and transcribe spoken English.   The course objectives for this class meet, in part or in full, the following Core Curriculum Learning outcomes:

• Literacy (reading):  The student will determine main ideas and appropriately relate parts within a text.
• Critical thinking:  The student will interpret, analyze, evaluate, and infer with purposeful, self-regulatory judgment.
• Oral Communication:  The student will effectively organize, explain, and support information through the spoken word.

By the end of this course students should demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

1. Control and management of performance anxiety.
2. Demonstration of proficiency in reading and writing of the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe American English.
3. Understanding of the theory and physiology of vocal production and communication.
4. Diagnosis and specific strategies for remediation of articulation errors and mispronunciations present in one’s own speech and the speech of others.
5. Clear and specific improvement in vocal quality, diction, vocal variety, and clarity of communication.  Evaluations will be taken from performances in class and via a recording that will be turned in periodically during the semester.
6. Students will also be expected to offer a clear and accurate analysis of their personal speech habits, vocal health, and improvement needs.
    

The Professor reserves the right to adjust or cancel assignments as the course progresses.  If, for some reason, assignments administered total somewhat more or fewer than 1,000 points, the method for obtaining the final grade will remain essentially the same:  the total points achieved will be divided by the total points possible to obtain a percentage, and a grade will be assigned according to the percentage scale outlined below.

Homework, Participation & Attendance                                100 points

Test I                                                                                       100 points
Test II                                                                                     100 points

Test III                                                                                                100 points
Test IV                                                                                    125 points
 

Oral Presentation I                                                                    25 points

Oral Presentation II                                                                100 points

Oral Presentation III                                                               100 points

Oral Presentation IV                                                               100 points

Oral Presentation V                                                                150 points

                                                                                                1000 points

All assignments will need to be turned in on or before the due date, no exceptions.  Late assignments will not be accepted, so please, don’t ask.

Attendance is MANDATORY!!  Be on time  to class.  Tardiness beyond ten minutes will be counted as an absence.  Excessive tardiness may result in a student being dropped from the course with an F.  We have a substantial amount of material to cover and a limited amount of time.  Each day we will be covering or presenting NEW material.  Since there will be considerable collaboration amongst students your absence will affect the progression and dynamic of the rest of the class.  After five absences you may be dropped from the class as per the college policy. 

If you have a university-sponsored function or a religious holiday that will keep you from attending class please see the professor as early as possible to discuss this.  You will be expected to provide documentation for all university-sponsored events that will result in an absence prior to the absence.  All assignments will need to be turned in on or before the due date, no exceptions.  Late assignments will not be accepted, so please, don’t ask.

III.  PARTICIPATION
 

Each student is expected to participate in class daily and practice what they are learning.  Students will occasionally give presentations, work in small groups, perform board-work, and offer constructive input to classmates.  Part of your grade will be your participation during class.  Participation grades will be given at random intervals, but often on days when people are absent.  The goal of a participation grade is to offer students an opportunity to honestly and objectively analyze speech (their own as well as their classmates), and offer critical and specific strategies for improved communication.

5. EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to be on time to class everyday.  Respect will be given to everyone at all times.  If you are disrespectful to someone (especially during a performance) the instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave the room and receive an absence for the day.  You will be required to complete assignments on or before the due date, and you will be required to submit an official form from the university before an absence.

In this class, we will be reading to each other.  It is the hope of the professor that each student will carefully consider the content of their reading material before presenting said material to the class.  The instructor will provide each student with guidelines for choosing materials.  In a university environment, an environment in which all are encouraged to grow and develop to their ultimate potential, it is not beneficial to present material that is derogatory to an individual or a group of people because of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, or sexual orientation.  For that reason, students should avoid reading material that may be offensive to others in the classroom.  There is a whole world of marvelous literature from which to choose-let us treat each other with respect due to all persons.

Honesty is paramount.  Dishonest work on homework and tests will not be tolerated. Expect disciplinary action to be sought in the event that the instructor discovers dishonesty or cheating.  The instructor reserves the right to drop any student engaging in academic dishonesty from the course.  Students dropped from the course by the instructor for failure to attend classes or for academic dishonesty may receive an F for the semester.  By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course.  The “limited right” shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and educational purposes.

Cell phone use in class is prohibited.  If your cell phone goes off during a class you may be asked to leave the classroom and receive an absence for the day.  No texting. Again, you may be asked to leave the classroom.  Please don’t make this an issue, just turn off the phone during our class.  If other commitments are so pressing that they can not wait until the end of the class session, it may be in the student’s best interests to reconsider the priority placed on being this class.  In any case, the professor reserves the right to ask you to leave immediately or to embarrass you mercilessly if your phone/pager/beeper/ etc. makes noise during class.

Students with disabilities or special needs should see the instructor as early in the semester as possible.  Please note that in order to qualify for consideration of special accommodations, the student must be registered with the MSU Office of Disability Services, and the instructor must receive a memo on file from that office, along with a Special Accommodations Request form. 

Please note that work, non-emergency medical and dental appointments, intramural games, and all other forms of personal engagements do NOT constitute an excused absence.

VII.  PRIVACY POLICY
 

In accordance with Federal Privacy Laws a student’s personal information is protected.  As an instructor it is unlawful for me to share your personal information (including grades) with anyone unless I have written consent.  This means I will not be able to discuss your grades with parents.  If you have questions about your grades or have forgotten the grading policy for the course please come by during office hours.