Voice and Diction

Course Details

Course Number: 1233  Section Number: 2H1

Spring 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B114

Days & Times:

T R 9:30-10:50 a.m.

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Ron Fischli   
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Course Objectives

 

Objectives

 

To develop an appreciation of the importance of effective speech in the communication process and to grow in understanding that process.

 

To learn to control communication anxiety.

 

To understand the vocal instrument and to use it correctly.

 

To practice techniques for communicating effectively through impromptu delivery, extemporaneous delivery, recitation, and memorization.

 

To consider different communication environments/situations and the desired adjustments that each environment/situation implies.

 

To master the International Phonetic Alphabet and to apply the I.P.A. to exercises in speech improvement, with General American Speech as the model.

 

To monitor and improve one’s verbal and nonverbal communication.

 

To commit to maintaining vocal health and practicing good speech habits.


Course Expectations

 

Graded Assignments

 

There will be four written examinations and five in-class presentations.

 

On four occasions, students will submit recorded samples of their speech.

 

Periodically, students will be quizzed or asked to submit short written assignments.


Grading Standards

 

Evaluation

 

Attendance/participation................................................................................................................ 100

(0 misses = 100 points, 1 miss = 95 points, 2 misses = 85 points, 3 misses = 65 points, 4 misses = 40 points, 5 misses = 0 points)

Test I.............................................................................................................................................. 100

Test II............................................................................................................................................. 100

Test III............................................................................................................................................ 100

Test IV............................................................................................................................................ 100

Oral Presentation I--Extempore........................................................................................................ 25

Oral Presentation II—Extempore and Prose (including recording).................................................... 100

Oral Presentation III—Extempore and Poetry/Drama (including recording)...................................... 100

Oral Presentation IV—Extempore, Prose, and Impromptu (including recording)............................... 100

Oral Presentation V—Lecture/Recital (recording optional)............................................................... 100

Observation of Effective/Ineffective Communicator......................................................................... 25

Quizzes/Short Assignments.............................................................................................................. 50

                                                                                                                                                                                       *Total:  1000

 Final Grade:  895-1000 = A, 795-894 = B, 695-794 = C, 595-694 = D, 0-594 = F

 

Scale for Grading Daily Work (grades assigned to nearest percentage point):

 

A:  96-100% = A, 90-95% = A-

B:  87-89% = B+, 83-86% = B, 80-82% = B-

C:  77-79% = C+, 73-76% = C, 70-72% =C-

D:  67-69% = D+; 63-65% = D, 60-62% = D-

F:  below 60%

 

*Note:  The instructor 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 of 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 above.


Final Exam5/10/2012  8-10 a.m.

Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

 

  1. All graded assignments should be submitted on or before the deadline.  Grade deductions will be applied to late assignments that are accepted.
  2. Make-up work may be given if—and only if:
  1. The student notifies the instructor before class or presents a doctor’s excuse upon returning, and
  2. The student takes responsibility for scheduling a make-up test or other missed graded assignment with the instructor on the first day of return.

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

Attendance and Student Responsibilities

 

  1. Students should follow the syllabus to keep track of assignments and should take careful notes during lectures.  Keeping up with transcription exercises is imperative to doing well on quizzes, tests, and oral presentations.
  2. Attendance at class sessions is expected.  Upon his/her fifth absence, excused or not, the student may be dropped from the course by the instructor.
  3. The instructor will not be held responsible for recording attendance for a student who is tardy, and he reserves the right to disallow counting a student present who is extremely tardy.
  4. All graded assignments should be submitted on or before the deadline.  Grade deductions will be applied to late assignments that are accepted.
  5. Make-up work may be given if—and only if:
  1. The student notifies the instructor before class or presents a doctor’s excuse upon returning, and
  2. The student takes responsibility for scheduling a make-up test or other missed graded assignment with the instructor on the first day of return.

 


Other Policies

 

Student Rights and Responsibilities

 

PRIVACY:  Federal law prohibits the instructor from releasing information about students to certain parties outside of the university without the signed consent of the student.  Thus, in almost all cases the instructor will not discuss a student’s academic progress or other matters with his/her parents.

 

ADAPTATIONS AND ACCOMMODATIONS:  If a student (1) needs course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, (2) has emergency medical information that needs sharing, or (3) requires special accommodations in case the building must be evacuated, he/she should make an appointment with the instructor as soon as possible.

 

CONDUCT:  Classroom behavior that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to profit from the instruction will result in the instructor’s removing the disruptive student(s) from the class.

 

PLAGIARISM:  Plagiarism is (1) the use of source material of other persons (either published or unpublished, including the Internet) without following the accepted techniques of giving credit or (2) the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given.  If a student in the class is caught plagiarizing or helping another student to plagiarize, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.  The Student Creed developed and adopted by the MSU Student Government reinforces the discouragement of plagiarism and other unethical behaviors.  The first statement of the creed reads, “As an MSU student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so.”  Plagiarism is lying, cheating, and stealing.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.