Voice & Diction

Course Details

Course Number: SPCH 1233  Section Number: 201

Spring 2012

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B114

Days & Times:

MWF 8:00-8:50 a.m.

Course Attachments

Voice & Diction syllabus  Voice & Diction syllabus.docx

Textbooks

Voice & Diction Workbook by Bennett & Fischli
MSU Faculty Member
Tom McNeely   
view Profile »

Course Objectives

Catalog Course Description:  A course for students wishing to improve their speaking voices and gain greater control over their pronunciation of spoken English.  The anatomy of the vocal mechanisms and the International Phonetic Alphabet are studied for practical application in the improvement of voice and diction.  The course is performance oriented.

 

Course Objectives:  To learn the importance of the communication process and how it works; to learn to manage communication anxiety; to understand the vocal instrument and its correct use; to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and apply it toward the goal of General American Speech.


Course Expectations

 

SCHEDULE

Date                In Class                                                          Assignment

Wed 1/18        Orientation                                                      Choose Oral Presentation I

Fri 1/20            Discuss presentation and nerves                     Rehearse Oral Presentation I

 

Mon 1/23         Oral Presentation I

Wed 1/25        Oral Presentation I

Fri 1/27            Oral Presentation I

 

Mon 1/30         Discuss communication process                      Review notes; choose OP II

Wed 2/1          Discuss process and voice                               Rehearse OP II

Fri 2/3              Discuss voice production                                Rehearse OP II

 

Mon 2/6           Oral Presentation II                                        Review for Test I

Wed 2/8          Oral Presentation II                                        Review for Test I

Fri 2/10            Oral Presentation II                                        Review for Test I

 

Mon 2/13         Test I (over week 3 lectures)                           Relax!

Wed 2/15        Review test

Fri 2/17            Discuss consonants                                         Practice; choose OP III

 

Mon 2/20         Discuss consonants                                         Practice; rehearse OP III

Wed 2/22        Discuss consonants                                         Practice; rehearse OP III

Fri 2/24            Discuss consonants                                         Practice; rehearse OP III

 

Mon 2/27         Oral Presentation III                                       Review for Test II

Wed 2/29        Oral Presentation III                                       Review for Test II

Fri 3/2              Oral Presentation III                                       Review for Test II

 

Mon 3/5           Test II                                                             Relax!

Wed 3/7          Discuss vowels                                                Transcription

Fri 3/9              Discuss vowels                                                Transcription

Mon 3/12         SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS)

Wed 3/14        SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS)

Fri 3/16            SPRING BREAK (NO CLASS)

 

Mon 3/19         Discuss vowels                                                Transcription

Wed 3/21        Discuss vowels                                                Transcription

Fri 3/23            Discuss vowels                                                Transcription; choose OP IV

 

Mon 3/26         Discuss vowels                                                Transcription; rehearse OP IV

Wed 3/28        Discuss vowels                                                Transcription; rehearse OP IV

Fri 3/30            Oral Presentation IV                                       Review for Test III

 

Mon 4/2           Oral Presentation IV                                       Review for Test III

Wed 4/4          Oral Presentation IV                                       Review for Test III

Fri 4/6              EASTER BREAK (NO CLASS)

 

Mon 4/9           Test III                                                                        Relax!

Wed 4/11        Review test                                                     Choose OP V

Fri 4/13            Discuss diphthongs                                         Exercises; transcribe OP V

 

Mon 4/16         Discuss diphthongs                                         Exercises; transcribe OP V

Wed 4/18        Discuss diphthongs                                         Exercises; transcribe OP V

Fri 4/20            Review for Test IV                                         Review for Test IV

 

Mon 4/23         Test IV                                                            Relax!

Wed 4/25        Review test

Fri 2/27            TBA (additional practice)                               Rehearse and/or transcribe OP V

 

Mon 4/30         TBA (additional practice)                               Rehearse and/or transcribe OP V

Wed 5/2          TBA (additional practice)                               Rehearse and/or transcribe OP V

Fri 5/4              OP V transcription due                                   Rehearse OP V

 


Grading Standards

Grading:  Assignments are given the following point values for a total of 1,000 points.

            Attendance and Homework               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

 

The final letter grade assigned for the course will be based on the following values:

            900 – 1,000 points      = A

            800 – 899                    = B

            700 – 799                    = C

            600 – 699                    = D

            0 – 599                        = F

 


Final Exam5/9/2012  8:00-10:00 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

Excused Absences:  If you need to miss class because of a religious holiday, please let the instructor know as far in advance as possible.  If you need to miss class to attend a university-sponsored event, please give the instructor the appropriate form from the event’s faculty advisor in advance of the absence.  In either of the above cases, all assigned work must still be completed on or before the due date.  Intramural games, non-emergency medical appointments, employment, and most personal problems are not sufficient reasons to have an absence excused.  Absences due to illness, death in the family, or emergencies may be excused at the instructor’s discretion.  Please notify the instructor by email as soon as possible to explain your situation.

 

Assignments:  Students are expected to finish all work on time.  One student’s failure to complete homework may affect the overall pace of a class meeting and thus affect learning outcomes for others; please respect your classmates by being prepared.  No late work will be accepted unless it is to make up for an excused medical or emergency absence.  All tests are comprehensive, so failure to keep pace on assignments may quickly snowball into an irreversibly bad overall grade.


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:  Simply put, attendance is mandatory.  A fourth unexcused absence will result in a student automatically being dropped from the class.  Being extremely late may be counted as an absence.  Being somewhat late over several class meetings may be counted as an absence.  Up to ten percent of a student’s course grade is based directly on attendance; missing a test or presentation will hurt a grade even more.  Remember also that since this class requires active participation by all students, an absence or a late arrival may cause other students to do additional work.  Please show respect for your classmates by always being in class on time.


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.