Voice for the Theatre and Stage Dialects

Course Details

Course Number: 4213  Section Number: 201

Spring 2013

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B105

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Ron Fischli   
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Course Objectives

 

Objectives

To comprehend and produce the resonance and sound shifts operative in selected dialects.  [[Related departmental learning outcome:  theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application]

To demonstrate the ability to use subtext and character development to lend credibility and interest to dialects.  [Related departmental learning outcome:  theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application]

To master Standard American Diction by treating it as a dialect.  [Related departmental learning outcome:  theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application]

To comprehend and demonstrate the differences among Standard American Diction, substandard diction, and elevated diction.  [Related departmental learning outcome:  theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application]

 To demonstrate the ability to  balance vocal articulateness with fluency, whether using Standard American Diction or dialects.  [Related departmental learning outcome:  theoretical/conceptual knowledge and application]

 To acquire the ability and skill to study and master independently dialects not studied in the class.  [Related departmental learning outcome:  employability]


Course Expectations

 

Instructor

                Dr. Ron Fischli, Fain Fine Arts Center, B128

                Office Phone:  397-4274.  Cell Phone:  232-3066

                Email Address:  ron.fischli@mwsu.edu

Catalog Description

                Prerequisite:  SPCH 1233 Voice and Diction, or consent of instructor

                The course begins with exercises in phonetics, vocal expressiveness, and vocal clarity.  Students proceed to a study of 5-6 major stage dialects aimed at integrating the learning of dialects with the use of effective vocal technique.

Text and Study Materials

                Carla Bolin and Ron Fischli.  Voice and Diction Workbook.  Denton, Texas:  RonJon.

 Graded Assignments

                Oral presentation of a selection demonstrating Substandard, Standard, and Elevated American Diction

                Oral presentations of selections utilizing other dialects:  Standard British, Cockney, New York,    Standard Southern, German, Irish

                A final presentation combining three of the various dialects studied in the course

                Transcription tests/quizzes over each dialect


Grading Standards

 

Evaluation

                Attendance/Participation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………100

                                0 miss = 100 points

                                1 miss = 95 points

                                2 misses = 85 points

                                3 misses = 75 points

                                4 misses = 60 points

                                5 misses = 0 points

                Substandard/Standard/Elevated Presentation …………………………………………………………………………50

                Standard British Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………………100

                Cockney Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….100

                New York Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..100

                Standard Southern Presentation …………………………………………………………………………………………….100

                German Presentation………………………………………………………………………………………………………………100

Irish Presentation................................................................................................................. 75

Final Presentation .............................................................................................................. 150

                Written Exercises/Take-Home Tests ……………………………………………………………………………………….125

                                                                                                                                                                         *Total Points  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%)            B+       (87-89%)              C+       (77-79%)              D+      (67-69%)

A-   (90-95%)              B         (83-86%)              C         (73-76%)              D         (63-66%)

                                        B-        (80-82%)              C-        (70-72%)              D-       (60-62%)

F      (below 60%)

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

                Scale for grading daily work (grades figured to nearest percentage point):

                A = 96-100%       B+ = 87-89%       C+ = 77-79%       D+ = 67-69%       F = 0-59%

  A- = 90-95%        B = 83-86%          C = 73-76%          D = 63-66%

                                 B- = 80-82%         C- = 70-72%        D- = 60-62%

*Note:  If, for some reason, assignments administered total 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 Exam5/6/2013  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

See attendance policies.


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

  1. Students should keep track of assignments and should take careful notes during lectures.  Keeping up with practice and transcription exercises is important to doing well on tests and oral presentations, and to growing as a performer.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. The instructor will not be held responsible for recording attendance for a student who is tardy.  The instructor reserves the right to disallow counting a student present who is extremely tardy.

 

  1. Make-up work may be given if – and only if – (a) the student notifies the instructor before class or (b) presents a doctor’s excuse on the first day of return.

 

  1. All graded assignments should be submitted or presented on or before the deadline; late assignments may not be accepted; at best, they will receive lowered grades.

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 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 professor 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.

 

                SOCIAL JUSTICE

Social justice is one of Midwestern State University’s stated core values, and the professor considers the classroom a place where students will be treated with respect as human beings, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability.  Moreover, diversity of thought is appreciated as long as the student can agree to disagree.  It is the professor’s expectation that all students be able to consider the classroom a safe environment.

 

                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, 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.