Voice and Diction

Course Details

Course Number: SPCH 1233  Section Number: 201

Spring 2013

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: B 114

Days & Times:

MWF 9:00 to 9:50 AM

 Sweeney Todd Performances:
Thur-Sat      Feb 28-Mar 2    7:30 PM
Sun              Mar 3                  2:30 PM

2012-2013 Festival of Student Produced One-Act Plays Performances:
Fri-Sat         Apr 12-13         7:30 PM
Fri-Sat         Apr 19-20         7:30 PM
Fri-Sat         May 3-4             7:30 PM

Exam 1                           Wednesday   Feb. 13             9:00 AM
Mid-Term Exam            Wednesday   March 6            9:00 AM
Exam 3                           Wednesday   April 17             9:00 AM
Final Exam                    Monday           May 7                8:00 AM

 

Course Attachments

Spring '13 Syllabus  Spring 2013 SPCH 1233 Syllabus-20130212-131332.pdf

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
John Dement   
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Course Objectives

At the end of the course, the student will:

  • control and manage his/her performance anxiety,
  • demonstrate proficiency in the reading and writing of the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe American English,
  • understand basic communication theory,
  • know the physiology of vocal production,
  • demonstrate improved vocal quality, diction, variety, and clarity of communication,
  • incorporate specific strategies to effectively and accurately analyze and correct their personal speech habits, vocal health, and improvement needs.

Course Expectations

Respect will be given to everyone at all times. If you are disrespectful to someone (especially during a presentation) the instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave the room and receive an absence for the day.

 Dishonest work any assignment or exam will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation. Disciplinary action will be taken if the instructor discovers dishonesty or cheating. The instructor reserves the right to drop any student engaging in academic dishonesty from this 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.

 Cell phone use in class is prohibited.

Working outside of class will be required to fully develop your vocal skills. This is HOMEWORK!! I recommend spending at LEAST 4-6 hours a week outside of class, in an area where you can concentrate will not feel self-conscious. Your personal and work scheduling issues are never a valid excuse for coming to class unprepared.


Grading Standards

Participation
Part of your grade will be your participation during class. Each student is expected to participate in class daily and practice what they are learning. Students will periodically perform speeches, work in small groups, complete board-work, and offer constructive input to classmates. If you are not in class or do not participate during class, your participation grade will suffer.

Homework
You will regularly complete sections in your workbooks and turn them in for evaluation. You will also be asked to research and document relevant topics and turn these in for grading. Each script for your in-class presentation will be transcribed using the IPA and turned in before your presentation. If you do not have your transcription, you will not be allowed to perform. You will attend a performance of the 2012-2013 Festival of Student Produced One-Act Plays (Apr. 12-May 4) and submit a written critique. Assignments are always due at the beginning of class. Any assignment not turned in at the beginning of class will be considered late. The instructor reserves the right to accept late, but will penalize students 10 points per day on any late assignments.

Quizzes & Exams
Quizzes will cover relevant material from previous and current class lectures and reading. Quizzes will be given during the first ten minutes of class and cannot be made up. There are four exams this semester (three exams and the final). All are equally weighted. The nature of the course work dictates that the final exam will be comprehensive. Missed exams cannot be made up without proper documentation.

In-Class Presentations
You will present four readings in class. Two will be choices you make; two will involve everyone performing the same text. As stated before, each script for your in-class presentation will be transcribed using the IPA and turned in before your presentation. If you do not have your transcription, you will not be allowed to perform. Missing performance days is like missing a major exam. They cannot be made up without proper documentation.

Participation.......................................... 5%
Homework............................................ 30%

  • Workbook: 5%
  • Research Documents: 5%
  • Presentation transcriptions: 10%
  • Written Critique: 10%

Quizzes.................................................. 5%
Exams (x4)........................................... 30%
Presentations....................................... 30%

  • Introduction
  • Children’s Story
  • Literary Selection
  • Personal Choice

Final Exam5/6/2013  8:00-10:00 AM

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.

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 is MANDATORY!! I do understand life, however, so everyone is allowed one “mental health” day each semester. Use it well. 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, and very often it is material that will require the assistance of a partner. After your first absence, 5 points per absence will be deducted from you participation grade. If you are more than 15 minutes late or leave more than 15 minutes before the end of class, you will be counted absent for that day. Work, non-emergency medical and dental appointments, intramural games, and all other forms of personal engagements do not constitute an excused absence.


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.