PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS
VOICE AND DICTION
THEA 2260
Class Hours: 3.0   Credit Hours: 3.0  
Laboratory Hours: 0.0   Revised: Fall 05
 
       
Catalog Course Description:    
  The study and application of voice production; attention to individual problems and needs; beginning usage of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Entry Level Standards:    
  The student is expected to be able to read on a college level, write using correct spelling free of major grammatical errors, and employ primary research techniques to gather information.
Prerequisites:    
   None
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:  
   Voice and the Actor by Cicely Berry
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week Topic
  1 Diagnosis/Freeing/Breath Work 
  2 Touch of Sound/Opening the Channel
  3 Channel Resonators/ Begin Int’l Phonetic Alphabet
  4 Middle Resonators/IPA
  5 Head Resonators/IPA Drilling
  6 IPA Drilling / Developing Vocal Power
  7 IPA Quiz/ Diction Awareness
  8 Vowels/Continued Breath Work
  9 Consonants/Diction Work
  10 Connecting Voice and Words
  11 Articulation/IPA Drilling
  12 Working a Text/IPA Drilling
  13 Care and Maintenance of the Voice
  14 In Class Coaching; Re-diagnose and Compare
  15 Final Quiz and Recitations
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Understand how the mechanism of the human voice operates.  II.6
  B. Evaluate one’s own strengths and weaknesses in both voice and speech production. II.6
  C. Understand the importance of the International Phonetic Alphabet  in relation to speech production both for the Theatre and related fields.   I.5, II.6
  D. Comprehend the importance of voice and speech work to the contribution of a successful theatrical production.   I.5, II.6
  E. Understand how to protect the voice during extended periods of use.   I.5, II.6
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR's general education goals.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Participate in Class Drills to correct Speech problems. Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
  2. Read and Memorize Handouts on International Phonetic Alphabet. Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
  3. Read the text and take lecture notes so as to be able to perform exercises from those sources. Communication Outcome , Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
  4. Memorize chosen texts and perform them in class concentrating on individual speech problems. Communication Outcome, Humanities/Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Read (at a beginning level) in International Phonetic Alphabet. C

2. Write (at a beginning level) in International Phonetic Alphabet. C

3. Understand and be on the path to correcting minor speech problems. A,B,C

4. Hear their own vocal regionalisms. B,C, D

5. Alter their own vocal regionalisms for performance. B,C, D

6. Prepare themselves for vocal performance using exercises learned in class. B, D,E

7. Utilize speech techniques which will enhance vocal performance. B, D
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:


A. Testing Procedures: 20% of grade

Graded Performance Exercises 
(Text exercises)

B. Laboratory Expectations: 60% of grade

Class Examinations/Quizzes 
(4 IPA Quizzes and Final IPA exam)

C. Field Work: 20% of grade

 Individual Performance Projects 
(Diagnostic Paper  & Final Performance of  2 Texted Pieces)

D. Other Evaluation Methods:

 N/A

E. Grading Scale:

   A = 94-100
   B+ = 90-93
   B = 84-89
   C+ = 80-83
   C = 74-79
   D = 70-73
   F = 69 or below
VI. Policies:


A. Attendance Policy:

Excused absences will be at discretion of the instructor. Students are responsible for work missed due to absence.  Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  This applies to both excused and unexcused absences.

B. Academic Dishonesty:

Students are expected to abide by the sanctions listed in the current college catalog under the Academic and Classroom Misconduct guidelines.

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.

D. Other Policies

MATERIALS: The student will also need workout clothes, and exercise mat or heavy towel on which to work. Hydration is especially important for this class and a water bottle will be required of everyone.  Notebook and writing tools.

PARTICIPATION:  You will be expected to participate in all exercises.  Should you be unable to do any of the exercises for reasons of temporary injury or illness, please inform the instructor.  If, in the unlikely event, you should injure yourself during an exercise, stop immediately and inform the instructor.  Remember, it's your body and the only one you have!    Much of the work done in this class will involve physical exercise, therefore, if you have any pre-existing injuries or health conditions, let the instructor know before class begins.  There will, by necessity, be some physical contact with both the instructor and your classmates.  This contact will be in the form of various movement disciplines and exercises. The contact will be used only in regards to preparing you for performance.

CLOTHING:  Please wear comfortable clothing.  Your choice of clothing should ultimately allow great freedom of movement.