THTR 102-Introduction to Stage Voice
Great Basin College
Summer 2013
THTR 102-1001
Location: Webcampus
Instructor: Christine Gerber
Office: McMullin Hall 126
Office Hours: I do not hold in person office hours in the summer. However, I do check in on WebCampus 8am-5pm M-F. I check in very intermittently on the weekends.
Phone: Please contact me through WebCampus email. If a phone conversation is necessary, we will make arrangements through WebCampus email.
Email:
Faculty Webpage: http://www.gbcnv.edu/profiles/young-gerber_christine.html
Please note: This syllabus is tentative and subject to change.
Course Catalogue Description:
Fundamentals of voice production including relaxation, alignment, breath, resonance, and articulation. Vocal health and the physiological aspects of voice/speech production. Students complete numerous performance projects. (3 credits)
Required Texts and Materials:
Texts: Voice and the Actor by Cecily Berry, Wiley Publishing 1973 (9780020415558)
The Articulate Voice, 4th ed. by Lynn K. Wells, Pearson 2004 (9780205380329)
Materials: Webcam for your computer if not already built in, and access to a
Scanner (all GBC centers have one for student use).
Course Goals/Objectives:
This course is based on the following objectives:
1. To provide students with the skills necessary to use proper vocal techniques in all speaking situations.
2. To enable students to use Standard American speech in appropriate speaking situations.
3. To provide students with a working knowledge of vocal anatomy and the International Phonetic Alphabet as tools for further improving their speaking voices after the course ends.
General Education Objectives:
· Communication Skills-Strong
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students are expected to participate in class discussions.
2. Students will apply Standard American speech to oral
presentations.
3. Students gain a working knowledge of the International
Phoenetic alphabet and will complete written assignments.
4. Students are expected to use proper vocal technique for oral
presentations.
5. Students keep a journal of their progress that is graded on a
weekly basis.
· Critical Thinking Skills-Moderate
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students will analyze their voices and implement changes
as necessary through class exercises, speeches, and
journaling.
Quantitative Ability- Some degree
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students will use quantitative reasoning as they complete
breathing exercises to gain more breathing
volume and note in their journals how their volume is
increasing.
· Reasoning and Independent Thought- Considerable
· Scientific Understanding- Considerable
Rationale/Examples: 2. Students are expected to understand the basic anatomy of
the vocal mechanism through quizzes and class activities.
3. Students will be able to identify causes and cures of common
types of vocal trauma through a wiki they create.
· Personal and Cultural Awareness-Strong
Rationale/Examples: 4. Students will participate in discussions and use journaling to
draw conclusions about their own vocal habits.
5. Students will gain awareness of their own vocal habits and
learn how to overcome these habits through class exercises
and presentations.
6. Students will gain cultural awareness through presentation of
Shakespearian sonnets and monologues from contemporary
theatre.
· Sense of the Individual in Society- Significant
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students will identify excellent and poor speaking habits,
and will understand what these habits say about the speaker.
2. Students will discover what their speaking voices say about
them, and through speeches and class exercises, will change
that perception for the better.
· Sense of the Past- Considerable
· Sense of Accountability- Considerable
· Appreciation of the Fine Arts- Significant
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students will identify and speak in different speech patterns
from the past, focusing on Standard American circa 1960,
in class speeches and exercises.
2. Students will learn how to effectively use punctuation in
speech through studying and performing Shakespearian
sonnets.
3. Through self critique, students will gain an
understanding of how to offer constructive criticism.
5. Contemporary society’s reliance on verbal communication
skills will be discussed and these skills will be practiced in
presentations and exercises.
Personal Wellness: Moderate
Rational/Examples: 1. Students will gain an understanding of how to use the
voice properly through classroom exercises and
speech assignments.
2. Students will create a wiki detailing
common voice ailments and the ailment’s symptoms and
cures.
· Technological Understanding: Strong
Rationale/Examples: 1. Students will utilize Webcampus and email as the only
means of out of class communication.
Expected Learner Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate the following skills:
1. Application of Standard American speech
Measurement: presentations, discussions, exercises
2. Application of proper vocal technique
Measurement: presentations, discussions, class exercises, journal
3. General understanding of the International Phoenetic Alphabet
Measurement: Quizzes, transcriptions, homework
4. General understanding of vocal anatomy
Measurement: Quizzes
Methods of Instruction:
· Reading assignments
· Oral presentations
· IPA transcriptions
· Journal writing and written assignments
· Quizzes
Academic Integrity Statement:
Great Basin College considers academic honestly one of its highest values. A student who obtains academic credit for work that is not the product of his or her own effort is being dishonest and undermining the academic integrity of the college. Students are expected to be the sole authors of their work. Use of another’s ideas must be accompanied by specific citation and reference. In addition, a learner may not submit the same work for credit in more than one course. The disciplinary consequences of plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty include non-acceptance of work submitted (failure of the assignment), a failing grade in the course, and/or other disciplinary action as outlined in Great Basin College’s Student Conduct Policy.
Copying a performance from a movie or DVD is a form of plagiarism. Please use your own creativity.
Statement of Reasonable Accommodation:
Great Basin College is committed to providing equal education opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current verification of disability. The Students with Disabilities Office, located in Berg Hall, will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids, and services. For more information or further assistance, please call 775.753.2271.
If this applies, please provide me with the appropriate documentation during the first week of class. Do not wait until the final. If it is not documented through the office, I cannot grant the accommodation.
Participation and Classroom Policies:
This course requires active participation and each class builds upon the last, therefore students need to complete the required reading before participating in the rest of the module. Also be aware that the modules must be completed in order and that future modules cannot be accessed if the preceding modules have not been completed. Concepts we review at the beginning of the term are required for understanding later concepts. If students have questions, they should ask!
Be aware that the breathing exercises will have an effect on the voice. The initial recording will provide me with the baseline for students’ voices, and I will be able to tell if students have worked on the breathing exercises from presentation to presentation.
Again, if there are any questions about any concept, please ask me! IPA is not easy and leaving a question for later will severely impact your understanding. Additionally, if students cannot access something (assignment, lecture, exercise), LET ME KNOW. Students are responsible for making sure they have the materials required to complete assignments.
Late Assignment Policy:
I do not accept late assignments. All components of the modules are due the Sunday after they are assigned at 11:55pm. An email with a reason for not completing the module does not excuse the student from assignments, nor does it erase the grade from a missing assignment. Make-up assignments will only be allowed with the following official documentation: a note from a doctor or hospital showing an inability to do the work, a court summons showing unavailability for the entire time of the module (sequestered jury/in jail), an obituary showing a nuclear familial relationship with the deceased. As this is an online course, there is very little reason to miss an entire week of assignments. (For example: An emergency on Sunday prevents the student from completing the assignments because that is when the student planned to do the work. I cannot accept an email excusing the assignments unless the aforementioned official documentation can be provided because the student had from Monday when the module was unlocked until Sunday evening to complete the work.)
Computer Help:
For all computer/webcampus/Peoplesoft/MyGBC related issues, please visit the following links:
Webcampus: http://www.gbcnv.edu/techdesk/webcampus/
MyGBC/Peoplesoft: http://www.gbcnv.edu/mygbchelp/whatIsMyGBC.html
If there is an issue with Webcampus while students are in the modules, please click on the “help” button in the top right hand corner and follow directions. This will submit a ticket so the appropriate people can help resolve the issue, making everyone’s Webcampus experience better. If there are questions regarding Peoplesoft or other computer issues, please call the Help Desk at 775-753-2167.
Additionally, I am not responsible for students’ computer or internet connections. If either are an issue, be sure to get to one of the campus centers for all assignments, as a faulty internet connection is not an excused reason for missing an assignment. I am also not responsible for student access to computers, or any other device necessary for success in this course.
Assignment Submission:
All assignments will be uploaded into Webcampus. Please note that I will only accept .doc, .docx, and .pdf files. Any other file type (.wps, .rtf, .pages) will be graded as a zero. I will not accept work sent as the body of an email. Please attach all assignments or submit them through the appropriate assignment page.
Written Assignments:
I will grade for grammar in all written assignments, whether they are simply a discussion question or a full-length essay. I expect college-level writing on all written assignments. Please recognize that this is an academic class, and as a result, all written documents need an academic tone. If wording would be more appropriate for a text, blog, or Facebook post, it has no place in the college document. If a student needs assistance in writing, please visit the Academic Success Center. They are located in EIT 114 and also have tutors in the outlying centers as well as online. They can be contacted by phone, 775-753-2149, or by email, .
Graded Activities:
(Assignment specifics will be given through webcampus)
Homework= 10%
Breath Work Journal= 10%
Quizzes= 10%
Introductory Speech= 15%
Shakespearean Sonnet= 10%
Poem= 10%
Final Monologue= 35%
Grade Scale:
A 95-100%
A- 94-90%
B+ 87-89%
B 84-86%
B- 83-80%
C+ 77-79%
C 74-76%
C- 73-70%
D+ 67-69%
D 64-66%
D- 60-63%
F 59% or less
Student Types:
The “A” Student:
· Works through the modules in order and attempts to gain understanding of each concept, realizing that the concepts build upon each other.
· Asks questions as they arise, rather than waiting until the last minute.
· Completes all work in a timely manner.
· Works towards an understanding of IPA.
· Completes the breath work, as it is an integral part of the course.
· Understands that this course requires attention each day.
· Must have an A average on all assignments.
The “B” Student:
· Works through modules in order and attempts to gain understanding of each concept, although may or may not realize concepts build upon each other.
· Tries to work on this course at least three days a week.
· Usually asks questions as they arise.
· Completes most work in a timely manner.
· Completes most of the breath work.
· Works towards an understanding of IPA, but may not ask important questions which then hinders comprehension.
· Must have a B average on all assignments.
The “C” Student:
· May skip around in the modules instead of working through in order.
· Works on the course one day a week.
· Works to gain short term memorization of concepts rather than understanding.
· Rarely asks questions about the material.
· Usually completes work in a timely manner, but often waits until the last minute to complete modules.
· Does not comprehend IPA and attempts to transcribe their speech instead of looking up the proper pronunciation.
· Must have a C average on all assignments.
The “D” Student:
· Primarily skips around in the modules instead of working in order, and as a result often misses a full week of work, which then prevents them from participating in subsequent modules.
· Logs in at least once, but does not contribute significant time to the course.
· Does not work for understanding or even short-term memorization of concepts.
· Does not ask questions about the material, but will ask for extensions, extra credit, and other concessions, usually without an excused reason.
· Usually waits until the last minute to complete work.
The “F” Student:
· Is not even reading the syllabus.
· Maintains an “F” average on all assignments.
· May miss weeks’ worth of assignments.
· Has excuses for why work was not completed, but not an officially documented reason.
· Is antagonistic when the instructor tries to help.
Attitude is everything. A positive, respectful attitude can make the difference between an A and a B, a B and a C, and a C and a D. Grades are earned, not given.
Course Schedule:
Week 1: Syllabus, Course Logistics, Anatomy of the Voice
Homework: Course Basics Quiz
Good V. Bad discussion
Reading 1: The Articulate Voice Ch. 2, pgs. 17-39
Anatomy discussion
Introductory speech
All assignments for Week 1 are due 7/7 at 11:55pm.
Week 2: Breath Work, Shakespearian Punctuation, Optimum Pitch
Homework: Reading 2: Voice and the Actor, pgs. 18-32
Reading 3: Articulate Voice, pgs. 51-58
Breath Work Journal 1
Sonnet Performance
Reading 4: Articulate Voice, pgs. 146-156
All assignments for Week 2 are by 7/14 at 11:55pm.
Week 3: IPA, Spinal Lifts
Homework: Reading 5: Articulate Voice, pgs. 159-170
IPA Front Vowels quiz
IPA Vowel quiz
Breath Work Journal 2