SYLLABUS
Fall, 2007 THR 241 01
3 Credit Hours
Prerequisite(s)
Course Description
None
This is a beginning course in the effective and healthy use of the vocal instrument for performance. It is designed to approach both the physical and mental processes of vocal production and includes the following: learning a physical/vocal warm-up, dialect reduction, articulation, class performance and written exams.
Learning Outcomes
Textbook
Last Date of Withdrawal
Contact division chair for Student Learning Outcomes
Class days and time MW 1:40 – 2:55pm
Campus and Class location Martin Campus: Room 1944
Crannell, Kenneth, Voice and Articulation Wadsworth/Thomson Learning 2000, 4 th ed.
Make-up policy
Participation
December 3, 2007
See note below regarding appropriate dress in relation to absences.
A makeup TEST will be allowed at the discretion of the instructor. Any student wishing to make up an assignment must petition the instructor in writing. This request should include evidence of a valid excused absence: excused absences include military service, accidents, court appearances, illness of the student or illness of an immediate family member, or the death of an immediate family member.
The student must submit appropriate documentation of extenuating circumstances to the instructor and arrange for any make-up work within one week of the last day covered by the excuse. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the instructor to make up missed work. Any missed material will not be re-taught by the instructor.
Your work in class is a major part of your grade. Your behavior in the classroom strongly affects the quality of instruction for you AND your classmates. You are expected to show respect for yourself, your classmates, your instructor, and the various studios in which we work. In addition, we ask that you take part in creating a safe, trusting and collaborative environment. Taking “risks” is vital in the exploration of the acting process. Students who chose to hinder the “safety zone” for themselves and others will be dealt with accordingly and may be asked to leave the class.
You will receive a daily grade for your ACTIVE participation in this class. Grades for any particular class period may vary depending on the scheduled activities To receive maximum credit you MUST be prepared for each class. Being LATE for class is an automatic 1/3 reduction of the day’s participation grade
Dress
Text Readings
Case Studies
Wear comfortable, non-confining clothing that allows freedom of movement, and that you do not mind getting dirty. (You may be required to sit or lay on the floor for certain in-class exercises.) Do not wear baggy clothing.
Appropriate footwear (tennis shoes or flexible closed-toe flats) is mandatory. No Sandals, flip-flops, clogs, etc. Be prepared occasionally to work in bare feet.
Refrain from wearing excessive or bulky jewelry. Hair should be pulled back out of face. No hats.
*Students who are not appropriately dressed for class will receive a 1/3 reduction of the day’s
participation grade. Be prepared and ready to participate.
You must be prepared for each class, this means you have read the chapters to be covered and are prepared to answer questions, prepared any speech or exercise scheduled and participate fully in class activities.
Students are required to attend and write a case study report on the following plays:

Personal Inventory and
Personal Process Paper
Acting Journal
Presentations
International Phonetic
Alphabet (IPA) Test
Cell Phones
Final Examination
Smoke On The Mountain Homecoming Sept. 7-16 Bean-Brown Theatre. Adm: $6
A Night of Scenes Oct. 5-7 Wilson-Carr Rehearsal Hall. Adm: free
A Lesson Before Dying Nov. 30-Dec. 9 Bean-Brown Theatre. Adm: $6
Reports are due the 1 st class period after the final performance (see calendar for specific due dates).
Late reports will not be accepted.
Ticket office hours are generally 9 -5pm Monday through Friday.
You will receive a guideline sheet outlining the required formatting and content of the report as well as an explanation of the grading criteria.
Specific Guidelines will be handed out in class.
Both of these assignments will allow the student to become familiar and explore your own vocal mechanism and process
You will bring your journal to every class, it will include the following:
-Guided Journal entries
-Class Notes
-Exploration, experiences and observations made in and out class, rehearsal, and performance as they relate to the study of acting
-Handouts, scripts and assignments
EACH CLASS PERIOD SHOULD HAVE A JOURNAL ENTRY. The personal process paper will be based on your journal.
One Poem (or excerpt) of a known American writer that you are passionate about, 30 seconds long.
One Greek Monologue Presentation from OEDIPUS or ANTIGONE by Sophocles, 1-2 minutes long.
Various Exercises, Readings, and Presentation of Daily Work.
The IPA is a common system of notation that simplifies the study of the sound of language. Students will learn basic IPA symbols and there corresponding sounds.
TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES.
If it rings in class, your participation grade will be reduced by 1/3 for the day.
1:40 – 2:55pm Monday, December 17, 2007
Instructor Michael Carr
E-mail phone mcarr@sheltonstate.edu
Phone: 391-2258
Student hours/Office
MW 11:00am – 12:00pm and TR 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Room 2727
Website http://www.sheltonstate.edu/Faculty04.aspx?PageID=896
Division Chair Angela Gibson-Wible agibson@sheltonstate.edu
Office:391-2937
Academic
Misconduct
Attendance
Policy
Standard
College Policies
Students are expected to be honorable in all college assignments. Suspected cases of academic misconduct are reported to the Dean of Instructional Services.
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL CLASSES for which they are registered. Instructors are required to keep a record of attendance for each class meeting. It is the responsibility of the student to keep a record of his/her absences.
STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND CLASS ON TIME AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN IN CLASS FOR THE
DURATION OF THE PUBLISHED CLASS TIME. Students attending for less than 30 minutes or half the scheduled time for the class, whichever is greater, will be considered absent for that class meeting.
Instructors are not required to give additional time to students who are tardy for tests or quizzes. Student absences are calculated from the first day of classes. For the purpose of financial aid, attendance the first day of class is essential. When a student registers late, the classes that the student missed from the first scheduled class date are counted as absences.
The Standard College Policies apply to all classes at the college and are a part of every official course syllabus; each student receives a copy when he or she completes the vehicle registration/waiver procedure. It is also available from the College website, www.sheltonstate.edu
. It is the responsibility of the student to have a copy of these policies and to abide by them. This class syllabus is intended to give further detail about the policies and expectations in this class. College policies are also published in the Schedule of Classes and the SSCC College Catalog/Student

Handbook. Students are expected to be aware of and abide by College policies in every class.
Activities and Material covered by that Activity
PARTICIPATION: demonstrating understanding of material assigned for any particular class period, contributing to discussions and other active learning projects.
CASE STUDIES: 3 reports @ 50 pts each
PERSONAL INVENTORY class schedule for material covered
JOURNAL/WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
POEM PRESENTATION
GREEK MONOLOGUE PRESENTATION
IPA TEST
PERSONAL PROCESS PAPER
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following:
Percentage Grade Letter grade
90-100 A
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 and below
B
C
D
F
Percentage of
Grade
25%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
100%
THR 241 01
Michael Carr
MW 1:40 – 2:55pm
Week Day Date Assignments Due
1 M 20-Aug
W 22-Aug
2
M 27-Aug Life story DUE
W 29-Aug
M 3-Sep
3
4
5
W 5-Sep
M 10-Sep Poem DUE
W 12-Sep
M
W
17-Sep
19-Sep
Smoke On The Mountain
Report DUE
Poem - OFF BOOK
Material
Introduction
Motivation and Expectation
Breathing
The Voice
Labor Day (NO CLASS)
Vocal Relaxation
Common Voice Problems
Vowels
Consonants
Discussion – Smoke On The
Mountain
Pronunciation
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Number of
Points
250
150
100
100
100
100
100
100
1000
Chapter 8
Student’s
Score
Readings or other
Assignments
Write “Your life story” – 2 pages double-spaced typed
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

6
7
8 M
W
9
M
W
10
11
M 24-Sep
W 26-Sep
M
W
1-Oct
3-Oct
8-Oct
10-Oct
Presentation of poem FOR
GRADE
15-Oct
17-Oct
M
W
M
22-Oct
24-Oct
29-Oct
IPA EXAM
Vocal Dynamics
Kinesics
Work Poem - Images
Work Poem - Images
IPA/Exercises
IPA/Exercises
IPA/Exercises
IPA/Exercises
IPA/Exercises
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Dress up as your favorite star/character and try to capture their vocal patterns, pitch, rhythms,
etc. Be ready to “be” your star!
12
13
W
M
W
M
W
31-Oct
5-Nov Greek Monologues DUE
7-Nov
12-Nov
14-Nov
Greek Monologues OFF
BOOK
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Star/Character interactive Party!
Greek Monologues IPA
Greek Monologues IPA
Veteran's Day (NO CLASS)
Greek Monologues - Work
14
15
M 21-Nov
W 23-Nov
M 26-Nov
W 28-Nov
Professional Development (NO CLASS)
Thanksgiving (NO CLASS)
Greek Monologues - Work
Greek Monologues - Work
16 M 3-Dec
Discussion of Personal Process
Preliminary Presentation of Greek
Monologue
Preliminary Presentation of Greek
Monologue W 5-Dec
M 10-Dec
17-Dec
A Lesson Before Dying
Report DUE
3:30 – 5:30pm Presentation of greek monologue FOR GRADE
This course outline and the dates established therein are tentative, and the instructor reserves the right to change them.