I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 9/15/09)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms X IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program School of Theatre & Dance
Course #
U THTR 113A
Course Title
Introduction to Vocal Acting
Prerequisite
Credits
3
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
John Kenneth DeBoer
x2018
john.deboer@umontana.edu
Program Chair Mark Dean
x2879
Dean
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
X
Instructor
Phone / Email
Change
Remove
Date
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
This vocal acting course is designed for
students who are unable to be present on
campus for a traditional acting class, but still
have an interest the art. While not able to
deliver the same in “in-the-moment”
experiences of THTR 120A: Introduction to
Acting, this course, more theoretical in
nature, will deal with the ever-expanding
methods of performing identity online. Online
portals of self-expression such as Facebook,
blogs, and YouTube are juggernauts of
casual and occasionally artistic selfexpression that cannot be dismissed by as
unimportant forms of performance and
entertainment; they therefore can play an
important role in educating students
interested in these expressive arts while also
filling the online gap in the current Theatre &
Dance curriculum.
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to dramatic performance as well as help the student
broaden communication, presentation, and personal skills in an online environment. As the world
becomes increasingly reliant on Web-based interaction for both business and pleasure, this course will
also help the student develop a more articulate, responsive, and expressive identity. These goals are
achieved by studying vocal performance, public speaking, and the craft of acting. At the end of the
semester, students complete the course with an increased understanding of themselves, their peers, and
their world.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Courses guide students, whether in individual Via an online forum using Blackboard and
or group settings, to acquire foundational skills iTunesU, each student will achieve a
to engage in the creative process and/or in
demonstrated confidence in the presentation of
interpretive performance.
him/herself—socially and professionally. The
student will gain a stronger ability to express
him/herself through the study of and exploration
of vocal performance, public speaking, and the
oral interpretation of characters and roles
performed. Students will undertake exercise work
in various aspects of storytelling, poetry, drama,
and personal performance.
Through attendance and discussion of live
productions, students will achieve basic
understanding of the nature of theatre and the
craft of acting. Writing assignments and onlineforum discussions will address their own
presentations and the presentations of others.
Students will develop an understanding of and
respect for all aspects of live performance
including audience etiquette, forum etiquette, and
a critical understanding of the importance and
contribution performance—both in everyday life
and in the arts and media—makes to our world.
Students attending the course from a distance will
be expected to make alternate arrangements with
the instructor regarding viewing live performances
no later than two weeks after the start of the
semester.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Upon completion of this perspective, students Students will be required to post a variety of
will be able to express themselves in the making recorded performances on Blackboard and
of an original work or creative performance.
iTunesU each week in pursuit of this learning
goal. These projects will cover storytelling,
poetry, drama, and personal performance. These
performances are graded in the areas of process
and product—not only on the finished
performance, but also the creative process of
rehearsal. Each recorded performance will have
multiple takes in order for students to respond to
feedback from the instructor and peers on the
online forum.
2. Through direct experience (for example,
attendance and involvement with live
performance, exhibitions, workshops, and
readings), students will engage in critical
assessment of their own work and the work of
others.
Students will also be expected to collaborate on
a group project where each student in the group
is responsible for an aspect of the performance.
Introductory readings on the origins of theatre
and the craft of acting will be assigned and
tested. A student’s grade in this course is not
based on the natural talent brought to the class,
but rather represents a reflection of skills
developed within the course and the progress
made over the course of the semester
The student will attend three plays representing
diverse genres of dramatic literature and work
with monologues and scenes representing a
broad spectrum of theatre. Online-forum
discussions inviting a comparison and contrast of
styles of performance between these genres will
enable the student to develop a greater
understanding of theatre as an art form.
3. Upon completion of this perspective, students There are two writing assignments each
will be able to critique the quality of their own
semester. Although these assignments are
work and that of others.
generally creative in nature, they must be
representative of University-level writing.
Students are assessed based on imagination,
creativity, and the quality of the written
assignments. Student papers must be typed and
proofread, and must meet the demands of the
assignment. They are sometimes simple
response papers, and sometimes critical
analyses, depending upon the nature of the
assignment. Constructive critiques of
performances given by peers are another
important aspect taught in this course.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
2. Upon completion of this perspective, students
will be able to understand the genres and/or
forms that have shaped the medium.
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
INTRODUCTION TO VOCAL ACTING
THTR 113A
The University of Montana
School of Theatre & Dance
Fall 2009
THTR 113A, 3 credits
Professor:
John Kenneth DeBoer
Office Location:
McGill 212A
243-2018 and e-mail: john.deboer@umontana.edu
Office Hours:
TR 3:00 - 4:30 pm or by appointment
Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to dramatic performance as well as help
the student broaden communication, presentation, and personal skills in an online environment.
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on web-based interaction for both business and
pleasure, this course will also help the student develop a more articulate, responsive, and
expressive identity. These goals are achieved by studying vocal performance, public speaking,
and the craft of acting. At the end of the semester students complete the course with an
increased understanding of themselves, their peers, and their world.
Outcomes:
In this setting you will achieve:
 Demonstrated confidence in the presentation of yourself—socially and professionally;
 The ability to express yourself through the study of and exploration of vocal
performance, public speaking, and the oral interpretation of characters and roles
performed;
 A basic understanding of the nature of vocal performance and craft of acting;
 An understanding of, and respect for, performance including audience and forum
etiquette;
 An understanding of the importance and contribution performance—both in everyday
life and in the arts and media—makes to our world.

Requirements:
Textbook and Technical Needs:
 Access to the online course reserves for reading assignments
 The student is aware of his/her score on the “Online Course Readiness Assessment” at
http://umonline.umt.edu/StudentInfo/readiness.htm
 Quicktime Pro or equivalent audio/video recording software that can produce media files
capable of interacting with Windows Media Player and iTunes.
 Access to iTunes U via the OneStop website.
 A quiet environment to make sound or video recordings
 No editing software is necessary as students are discouraged from editing together
multiple takes of a particular assignment
Performances:
Students will be required to prepare and record five major recording throughout the semester,
which will be loaded to the course. These projects will cover: storytelling, poetry, drama, and
personal performance. Each project will have multiple takes in order for students to respond to
feedback from the instructor and peers. Specific assignments will be place on the course
website.
Performance Responses:
Each student will be required to respond briefly to recordings by four of their peers for each
take of recorded performance. A rubric for the responses will be available on the course
website.
Reading Responses:
There are several writing assignments this semester regarding readings from the online course
reserves. Although these assignments are generally creative in nature, they must be
representative of university writing. These papers must be typed and proofread and must meet
the demands of the assignment. Details on these individual writing assignments will be
available on blackboard as they are assigned.
Effort/Respect/Attitude:
Effort and respect are two very important requirements. It is expected that you will engage in
all assignments and performances with effort and enthusiasm. It is expected that you respect
yourself, your classmates, your instructor, and the class forum. An excellent performance
hinges upon taking risks, which is impossible to do if the environment is uncomfortable or
uninviting. It is expected that when you participate in classroom activities your peers will
encourage you to commit to your performances and responses without embarrassment, remorse,
or caution. Passing this class requires respect, openness, and a willingness to take risks.
Evaluation:
Evaluation for the course is based on the following:
Recorded Performances including promptness and participation:
Participation in all class forums and responses:
Reading assignments and Responses:
50%
25%
25%
Content: This course is divided into sequential units.
Unit One
Introduction to Dramatic Performance
Unit Two
Watching Dramatic Performances
Unit Three
Storytelling
Unit Four
Poetry and Scansion
Unit Five
Drama and Monologues
Unit Six
Personal Performances
Attendance and Promptness
Acting is participatory: there is no way to learn without doing, no adequate substitute for a
missing partner, and no way to “make up” missed experience. This class is an online section
operating very similarly to a once a week class. You are expected to attend all of every required
class including performances. By “attend every required class” I mean that you will log into
blackboard, and work within the DRAM 195 course at least once a week. More than ONE (1)
week without submitting class work AND participating in ongoing class discussions, will result
in your final grade being lowered one full letter grade. If you need to be away from Internet
access for a period of time, please contact me immediately. If I know in advance that you
cannot log on for a period of time I will take that into consideration however you should keep
in mind that your course work will not be accepted if it is late.
Production Attendance
You are required to attend all three of the University of Montana drama performances produced
this semester. Missing one production will drop your grade one full letter. Missing two
productions will drop your grade two full letters. If you do not attend any of the productions
you will earn a failing grade in the class. Production attendance is a part of this class - there are
no exceptions* and there will be quizzes and forum discussions on the productions.
The class fee that you have already paid allows you to get one ticket for these shows at no extra
expense. You must pick up your ticket at the Drama box office located in the lobby of the
PARTV building in person between 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday - Friday. You can only
pick up one ticket, your own; you cannot pick up a classmates ticket for them.
You must present your GRIZ CARD to pick up your tickets and you must identify which class
you are in, therefore you must know your section number and instructors name.
You are in section: 01; your instructor’s name is: John Kenneth DeBoer
Seating in the Masquer Theatre is general admission. Seating in the Montana Theatre is
reserved.
The fee that you have paid does not guarantee you a ticket on a particular night, nor does it
guarantee that you will be able to get a ticket if the show sells out, therefore do not wait until
the evening of the performance to pick up a ticket.
*Students at a distance will be expected to make alternate arrangements with the instructor no
later than two weeks after the start of the semester.
Procedure/Policy:
Late work is automatically down-graded one letter per twenty-four hours that it is late Students
with special needs should see the instructor.
School Handbook:
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama/index.html.
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code:
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University. All students
need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/Index.cfm/page/1321.
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.