Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Course #
School of Theatre & Dance
Course Title
Introduction to Vocal Acting
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Intro to Vocal Acting
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Requestor:
Jere Hodgin
Phone/ email :
x2877
Program Chair/Director:
U THTR 113A
Date
jere.hodgin@umontana.edu
Mark Dean
x2879
Other affected programs:
Dean:
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
U THTR 113A Introduction to Vocal Acting 3 cr. An introduction to the skills and techniques required of the
actor’s voice to be effective in communication with others online, onstage, and in the world.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This course meets the expectations of the University Expressive Arts requirement while catering to students
who are unable to be present on campus for a traditional acting class. While not able to deliver the same in “inthe-moment” experiences of THTR 120A/121A: Introduction To Acting I/II classes (DRAM 111A/112A), 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 self-expression that cannot be dismissed as unimportant forms of performance and
entertainment; the course can play an important role in educating students interested in these “expressive arts”
by filling the “online” gap in the current School of Theatre and Dance performance curriculum.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
Yes.
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
YES
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
X
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee? The same fee required of students taking THTR
NO
120A/121A: Introduction to Acting I/II (DRAM 111A/112A).
Justification:
Students are required to see theatrical performances. This fee money will be used to secure discounted group
rates for the students to attend theatrical production. This practice has proved successful in the online sections
of DRAM 101L: Theatre Appreciation (THTR 101L).
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
To:
Description Change
Repeatability
From:
To:
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to
UG. Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
5. Other programs affected by the change
6. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
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:
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
50%
25%
25%
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.
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.