Course Form
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
School of Theatre & Dance
Course Title
Prefix and Course
#
G THTR 514
Graduate Voice & Speech II
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Grad Voice & Speech II
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 :
x5288
Program Chair/Director:
Other affected programs
Dean:
Date
jere.hodgin@umontana.edu
Mark Dean
x2879
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
Are other departments/programs affected by this modification Please obtain signature(s) from the
because of
Chair/Director of any such department/
(a) required courses incl. prerequisites or corequisites,
program (above) before submission
(b) perceived overlap in content areas
(c) cross-listing of coursework
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.
Common Course Numbering Review (Department Chair Must Initial):
YES
NO
Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere in the MUS? Check all relevant disciplines if
X
course is interdisciplinary. (http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp)
If YES: Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with existing course(s)? Please indicate
equivalent course/campus. 
If NO: Course may be unique, but is subject to common course review. Be sure to include learning outcomes
on syllabus or paste below. The course number may be changed at the system level.
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.) 
G 514 Graduate Voice & Speech II 3 cr. Offered spring. Prereq., THTR 513. Continuation of 513; advanced
studio encompassing standard speech, character voice, accent and dialect-acquisition studies.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
This course replaces the need for graduate students to repeat THTR 512: Problems in Voice & Speech during
their time in the MFA program. By creating this course, students can experience different and specific in-depth
training each of their six semesters in the program rather than repeating a course during the first year.
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 - see procedure 301.30
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
Complete for Co-convented courses
Companion course number, title, and description (include syllabus of companion course in section V)
See procedure 301.20 http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
New fees and changes to existing fees are only approved once each biennium by the
Board of Regents. The coordination of fee submission is administered by Administration
and Finance. Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions
according to Policy 940.12.1 http://mus.edu/borpol/bor900/940-12-1.pdf . Please
indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number Change
From:
Level U, UG, G
Co-convened
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
YES
NO
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary
program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the
course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. If co-convened course: companion course number, title, and description
(include syllabus of companion course in section V) See procedure 301.20
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/grad_council/procedures/default.aspx.
5. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering?
http://mus.edu/transfer/CCN/ccn_default.asp
If yes, please explain below whether this change will eliminate the course’s common course
status.
YES NO
6. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Have you reviewed the graduate
Reference procedure 301.30:
increment guidelines? Please check (X)
space provided.
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/committees/
grad_council/procedures/default.aspx
(syllabus required in section V)
7. Other programs affected by the change
8. 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.
Graduate Voices and Speech II
Dialects
G THTR 514—Section 01
3.000 Credits—MW 11:10 am-1:00 pm —McGill Hall 125
Instructor: John Kenneth DeBoer
Email:
john.deboer@umontana.edu
Phone:
243-2018
Office:
Office hours:
Prerequisite:
McGill 212A
MW 1:30-3 PM
THTR 510
Aim
This is an advanced acting class continuing the exploration of techniques in voice training for the
actor. The purpose of this course is to help the student-actor broaden their craft through Stanislavski
based approaches to standard speech, character voice, accents, and dialect acquisition using poetic
scansion, operative structure, and the International Phonetic Alphabet. Students are expected to take
a leadership role in the conduct of this class as well as create an advanced Final Performance.
Objectives
 To explore personal performance speech and how it can be refined and adapted for a
successful career on the stage while maintaining the color and dynamics of the actor’s
personal identity
 To study the vocal subtleties—psychological and physical—of creating characters for the
stage
 The continued application of Scansion and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to
the descriptive transcription of a specific individual’s speech patterns
 To achieve a deeper understanding of how voice can be used to create a character of
depth rather than simple impersonation
 To expand the dramaturgy of character work and descriptive phonetic transcription to
cultural dialect studies of Great Britain, Ireland, and America.
 To research and develop rehearsal materials for a specific foreign accent or regional
dialect not featured in the text.
Required Materials
 Accents and Dialects for Stage and Screen, by Paul Meier (Any Edition)
 Computer and Internet access to record and upload assignments to Moodle
 Audacity (free download for Mac and PC available at the hyperlink) or other sound
recording software with the ability to save files in MP3 or other compressed formats
 Clothes that support movement (no jeans or button shirts)
 IPA Fonts (free downloads for Mac and PC available at the hyperlink)
Attendance and Promptness
As an graduate-level acting course there are no un-excused absences. Missing a full week of class
will drop the grade one letter and so on. Two tardies equals one absence.
Grading Scale and Breakdown
A
100 – 90%
B
89 – 80%
C
79 – 70 %
D
69 – 60%
F
59 and Below
Participation:
Writing/Research:
Performances
30%
30%
40%
Tentative Schedule
Weeks 1
The Basics and Stage Standard
Weeks 2-4
Received Pronunciation Scenes
Weeks 5-7
Regional British Dialect Scenes
Week 8-10
Irish Scenes
Week 11-13
American Dialect Scenes
Week 15-16
Final Project – Foreign Accent Research Presentation
Final Exam
December 16, 8-10 AM
Monologues and Performances
You will prepare scenes throughout the semester. Part of this process will involve your ability to
research dialect-plays and adapt your voice, body and performance in general accordingly. An
excellent monologue will feature the distinct slang, syntax, names, and places reflected by the
culture.
When performing, I expect a very specific character voice. I also expect a high level of specific
acting choices and characterizations to take place in your performances. This means that I should
not have to coach your acting more than your vocal process. Each monologue is short, so come to
class with bold choices already made. Most of all have fun with it! Costumes, props, and whatever
you can think of are highly encouraged. Be CREATIVE.
Grades for your performances will be based on the following rubric:
A
Superb work. The student has transcended craft past the point of intellectual
preparation and was truly living in the dialect
B
Good work. The student has mastered the intellectual preparation necessary to
move on to more advanced dialect work, but is not yet truly living in the moment
C
Fair work. The student is somewhat prepared, but it is evident that more effort is
needed to master the sounds and rhythms of the dialect.
D
Poor work. The student has not prepared fully for the work and it is painfully
obvious to the audience.
F
Failure. The student has not prepared at all, made no specific choices and is
wasting the audiences time.
Hopefully most of you will develop the tools for effective vocal performance and will receive full
marks, however participation is often not enough, and the student is expected to show some growth
in technical skill by the semester’s conclusion.
Due to the extremely tight schedule this semester, performances must take place on the date noted
on the schedule. Unless you have received specific permission from the instructor prior to the date
of performance, all missed performances will be awarded zero points. Special consideration will be
made for documented excused absences on a case-by-case basis.
Students who do not receive the grade they desire on their performance of any dialect may arrange
to meet me outside of class to repeat their performance as many times as necessary in order to
achieve an acceptable assessment.
Writing and Research
As with the work in Graduate Voice and Speech I, you must record your performances and upload
them to Moodle along with a typed transcription and scansion of the piece. These transcriptions will
generally be due on the third day of our work on a particular dialect, before your first performance.
Please submit your work as a PDF file.
Final Project
For the final project of the semester you will choose a foreign accent not in the textbook and prepare
a two-minute monologue performance, transcription, as well as an “actor’s guide” to performing the
monologue. You will work independently on this project with no prior instruction.
Procedure/Policy
You are expected to abide by the following departmental regulations. There is no eating, drinking,
or gum chewing during the class. Please let me know if in writing if you have a medical exception
to this policy. Water in a capped container is acceptable. Absolutely no weapons, real or fake, are
allowed in the classroom.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre classes, as they are very physical in nature. Please
proceed through class and rehearsals with caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety and
the safety of others. Students participating in classes, rehearsals, and performances do so at their
own risk.
Due to safety considerations, at no point during a student’s time spent in class or serving on a
production (in any capacity) should non-enrolled persons be guests of that student without my
consent. Presence of such unauthorized persons in a class, shop, or any backstage/off-stage area will
negatively affect a student’s grade.
School of Theatre and Dance Handbook
All students in theatre courses 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 the link
above.
Disability Services for Students (DSS):
If you have a disability for which accommodations are needed please contact me in the first week of
the semester. Please visit the website linked above for more information.
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 located at the link above.
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.
Revised 5-4-11