Spring 2008
GERMAN AND FRENCH DICTION – MUSI 3335
Department of Music
Kennesaw State University
INSTRUCTOR:
Ms. Valerie Walters
Office 106A – Music Building
Phone – 770-423-6151
Office hours by appointment only
CLASS MEETINGS:
TU/TH 10:00-10:50
Music Building 107
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
TEXT: The Singer’s Manual of German and French Diction
By Dr. Richard G. Cox
Plus: 1. Diction notebook
2. Small pocket mirror
3. Highly recommended small cassette recorder & tape
MUSI 3335 will require access to a piano (or electronic keyboard) for the purpose
of individual practice and preparation of the vocal performance part of the course. You
will be expected to practice your diction exercises DAILY to improve your physical
dexterity and ear sensitivity. Establish an on-going study group to meet 2-3 times
weekly for a minimum of 20 minutes each session.
CATALOGUE COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Designed for vocal music majors. The study of the pronunciation, enunciation,
and expression of the German and French language in singing.
Prerequisite: MUSI 3334
Refer to current Undergraduate Catalogue
PURPOSE/RATIONALE:
MUSI 3335 is designed for the vocal music major. The course presents the rules
and guidelines for clear and effective diction in singing through the use of the
International Phonetic Alphabet and the study of the corresponding sounds as they
are used in German and French song literature.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
The students will develop and improve their ear and speech coordination so that
they will be able to demonstrate in both speech and singing clear vowels and
consonants. The students will study and learn the International Phonetic Alphabet
as a working tool for achieving accuracy and clarity in the pronunciation of both
German and French.
The students will acquire and demonstrate a knowledge of the physiology of
achieving accurate vowel and consonant sounds and be able to work proficiently
with the IPA as a tool to this end. To facilitate this goal students will work and a
group and individually to master the clarity and ease of all sounds needed in
German and French. The guidelines and rules of diction will be learned through
utilizing a knowledge base which includes outlines, presentations, and oral drills.
Students will additionally perform repertoire in class to demonstrate the concepts
being developed in the course.
Conceptual development of good singing diction will be enhanced through
listening assignments of specific vocal recordings and live concert performances.
TECHNOLOGY:
Students in MUSI 3335 will employ modern technology as a method of receiving,
processing, and presenting information including tape recorder, electronic keyboard,
videotaping, TV monitor, CD player, and computer word-processing.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Tests. There will be 2 German and 2 French Quizzes, Performance
Evaluations, PLUS a final examination. The Final exam will include both a
written and an applied section.
2. LISTENING REQUIREMENT. TWO short (1 page handwritten) reports (1
German, 1 French) of classical recordings, two selections in each language,
song repertoire is preferable. You will address the issue of the flow and
clarity of each of these languages in recording. The music library has
adequate recordings from which to choose.
3. READING ASSIGNMENTS. All reading assignments will be either
highlighted or underlined
with pertinent questions, comments, or concerns noted in the margins to be
shared in classroom discussion or presentation.
4.
CONCERT ATTENDANCE. Attendance is required at THREE vocal
concerts or events recommended by Instructor.
Extra Credit:
Emory Schwartz Center / Spivey Hall / Atlanta Opera / Capitol City Opera /
Atlanta Symphony events.
5. CLASS ATTENDANCE. Attendance REQUIRED and EXPECTED at every
class. Attendance will be called at every class. Students may miss THREE
classes without penalty. These “cuts” may be taken in sickness or in health.
Each cut taken beyond the “THREE class cut allowance” will result in the
grade being dropped one full letter grade per cut.
Please note: Course requirements are a given. Failure to meet each course requirement
will result in the grade being dropped one letter grade for each requirement not met.
EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
Evaluations will be keyed by a point system to the Course Requirements.
Grading will follow a scale of
90 to 100 A
80 to 89 B
70 to 79 C
60 to 69 D
Below 60 F
DIVERSITY:
A variety of materials and instructional strategies will be employed to meet the needs of the
different learning styles of diverse learners in class. Candidates will gain knowledge as well as
an understanding of differentiated strategies and curricula for providing effective instruction and
assessment within multicultural classrooms. One element of course work is raising candidate
awareness of critical multicultural issues. A second element is to cause candidates to explore
how multiple attributes of multicultural populations influence decisions in employing specific
methods and materials for every student. Among these attributes are ethnicity, race,
socioeconomic status, gender, giftedness, disability, language, religion, family structure,
sexual orientation, and geographic region. An emphasis on cognitive style differences
provides a background for the consideration of cultural context.
Kennesaw State University provides program accessibility and accommodations for persons
defined as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990. A number of services are available to support students with disabilities
within their academic program. In order to make arrangements for special services, students
must visit the Office of Disabled Student Support Services (770-423- 6443) and develop an
individual assistance plan. In some cases, certification of disability is required.
Please be aware that there are other support/mentor groups on the campus of Kennesaw State
University that address each of the multicultural variables outlined above. For more information
contact the Student Life Center at 770-423-6280.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct,
as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of
Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding
plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records of academic work, malicious removal,
retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities
an/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic
misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary
Program, which includes either an "informal" resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a
grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of
Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement.