Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Voice and Diction I (Face-to-Face)

THEA 1113-02

Course: THEA 1113-02
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 11407

Course Description

An intensive studio approach to fundamental relaxation and breathing techniques for the speaking voice. Students will learn skills in scoring the text, various techniques for good speech, and the International Phonetic Alphabet by applying these techniques to actual texts for performance and evaluation. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

Required Texts:
We will be working from a variety of source material in this class and so you are not required to purchase any singular textbook. Any assigned reading will be made available on Canvas/provided in class. The anticipated source material is listed below so that you have titles available to you. Please note this list may not be exhaustive as education happens in real time and we may find that adjustments are needed. I will update this list as needed.

  • Freeing the Natural Voice - Kristin Linklater (Book about Voice production and Use)
  • Fitzmaurice Voicework: Embodying the Holistic Voice - Catherine Fitzmaurice and Michael Morgan (Book about Voice production and Use)
  • Voice and the Actor - Cicely Berry (Book about Voice production and Use)
  • Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panligual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and Jeffrey Parker (book about speech production and transcription)
  • Speak with Distinction - Edith Skinner (book about speech production and transcription)
  • Phonetics and Perception: The deep case for Phonetics training - Phil Thompson (article about the importance of Phonetics training for actors)

Required Materials:
  • A small mirror (compact or handheld)
  • A tennis or lacrosse ball
  • Folder or binder for handouts
  • Notebook and writing utensil(s)
  • Water

Required Attire:
This class will require physical activity and students are required to dress for all classes in a manner that supports this work. Please adhere to the guidelines below.

• All clothes should be appropriate for movement work. Nothing too restrictive or too loose. Think athletic wear that would have you feel supported and free in a variety of movements and physical positions (handstands, jumping, laying on the ground to name a few). 

• Much of our work will be conducted in socks or bare feet so please be prepared to remove your shoes. In general, please take care with your footwear as we have many bodies in a small space. Athletic shoes are usually the safest for this kind of class.

• Be prepared to remove jewelry and secure long hair back if necessary.



 

Learning Outcomes

Successful students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theory and mechanics of voice production.
  2. Demonstrate improved articulation skills, enhanced breathing skill, vocal quality and expressiveness.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to identify and produce “professional” sounds (General American) through proficiency in reading, performance, and understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).

These abilities will be assessed through a variety of in class work, outside assignments, quizzes/exams and performance. It is the goal of this class to give you the tools needed to work at an industry standard and to prepare you for a variety future collaborations. 

Course Requirements


Exercises and classwork will be graded objectively; other assignments, research and performance projects and quizzes/exams will be graded via rubrics, and/or carefully assessed subjectively by the course instructor. At the end of the semester, grades will be averaged and weighted by group. Students’ final grades will be determined based on SUU Canvas grading percentages rubric.

In this class the weighted groups will be as follows:

  • Participation: 20% (first half of semester and second half of semester)
  • Assignments/Quizzes: 35% (6 quizzes and various smaller assignments)
  • Midterm: 15% (A self designed warm up)
  • Final Speech:15% (A performance of a speech)
  • Final Exam: 15% (A written exam covering the entire semester)



Course Outline

*The instructor reserves the right to alter or adjust this syllabus at any time based on the needs of the class. Below is the general outline for the semester as it stands now. It will be adjusted as needed and become more specific as the semester unfolds. For the most detailed and current version please check Canvas*



List of Expected Weekly Topics, Major Assignments and Potential Readings

  • Week 1 (1/7 - 1/9)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Reading 
      • Course Introductions, Syllabus Review
      • Personal Intros (short speech, self written and performed for the class)
      • Reading Assignment: Freeing the Natural Voice - Kristin Linklater (Introduction pages 7-25)


 

  • Week 2 (1/12 - 1/16)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Building Physical Awareness - The Spine, The Breath, Vibration and how this all impacts your voice. Activities center around relaxation and breathing techniques coupled with exploration of the vocal instrument. Discussions surround but are not limited to reflections on exercise, best practices, how this work gets applied in the field.
      • Readings may be sourced from Freeing the Natural Voice - Kristin Linklater


 

  • Week 3 (1/21 -1/23)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Physical Awareness and Vocal Instrument exploration continued.
      • Principles of Warming Up - what’s a good warm up?
      • Introduction to Midterm project: A Self Designed Warm Up
        • Each student will design for themselves a 10 minute vocal and physical warm up to be performed at a later date in time. Criteria will be drawn from various in class exercises and/or readings/discussions.


  • Week 4 (1/26 - 1/30)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Physical Actions of Speech – Exploring the various aspects of speech production. Flow, Articulators, Shaped Flow and Obstructed Flow. Exercises, activities and discussions will center around personal instrument exploration in relation to the previously listed topics. 
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and Jeffrey Parker


 

  • Week 5 (2/2 - 2/6)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Physical Actions of Speech continued
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker


 

  • Week 6 (2/9 -2/13)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Possibilities in Language - Exploring various aspects of language: obstruents, consonants, vowels. How these aspects are created and applied. Activities and discussions center around but are not limited to  personal instrument exploration, basic anatomy, application and best practices.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker
      • Quiz 1 - Anatomy exact date TBD


  • Week 7 (2/18-2/20)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Possibilities in Language continued. Exploring various aspects of language: obstruents, consonants, vowels. How these aspects are created and applied. Activities and discussions center around but are not limited to  personal instrument exploration, basic anatomy, application and best practices.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker


 

  • Week 8 (2/23 - 2/27)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Transcribing Speech. Topics include matters related to the IPA and the use of phonetic symbols in the field, phones, phonemes, consonant symbols, vowels symbols, and narrow transcription. Activities center around the learning and memorization of the necessary symbols and the application of those symbols.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker and/or Perception: The deep case for Phonetics training - Phil Thompson
      • Quiz 2 - Consonants date TBD
      • Self Designed Warm-Up (Midterm) 2/27


 


  • Week 9 (3/2 - 3/6)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Transcribing Speech continued. Topics include matters related to the IPA and the use of phonetic symbols in the field, phones, phonemes, consonant symbols, vowels symbols, and narrow transcription. Activities center around the learning and memorization of the necessary symbols and the application of those symbols.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker and/or Perception: The deep case for Phonetics training - Phil Thompson
      • Quiz 3 - Vowels, Date TBD


 

  • Week 10 (3/9 -3/13)
    • SPRING BREAK NO CLASSES


 

  • Week 11 (3/16 - 3/20)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Transcribing Speech continued. Topics include matters related to the IPA and the use of phonetic symbols in the field, phones, phonemes, consonant symbols, vowels symbols, and narrow transcription. Activities center around the learning and memorization of the necessary symbols and the application of those symbols.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker and/or Phonetics and Perception: The deep case for Phonetics training - Phil Thompson 
      • Quiz 4 - Diphthongs and Triphthongs, Date TBD



  • Week 12 (3/23 - 3/27)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Transcribing Speech continued. Topics include matters related to the IPA and the use of phonetic symbols in the field, phones, phonemes, consonant symbols, vowels symbols, and narrow transcription. Activities center around the learning and memorization of the necessary symbols and the application of those symbols.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker and/or Phonetics and Perception: The deep case for Phonetics training - Phil Thompson 
      • Quiz 5 - IPA Review, Date TBD


 

  • Week 13 (3/30 - 4/3)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Speechwork - Topics include speechwork as acting work, oral posture, linguistic details, vocal strategies for performance, acting choices. Activities center around personal instrument exploration and application of the previously listed topics.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker
      • Final Speech assignment explained - A performance of a final speech performed in front of the class. Speech tasks and goals discussed as well as grading criteria.
      • Quiz 6 - IPA Review, Date TBD


 


  • Week 14 (4/6 - 4/10)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Speechwork continued. Topics include speechwork as acting work, oral posture, linguistic details, vocal strategies for performance, acting choices. Activities center around personal instrument exploration and application of the previously listed topics.
      • Readings may be sourced from Experiencing Speech: A Skills-Based, Panlingual Approach to Actor Training - Andrea Caban, Julie Foh, and  Jeffrey Parker


 

  • Week 15 (4/13 - 4/17)
    • Topics/Major Assignments/Potential Readings 
      • Final Speech Performances
      • Semester wrap and Final Review


 

  • Week 16 (Thursday 4/23 7:00am - 9:50am AU 108)
    • Final Exam - cumulative written exam drawing from our previous quizzes and/or assignments.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Written work
: Unless there are other arrangements agreed upon beforehand there will be a 1 point deduction for each day an assignment is late. Once points equal zero the assignment will be closed and no more late work will be accepted. Points aside I will not accept written work 2 weeks past the due date.

Quizzes: A missed quiz will need to be made up within one week's time of the initial test date for potential full credit. After that time makeup quizzes will be offered at the discretion of the instructor.

Performances/Tests: Any unexcused absence on a performance or test date will need to be evaluated on an individual basis and may result in grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor. It is no small thing to miss a scheduled performance or test, do everything you can to avoid this.



Attendance Policy

Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel or religious exemption. A student is allotted THREE (3) unexcused absences (for classes meeting TWO DAYS per week) or FOUR (4) unexcused absences (for classes meeting THREE DAYS per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each additional unexcused absence will incur a half-letter grade deduction from a student’s cumulative grade as outlined below:

0 additional unexcused absences: A 
1 additional unexcused absence:   A- 
2 additional unexcused absences: B 
3 additional unexcused absences: C+ 
4 additional unexcused absences: C- 
5 additional unexcused absences: D
6 additional unexcused absences: F

If you know you will be absent in advance, please notify your professor.

Tardiness: If a student arrives to class more than 5 minutes late, they will be considered “tardy.” Three instances of tardiness to a class will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy. Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Please Note: Missing class and neglecting to inquire about information for the missed lesson, reflects poorly on your participation and effort. It is your responsibility when you are absent to make up for the missed lesson. 


Course Fees

There are no course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.