Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Group Applied Voice (Face-to-Face)

THEA 1411-01

Course: THEA 1411-01
Credits: 1
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: TA
CRN: 11415

Course Description

Group Vocal Instruction, focusing on forming a foundation of solid vocal and performance techniques for theatre students not majoring in musical theatre. Fee required. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Number of Times: 4 Registration Restriction(s): Theatre Arts or BFA Theatre - Classical Acting Emphasis majors only

Required Texts

Students are responsible for purchasing legal copies of their repertoire.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the course will be able to:

  • Demonstrate beginning level mastery of healthy vocal techniques of breath, support and placement, and articulation, and of storytelling through song.
  • Gain confidence, groundedness and a professional demeanor through frequent performance.
  • Develop the ability to articulate the specific requirements of performance technique.

Course Requirements

Vocal Journals - At the end of each assigned week (reference Canvas), all students will submit a Vocal Development Journal or Performance Reflection Journal. Unless otherwise indicated, all journals will be due before the start of each assigned week.

Block 1 - Speech and Voice Connection - Each student will choose text and perform said text

Block 2 - Vocal Range Connection - Each student will choose a lower-stakes song to perform

Block 3 - Audition Song and Acting through Sounds - Each student will expand their range through the use of an audition song

Block 4 - Connection with Patter/Fast Speech - Each student will workshop a song that stretches their ability to sing or speak rapidly

Block 5 - Song Sequence or Collaboration and Acting through Song - Each student will have an option to either develop 2 songs to tell a story or collaborate with other students (in or out of the class) in a duet or trio setting. All must perform in class.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction to course, vocal health basics, and warm-up routine. Journal 0 due by Jan 12.
Week 2: Breath connection and the creation of sound. Journal 1 due by Jan 19.
Week 3: Breath connection and expanding the creation of sound. Journal 2 due by Jan 26.
Week 4: Continuing sound production and Text Performance. Journal 3 due by Feb 2. 
Week 5: Applying sound creation to sustained singing. Journal 4 due by Feb 9.
Week 6: Sustained sounds and Integration Performance. Journal 5 due by February 18. 
Week 7: Expanding Range of Sustaining Sounds. No Journal due.
Week 8: Expanding Range, Audition prep and Optional Performance. Journal 6 due by March 2.
Week 9: Expanding Range and Acting through Song. Journal 7 due by March 16.
Week 10: Work Audition Songs in Class. Journal 8 due by March 23.
Week 11: Patter/Fast Speech workshopping. Journal 9 due by March 30.
Week 12: Develop Song Sequence or Duet/Trios. Journal 10 due by April 6.
Week 13: Production of Sounds to Relay Story. Journal 11 due by April 13.
Week 14: Integration of Breath and Sound to workshop final selections. Journal 12 due by April 21.

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

In the event of an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to make up the missed work. Use your fellow students and class zoom and recordings as a resource for this. Communicate with the instructor if you miss class.

Attendance Policy

Departmental Absence Policy
Attendance policies vary by instructor and course section. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the specific attendance expectations for each course. These policies will be clearly outlined in the instructor's syllabus or course information. If clarification is needed, students should proactively contact their instructor.
Lecture Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel. Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one is courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade with an additional 1/3 for every additional absence.
Studio Based Courses
Attendance is required for all classes unless excused by the instructor or for official university travel.  Students who miss more than four class meetings for courses scheduled three days a week; three in courses scheduled two days a week, or one in courses scheduled one day a week, shall have their grade lowered by a full letter grade with an additional 1/3 grade for every additional absence.

Additional Information

  • Any student missing more than 25% of class meetings cannot receive a passing grade in departmental courses.
  • Students who are habitually late to courses will be subject to final grade lowering at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Fees

$200 Credit

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.