The Craft of Speaking I: Vocal Freedom
SYLLABUS DOWNLOAD
You may download a copy of the syllabus here: 
THDA 32H Syllabus Fall 2010
Course description
The Craft of Speaking I, and its continuation, The Craft of Speaking II, provide progressive instruction in the physical technique and aural principles used in expressive speaking. The Craft of Speaking I: Vocal Freedom is a beginning studio course in the development of voice for speaking. Students develop range and tone through regular physical exercises in relaxation, breathing technique, placement, and presence. Individual attention focuses on helping each student develop the the physical, mental, and emotional self-awareness needed for expressive vocal production.
Why THDA 32H is a “half-course”
While this course meets three hours per week just like a “full course,” the amount of related homework is kept to a minimum for pedagogical reasons. The learning in this course is largely experiential, and takes place through physical exercises that must be performed regularly to make progress with the voice.
Books and other materials you will need
Required
The Right to Speak by Patsy Rodenburg
available locally at Amherst Books
This is the only complete book required for this course.
Recommended but optional purchases
The Second Circle by Patsy Rodenburg - The first five chapters are required reading.
Optional headrest
A personal yoga mat (for home use)
A note on clothing: you should wear clothing that is loose fitting (especially around the waist), and that allows for a wide range of leg movements. Make any clothing changes before class so we can start work on time.
Goals
- To become familiar with the process of breathing, your own body, and your vocal habits and possibilities.
- To expand your breathing capacity, and the range and color of your voice.
- To enhance the spontaneous and expressive qualities of your speaking voice.
- To learn how to become present to others while speaking and to encourage presence in others.
- To learn to strengthen your articulatory muscles.
- To learn beginning techniques to enhance clarity, effectiveness and self-expression in your speaking.
Assignments overview
- Reading (see course schedule below)
- Three short essays, due on Sep. 24, Oct. 22 and Dec. 13, respectively
- Several short homework exercises in text analysis near the end of the semester
Final speaking presentation
I will ask you to choose and to prepare a selection of text to speak in class during last two weeks of the semester, according to guidelines I will provide. Your performance will be graded.
Optional work
I encourage you to conduct vocal practice sessions with peers outside of class. I will provide guidelines.
Many students find it helpful to keep a journal, or write short reflections on their experience while working with the voice. I am happy to read and comment on any reflective writing you would like to share with me.
Grading and attendance policy
Excellent attendance is mandatory and necessary to make progress with your voice. Your grade will be based not on attendance per se, but on your progress made during class time. Your course grade breaks down like this:
Short essays (3) - 30%
Final speaking presentation - 30%
In-class progress in vocal freedom - 40%
Course schedule
We will work together as a group in a process-oriented fashion. Below is an approximate course schedule and a reading schedule designed roughly to coincide with class work.
Week 1: Beginning: Orientation & Relaxation
September 8 & 10
Read: The Right To Speak: Foreword & Introduction (pp. vi-xiv) & Chapters 1 & 2 (pp. 1-18)
Weeks 2 & 3: Stretching & Breathing
September 13, 15, 17, 20, 22 & 24
Read: The Right To Speak: part of Ch. 7 (pp. 110-142) & part of Ch. 8 (pp. 172-194)
Week 4 & 5: Making Sound
September 27, 29, October 1, 4 (first short essay due), 6 & 8
Read The Right To Speak: Chapters 3, 4, 5 & 6 (pp. 19-109)
MID-SEMESTER BREAK
Week 6: Placement & Presence
October 13 & 15
Read: The Right To Speak: continuation of Ch. 7 (pp. 142-159)
Read: The Second Circle: Introduction (pp. xi-xvii) & Chapters 1-5 (pp. 3-44)
Week 7: Warming, Freeing & Placing
October 18, 20 & 22 (second short essay due)
Read: The Right To Speak: remainder of Ch. 7 (pp. 159-171) & part of Ch. 8 (pp. 194-206)
Week 8: Depth, Range & Resonance
October 25, 27 & 29
Read: The Right To Speak: remainder of Ch. 8 (pp. 206-228)
Week 9: Introduction to Prosody in Speaking
November 1, 3 & 5
Read: The Right To Speak: Ch. 9 (pp. 229-250)
Week 10: Speaking as Breathing
November 8, 10 & 12
Review: The Right To Speak: Chapter 7
Week 11: Warming & Speaking Work
November 15, 17 & 19
Review: The Right To Speak: Chapter 8
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Week 12: Warming & Speaking Work
November 29, December 1 & 3
Read: The Right To Speak: part of Ch. 10 (pp. 251-282)
Weeks 13 & 14: Warming & Speaking Work
December 6, 8, 10, 13 & 15 (third short essay due; final presentations)
Read: The Right To Speak: remainder of Ch. 10 (pp. 283-299)
There is no examination during the Examination Period.
The absolute deadline for any outstanding writing is 5 p.m. on December 20.
Statement of Intellectual Responsibility
Please review Amherst's Statement of Intellectual Responsibility.
Some implications of the Statement of Intellectual Responsibility for THDA 32H are listed here.
- Your willing and concentrated participation in class activities is your intellectual responsibility in this course.
- Experiential learning works best in an atmosphere of openness and trust. It is your intellectual responsibility to contribute to optimal conditions by attending all class meetings and scheduled practice sessions on time, by communicating conflicts or problems openly and promptly, and by listening to peers with empathy.
- Writing that you submit to me must be your own.