Introduction to Speech Performance
Through Autobiographical Performance
(On-Site and Distance)
   

   

Diane Howard, Ph.D.
 
   

Office Hours- Tuesday & Thursday,  4 p.m. on, Presser 421

 Dr. Howard's Fall Schedule & Calendar

Make Appointments- dhoward@umhb.edu

Calendars/Extra Resources
 
     
    Text: Autobiographical Writing and Performing: An Introductory, Contemporary Guide
to Process and Research in Speech Performance, Diane Howard, Ph.D. (McGraw-Hill)
    Course Description and Purpose:
This communication course is required for speech communication and performance studies students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. It also serves as a communication requirement in some other majors and degree programs at UMHB. It has been developed as project-based curriculum, which is both writing and speech intensive, to introduce communication students to the multi-faceted arts of verbal and non-verbal communication. Writing and presenting autobiography encourages looking at issues complexly. It encourages understanding and empathy. While challenging stereotypical images, it discourages hasty judgments, based on simplistic understandings of others. It encourages close study of history and aggressive research from first-hand sources. It provides insight into cultural dynamics, such as that of gender, race, and ethnicity. It requires careful study of the art of storytelling, crafted writing skills, perceptive consideration of non-verbal communication, selective blocking of movement, attentive study of voice, and effective engagement of audiences. Performances of autobiography over distance communication technologies facilitate open communication in what seems like a therapeutic atmosphere of anonymity. Performance of autobiography provides an effective, succinct, comprehensive, and contemporary approach to the study of speech performance.  
   
   
    Student Requirements:
   
  • Participants will examine autobiography broadly in terms of letters, journals, diaries, oral histories, and written autobiographies.
  • Participants will examine performances of autobiography.
  • Participants will use performance of autobiography as a method of inquiry.
  • Participants will use performance of autobiography to develop effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills for on-site and long-distance audiences.
  • Participants will demonstrate effective scriptwriting techniques.
  • Participants will become informed as critics of speech performance.
  • Participants will create and present a final performance of autobiography.
     
    Student Learning Objectives and Outcomes:
   
  • Student will demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills for on-site and long-distance audiences.
  • Students will demonstrate effective scriptwriting techniques.
  • Students will produce and present a skillful, final performance of autobiography.
    Student Responsibilities:
   
  • Students are expected to attend each class session.
  • Students are expected to coach and critique fellow classmates in terms of the objectives of each session.
  • Students are expected to technically support classmates in final presentations.
   
    Outline of Methods and Activities: By Class Meetings, Specific Criteria on LMS (My Campus) & In Class
   
   
  • Introduction to Communication & Media Studies Dept., Performance Studies, Course, and Participants; Read Preface & Ch.1; Bring autobiographical artifacts to next meeting for class discussion
  • Discuss Preface; Discuss autobiographical artifacts
  • Discuss Ch. 1, Learning from the History of Autobiography
  • Discuss Ch. 2; Learning from the History of Performance
  • Discuss Ch. 3; Study Work of Anna Deveare Smith, First Test; Read Ch. 3
  • Choosing the Character in Light of the Role Modeling Effect of Performance of Autobiography-
    Discuss Ch. 4; Bring a list of historic characters to class to discuss in terms research; Read Ch. 5
  • Researching for Performance of Autobiography- Discuss Chap. 5. Research a character from original journals, diaries, autobiographies etc.; Discuss Studying the Character; Read Ch. 6
  • Writing the Script, Discuss Ch. 6; Read Ch. 7
  • Using Performance Frames, Discuss Ch. 7 
  • Script for first scene
  • Rehearse first scene; Read Ch. 8
  • Complete script through turning point; Rehearse; Read Chapter Nine
  • First draft of complete script; Rehearse; Read Chapter Ten.
  • Examination on textbook
  • Bring three copies of current script and rehearse scripts.
  • Bring three copies of current script; Run technical, dress rehearsals. 
  • Turn in final script; Perform final scripts
   
    Mission Statement- In alignment with the university's mission statement, the goal of this course is to train speech performance leaders,  who can effectively exercise faith-based discernment and service in a global society.
     
    Evaluation: Specific Criteria on LMS (My Campus) & In Class
   
  • One third of the final course grade is to be based on in-class participation and assignments. This includes the following: meeting deadlines, coming to class prepared with assignments, demonstrating academic integrity, and contributing positively to the class activities.
  • One third of the final grade is to be based on tests.
  • One third of the final grade is to be based on the final performance.
    Appropriate Dress:  Modest Clothing,  no hats or flip-flop shoes

Please do not use Electronic Devices (smart phones for texting, laptops etc.)  during class discussions and presentations.

Teaching Philosophy- See http://www.dianehoward.com/phil.prac.contrib.htm

Student Policies- This class will adhere to student standards as set forth in the UMHB Student Handbook.

Academic Integrity- Students will produce their own work and will not plagiarize.

 Accommodations are to be made for students will disabilities as guided by the campus testing and counseling office.
 
   

Extra Credit for Special Event Participation:
Students can receive extra credit for participation in events from the following categories: workshops,  performance communication events (on or off campus), and/or Humanities programs/events (see calendar).
 

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