COMM 340 SYLLABUS
Oral Interpretation in Instructional Settings TIMES/CRN: 22819, MW 1:00 - 1:50pm, in TA 11.
INSTRUCTOR: James Floss E-MAIL: jmf2 @ jfloss.com
OFFICE: Hs. 54 Rm. 5 Office Extension: 826-5422; Voice Mail available
DROP-IN OFFICE HOURS MW 2:00 to 2:50pm. See me to set other appointments.
PURPOSE and GOALS
This course is designed to be complementary to English 323 and 344. Using the theories and materials from that class will simplify and enrich your experience here. This class is a workshop in which to develop your skills in the performance of literature and you will hopefully:
- Develop an understanding of the voices of narrative literature and poetry.
- Communicate meaning through the dramatic use of voice.
- Support your interpretation through physical responsiveness.
- Use staging to communicate meaning.
- Develop an understanding of the selection and adaptation of literature appropriate to grade levels.
- Develop listening skills and participate in critiques.
READINGS
Each student will perform three graded readings. They are a poetry assignment, a group reading (Readers Theatre), and a final solo reading (Narrative Reading). Each will be evaluated by the following criteria:
- Choice of literature to suit the assignment.
- Evocation of an appropriate mood for the literature.
- Vocal and physical responsiveness to the literature.
- Engagement of the listening audience.
- Written justification of your choices.
Full descriptions of each reading are included in the printed packet or are linked to this page if you are reading this on the World Wide Web. Feel free to discuss assignments and evaluations or to preview material with me during office hours or by appointment.
GRADING
For each reading, you will receive an evaluation sheet indicating your strongest and weakest areas along with a letter grade. Unexcused late performances will be docked an entire grade (i.e. from an A- to a B-). If you perform on your assigned day, you have a standing invitation to improve your grade by performing your piece again, in class (if time permits) or by appointment. A "Big Quiz" will be given. Your final grade will be determined in this manner: Students will receive a final grade that is an average of their five grades weighted equally.
ATTENDANCE
Your attendance is very important, whether or not you are reading on a particular day. You will learn much from the ideas, readings, and critiques of your classmates (and you have responsibilities as an audience member). One absence is discretionary. Other absences reduce the attendance grade as follows:
Exceptions will be made only for substantiated medical reasons. Every time a student arrives late or needs to leave early, a mark equaling one fifth of an absence will be recorded; these will be averaged into the attendance grade. You may at any time during the semester propose extra-curricular Oral Interpretation activities to substitute for class time missed.