Course Syllabus

 

PHONETICS

 

Department:  Special Education:  Communication Disorders

 

Course Number: SPH 2423

 

Title: Phonetics

 

Textbook:

   Small, L. (2205) Fundamentals of Phonetics:  A Practical Guide for Students. 2nd ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

 

Instructor:  Kristina Wolfe, MS, CCC-SLP

                    Office phone: (731) 423-5705

                    Office fax: (731) 423-6470

                    Office hours: Monday 6:30-7:30 or by appointment

                    Email: WolfeK1@tennk12.net

           

Course Description:  A study of the International Phonetics Alphabet and the principles of effective voice usage.  Special emphasis is placed on improving voice, diction, and diction characteristics through exercises in projection, articulation, and pronunciation.

 

Purpose:  The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the International Phonetic Alphabet and transcribe normal and disordered speech.

 

Course Objectives:  Through class participation, written assignments, and examinations:

 

1.      The student will demonstrate an understanding of normal processes of communication, including normal speech, language, communication and hearing development; phonetics; and communication across the life span. 

2.      The student will describe the physical characteristics of the mouth and the use of breath needed to produce the vowels and consonants of English (label the parts of the vocal tract, and analyze articulatory behavior, etc…).

3.      The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of phonology and phonetics.

4.      The student will demonstrate an understanding of the International Phonetic Alphabet and transcribe basic English sentences into phonetic symbols.

5.      The student will be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of phonetic transcription and the set symbols for transcribing English (to transcribe phonetically words, phrases, and sentences). 

6.      The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of acoustic phonetics, which relates to the nature of the syllable and the use of stress, length, tone, and intonation in languages.

7.      The student will demonstrate an understanding of cultural and linguistic factors that influence communication including language and culture, nonverbal communication, sign language and other manually coded systems, bilingualism and multicultural issues. 

8.      The student will be able to translate basic phonetic transcriptions into spoken English.

9.      The student will demonstrate an understanding of federal, state, and local laws and policies related to working in schools.                

 

Requirements:

 

1.   Examinations – Four

  1. Students are required to observe ten hours of speech/language therapy and     evaluations.  Students will complete log/journal notes for each observation and turn these notes (with SLP’s initials) in at the end of the semester.  Should the student not turn in the hours of observation, the student will lose 1 point off their total grade for each day that it is late.

     3.   Students will assemble a Phonetics Notebook containing sections for technical    

     terms involved with the speech mechanism and phonetics, the International         

     Phonetic Alphabet, transcription exercises, acoustic phonetic features,

     performance exercises, current articles, and other related speech and language

     materials as reviewed.

4.  In class transcriptions and performance exercises will be completed as announced.

5.  Internet News Articles: Each student will give an oral report and written        

     summary of related Phonetics articles as scheduled.

6.  This class will consist of in-class transcriptions and performance exercises. 

           Class participation and ATTENDANCE is mandatory for success. 

 

Grading Systems:  Points earned on each of the following tasks will be converted to     percentages.

                Four Examinations                               400 points

                Ten hours of observation                     5 points each

               Class participation / quizzes              20 points each

               Phonetics Notebook                             30 points

               Articles Review                                     20 points

 

The following departmental grading scale will be used to compose your final grade:

 

          A                   90 - 100

   B                  80 – 89

   C                  70 – 79

   D                  60 – 69

           F                   Below 60

 

 

* Attendance Policy:  Attendance is required in this class.  Students absent from class must obtain instructors approval prior to being allowed to make-up quizzes, assignments, tests, etc...  The instructor reserves the right to adjust the grade or refuse to accept late assignment.