Table of Contents

Face-to-Face Syllabus Template ............................................................................................. 1

Instructions for Use ........................................................................................................................1
Syllabus: Course Title, Number, and Section ........................................................................... 3
Final Exam Date & Other Important Dates ............................................................................. 3
Course Description ................................................................................................................. 3
Learning Outcomes ................................................................................................................ 3
Prerequisites ......................................................................................................................... 3
Required Texts / Materials ..................................................................................................... 3
Additional / Supplementary Resources ................................................................................... 4
Teaching Philosophy .............................................................................................................. 4
Instructional Methods............................................................................................................ 4
Course Policies and Requirements .......................................................................................... 5
Assignments...................................................................................................................................5
Grading ..........................................................................................................................................5
Final Grade Elements / Grade Breakdown: ........................................................................................................... 5
Grading Scales ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Option 1: Final +/- Grade Scale: ............................................................................................................................ 6
Option 2: Final Whole-letter Grade Scale: ............................................................................................................ 6
Late Work .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Grading Concerns .................................................................................................................................................. 6
Attendance ....................................................................................................................................6
Participation ..................................................................................................................................6
Class Norms & Netiquette ..............................................................................................................6
Technology Policies ........................................................................................................................7
Email .............................................................................................................................................7
Course Materials ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Academic Misconduct ....................................................................................................................7
TCU Online: Our Learning Management System ..................................................................... 8
Getting Started with TCU Online .....................................................................................................8
How This Course Will Use TCU Online .............................................................................................9
Getting Help with TCU Online .........................................................................................................9
Personal Settings & Notifications for TCU Online .............................................................................9
Student Success Tools for TCU Online .............................................................................................9

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 Pulse ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9
ReadSpeaker .......................................................................................................................................................... 9

Support for TCU Students ..................................................................................................... 10

Campus Offices ............................................................................................................................ 10
Anti-Discrimination and Title IX Information ................................................................................. 10
TCU Policy for Religious Observations & Holidays .......................................................................... 11
Student Access and Accommodation ............................................................................................ 11
Audio Recording Notification: ............................................................................................................................. 12
Emergency Response Information.................................................................................................12
Course Schedule................................................................................................................... 13
Student Perception of Teaching (SPOT) ................................................................................ 14
TCU Mission Statement ........................................................................................................ 14

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Syllabus: Upper Division Voice MUSP 50210-770 Spring 2023

Instructor Name: Dr. Corey Trahan

Semester and Year: Spring 2023
Number of Credits: 1.0
Class Location: SWB
Class Meeting Day(s) & Time(s): Students will have one 30-minute session of private
acting instruction per week to be arranged between student, pianist and instructor.
Office Location: SWB 134
Office Hours: By appointment.
Telephone: 225.235.3648
Email: corey.trahan@tcu.edu
Response Time: 24-hours on weekdays, 48-hours on weekends and holidays
Final Exam Date & Other Important Dates
The final exam will be completed in the student’s final lesson of the semester. There will be a
four studio classes throughout the semester that serves as a lab for private lessons. Students
will be expected to perform selections from their repertoire, receive feedback from their peers
and instructor of record.
Course Description
This course offers acting instruction for the student who is pursuing degrees other than music or
those who have completed their voice requirements for a music degree. Topics include
repertoire analysis, dramatic arcs and interpretive methods for presenting repertoire in public
settings. The plan of study will be tailored to meet the student’s needs.

Learning Outcomes
• Develop techniques for acting and interpretation while singing vocal repertoire.
• Articulate knowledge of the genre used by composer and librettist for 4 arias
• assigned via consultation with the student’s private voice instructor.
• Phoneticize new songs and/or arias in a language other than English using the
• International Phonetic Alphabet.
• Recite and present the text of four arias in rhythm with advanced-level diction.
• Prepare four arias with accurate pitches, dynamics, style and dramatic arc.
• Perform four arias from memory with piano accompaniment.

Prerequisites
MUSP 50210 has no prerequisites other than admission to the program

Required Texts / Materials

Students will need to acquire four arias via online purchases, the T.C.U. Library, the
instructor’s library or online sources. Copyright laws must be followed.

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 Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy prioritizes the following: initial and continual assessment of a student’s
ability and progression, establishing a nurturing atmosphere within the learning environment,
challenging a student’s capacity to pursue excellence, providing the technical and interpretive
skills to enhance confidence and independence, and mentoring a student in accordance with his
or her immediate and long-range goals.
Initial and continual assessment of a student’s ability and progression: Acquiring an accurate
initial assessment of a student’s strengths and areas of challenge are crucial to developing and
implementing a regimented course of study. Musicianship, technical ability, interpretive ability,
learning style and speed, motivation, and willingness to trust us with their instrument are all
contributing factors we aim to ascertain in an initial meeting and continually monitor.
Establishing a nurturing atmosphere within the learning environment: In our teaching
experience, creating a situation in which a student feels confident to experiment with new
approaches and encourage trial and error methodology has often yielded positive results.
Challenging a student’s capacity to pursue excellence: Encouraging students to exude
maximum effort and initiative can be challenging. As teachers, we feel the responsibility to
establish obtainable artistic standards, allowing successes to be recognized but discouraging
complacency and contentment with mediocrity.
Providing technical and interpretive skills to enhance confidence and independence: Equipping
a student with technical knowledge and interpretive methods are our responsibility in his or her
artistic development. We emphasize preparation and purpose as two skills necessary for
success; their implementation to academic and artistic endeavors becomes the student’s
responsibility.
Mentoring a student in accordance with his or her immediate and long-range goals: Experience
has taught us the affirmative impact of providing a positive model for students. Advising a
student academically and artistically, exhibiting genuine interest in a student’s success and
being a great listener are facets that we feel have allowed us to mentor young artists.
My teaching methodology strives for consistency, patience, and continuing education to
enhance my abilities as an effective educator and artist.

Instructional Methods
Private lessons will involve 14 weekly 30-minute lessons. Within each lesson, students will work
with the instructor on dramatic and interpretive approaches on four arias. Students are expected
to practice outside of class, a minimum of 30-minutes per day.
Studio Class (lab) is meets 4 times during the semester to discuss and demonstrate technical
challenges posed by their semester repertoire. Live performance and critiques will be
moderated by the instructor and student participation is expected and welcomed.

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 Course Policies and Requirements
Assignments and Grading

Outcome(s) Assignments, Exams/Quizzes, Presentations, etc. Percentage Points

1-6 Upload of sheet music (4 arias) 20 20

1-6 Show International Phonetic Alphabet Transcription 20 20

and translations written in the musical score for all
non-English repertoire.

1-6 4 Studio Class Performances 20 20

1-6 Final Exam 40 40

Upload of Sheet Music: Students should upload all of the semester’s repertoire into his or her
Box folder created by the instructor.
Mid-semester Survey: Students will be asked to complete an online mid-semester survey that
assesses their progress in the course as well as satisfaction with the instructor’s performance.
I.P.A. Transcriptions and Translations: Using the International Phonetic Alphabet, students will
be asked to show an I.P.A. transcription of each song or aria and word-by-word translation
written in their scores for all non-English repertoire studied this semester.
Memorized Performances: Students expected to perform a minimum of four times in studio
class.
Final Exam: Presentation of 4 arias.

Grading Scales

Grade Score

A 90–100

B 80–89.99

C 70–79.99

D 60–69.99

F 0–59.99

Late Work
No late work will be accepted.

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Grading Concerns
Set a meeting with me and we will discuss your grades.
Attendance

Beginning with the first unexcused absence, 15 points will be deducted from the student’s
final Attendance grade for each unexcused absence. Because attendance is vital to success in
this class, more than 2 unexcused absences will result in the student receiving a failing grade
(F) in the course.

No-shows: No-shows are completely unacceptable. If you no-show on me twice, you will fail for
the semester and you will be barred from re-enrolling with me. Zero tolerance.

Late arrivals: Late arrivals of 5 minutes for a 25-minute lesson, will count as a no-show. The
lesson will not take place and will not be made up.

Excused Absences: Each student is allowed 3 excused absences per semester without
detriment to their grade. An absence is considered excused if the student gives the instructor 24
hours’ prior notice of the absence. If a student has 4 or more absences, they have missed an
entire month of class. A failing grade will result unless the student withdraws from the course
before the final day to drop. It is the student's responsibility to drop the course. Special
circumstance policies are in place; see Accommodations. College sponsored activities do not
count against your tallied excused absences. TCU notification is required. If you know you have
a conflict or are sick and know you will be sick for your lesson, you may switch lesson times with
another student for that week in lieu of receiving an excused absence. It is up to you to arrange
the switch with your fellow student. The switch must be amenable to both and confirmed by both
students. Lessons can be rescheduled in advance with 48 hours’ notice, if schedules allow, and
only after all avenues for switching with another student have been exhausted.

Make up lessons: Make-up lessons will not be given for student cancelled lessons, even if the
absence is considered excused. If I must cancel your lesson, it will be made up the final week of
classes or in advance of my absence.

Unexcused Absences: Lessons missed without 24 hours’ notification will be unexcused,

barring extreme circumstances. Each unexcused absence will lower the student’s final grade by
half a letter grade. 2 or more unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the course.

Participation
Students should contribute to the class discussions to create a balanced dialogue between the
instructor and other students.

Class Norms & Netiquette

All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email
messages, discussions, and chats. If I deem any of them to be inappropriate or offensive, I will
forward the message to the Chair of the department and appropriate action will be taken, not

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excluding expulsion from the course. The same rules apply online as they do in person. Be
respectful of other students. Foul discourse will not be tolerated. Please take a moment and
read some basic information about netiquette (http://www.albion.com/netiquette/).
Participating in the virtual realm, including social media sites and shared-access sites
sometimes used for educational collaborations, should be done with honor and integrity. Please
review the relevant sections of the Student Handbook (https://deanofstudents.tcu.edu/student-
handbook/) for TCU’s network and computing policies and communication guidelines.

Technology Policies
Email
Only the official TCU student email address will be used for all course notification. It is your
responsibility to check your TCU email on a regular basis.

Course Materials
TCU students are prohibited from sharing any portion of course materials (including videos,
PowerPoint slides, assignments, or notes) with others, including on social media, without written
permission by the course instructor. Accessing, copying, transporting (to another person or
location), modifying, or destroying programs, records, or data belonging to TCU or another user
without authorization, whether such data is in transit or storage, is prohibited. The full policy can
be found at: https://tcu.policytech.com/dotNet/documents/?docid=55&public=true.
Violating this policy is considered a violation of Section 3.2.8 of the Student Code of
Conduct found in the Student Handbook (https://deanofstudents.tcu.edu/student-handbook/),
and may also constitute Academic Misconduct or Disruptive Classroom Behavior. TCU
encourages student debate and discourse; accordingly, TCU generally interprets and applies its
policies, including the policies referenced above, consistent with the values of free expression
and First Amendment principles.

Academic Misconduct
Academic Misconduct (Section 3.4 of the Student Code of Conduct found in the Student
Handbook (https://deanofstudents.tcu.edu/student-handbook/)): Any act that violates the
academic integrity of the institution is considered academic misconduct. The definitions and
procedures used to resolve suspected acts of academic misconduct are available in the offices
of the Academic Deans and Dean of Students, and are also listed in detail in the Undergraduate
Catalog (http://tcu.smartcatalogiq.com/current/Undergraduate-Catalog/Student-
Policies/Academic-Conduct-Policy-Details) and the Graduate Catalog
(http://tcu.smartcatalogiq.com/en/current/Graduate-Catalog/Academic-Conduct).
Specific examples include, but are not limited to:
• Cheating: Copying from another student’s test paper, laboratory report, other report, or
computer files and listings; using, during any academic exercise, material and/or devices
not authorized by the person in charge of the test; collaborating with or seeking aid from
another student during a test or laboratory without permission; knowingly using, buying,
selling, stealing, transporting, or soliciting in its entirety or in part, the contents of a test

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 or other assignment unauthorized for release; substituting for another student or
permitting another student to substitute for oneself.
• Plagiarism: The appropriation, theft, purchase or obtaining by any means another’s
work, and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of that work as one’s own
offered for credit. Appropriation includes the quoting or paraphrasing of another's work
without giving proper credit.
• Collusion: The unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing work offered for
credit.
• Abuse of resource materials: Mutilating, destroying, concealing, or stealing such
material.
• Computer misuse: Unauthorized or illegal use of computer software or hardware
through the TCU Computer Center or through any programs, terminals, or freestanding
computers owned, leased or operated by TCU or any of its academic units for the
purpose of affecting the academic standing of a student.
• Fabrication and falsification: Unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or
citation in an academic exercise. Falsification involves altering information for use in any
academic exercise. Fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information for use in
any academic exercise.
• Multiple submission: The submission by the same individual of substantial portions of
the same academic work (including oral reports) for credit more than once in the same
or another class without authorization.
• Complicity in academic misconduct: Helping another to commit an act of academic
misconduct.
• Bearing false witness: Knowingly and falsely accusing another student of academic
misconduct.

TCU Online: Our Learning Management System

Getting Started with TCU Online
Technical Requirements: Check your computer is ready by looking at the specifications list.
(https://community.brightspace.com/s/article/Brightspace-Platform-Requirements)

Log In: (using your TCU Network Credentials)

Option 1: Access via my.tcu.edu > Student Quick Links > TCU Online
Option 2: Login at http://d2l.tcu.edu
*For information about logging into TCU Online, view these instructions
(http://tcuonline.tcu.edu/kb/how-do-i-log-in/).
Student Orientation Tutorial for TCU Online: If you have not yet taken the TCU Online
Student Orientation Tutorial, please do so now. To access it, click on the Orientations semester
OR view all courses in your My Courses widget visible upon logging in to TCU Online. Click on
the "Student Orientation Tutorial” to enter the orientation course. Follow the instructions in the
course. You can return to this tutorial at any time.

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How This Course Will Use TCU Online
TCU Online will be the primary platform used to submit assignments and view grades. Pay
special attention to when assignments are due. I’ll use the Announcements feature to remind
you when major assignments are upcoming/due.

Getting Help with TCU Online

If you experience any technical problems while using TCU Online, please do not hesitate to
contact the D2L HELP DESK. They can be reached by phone or chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, 365 days a year.
Phone: 1-877-325-7778
Chat: Chat is available within TCU Online in the Help menu on the navigation bar.
If you are working with the helpdesk to resolve a technical issue, make sure to keep me updated
on the troubleshooting progress.
If you have a course-related issue (course content, assignment troubles, quiz difficulties) please
contact me.

Personal Settings & Notifications for TCU Online

As a student, you should set up your account settings, profile, and notifications. To do this you
will login to TCU Online and select your name on the top right of the screen. You can upload a
photo of yourself and add personal information to your profile. In the notifications area, you can
add your phone number to receive text messages when grades are given, as well as reminder
texts for upcoming assignments and quizzes.
Student Success Tools for TCU Online
Pulse
Pulse is a phone app which gives you access to the course calendar, assignments, grades, and
announcements. This app provides a graph that can help you manage your time. Based on the
number of assignments and events on the course calendar for your classes, the graph will
display busy times for class work in the upcoming week. You can use this app to manage your
daily workload, and it includes the ability to view and access course materials offline. You can
download Pulse from the Google Play or Apple Store. You can learn more and download Pulse
here: https://www.d2l.com/products/pulse/.

ReadSpeaker
ReadSpeaker includes a number of tools that can enhance your understanding and
comprehension of course materials. ReadSpeaker can create an audio version of content that
you can listen to while on a page within a course or that you can download to listen offline.
ReadSpeaker can also read Microsoft Office files and PDFs. There are additional tools and
features to assist you with reading and focusing in TCU Online, tools that provide support for
writing and proofing text, and tools that can read non-TCU Online content aloud. You can learn
more about how to use ReadSpeaker tools here: https://tcuonline.tcu.edu/how-to-hub/instructor-
how-to-hub-for-tcu-online/integrations-and-mobile/readspeaker/

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 Support for TCU Students
Campus Offices
• Academic Advising (817-257-7486, Jarvis 104)
• Brown-Lupton Health Center (817-257-7938 or 817-257-7940)
• Center for Digital Expression (CDeX) (cdex@tcu.edu, Scharbauer 2003)
• Center for Writing (817-257-7221, Reed Hall 419)
• Counseling & Mental Health Center (817-257-7863, Jarvis Hall 2nd floor)
• Dean of Students (817-257-7926, the Harrison 1600)
• Mary Couts Burnett Library: Reference Desk (817-257-7117)
• Office of Religious & Spiritual Life (817-257-7830, Jarvis Hall 1st floor)
• Student Access & Accommodations (817-257-6567, The Harrison 1200)
• Student Success (817-257-8345, Samuelson Hall, West Entrance)
• Substance Use and Recovery Services (817-257-7100, Jarvis Hall 2nd floor)
• Transfer Student Center (817-257-8345, Samuelson Hall, West Entrance)
• Veterans Services (817-257-5551, Jarvis Hall 2nd floor)

Anti-Discrimination and Title IX Information

Statement on TCU’s Non-Discrimination Policy
TCU is committed to providing a positive learning, living, and working environment free from
unlawful discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, and retaliation. In support of this
commitment, in its policy on Prohibited Discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and
retaliation, TCU has a range of prohibited behaviors, including unlawful discrimination and
harassment and related sexual and other misconduct based on age, race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ethnic origin,
disability, predisposing genetic information, covered veteran status, and any other basis
protected by law. The Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) is responsible for responding to all
reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and retaliation.

Please use the following links to review TCU Policy 1.008 Prohibited Discrimination,
Harassment, Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation or to review TCU Policy 1.009 Responding to
Reports of Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation.
To make a report, you may call OIE at 817-257-8228, email oie@tcu.edu, visit us at The
Harrison, Suite 1800 or click here: Make a Report.
To learn about the Campus Community Response Team (CCRT) and Report a Bias Incident
click here: https://inclusion.tcu.edu/campus-community-response-team/

Title IX

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TCU’s Title IX Coordinator works within OIE. Andrea McDew serves as TCU’s Title IX
Coordinator. You may call 817-257-8228 to make a report, email oie@tcu.edu or
a.mcdew@tcu.edu, or make a report here. Additional Title IX resources and information are
available at https://www.tcu.edu/institutional-equity/title-ix/index.php.

Mandatory Reporters
ALL TCU employees, except confidential resources, are considered Mandatory Reporters.
Mandatory reporters are required to immediately report to OIE any conduct that raises
Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct (Title IX or Violence Against Women (VAWA))
or Retaliation. Mandatory reporters cannot promise to refrain from forwarding the information to
OIE.

Confidential On-Campus Resources

Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education
https://care.tcu.edu | 817-257-5225

Counseling & Mental Health Center

www.counseling.tcu.edu | 817-257-7863

Religious & Spiritual Life

www.faith.tcu.edu | 817-257-7830

On Campus Resources
TCU Police
www.police.tcu.edu | 817-257-8400 Non-emergency | 817-257-7777 Emergency

TCU Policy for Religious Observations & Holidays

“Students who are unable to participate in a class, in any related assignment or in a university
required activity because of the religious observance of a holy day shall be provided with a
reasonable opportunity to make up the examination or assignment, without penalty, provided
that it does not create an unreasonable burden on the University.” For more information, please
visit the TCU Policy for Religious Observations & Holidays webpage.

Student Access and Accommodation

Texas Christian University affords students with disabilities reasonable accommodations in
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
To be eligible for disability-related academic accommodations, students are required to register
with the TCU Office of Student Access and Accommodation and have their requested
accommodations evaluated. If approved for accommodations, students are required to discuss

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their official TCU Notification of Accommodation with their instructors. Accommodations are not
retroactive and require advance notice to implement. The Office of Student Access and
Accommodation is located in The Harrison, Suite 1200. More information on how to apply for
accommodations can be found at https://www.tcu.edu/access-accommodation/ or by calling
Student Access and Accommodation at (817) 257-6567.

Audio Recording Notification:

Audio recordings of class lectures may be permitted by the instructor or as an approved
disability accommodation through Student Access and Accommodation. Recordings are not to
be shared with other students, posted to any online forum, or otherwise disseminated.

Emergency Response Information

View TCU’s L.E.S.S. is More public safety video to learn about Lockdown, Evacuate, and Seek
Shelter procedures. (https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/less-is-more/)
View the TCU Building Safety Maps that show the specific seek shelter locations and building
rally points for evacuation. (https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/less-safety-maps/)
View the TCU Evacuation Rally Point Map to see all rally points for evacuation.
(https://publicsafety.tcu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/TCU-Rally-Point-Map.pdf)
Download the Frogshield Campus Safety App on your phone. (https://police.tcu.edu/frogshield/).
In the event of an emergency, call the TCU Police Department at 817-257-7777.

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 Course Schedule
This calendar represents my current plans and objectives. As we go through the semester,
those plans may need to change to enhance the class learning opportunities. Such changes will
be clearly communicated.

Date Topic Preparation / Homework

January 17-20 Module 1: Choose Repertoire Upload PDFs of four arias to your Box folder

January 23-27 Module 2: Aria 1 Aria 1: Translation, IPA, Historical Research

January 30-Feb Module 3: Aria 1 Aria 1: Dramatic Beats and Arc

3

Feb 6-10 Module 4: Aria 1 Aria 1: Gestures, Focus, Moods

Feb 13-17 Module 5: Aria 2 Aria 2: Translation, IPA, Historical Research

Feb 20-24 Module 6: Aria 2 Aria 2: Dramatic Beats and Arc

Feb 27-March 3 Module 7: Aria 2 Aria 2: Gestures, Focus, Moods

March 6-10 Module 8: Aria 3 Aria 3: Translation, IPA, Historical Research

March 13-17 Spring Break

March 20-24 Module 9: Aria 3 Aria 3: Dramatic Beats and Arc

March 27-31 Module 10: Aria 3 Aria 3: Gestures, Focus, Moods

April 3-7 Module 11: Aria 4 Aria 4: Translation, IPA, Historical Research

April 10-14 Module 12: Aria 4 Aria 4: Dramatic Beats and Arc

April 17-21 Module 13: Aria 4 Aria 4: Gestures, Focus, Moods

April 24-28 Module 14: Starting Piece Present Starting Piece of Aria Package

May 1-3 Make-Ups Make-Up Lessons as needed

Final Exam Mock Audition for Panel

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 Student Perception of Teaching (SPOT)
Towards the end of the term, you will receive an email asking you to complete your SPOT for
this course. I appreciate your thoughtful and reflective feedback to help make this course
successful for future students. You can fill out the SPOT by clicking on the link in the email or in
TCU Online when SPOTs open.

TCU Mission Statement

The mission of Texas Christian University, a private comprehensive university, is to educate
individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community
through research and creative activities, scholarship, service, and programs of teaching and
learning offered through the doctoral level.

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