SEMESTER AT SEA COURSE SYLLABUS
University of Virginia, Academic Sponsor
Voyage: Spring 2015
Discipline: Drama
SEMS 3500-107: Utilizing Acting Techniques for Success in Interviews, Presentations and
Public Speaking
Division: Upper
Faculty Name: Adrianne Moore
Credit Hours: 3; Contact Hours: 38
Pre-requisites: none
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will examine the performance and presentational skills used by professional actors in
auditions and onstage as they apply to non-performing pursuits and careers. Many of the vocal
techniques, performance strategies and relationship skills that are used by actors are equally
applicable in the “real world”. Students will explore various scenarios through role play and
develop strategic skills that are relevant to interviews for scholarships, graduate school,
internships and the workplace. They will also develop techniques for more effective public
speaking in a range of situations. The course will incorporate practice in structuring a talk or
seminar and delivering it in a manner that is clear and vocally expressive. Students will conduct
in-port research to explore similarities and differences in communication techniques and
practices as part of the process of identifying and developing their own strengths as interviewees
and as confident skilled public speakers.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
 Students will become familiar with techniques associated with actor training relevant to
preparation for Interviews, Presentations and Public Speaking.
 Students will gain insight into useful tools to deal successfully with interviews in
educational and business settings.
 Students will become more comfortable with public speaking and develop skills to help
them deal with speaking publically, in a range of situations, in a more confident, skillful
and relaxed manner.
 Students will gain knowledge and experience of both the content and style of public
speaking in other cultures and inherently a greater understanding of cultural norms and
expectations.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS
There are no required textbooks for this course. However there are several useful texts on
reserve in the library. Please note that a lot more reading is required in preparation for some
classes than for others. So you may want to look at what is due on what days and read ahead.
1
TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE
Depart Ensenada- January 7:
A1- January 9:
Introduction
Class business
Theatre and the “Real World” – points of intersection
A2-January 11:
Physical and Vocal Release
Reading: Freeing the Natural Voice (pgs. 13-25) and (31-63)
A3- January 13:
Concentration, Focus and Spontaneity
Reading: The Actor in You (pgs. 3-13) and (89 -97)
Hilo: January 14
Field Lab
A4-January 16:
Post port observations – discussion
Authenticity – the “real” you?
A5-January 18:
Relationships – onstage and off
Reading: The Actor in You (pgs. 37-42)
Study Day: January 21
A6- January 22:
The Interview – Advance Preparation
A7-January 24:
Listening and Receiving
The Art of Public Speaking (Pgs. 46-60)
Yokohama: January 26-27
In-Transit: January 28
Kobe: January 29-31
A8- February 1:
Post port observations - discussion
Site Reports due (Yokohama, Kobe)
Improvisation and Role Play
2
Shanghai: February 3-4
In-Transit: February 5-6
Hong Kong: 7-8
A9- February 9:
Post port observations – discussion
Site Reports due (Shanghai, Hong Kong)
The Audition/ The Interview - introduction
Ho Chi Minh: February 11-16
A10- February 17:
Post port observations – discussion
Site Reports due (Ho Chi Minh)
The Interview process– continued.
Singapore: February 19-20
Study Day: February 21
A11-February 22:
Post port observations – discussion
Site Reports due (Singapore)
The Interview - performance
Rangoon: February 24-March 1
A12-March 2:
Post port observations – discussion
Site Reports due (Rangoon)
Public Speaking – Body, voice and soul
The Art of Public Speaking (pgs. 1-26)
A13- March 4:
Preparing a speech –selecting a topic, considering your audience
The Art of Public Speaking (pgs. 76-114)
Cochin: March 6-11
A14-March 12:
Post port observations – discussion
Site Reports due (Cochin)
Preparing a Speech – Organizing your Thoughts.
The Art of Public Speaking (pgs. 64-203)
A15-March 15:
3
Presentation and Evaluation– Informal Speeches
A16- March 17:
Post port observations - discussion
Site Reports due (Port Louis)
Presentation and Evaluation– Informal Speeches continued
Port Louis: March 18
A17-March 20
Presentation – Suit the Action to the Word
Movement and Gesture
The Art of Public Speaking (Pgs. 254-258)
The Actor in You (Pgs 29 – 36)
A18- March 23:
Vocal Delivery – Audibility and Intelligibility
Freeing the Natural Voice (295 – 319)
Cape Town: March 25-30
A19-Amar 31:
Post port observations - discussion
Site Reports due (Cape Town)
Vocal Delivery -Pitch, Rate and Vocal Variety
The Art of Public Speaking (pgs. 248-253)
Walvis Bay: April 2-6
A20-April 7:
Vocal Delivery - Microphone Technique
A21- April 9:
Speaking in Small Groups and Presenting Group Recommendations
The Art of Public Speaking (Pgs. 394-408)
A22-April 12:
Post port observations – discussion
Making Presentations with Visual Aids
The Art of Public Speaking (Pgs. 266 – 282)
A23: April 15:
Initial Presentation of Speeches and Evaluation
A24: April 17
Final Presentation of Speeches and Evaluation
4
Field Lab Report due.
Casablanca: April 18-22
April 24: Global Lens Exams and Study Day
A25: A Day Finals and Final Essay Due
April 29: Arrive in Southampton
5
FIELD LAB
Students will spend the day in Hilo, Hawaii, observing inter personal communication styles and
both the form and content of public speeches in three different contexts. Students will be required
to provide a detailed analysis of the structure of the speech and the individual speaker’s vocal and
gestural delivery. They should comment on the effectiveness of the presentation within the
framework of informative, persuasive, celebratory or entertainment speeches and make cross
cultural comparisons with other public speaking they have encountered.
Students will observe a political speech, public speaking in an educational setting and at a tourist
attraction.
FIELD ASSIGNMENTS
Students should pay particular attention to communication styles in different settings as
they visit and travel around various countries. Obviously in situations where you do not
share a common language these observations may be more about non – verbal
communication and vocal style than content but the roots of public speaking practices are
to be found in everyday conversations so pay attention. You need to submit a short report
on your observations from three different ports (in addition to your field lab). As part of the
participation grade, after each port call, students will discuss their experiences and
observations.
METHODS OF EVALUATION / GRADING RUBRIC
1. Attendance and Participation, 25%
Students are expected to participate fully in all class exercises and discussions.
Active contribution will contribute to your grade.
2. Field lab Report 20%
Students will submit a 4 page analysis paper of the Field Lab experience. The paper
should include your observations of both the content of the speech and the
communication style of the speakers observed and a cross cultural comparison. A
full assignment and rubric will be provided to you. The paper will be due on the
24th day of class.
3. Site Reports (10% each)
These three short reports should be based on the field assignments detailed above.
They need only be 1page long and are intended to get you to pay attention and learn
to think analytically about communication styles in different cultures. An outline
for the assignment will be provided to you. Site reports are due the class after the
port of performance. Don’t leave them all to the later part of the voyage.
4. Final Speech presentation (25%)
Your grade for this speech will be based on both content and delivery.
RESERVE BOOKS AND FILMS FOR THE LIBRARY
6
AUTHOR: Stephen E. Lucas
TITLE: The Art of Public Speaking
PUBLISHER: McGraw Hill
ISBN # 978-0-07-338515-0
AUTHOR: Kristin Linklater
TITLE: Freeing the Natural Voice
PUBLISHER: Drama Publishers
ISBN #: 978-0-89676-250-3
DATE/EDITION: 2006
AUTHOR: Benedetti, Robert
TITLE: The Actor in You
PUBLISHER: Allyn and Bacon
ISBN #: 978-0205781232
DATE/EDITION: 2011, 5th e.
COST: $59.40
HONOR CODE
Semester at Sea students enroll in an academic program administered by the University of
Virginia, and thus bind themselves to the University’s honor code. The code prohibits all acts of
lying, cheating, and stealing. Please consult the Voyager’s Handbook for further explanation of
what constitutes an honor offense.
Each written assignment for this course must be pledged by the student as follows: “On my honor
as a student, I pledge that I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.” The pledge
must be signed, or, in the case of an electronic file, signed “[signed].”
7