CSD 223 01: Phonetics

Course Objectives:

• Describe four major speech processes: respiration, phonation, resonation (including velopharyngeal functioning), and articulation
• Describe the basic anatomy and physiology of the speech mechanism
• Apply IPA transcription of all English consonants and vowels, including diacritics for narrow transcription and disordered speech
• Identify syllable shapes (e.g. CV, VC, CVC, etc.) and syllable stress
• Classify vowels according to the parameters of height, frontness, and roundness (the vowel quadrilateral)
• Classify consonants according to the manner of production, place of articulation, and voicing
• Describe suprasegmentals and prosody
• Describe parameters of phonetic variation
• Outline steps to conduct clinical speech sampling

Format

The following teaching/learning methods will be used for this course:

• Mandatory videos posted on Blackboard to be watched outside of class
• Student-faculty discussion of required readings
• Completion of transcription exercises and practical applications outside of and during class
• Graded work including transcription exercises completed as homework and exams completed via Blackboard

Required Text

Shriberg, L. D., Kent, R. D., McAllister, T., & Preston, J. L. (2019). Clinical Phonetics (5th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. ISBN: 9780134683256

*Must purchase version with access to e-text for the transcription exercises

Minimum Technical Skills & Computer Requirements

• Computer/tablet to access Blackboard to watch assigned videos, to listen to transcription exercises in the e-text, and to take exams via Blackboard
• It will be necessary at times to use laptops/tablets or cell phones during our in-class meetings; contact the instructor if you are unsure if you have adequate technology. Devices are to be used for note-taking or assignment completion only.
• Ability to download and print assignments from Blackboard
• Ability to scan and upload completed assignments to Blackboard

Log-in Information & Assistance

Blackboard will be used to facilitate student learning and student/instructor interaction. Blackboard includes sections for announcements, course information (syllabus, instructor information, etc.) course documents (handouts, assignments, readings, etc.), links to websites, and portals to upload assignments and take exams. The URL for Blackboard is: https://blackboard.und.edu. If you need help using Blackboard, please contact the instructor.

Students will use Microsoft Word to complete assignments. Students must use their official UND email in the course. Visit the Office 365 Email webpage for information on your UND email and how to download/install a free version of Microsoft Office. For technical assistance, please contact UND Technical Support at 701.777.2222. Visit the University Information Technologies (UIT) website for hours, help documents, and other resources.

The course content is organized into 6 units. Each unit contains links to resources selected to enhance your learning, homework assignments, and an exam. Homework assignments and exams will be used to assess your comprehension and application of the materials.

What Should Students Do First?

Watch the Welcome Video and Course Introduction Video. Review the syllabus and take the Syllabus Quiz under the “Quizzes/Exam” tab on Blackboard.

Course Schedule

Due dates for assignments and quizzes/exams are listed in the course schedule located in Blackboard under the Syllabus and Schedule tab. Any changes to the schedule will be announced approximately one week prior to the new date. The Blackboard site will be updated regularly, and will contain important course announcements, so it must be checked often.

Resources

Many services are available to students such as writing assistance from the UND Writing Center and free online tutoring. Visit the Student Resources page for more information. Students also have access to the UND Student Resource Site via Blackboard. It is recommended that you become familiar with the tools and tutorials within the site to better equip you in navigating the course.

Course Requirements & Expectations

• Completion of text readings outside of class
• Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions and in-class activities
• Completion of E-Text Transcription Practice: Practice of transcription exercises outside of class is CRITICAL to success with this class. Exercises are embedded throughout each chapter and are accessible through the e-text. Answers are provided in the text so that students may check their learning. These exercises should be completed as students work through each chapter; they will prepare students for the homework and in-class listening activities. Students who are struggling with these exercises are encouraged to contact the instructor.
• Participation in class: There are many in-class exercises and activities scheduled, and success depends on willing and active participation. In-class activities will be assigned points. Please come to class prepared to discuss all reading material and to make significant verbal contributions. Participation is defined by verbal and nonverbal engagement, active verbal outputs, mindful listening, high level of preparedness, and responsible attendance. Should you be unable to attend class due to illness or an emergency, you must contact the instructor before class.
• Completion of graded assignments and exams listed in Blackboard. The final examination will be written from 3:15-5:15 pm on Thursday December 14, 2023.

Attendance

Attendance is expected for this course. If illness or an emergency will prevent you from attending, you are expected to contact the instructor before the class meets that day.

This course is made up of a series of assignments and assessments to assist you in achieving the learning objectives. Final grades will be based on percentage of total points earned, using the following scale:

90.0 – 100%                       A

80.0 – 89.99%                    B

70.0 – 79.99%                    C

60.0 – 69.99%                    D

<59.99%                              F

Note: grades will not be rounded up. In order to receive an "A" in the class, students need to score at least a 90.00%; a score of 89.99% will receive a "B." There will be no opportunities for extra credit.

Grade weighting will be as follows:

Exams and Quizzes = 50%

Homework = 40%

In-Class Activities = 10%

Total = 100%

In this course your learning will be assessed in the following ways:

Homework

All homework assignments will be submitted via Blackboard. The homework exercises are designed specifically to prepare you for exams and for future coursework.

In-Class Activities

Points will be awarded for participation in in-class activities.

Exams

To prepare for the exams, make sure to have read all of the assigned readings, attended the lectures, completed the ungraded transcription exercises from the text, and reviewed the feedback on your homework. Exams will be taken on Blackboard and will be open book/open note; you are encouraged to use your resources, but you must work alone.

The goal of the following course policies is to both provide a friendly and supportive learning environment, and to facilitate the growth of professional behaviors. These are your responsibilities as a student.

E-mail Etiquette

1. In the Subject Line include the course number and a few words the reason for your message. For example, “CSD 223 Assignment 1.”
2. Address your instructors appropriately. “Professor Smith” and “Dr. Smith” are appropriate ways to address your instructors. NEVER use “Hey” or other informal language.
3. If you need a response, politely ask for one.
4. Express your gratitude. After “Regards,” or “Sincerely,” or “Best Regards,” sign your name.
5. Never click on “Send” before proofreading your message. Make sure you have complete sentences and that you use punctuation correctly. Check for spelling mistakes. Do not use texting abbreviations. Whenever possible, use paragraph breaks to organize your message.
6. Allow adequate time for a reply. Your 2:00 am question will need to wait until morning for an answer. Do not assume that instructors check their emails several times a day; most instructors check their email only twice a day. A growing number of instructors check their email only once a day (professors generally receive an average of 50 messages a day).
7. Respond to thank your instructor for answering. This is not only polite but it serves as confirmation that you received their reply.
8. Before you send out an email to your instructor, make sure to check the syllabus and all other material you have been provided with at the beginning of the semester to see if you can answer your own question. When you miss class, contact one of your classmates before you contact your instructor to learn about homework assignments.
9. Do not use email for concerns, complaints, grade inquiries, or date conflicts. Instead, visit your professors during office hours or make an appointment.

Assignment Policy/Late Work

• You are responsible for all class materials. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to acquire any assignments, notes, etc.
• All assignments are due by the dates/times posted on Blackboard. Late assignments will be docked points on the following basis:

20% 1 day late

50% 2 days late

75% 3 days late

100% beyond 3 days (i.e., will not be accepted after 3 days)

• You will not be permitted to make-up exams, unless there are significant, unforeseen events. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if such an emergency situation emergency arises. A written memo from a physician or other appropriate individual may be requested. Leaving early for a weekend or holiday break is not an excusable reason.

Incompletes

It is expected that students will complete all requirements for a course during the time frame of the course. For reasons beyond a student’s control, and upon request by the student or on behalf of the student, an incomplete grade may be assigned by the instructor when there is reasonable certainty the student will successfully complete the course without retaking it. The mark “I,” Incomplete, will be assigned only to the student who has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work up to a time within four weeks of the close of the semester, including the examination period, and whose work is incomplete for reasons satisfactory to his or her instructor. More information regarding UND’s Incomplete policy can be found on The Grading System webpage.

Course Evaluation

Near the end of the semester, you will be asked to complete an online course evaluation form (SELFI). Your feedback on the course is extremely valuable. Instructors read students’ comments carefully and use them to improve the course.

• When the time comes, please note which aspects of the course helped you learn—and which aspects might be modified to help future students learn more effectively. 
• Please note that the course evaluations are anonymous and that instructors will not see the results until after the grades for the course are submitted, allowing you to provide honest and constructive feedback. 
• If you have feedback throughout the course, please let your instructor know.

Tips for Success

Plan ahead so that you will have time to seek assistance in order to achieve your best possible quality of work, as no extra credit is available. Skipping class or last-minute completion of readings and assignments is not a good idea. Consider working with a study group as you can work to support each other’s learning. Review the readings and any posted notes prior to class. Spend some time reviewing past material before tackling new information and relate new information as much as possible to something you’ve already learned. Schedule an appointment if you need further explanations or help with any class assignments.