It is a requirement of this unit that students make a serious attempt to complete all assessment tasks. Failure to complete all assessment tasks may result in failure in the unit even if the marks for the completed tasks total more than 50%. Each task is required to satisfy the learning objectives of the unit. If the learning objectives have not been met then a pass grade cannot be awarded.

Lateness

• Late submissions without an extension will receive a penalty of 3% of the total mark available for the assessment task per day including weekend days (i.e. this is 3% of the total marks possible for the task – NOT 3% of the marks the student received. For example, if the assessment task is worth 100 marks and the student is two days late their mark for the task is reduced by 6 marks).

• Late submission of an assessment task without an extension will not be accepted at all:

  • after the date on which marked assessment tasks have been released to the rest of the class

  • more than one week after the end of the teaching session, at the unit convenor's discretion

• Extensions will only be given in special circumstances, and can be requested by completing the Special Consideration request at: ask.mq.edu.au, and providing the requisite supporting documentation.
• Extensions that will result in submissions after the assessment task has been returned to the class will require a separate assessment task to be completed at the unit convenor's discretion.
• For more information on Special Consideration, see: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration
• If a student fails the unit due to non-submission of an assessment task or non-attendance at an exam, an FA grade will be applied in accordance with the University's Assessment Policy. Unit convenors have the discretion to determine whether or not students should fail a unit on the basis of lateness penalties alone if other learning outcomes of the unit have been met.

This unit is designed to foster a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of speech production, including speech anatomy and speech physiology, and the methods used to study speech production processes. These concepts will be studied through an extensive set of readings and multimedia resources, and will be consolidated in a series of companion lectures, workshops and assessment tasks.

Topics to be covered include: respiratory physiology and anatomy; laryngeal anatomy; phonation; articulatory anatomy and physiology; articulatory investigative techniques; neuroanatomy and neurophysiology; and speech production from a developmental perspective. In workshops and assessment tasks, you will be presented with speech data for analysis, to consolidate your understanding of breathing, phonation, articulation, speech kinematics, and the ways that these mechanisms combine to produce different types of speech.

The unit provides students with essential theoretical and practical skills that are fundamental to further study of speech and which assist clinicians in keeping abreast of current research findings in speech and hearing.

Preparation for and attendance at all classes - both workshops and lectures - is expected. Classes are designed to consolidate concepts introduced in readings, through explanation and presentation of examples, engagement with different types of data, questions, discussion, and seminar-type exercises. Learning the concepts necessary to gain a solid understanding of speech production and speech analysis techniques requires dedication, practice, and engagement. We are here to support your learning and we can only do this successfully through structured contact to guide you through the materials and techniques. It is your responsibility to actively engage in the learning process with your teachers and peers.

Details of all topics, readings, class schedules, and assessment tasks are provided on iLearn, and updated each week. It is your responsibility to consult iLearn regularly, and make sure you are prepared for each class by familiarizing yourself with all learning resources and requirements.