MadisonvilleCommunity College
MUS 222: Introduction to Music
Syllabus – Fall 2009
INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Dr. Sara Adams
Office: 121Learning Resource Center, North Campus
Office hours: Mondays/Wednesdays: 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. OR by appointment
Tuesdays/Thursdays: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. OR by appointment
Phone: 824-8617
Email address:
COURSE INFORMATION:
Catalog #: MUS 222
Section #:7501
Class #: 36226
Credit hours:3
Meeting time:MW 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Room 105, LearningResourceCenter
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Music 222 – A listening survey course, with a chronological approach, covering the years 1950-present. Emphasis will be on both the music and the sociological climate reflected and advocated by the music. Prerequisites: None
***PLEASE SILENCE AND PUT AWAY ALL CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES BEFORE CLASS ***
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To introduce students to the Elements of Music and discuss how they are applied in rock music.
To introduce students to a working musical vocabulary to facilitate communication of and about rock music and its relation to a variety of sociological issues.
To teach students how to LISTEN to and THINK about rock music rather than just
hearing it.
To introduce students to the representative works from the literature of rock music, from early blues to the present.
To introduce students to a style-classification framework within which rock music may be referenced, more readily assimilated, and ideologically linked with sociological trends.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Introduction: Studying Rock
The 1920s, ‘30s, ‘40s
The 1950s
The 1960s
The 1970s
The 1980s
The 1990s and Beyond
REQUIRED TEXTS AND SUPPLIES:
Covach, John. What’s That Sound?: An Introduction to Rock and Its History. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009.
Small stapler
Access to Blackboard:
Access to Textbook Website:
GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:
This course fulfills the following competencies as described:
I. Communicate Effectively
1. Read and listen with comprehension.
2. Speak and write clearly using standard English.
3. Interact cooperatively with others using both verbal and non-verbal means.
- Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
Students are expected to demonstrate this competency in both reading and writing assignments in and outside of class. The completion of homework reading and writing assignments before each scheduled class meeting is required. Writing assignments, with reference to Senate Rules, Section V, 2.3.3, will be graded according to their content, spelling, grammar, and format. Students are also expected to complete assignments using the basic knowledge of a word-processing computer program, research current music topics on the Internet, and submit their papers to Blackboard SafeAssign.
II. Think Critically
1. Make connections in learning across the disciplines and draw logical conclusions.
- Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or
integrating a variety of materials.
Students are expected to apply concepts, ideas, and theories introduced in this course to other subjects, such as, but not limited to, history, sociology, art, and literature. Learning to listen to music critically will lead students to better interpret, analyze, summarize, and classify different types of music into an appropriate style framework. Class discussion, listening exercises, writing and reading assignments, and creative comparative thinking will be encouraged. Exams will focus on thinking skills and synthesis of information rather than mere memorization of material.
III. Learn Independently
1. Use appropriate search strategies and resources to find, evaluate, and use information.
2. Make choices based upon awareness of ethics and differing perspectives/ideas.
- Apply learning in academic, personal, and public situations.
- Think creatively to develop new ideas, processes, or products.
In music, much is subjective. However, students need to be able to defend their choices and ideas based on the information they possess. Students will demonstrate their ability to research, evaluate, and use information to prepare and present well-organized written assignments, which should also motivate students to assemble their own ideas and arguments. Students are also encouraged to apply information and ideas in this course to current events and experiences outside the classroom.
IV. Examine Relationships in Diverse and Complex Environments
- Recognize the relationship of the individual to human heritage and culture.
- Develop an awareness of self as an individual member of a multicultural global community.
It is essential for students to consider the historical, sociological, cultural, and artistic environment and/or context of all music (past, present, and future) discussed in this course. Attending concerts of various types of music will expand students’ awareness of music’s diverse audience and community.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students should be prepared for active participation in class. This includes completing all reading, listening, and/or writing assignments before each class
meeting.
Students will complete one short writing assignments and one 5-to-7 page research paper.
Students will complete four unit exams and one final exam.
Students will attend at least ONE concert at the GlemaMahrCenter for the Arts.
Students will need access to a computer either at home or in the various computer labs at
MCC to write/print papers and keep up to date on current music topics.
Students and the instructor will demonstrate respect for one another at all times.
If changes need to be made in the course syllabus, they will be made in advance during
class. It is the student’s responsibility to make a record of changes in the schedule.
EVALUATION:20% - Attendance; Active and prepared participation in class, including
in-class and homework assignments, concert attendance, and quizzes (announced and unannounced) on assigned readings.
10% - Concert Report
40% - Unit Exams
15% - Research Paper
15% - Final Exam
GRADING SCALE:A90-100
B80-89
C70-79
D60-69
Ebelow 60
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance will be taken daily. Regular and prompt attendance is a necessary part of satisfactory college work and is expected from every student.
A student who misses a class for any reason is responsible for the work done in that class
and the work due at the next class period. A student who misses a class should contact
a classmate or the instructor IMMEDIATELY to find out what he/she has missed and
what is required for the next class.
Attendance is worth 150 points of your participation grade.
Each student will be allowed three absences for any reason.After the third absence, 10 points will be deducted for each additional absence.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Students may occasionally earn extra credit for completing extra outside research or for attending
special events or workshops at the College. The credit will be added to the attendance and
participation grade.
LATE WORK POLICY:
All assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be considered late if not finished by
that time.
For each day an assignment is late, 10% will be deducted from your assignment grade. For
example, a homework assignment is 10 points. If it is a class day late, you will receive 9
points.
MAKE-UP EXAMS:
Exams missed due to an absence will not be made up.
Please contact the instructor IMMEDIATELY, if you know in advance that you will be out of
town on an exam date or if you miss an exam due to an emergency.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY:
The last day to drop a course without a grade is Fri., August 21.
Up to the midterm date of the course (Mon., October19), students, at their discretion,
may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of W by turning in a withdrawal slip at the Admission Office.
After this date, however, students must have their instructor’s signature on the slip to withdraw. If students are academically responsible, they will be allowed to withdraw from this course up to the last class day of the semester (Fri., December4) and receive a grade of W. However, if a student is academically irresponsible (i.e., does not submit assignments, is too frequently absent, is getting a “bad grade,” or simply disappears), the instructor will not give permission to withdraw from the course.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work a student submits for this course must be entirely his/her own.There is no circumstance, including ignorance, under which academic dishonesty, including plagiarism or cheating, will be tolerated. This course adheres to the KCTCS Student Code of Conduct from which the following sections are taken ().
2.3.1.1.Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of presenting ideas, words, or organization of a source, published or not, as if they were one’s own. All quoted material must be in quotation marks, and all paraphrases, quotations, significant ideas, and organization must be acknowledged by some form of documentation acceptable to the instructor for the course. (This includes parenthetical or footnote citation within the document as well as a Works Cited or Bibliography page.)
Plagiarism also includes the practice of employing or allowing another person to alter or revise the work that a student submits as the student’s own. Students may discuss assignments among themselves or with an instructor or tutor, but when the actual material is completed, it must be done by the student and the student alone. The use of the term “material” refers to work in any form including written, oral, and electronic.
All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by a student to an instructor or other academic supervisor, is expected to be the result of the student’s own thought, research, or self-expression. In any case in which a student feels unsure about a question of plagiarism involving the student’s work, the student must consult the instructor before submitting the work.
2.3.1.2. Cheating: Cheating includes buying, stealing, or otherwise obtaining unauthorized copies of examinations or assignments for the purpose of improving one’s academic standing. During examinations or in-class work, cheating includes having unauthorized information and/or referring to unauthorized notes or other written or electronic information. In addition, copying from others, either during examinations or in the preparation of homework assignments, is a form of cheating.
2.3.2.1 Faculty Academic Sanctions (pertaining to sections 2.3.1.1 to 2.3.1.3)
For instances of academic dishonesty related to earning grades (violations 2.3.1.1 – 2.3.1.3), the instructor may implement any of three sanctions:
A. a failing grade for the specific assignment; and/or
B. a reduced grade for the course; and/or
C. a failing grade for the course.
The specific sanction depends upon the weight of the assignment in satisfying the requirements for the course. If an instructor chooses the sanction which assigns a failing grade for the course, the instructor shall notify the division chair, the chief executive officer or designee, and the registrar. For more information about the role of college personnel in the process, refer to section 2.5.2.
2.3.2.2 Other Academic Sanctions (pertaining to sections 2.3.1.4 and 2.3.2.1)
The instructor may also recommend that the student be suspended for any academic offenses (as defined in sections 2.3.1.1, 2.3.1.2, or 2.3.1.3). Any student found guilty of a second academic violation shall be expelled from the college and shall not be allowed to enroll at any of the other KCTCS colleges for one academic year.
ADA REQUIREMENT:
If you have a documented disability and need any type of accommodation, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Coordinator. Contact Valerie Wolfe, Disability Resource Coordinator, Room 139 JHG, 270-824-1708.
MUS 222 - TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
M8/17Introduction to MUS 222 and Syllabus
W8/19READING for CLASS on 8/19: Introduction, pp. 2-13
WEEK 2
M8/24Introduction continued
W8/26The 1920s, ‘30s, ‘40s: Ch. 1, Pt. 1, pp. 14-36
WEEK 3
M8/31Ch. 1, Pt. 2, pp. 36-44
W 9/2Ch. 1, Pt. 3, pp. 44-57
WEEK 4
M9/7LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
W9/9EXAM I: Introduction and The 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s
WEEK 5
M9/14Research Paper Topic Due
The 1950s: Ch. 2, Pt. 1, pp. 58-81
W9/16Ch. 2, Pt. 2, pp. 81-97
WEEK 6
M9/21Interlude 1, pp. 98-107; Ch. 3, Pt. 1, pp. 108-135
W9/23Ch. 3, Pt. 2, pp. 135-151
WEEK 7
M9/28EXAM II: The 1950s
W9/30The 1960s: Ch. 4, Pt. 1, pp. 152-172
WEEK 8
M10/5 Ch. 4, Pt. 2, pp. 172-189
W10/7Research Paper Bibliography Due
Ch. 5, pp. 190-221
WEEK 9
M10/12NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
W10/14NO CLASS – FALL BREAK
WEEK 10
M10/19 Interlude 2, pp. 222-229; Ch. 6, Pt. 1, pp. 230-243
W 10/21Ch. 6, Pt. 2, pp. 243-259
WEEK 11
M 10/26 Ch. 7, Pt. 1, pp. 260-281
W10/28Research Paper Outline Due
Ch. 7, Pt. 2, pp. 281-303
WEEK 12
M11/2EXAM III: The 1960s
W 11/4The 1970s: Ch. 8, Pt. 1, pp. 304-338
WEEK 13
M11/9 Ch. 8, Pt. 2, pp. 338-357
W 11/11Interlude 3, pp. 358-367; Ch. 9, Pt. 1, pp. 368-389
WEEK 14
M11/16 Research Paper Rough Draft Due
Ch. 9, Pt. 2, 389-401
W11/18Ch. 10, pp. 402-443
WEEK 15
M11/23EXAM IV: The 1970s
W 11/25The 1980s: Ch. 11, pp. 444-485
WEEK 16
M 11/30Ch. 12, pp. 486-517
W 12/2Research Paper Final Draft Due
Ch. 13, pp. 518-566
WEEK 17
M 12/7FINAL EXAM: Chapters 1-13
MUS 222–CONCERT REPORT
You are required to attend ONE CONCERT this semester and submit aCONCERT REPORTforeach, summarizing the event and describing your observations.
The report must be turned inwithin TWO CLASS PERIODSfollowing the performance. (For example, if you attend the concert on Friday, September 11, the Concert Report will be due no later than Wednesday, September 16.)
TEN PERCENT (3 points) will be deducted from Concert Reports for each weekday past the due date.
Concert Report Guidelines:
a.Attend a concert or musical performance. Concerts at the GlemaMahrCenter for the Arts are highly suggested, but events at other venues may be approved.
b.Bring along a notebook and pencil to the concert for note taking.
c.Take notes during the concert that describe the hall in which the music is performed, the audience, specific musical pieces performed in the beginning, middle, and end of the concert, and your reaction to specific pieces and the concert experience as a whole. Write an essay that incorporates all the notes that were taken. See the following page for additional guidelines.
d.In each report, try to incorporate terminology and concepts discussed in class.
e.Don’t forget that you can often gather information about the pieces being performed by reading the concert program, but make sure that the Concert Report records your own observations.
f.When submitting your report, please attach the concert program and/or ticket stub.
FORMAT:Each Concert Reportshould:
- be at least two full pages
- be typed (no larger than 12-point font), double-spaced and
STAPLED.
- include the following information at the top of the first page: Student’s
name, Concert Name, and date you are submitting the report.
- be your own work. This paper should include your personal observations
regarding the concert and the music.
GRADING:Each paper is worth 30 points broken down into the following categories:
a. 15 points for content/correct use of course concepts
b. 5 points for correct format
c. 5 points for correct spelling
d. 5 points for correct grammar
WHAT SHOULD I WRITE ABOUT IN MY CONCERT REPORT?
- Listening at the Sensual Level: Describe the quality or characteristics of the sounds that you hear:
- If a solo singer is performing, is the tone of the voice dark or bright, loud or soft, harsh or mellow, easy or strained? Are the words easily understood (in songs sung in English)?
- If an instrumentalist is performing, describe basic tone characteristics of that instrument. You can use the same adjectives that you used to describe voice tones. In the case of a small group or a large ensemble, is the sound balanced and do the sounds of the various instruments blend well?
- Listening at the Emotional Level: Describe the effect of mood created by a specific piece that particularly interests you. If it is programmatic, do you feel that the program is accurately portrayed? If it is not programmatic, does it create one specific mood or several moods?
- Listening at the Intellectual Level:
- Melody: Is there a particular melody (or melodies) which stand out in your memory? If so, discuss them in terms of range, length, contour, or proportion.
- Harmony: Are chord changes fast or slow? Are there definite cadence points? Is there any harmony?
- Texture: Determine whether the piece you are hearing has a monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic texture.
- Rhythm: Is rhythm a predominant element of organization and structure in the piece? Is there a clear beat? How are the beats grouped (i.e., what is the meter?)?
- Dynamics: How does the composer organize his use of dynamics in the piece? Is there extreme contrast between loud and soft, or is the entire piece performed at one dynamic level? Are the dynamics terraced or do gradual increases and decreases in volume occur?
- Timbre (Tone Color): Describe the different sound qualities the composer has called for. Is there a variety of tone color? Contrast? What instruments and/or voices are being showcased?
- Stage Presence of the Performer:
- Does the performer(s):
- Look comfortable on stage?
- Have any distracting habits?
- Involve you in the performance?
- Seem to communicate the composer’s musical message to the audience?
- Your Subjective Reaction:
- What was your favorite and least favorite piece on the program, and why do you think you felt this way?
- What was your overall reaction to the program? Would you choose to attend another performance of this type? Why or why not?
- What types of people attended this event?
- What was the general audience response to the performance? Was it different from your response, or the same?
MUS 222 - Writing Tips
Before writing your papers, please reread the “Concert Report” and “Research Paper” pages in the syllabus for specific directions regarding the different assignments.
Remember that there is a writing lab at MCC whenever you need any guidance, or see the instructor before or after class.
Content and Terms
1. Try to incorporate terms and concepts discussed in class.
2. Eighty percent or more of the paper should discuss music.
3. Do not use the word “song” for discussing every type of music. A “song” has words. Music without words can be called an instrumental “piece,” “work,” “movement” (if part of a larger genre), or just “music” (with a description following your use of the term).
4. When you introduce your own ideas in papers, make sure you follow it with a specific example to support your ideas. The reader may need an explanation to understand your idea.
Format
- Remember to include your name, MUS 222, and date on the first page of your papers.
- Staple all pages, including the concert program for the concert report.
- Each assignment should be at least two pages, typed(no larger than 12-point font) and
double-spaced. Do not put extra spaces between paragraphs.
- However if you use a quote, paraphrase, summary, or idea from a separate
source, you MUST provide a citation (parenthetical or footnote) in the body of the paper and
on a bibliography page. This information should include theauthor’s name (last name, first name), title of source, city of publication: publisher, date. OR if you are citing the program notes, include the performers’ names, name of venue, date of concert, program notes. If