|
I. DESCRIPTION
Surveys popular music in America; its development, variety, and influences on American culture. Emphasizes listening, popular music styles and the elements of musical notation, terminology and form. This course not open to Music majors.
**Students with disabilities need to contact Disabled Student Services in the Center for Learning to request academic accommodations. Disabled Student Services sends Disability Verification Letters out to all your professors indicating the appropriate accommodations for the classroom based on your disability.
|
|
IV. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
A. Attendance in class - Missing 6 class periods (2 weeks) results in automatic failure. Absences will lower grade. Punctuality counts.
There is a maximum of 28 classes scheduled during this term. Class is critical for content and hearing examples. It is not possible to "make-up" a class session.
One CANNOT earn an "A" with more than two (2) absences; "B" with more than three (3); "C" with more than four (4); "D" with more than five (5).
There is no such thing as "excused" or "unexcused" absences- you are either here or you are not.
Extended illness is negotiable with consultation of health center; holiday and personal trips, appointments, etc. are not.
Missing class for an official SPU academic or athletic activity is negotiable, but notification must occur before it happens.
NOTE: NO food or drink in classroom (this includes coffee, tea, latte, candy, etc.). Room is to be kept neat and orderly.
B. Class Notes - Comprehensive notes are expected. Thoroughness and neatness count. (Pass/Fail)
Notes will include information presented in class in an organized and readable manner.
A record of musical examples heard in class will be incorporated in these notes.
Note the title, composer (if any), the style, characteristics of the style in general and the individual song in particular- how this illustrates the topic at hand.
There is a distinct correlation between completeness of notes and exam scores.
C. Independent Listening Log - You are to listen to 30 hours of popular music outside of class, an average of three (3) hours per week.
This assignment is explained in detail at the Listening Assignment page.
**Since there is little else in the way of homework, this is extremely important.
Grading of Independent Listening:
Time - amount of time completed to qualify for a specific grade:
A = 30+ hours
B = 28:00-29:59 hours
C = 26:00-27:59 hours
D = 24:00-25:59 hours
E = less than 24:00 hours
Quality of Log - Thoroughness of details and comments on listening in your log. (Legibillity counts!)
D. Concert Attendance - One live performance of popular music. (Pass/Fail)
A written review is required.
Review is to be 2 pages in length and is to be turned in with notebook.
Include information that provides evidence of your attendance and attention.
Pay attention to events around town during the term. The earlier you take care of this, the easier it is to finish. Don't wait until the last week!
A concert you attended before the beginning of the term cannot apply.
Try to attend a concert appropriate to the styles we are studying.
Attend concert of a style you would not normally hear, i.e., if you are "alternative", attend a country or jazz or something else;
avoid something with which you're already familiar!
E. Group Project - A project is to be completed by the end of the term. Details are available on the
Group Project Pages. (Letter Graded)
F. Recording Purchase - In lieu of purchasing a textbook, each class member will purchase a recording of popular music. (Pass/Fail)
The format can be whatever is most useable to you- CD, Cassette, Video, etc.
The recording MUST be of a style of music different than that you normally listen to.
Time spent listening to this recording (one times worth only, please) can be included in your Independent Listening.
In your Independent Listening, you may include time spent listening when shopping for this recording (in Choice or Style Groups, whichever you prefer).
In your final notebook, you will include a review of the recording.
Contents of this review will follow the guidelines accompanying the syllabus. Recording Purchase Review Guidelines.
G. Exams (2) - Part written, part listening. (Letter Graded)
Exams will be mostly objective (T/F, Matching, etc.) with some short answer, etc.; the listening portion will be "drop the needle".
Exams will cover only material up to that point. Second exam is not comprehensive.
The first exam will be scheduled approximately mid-term; the second during the regularly scheduled final exam time.
H. Notebook - (Pass/Fail)
A notebook is to be turned in at the beginning of the Final Exam time (Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:30am-12:30pm)
- containing IN THIS ORDER:
a) Project Synopsis and Peer Evaluation Form
b) Concert Review
c) Recording Purchase Review
d) Independent Listening Log
e) Class Notes
Please clearly identify each section. If not in the proper order, some may be missed in evaluation and you may not get proper credit - it obviously would affect your grade. There are too many notebooks to search for misplaced sections!
|
