Western Carolina University

SYLLABUS

Music Appreciation

MUS 101 – 01

Fall 2010

MWF, 9:05 – 9:55 am

FPAC 130

 

Instructor:  Dr. Travis Bennett                                                

Email:  tbennett@email.wcu.edu

Phone:  227-3957

Office: Coulter 154

Office hours: MWF, 10:10-11:00 am, TR, 9:00-10:00 am, or by appointment                       

Website:  http://paws.wcu.edu/tbennett/

Teaching Assistant: Rebecca Smith-Finlay, rrfinlay1@catamount.edu

 

ÒMusic produces a kind of pleasure which human nature

cannot do without.Ó  ~Confucius

 

Course Description:

            MUS 101 provides an introduction to the elements, vocabulary, history and development of music in Western civilization.

 

Objectives:

1.     To identify elements in music which define style, genre and period

2.     To develop listening skills concerning the various elements of music

3.     To develop a vocabulary necessary to communicate the attributes of music as they relate to the various elements in music and historical periods

4.     To define historical style periods in Western classical music

5.     To identify composers and major compositions related to historical style periods in Western classical music

6.     To place composers and major compositions in historical context by examining visual arts, architecture, and contemporaneous social, political, and economic conditions and events.

 

Liberal Studies Perspectives Area P5 Course Objectives:

á    Appreciating, interpreting, and critically analyzing creative works and events

á    Understanding the artistic intentions of the creator

á    Analyzing works that include self-expression

á    Critically evaluating works considering their socio-cultural context

á    Participating in out-of-the-classroom experiences such as visits to exhibitions, performances, lectures, and readings

 

 

 

Required Materials:

á    Roger Kamien, Music: An Appreciation (sixth brief edition), rental.  Bring your textbook to every class meeting.

á    Brief Set of Five Compact Disks to Accompany Music: An Appreciation.  These CDÕs may be bought (optional) at the University Bookstore or are available in the Hunter Library on the Mezzanine Level.

á    Loose-leaf paper for note-taking, quizzes, and in-class assignments

 

Websites:

            The website for this course is http://paws.wcu.edu/tbennett/MUS101-Home.htm.  On the site you will find this syllabus, concert report forms that you can print out, guidelines for completing the concert reports, review sheets for the exams, and other information pertinent to the course.

            The publisher of the textbook also has an Online Learning Center, which contains a variety of materials to supplement this course.  This is found at http://www.mhhe.com/kamien6.

 

Assignments:

á      Reading:  Students are expected to have read the appropriate chapter(s) in the textbook before it is covered in class.  Occasional readings from other sources may be assigned.  These will either be handed out by the instructor, posted on the course website, or placed on reserve at the library.

á      Listening:  One of the primary objectives of this course is to develop your listening skills.  It is extremely important that you listen intently to the assigned pieces, and follow along with the Listening Outlines in your book.  You should listen to each piece repeatedly, until you can recognize it easily, and understand the important aspects of the work.  The CDs that accompany your text are available for purchase at the bookstore.  They are also on reserve at Hunter Library, on the mezzanine level.  Many of the recordings can also be found online at this Online Classical Music Library (available on-campus only). (http://clmu.alexanderstreet.com/Playlists/Search/Kamien/default)  Duplication of this material is prohibited and illegal.

á      Quizzes:  There will be a variety of in-class quizzes, activities, and assignments.

á      Exams:  5 exams.  These will be multiple choice, and each exam will include questions based on musical examples that will be played during the exam.  The multiple choice portion of the final exam will not be cumulative, but the listening portion of the final exam will be cumulative.

á      Concert Reports: 3 reports.  You are strongly encouraged to read the ÒConcert GoerÕs GuideÓ found online at the text book publisherÕs website.   All reports should be completed using the standard form for this section.  The reports can be turned in at any point before the deadlines in the course calendar.  The Concert Report forms, along with guidelines for completing the reports, are available on the course website.

á      Concert Attendance:  During the semester you will attend at least 5 concerts (check the course website under ÒConcert CalendarÓ (http://www.wcu.edu/6516.asp) for a list of approved concerts).  You are strongly encouraged to attend a variety of concerts, both vocal and instrumental.  As you enter the concert, you will be greeted by a monitor who will swipe your CATcard.  You must swipe your card at the beginning and the end of the concert.  You must attend the entire concert to receive credit.  If you attend a concert where there is no monitor present, you must have a faculty member or performer sign your program and turn it in with your name on it.  You are encouraged to attend off-campus concerts.  However, you must check with the instructor to ensure that the concert is approved, and you must present a program and ticket stub to receive credit.  Failure to attend at least 5 approved concerts during the semester will lower your final average by one level (an A becomes an A-, an A- becomes a B+, etc).  *You can earn extra credit by attending more than 5 approved concerts.  Each additional approved concert that you attend will add 1% to your final course average, up to 5%.

á      Extra credit: occasionally, you may have the opportunity to earn extra credit by completing additional assignments.  These assignments are optional, but highly encouraged, as they can only help your grade.

 

Attendance and Participation:

            You are expected to attend every class meeting.  The lectures, discussion, and guided listening activities that can only be experienced in class are invaluable to your success in this course.  Each exam will cover material discussed in class that may not appear in your textbook.  Furthermore, there will be occasional quizzes and other in-class assignments that are graded.   You are also expected to participate in class sessions by listening actively, responding to the instructorÕs questions, and completing in-class exercises. Attendance will be recorded using a seating chart.  After the drop/add period, you will be asked to choose a permanent seat for the rest of the course.

After the third, each unexcused absence will lower your final grade by one level (i.e. A to A-, etc.).  Being late to class 4 or more times will also lower your final grade one level.  If you enter class after attendance has been recorded, you must see the instructor immediately after class to get credit for attending.  When possible, notify the instructor of your absence by phone or email before class, or as soon as possible after class.  Absences will only be excused for the following circumstances:

1)    A death in the family (documentation required) 

2)    Illness accompanied by a doctorÕs note indicating that the student was too ill to attend class 

3)    A recognized departmental or university function (documentation required)

4)    Severe weather

 

Make-up and Late Assignments:

            Late assignments will not be accepted, unless previous arrangements have been made between the student and instructor.  Make-up quizzes and exams will only be given for excused absences (see above).

 

Grading:

            5 Exams (12% each)                           60%

            3 Concert Reports (10% each)            30%

            Quizzes / other assignments                10%

 

Grading scale: 98-100=A+, 93-97=A, 90-92=A-, 87-89=B+, 83-86=B, É 59 or below=F

 

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Western Carolina University is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for students with documented disabilities. Students who require reasonable accommodations must identify themselves as having a disability and provide current diagnostic documentation to Disability Services.  All information is confidential.  Please contact Disability Services for more information at (828) 227-2716 or 144 Killian Annex.  You can also visit the officeÕs website:  http://www.wcu.edu/12789.asp  

         

Cell phone / electronic device policy:  Cell phones and other electronic devices should be silenced during class, and should not be used for any purpose unless the instructor has been notified ahead of time that you have a reasonable expectation of receiving an emergency call.  Text messaging is not permitted at any time during class.  Accessing your cell phone or other electronic device for any purpose during a quiz, exam, or other graded assignment will result in a failing grade on that assignment.  

 

Academic Integrity Policy: Students, faculty, staff, and administrators of Western Carolina University (WCU) strive to achieve the highest standards of scholarship and integrity. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is a serious offense because it threatens the quality of scholarship and undermines the integrity of the community. While academic in scope, any violation of this policy is by nature, a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and will follow the same conduct process (see ArticleVII.B.1.a.). If the charge occurs close to the end of an academic semester or term or in the event of the reasonable need of either party for additional time to gather information timelines may be extended at the discretion of the Department of Student Community Ethics (DSCE).  Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy include:

Cheating - Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.

Fabrication – Creating and/or falsifying information or citation in any academ­ic exercise.

Plagiarism - Representing the words or ideas of someone else as oneÕs own in any academic exercise.

Facilitation - Helping or attempting to help someone to commit a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy in any academic exercise (e.g. allowing another to copy information during an examination)

For specific information on procedures for cases involving allegations of academic dishonesty, see relevant sections in the Student Handbook.

 

The Catamount Academic Tutoring Center
30 Hunter Library
227-2274
http://catcenter.wcu.edu
The Catamount Academic Tutoring (CAT) CenterÕs services are designed to provide a solid foundation for college success. Students in 100 and 200-level classes who participate in small-group tutoring sessions have an opportunity to improve their knowledge of course content, to
cultivate an understanding of their learning preferences, and to develop study strategies that can be transferred to upper-level courses. Online Learning Resources (http://www.wcu.edu/9442.asp) are available to all students and include strategies for time management, note taking, studying, and test preparation. CAT Center tutors are successful students who are recommended by the faculty and trained in effective tutoring practice via an Internationally Certified Tutor Training Program. Tutoring sessions are available on an appointment basis, and instructions for scheduling appointments are available on the CAT Center website at http://www.wcu.edu/9441.asp.  Students are expected to arrive for their tutoring sessions on time and prepared with class notes, readings, assignments, and any questions they have about the material.

 

Tentative Course Schedule

MUS 101 – Fall 2010

 

Date

Topic

Notes

Mon, Aug 23

Introduction

 

Wed, Aug 24

Part I: Elements

p. 1

Fri, Aug 26

 

 

Mon, Aug 30

 

Choose permanent seat

Wed, Sep 1

 

 

Fri, Sep 3

 

 

Mon, Sep 6

Labor Day

No class

Wed, Sep 8

Review for Exam 1

 

Fri, Sep 10

Exam 1

 

Mon, Sep 13

Part II: Middle Ages & Renaissance

p. 59

Wed, Sep 15

Part III: The Baroque Period

p. 91

Fri, Sep 17

 

 

Mon, Sep 20

 

 

Wed, Sep 22

 

 

Fri, Sep 24

 

 

Mon, Sep 27

 

 

Wed, Sep 29

 

 

Fri, Oct 1

Review for Exam 2

 

Mon, Oct 4

Exam 2

Concert Report #1 due

Wed, Oct 6

Part IV: The Classical Period

p. 149

Fri, Oct 8

 

 

Mon, Oct 11

 

 

Wed, Oct 13

 

 

Fri, Oct 15

Mid-Term Break

No class

Mon, Oct 18

Mid-Term Break

No class

Wed, Oct 20

 

 

Fri, Oct 22

 

 

Mon, Oct 25

 

 

Wed, Oct 27

 

 

Fri, Oct 29

Review for Exam 3

 

Mon, Nov 1

Exam 3

Concert Report #2 due

Wed, Nov 3

Advising Day

No class

Fri, Nov 5

Part V: The Romantic Period

p. 207

Mon, Nov 8

 

 

Wed, Nov 10

 

 

Fri, Nov 12

 

 

Mon, Nov 15

 

 

Wed, Nov 17

 

 

Fri, Nov 19

Review for Exam 4

 

Mon, Nov 22

Exam 4

Concert Report #3 due

Wed, Nov 24

Thanksgiving

No class

Fri, Nov 26

Thanksgiving

No class

Mon, Nov 29

Part VI: 20th Century and Beyond

p. 287

Wed, Dec 1

 

 

Fri, Dec 3

 

 

Mon, Dec 6

 

 

Wed, Dec 8

 

 

Fri, Dec 10

Review for Final Exam

*last day to complete recital attendance

 

 

CoursEval Dates

Open: November 21st

Through: December 5th

Final Exam in this course

Tuesday, December 14th

8:30-11:00 am