MUS 121 Section 004: Intro To Listening

This course will explore one of the fundamental modes of aesthetic expression, music. Presupposing no formal training on the part of the students, we will explore aural skills and tools for recognition through study of music fundamentals and masterworks of Euro-American art music from the Baroque era to the present. At the same time, students will be given an overview of the development of Western art music, and how that development relates to larger issues of culture and society.

This course is a combination of both online work which the students are responsible for outside of class time, as well as in class work during the class meeting times once per week.  Please pay close attention to the online course deadlines as we move through the semester.

1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the elements of music: pitch, dynamics, rhythm, melody, harmony and texture.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the historical and cultural context, compositional characteristics, forms, and leading composers of each stylistic period discussed: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20^th-21^st Century.
3. Students will demonstrate ability to aurally recognize the elements of music as well as the masterworks of composers discussed in class.
4. Students will utilize critical thinking skills by evaluating live performances.
5. Students will demonstrate ability to identify stylistic differences between the musical eras discussed in this class.

ASSESSMENTS:

PARTICIPATION: Class participation is an essential component of this course and will be evaluated during each class meeting.     

EXAMS: There will be 4 quizzes over the course of the semester worth 50 points each.  Under NO circumstances will make-up quizzes be given!  With a valid and documented excuse, the points for the missed quiz will be figured by averaging scores from the completed quizzes.  Only serious illness or family emergency is considered an excused absence and a written excuse from the health center or personal physician will be required. 

All quizzes will be given online during regularly scheduled class time (Tuesdays 12:30-1:45 p.m.).  Students will be required to complete each quiz within the timeframe of the class.  After 1:45 p.m. on quiz days, the quiz will be closed and no more questions can be answered. 

On quiz days, class will not meet.  However, students are still responsible for the lessons listed on the class schedule for quiz days.

DATES FOR ALL QUIZZES MAY BE FOUND ON THE eLEARNING COURSE CALENDAR!

CONCERT ATTENDANCE:  Each student will be required to attend 4 live performances over the course of the semester.  Acceptable concerts and attendance procedures are outlined for you in the “Concert Guidelines” document found on the elearning homepage. Students will be awarded 25 points for each concert attended.

COMPARISON ASSIGNMENT: An additional assignment worth 100 points will be due no later than Tuesday, March 6, 2012.  This will be mentioned in class multiple times.  Instructions for this assignment can be found on eLearning.     

DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENTS: A variety of discussion assignments may be given throughout the semester to encourage class discussion and further the exploration of music.  These assignments will be submitted and discussed in class and will factor into the participation grade for each student.

 

GRADING:

There are a total of 400 points that can be accumulated over the course of the semester: 200 total points for the four online quizzes, 25 points for each concert attended, and 100 points for the comparison assignment.  Letter grades will be given using the following calculations: A+ = 387-400, A = 374-386, A- = 360-373, B+ = 347-359, B = 334-346, B- = 320-333, C+ = 307-319, C = 294-306, C- = 280-293, D+ = 267-279, D = 254-266, D- = 240-253, F = 251-below.

Under NO circumstances will make-up quizzes be given!  With a valid and documented excuse, the points for the missed quiz will be figured by averaging scores from the completed quizzes.  Only serious illness or family emergency is considered an excused absence and a written excuse from the health center or personal physician will be required. 

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

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