SYLLABUS:
MUSIC 1510: Jazz Appreciation (4 credits) T/R 12:30-1:50 PM (Call No. 11637) 3502 Knauss Hall
Professor Keith Hall
Email: G.A. KeJuan Carter kejuan.d.carter@wmich.edu He will assist: responding to emails, lectures, administer exams
Keith@KeithHallMusic.com (as a last resort) (Do not expect e-mail responses in less than 24 hours)
Office hours: By appointment (email me to schedule an appointment)
MUS 1510 Website: http://keithhallmusic.com/education/mus-1510/
1. Extra Credit Concert Schedule and CDs for review
2. Listening examples
3. Posted Grades
Course Description and Objectives:
This introductory course is designed to increase your understanding of America's indigenous musical genre-Jazz. Material is presented through a
combination of audio examples, lecture/demonstrations and visual supplements. You are responsible for all material covered in class,
assigned readings, musical examples played in class/on website and live concert presentations.
Required Textbook: MUS 1510 Coursepack-Keith Hall
Exams, Quizzes & Make-Ups
-One quiz, three exams and a class final will be administered during the course of the semester. Tests will be primarily multiple choice and T/F
accompanied by listening examples. The listening examples will be taken from the examples found on the website.
- The only quiz of the semester will consist of pertinent musical terms. The Final exam has a minimal cumulative element. Exam dates are listed
on the "Class Schedule." A # 2 pencil is required for all tests and quizzes. It will be assumed that students caught whispering or talking during a
quiz/exam are cheating. Those students will be dealt with accordingly.
***Note for latecomers on test days: If you arrive more than 10 minutes after the start of the test, you will not be allowed to take the test.
The doors will be locked.
***Students with medical documentation are eligible to make-up a quiz or exam. A make-up quiz/exam will be accepted ONLY if it is
completed and turned into the instructor within 1 week of its original due date. In order to be eligible for a make-up quiz, it is your
responsibility to contact the instructor BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY (5 pm) of the scheduled quiz/exam—regardless of the
circumstances. (If you cannot contact the instructor yourself, have someone do it for you.)
• phone number of main office 7-4667 (OK to leave msg./24 hrs).
Grading and Testing Policies
Final grades in this course are based on a 1000 point scale:
100 points possible = Quiz (definitions, introduction material)
650 points possible= Exams #1-#3 - (50 questions) approximately 217 points per exam
250 points possible = Final Exam (77 questions) (small cumulative element)
A = 930-1000 points (93-100%)
BA = 880-929 points (88-92%)
B = 830-879 points (83-87%)
CB = 780-829 points (78-82%)
C = 730-779 points (73-77%)
DC = 680-729 points (68-72%)
D = 600-679 points (60-67%)
E = 599 points or below (59% or below)
Attendance:
Class attendance is not mandatory. However, material from lectures and live concerts may be included on exams.
Class Performances:
These concerts take place at specified class periods (see class schedule). Most of the time (99.9%), live concerts take place in the Dalton Center
Recital Hall.
Extra Credit:
1. Live Concert Reviews
Up to four out of class live concert reviews can be handed in throughout the semester up to the last class before finals week. Reviews= 10pts
possible each. See requirements found on this syllabus to ensure full credit for each review.
Extra Credit Concert review requirements:
Each concert attended must be documented with a program, a ticket stub and a one page typed and stapled summary.
**The summary (250-500 words) must include the location, type of ensemble (big band, combo, etc.), instrumentation (what instruments
were played), and its impact on you, the listener (what did you like or dislike, why? etc.). All concerts attended must be jazz concerts, and
advertised as such, or no credit will be given. You must be in attendance for one complete "set" or 60 minutes of music. If any of the above
criteria is compromised 1 to 10 points may be penalized per review. The above material must be turned in at the class period that immediately
follows any extra credit concert. Make sure your name and student number is on your ticket stub, program, and your typed summary. A schedule
of approved extra credit concerts will be on the website.
2. CD Review
One extra credit CD review (25 possible points) can be handed in at any time throughout the semester up
to the final exam (strictly adhering to CD requirements found below). Recordings used for CD reviews should be selected from the jazz
discography that is found in this course pack. CDs in the Dalton music library are for listening purposes only and cannot be checked out.
Instructor approval is required for any recording not found on this list. If you turn in a review that was not on the list and was not approved by the
instructor you will receive zero points for the given review.
Extra Credit CD Review Requirements:
Part I.
The artist's name, the name of the recording, the titles of all the tunes, the date the album was recorded and
the names of all the musicians on the recording. (If for any reason any of the previous information is not
listed on the CD you must mention/include this fact(s) in the review or deductions will occur)
Part II.
The style/musical period represented by the music on the recording (i.e. New Orleans style, Swing,
Bebop, Hardbop, Cool, Modal, Progressive, Free, fusion)
Parts I. & II. may be in a list format.
Part III.
The musical content of each selection on the recording. Include the form of each selection (i.e. AABA
song form, 12 bar blues, through composed or a variant form [variation of the AABA form above – like
ABA or ABCA etc.]). Include the instrumentation, the feel, and a musical “play by play” of what you are hearing. If your Jazz CD has an
excessive number of selections (over 13), review part of the CD thoroughly rather than reviewing the whole CD shallowly. There is no required
minimum number of "cuts" to review [In other words you may review a CD that consist of only one selection (likely a 45 minute tune). However,
you must generate the required 500 words.]
Part. IV.
What impression/impact the recording had on you. How did the musical selections “hit you”? What did
you like or dislike and why?
Parts III. & IV. must be in paragraph format, doubled spaced and be comprised of an additional
2-3 pages (at least 500 words).
Use a new paragraph for each musical selection (use tune titles not “cut” numbers). Include a word count
for parts III. and IV. Reviews must be in black ink only and must be on white unlined paper. Use 1”
margins, 12pt Times/Roman font with laser quality print. Clearly label/indicate where each of the four
parts/sections begin in your review. All pages must be typed and stapled together.
If any of the above criteria is compromised 1 to 25 points may be penalized per review.
-Correct spelling and grammar will be taken into consideration for full credit.
-All reviews must be typed. Only hard copy reviews will be accepted. No Exceptions!
NOTE:
-The Class schedule is subject to change depending upon guest artist availability and other unforeseen factors. Students must remain informed at
all times to temporary or permanent schedule changes. Schedule changes will be announced in any given class and posted on the website. Stay
informed!!!
-Please turn off all cell phones during class. This will help contribute to a productive learning environment for all students.
-Any student(s) who persists in disrupting a class will be asked by the instructor to leave the classroom or the remainder of the class period. All
disruptive conduct will be reported as per the Code of Student Conduct provides.
TIPS:
Grades are determined numerically and are not negotiable. Do not wait to the end of the semester to take advantage of extra credit
possibilities. Issues of academic integrity are vehemently enforced. Students involved in blatant or merely the appearance of impropriety (exam
taking, extra credit CD reviews, scantron issues etc.) will be subject to the regulations enforced by the WMU Academic Integrity Committee. I
exercise a zero tolerance policy towards student impropriety issues (you’re caught, the committee rules in my favor, you fail the course). Always,
always, always do your own work!!! Do not do CD reviews together!!! Students with English challenges should take advantage of the WMU
writing center to preclude massive deductions on extra credit CD reviews. Proofread your work out loud.
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs
that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism,
complicity and computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies, Student Rights and
Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student
Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a
hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an
assignment or test. To access the Code of Honor and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious observance, student
disabilities, etc. refer to http://osc.wmich.edu and www.wmich.edu/registrar.