ONLINE COURSE SYLLABUS
MUS Z393 – Jazz History
Syllabus Example, From a Previous Summer Term
Instructor: Dr. Farrell Vernon. Professional profile.
Classroom: IPFW Blackboard Online.
Office: Blackboard Learn “Online Office for Your Jazz Professor” OR by appointment at
Rhinehart Music Center on campus. (Refer to more information in the Course Communication
section of this syllabus.)
Office Phone: (260) 481-6720.
Email: Use Blackboard Learn course site.
Emergency Email: vernonj@ipfw.edu.
Welcome!
I want to welcome you to a new and exciting online course focusing on JAZZ HISTORY. This is
America's true art form and major contribution to world music and culture. I look forward to being
your guide as we trace jazz music from its earliest roots to its current forms, including its use in
television and movies.
Course Description:
A non-traditional history course focusing on development of basic music listening skills
(including instrument identification) and applying these skills in an overview of jazz history.
Course materials cover major periods of jazz, major performers and composers, trends,
influences, stylistic features, and related materials in the history of jazz music. Predominantly
designed for non-music majors, but appropriate for music majors. Serves as an Area IV
Humanistic Thought general education course.
Course Goals:
Students will gain an appreciation for jazz music and develop a broad knowledge of jazz
periods, performers, and composers. Students will develop basic aural skills and learn to
apply these skills in the identification of singers, instruments, rhythms, and styles in jazz,
America's unique art form.
Prerequisites:
None. A general education course appropriate for all students.
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Learning Objectives.
You and other classmates may vary in your competency in achieving the following
objectives. You are likely to be successful if you honor all course policies, complete all
course activities and assignments on time, and meet all other course expectations described
in this course. (You cannot cram for this kind of course.)
Objective 1. Recognize and compare the two basic jazz forms (blues and song form).
Objective 2. Discern the sounds of different instruments in music selections.
Objective 3. Describe jazz eras and important musicians from each era.
Objective 4. Analyze musical selections to discern the jazz style and the names of the
musicians who perform in that style.
Course Communication:
Online Office for Your Jazz Professor.
Post questions of general interest any time in my Online Office in Blackboard Learn; replies
will be posted there within 24 hours, so that all classmates can see the answers. But if the
nature of the question or concern is more personal or you are not comfortable having
classmates see the message, you should use another means of communication.
Campus Office.
My campus office is at the Rhinehart Music Center located on the north side of campus,
Room 210 (second floor). If you want to have a meeting with me at my campus office,
please request an appointment date and time and wait for a confirmation. When leaving a
voicemail at my office phone, please leave a callback number. If you send me an email, I will
reply directly to the email address of the original message unless instructed otherwise, so
keep track of your messages. (Text messages and notes attached to my office door are
strongly discouraged.)
Jazz Lounge
This is an area reserved just for you and your classmates in case you want to communicate
socially with each other, whether it is to exchange concert tickets or just to hang out. I do not
visit this area, so if you want to reach me, please use another method of communication.
Online Communication Tools
In this online course, I will periodically post Announcements, enter information in my Online
Office, send E-mails, give occasional responses in the Discussion Board area, and post
Grades. Please follow the guidelines above for using my Online Office and Email.
Communication Protocols: If using Email for course communication, consider stating the
need for putting course name and issue in the Subject of the message and for adding the
student’s name to the close of the message.
Online Communication Protocols:
As for all communication at IPFW, you are expected to follow ethical standards for use of
computer technology and electronic communication. Basic netiquette (online etiquette) is
described in Albion’s Core Rules of Netiquette. Also refer to the Ethical Guidelines for IPFW
Information Technology Users and the IPFW Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
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Blackboard Learn:
You may access the course through Blackboard Learn or MyIPFW. You have the flexibility in
an online course to study and participate according to your work and personal schedule
within each week of study. However, you must still complete assignments by their required
due dates. Your challenge is to dedicate the required time for study within your personal
schedule. This syllabus, including the schedule and due dates, should support you in
managing time effectively. Marking your study and your online discussion time in your
personal calendar also will help. As part of your personal schedule, make sure you check
the Announcements and my Online Office several times a week so that you can see if I have
posted any new information about the course.
Weekly Discussions:
Each week will have active discussions equivalent to classroom meeting time. If you have
ever attended a summer course on campus, you know this means intensive hours of study
because we are compressing 45 hours of class meeting time into four weeks, and you have
added study time for each week’s materials. If you have never before attended this kind of
summer class, you will need to take extra care with planning your in-class and study time.
The weekly discussions are the equivalent of your classroom meeting time. Because this is
a summer course, this means you should plan about 9 hours to be online each week in
discussions. Your discussions will be more fruitful if you begin by studying your online and
text materials for a few hours ahead of discussions, just as you would be expected to do if
you were going to the class on campus. This course is organized to help you manage your
time in weekly study lessons. The weekly discussions count for a lot of the class time, and
you know this means you must get started before the end of the week. Otherwise, how can
it be a discussion in which all classmates participate? It is better to get started early in the
week and return several times later during the week to see and comment on what others
have posted. In this way, you can actually have a discussion and will not just be posting stuff
just to get something online.
Your job is to help your classmates think about what you are studying and, likewise, to learn
from your classmates. You need to “hear” each other. So, I expect to see you actively
involved throughout the week and not just on the last day of the week. When I review your
discussions, I will take into account the quality and timing of what you have posted.
Course Dates and Times.
The Spring Semester 2013 I Academic Calendar shows the basic schedule for our course. The
first week begins on Monday, May 14, and the following weeks of study also will continue to
start on a Monday. This means that all activities for a given week should be completed fully no
later than Sunday of the study week; the exception is the last week which ends on a Friday. You
will need to plan your schedule of study accordingly. The last date for this session is Friday,
June 22. (Refer to discussion deadlines in the earlier section under Course Communication,
Weekly Discussions.) The full course schedule is provided in the last section.
Online Learning Support.
Since you are taking an online course, you already are expected to have skill in the use of
computers, browsers, and online searches in the library. If you do not have these skills, you will
need additional help and you will need to plan extra time to develop those skills. IPFW has
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technology support resources and training tutorials, and library has several resources to help
you.
Online Learning Expectations
Online Learning;
Online Learning FAQ;
Online Learning Technical Troubleshooting;
Blackboard and Computer Training
Welcome to Blackboard Help for Students!;
Lynda.com (Web Training Link);
STEPS Computer Workshops (STEPS = Student Technology Education ProgramS).
Help and Troubleshooting
Information Technology Services;
Email IT Services Help Desk;
ITServices Help Desk.
Helmke Library Services
Helmke Library;
Helmke Library Services Orientation;
Helmke Library Service Desk;
Ask a Librarian;
Find Your Librarian.
Requirements:
Required Study Materials.
You must have the text in some form and you must have the access to MyMusicLab. Be
very careful in your selections, making sure that you get both the text and the lab. Go to the
Follet’s Bookstore listing for this course to see the different options and prices.
TITLE:MyMusicLab Student Access Code for Jazz Styles (Standalone); AUTHOR:Gridley;
EDITION:11th; COPYRIGHT YEAR:2012; PUBLISHER:Prentice Hall.
TITLE:MyMusicLab with Pearson eText -- SAC -- for Jazz Styles; AUTHOR:Gridley;
EDITION:11th; COPYRIGHT YEAR:2012; PUBLISHER:Prentice Hall.
CAUTION: If you decide to purchase a used textbook, you still will need to purchase the
access code in order to be able to use MyMusicLab.
Software and Technical Programs.
IT Services resources and help can assist you with any special software or technical
operations. As written earlier, make sure you use those resources and help services if you
need assistance.
Assignments.
You will have assignments in each week for each module of the course requiring the use of
MyMusic Lab, your textbook, and discussion participation.
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Quizzes, Tests, and Exams.
You have a getting started quiz, optional pre and posttest within each chapter which can
help you in your studying, chapter exams on which you are expected to achieve at least
85%, a midterm and a final exam.
Equipment and Skills Needed:
Students must have regular access to a computer and be able to use computer skills to
successfully complete this course. Many problems instructors and students run into when
using Blackboard Learn stem from mis-configured browsers, incorrect software versions,
pop-up blockers, and other issues. Most of these issues can be prevented by performing the
browser tune up before using Blackboard Learn or once a problem arises. Often students
find it easier to use Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari rather than Internet Explorer;
for some applications Internet Explorer may work well.
Organization of this Course:
The course contains six units of study. Each unit has several modules. These are mini-modules
with a particular topic of focus. Each module has a study guide that gives the checklist of
learning activities for that module. Learning activities cover the reading assignment and use of
supplemental resources. Students also will find links in each module to major course areas such
as audio lectures, videos, music, discussion areas, quizzes, a web links folder, and suggestions
for managing time.
Many brief quizzes will be distributed throughout the modules in the course with the first one
given in Unit 1. There will be five major tests in the course, the last of which will be given in
finals week of the course. There will be two concert critiques due in the semester (see Concert
Critique below). Students will have each Unit available to them for a limited period of time, and
those weeks are listed below.
Unit 1, May 14-20: Introduction
Module 1 Syllabus, Course Outline
Module 2 Introduction
Module 3 Basics of Jazz
Module 4 Appreciating Jazz Improvisation
Unit 2, May 21-27: Premodern Jazz
Module 5 Origins of Jazz
Module 6 Early Jazz
Module 7 Swing (early 1930s to 40s)
Unit 3, May 28-June3: Swing
Module 8 Duke Ellington
Module 9 Count Basie
Midterm Exam
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Unit 4, June 4-10: Modern Jazz
Module 10 Bop (early 1940s to 50s)
Module 11 Cool Jazz
Module 12 Hard Bop
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Unit 5, June 11-17: Innovators
Module 13 Miles Davis
Module 14 John Coltrane
Module 15 Avant-Garde/Free Jazz (1960s to70s)
Unit 6, June 18-24: Modern Jazz (1960s to Present)
Module 16 Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and more.
Module 17 Jazz-Rock Fusion
Module 18 1980s to Present
Module 19 Other Voices
Final Exam
NOTE: IPFW operates within the Eastern Daylight Saving Time, EDT. If a student is not in this
time zone, the student will need to adjust for this time zone when submitting course
assignments.
IMPORTANT: Tests will be available only for a limited period of time. Students must complete
and submit their tests before that time frame expires.
Grades.
Values for determining the grade in the course are distributed as follows, each of which
must be completed in order to pass the course.

Start Here Quiz: 5%

Discussions: 15%

Chapter exams: 20%

Concert reviews: 10%

Midterm and Final Exams: 50%.
This course will use the following basic grading scale which shows the grade earned for
different percentages of total possible in the course.
93.49 or above = A.
89.49 through 93.48 = A-.
86.49 through 89.48 = B+.
83.49 through 86.48 = B.
79.49 through 83.48 = B-.
76.49 through 79.48 = C+.
73.49 through 76.48 = C.
69.49 through 73.48 = C-.
66.49 – 69.48 = D+.
63.49 – 66.48 = D.
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59.49 – 63.48 = D-.
Below 59.49 = F.
Course Policies:
Class Attendance:
Full participation in class discussions and timely submission of all assignments constitutes
evidence of class attendance. On-time participation at the course site, particularly in the unit
discussions, is evidence of attendance in this online course. Students are expected to
allocate sufficient time to complete all the requirements for each Unit: reading, listening,
responding to discussion questions, submitting replies to classmates, and completing other
assignments on time. Failure to keep up with the pace of the course may result in lower
grades or the failure of the class.
NOTE: Our eLearning system has a tracking feature built into the course site so that ITS
and instructors can identify the time spent by each of student in exams and other areas of
the course site, including when emails are delivered. This rather detailed information helps
to verify attendance and participation.
Illnesses and Anticipated Absences:
Explain what will be required for approval of anticipated absences in the activities of the
online course, for unexpected absences, and requested extensions.
Late Work:
Late assignments result in automatically lowered grades; therefore, it is to the students’
advantage to turn them in on time. Students who have a situation that prevents on-time
work, should turn in work in advance. Only the student is responsible for any failure of ontime submitting or posting of work at the course site.
Basic Requirements for Course Assignments:
For your Concert Critiques you must submit them at the Blackboard Learn site in MS Word
.doc, .docx, or in .rtf format. (These file types can be opened in Blackboard Learn and
receive comments; other formats such as .wpd cannot.)
Academic Honesty and Standards of Conduct.
Academic Performance.
Mention that standards for academic performance at IPFW include academic honesty and
standards of conduct.
Academic Honesty.
Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure for the assignment and potential failure in the
course. All work should be the student’s own work, not someone else’s. To understand more
about how to write with academic honesty and to avoid plagiarism, students can visit the
brief explanation posted at the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): Overview and
Contradictions.
Honor code statement:
The ways in which exams in an online course are taken require that extra steps be taken to
ensure that academic misconduct does not occur during them. As part of these extra steps,
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students are asked to indicate agreement with an honor statement on each major test in the
course.
The student who participates in this course is expected to be the one who posts his or her
own messages in the discussions, who takes the quizzes and tests, and who does the
concert critique. The student’s work should be the result of the student’s own efforts, not
someone else’s work. The student should consult textbooks, notes, or other outside aids
only as allowed in the directions for a particular assignment. Each student also is expected
to not reveal the contents of quizzes and tests to anyone outside of this course.
Discussions and Computer Resources.
The IPFW Student handbook provides guidelines for classroom discussions, use of
computer resources, and classroom management when problems arise.
In the section of THE IPFW CODE OF STUDENT RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND
CONDUCT, PART I STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, Section B, Individual
Rights and Responsibilities as Students, several rights and responsibilities are explained,
among them the role of discussions, whether in a physical classroom or in the electronic
classroom of an online course:
“In the classroom, students have the freedom to raise relevant issues pertaining to
classroom discussion, to offer reasonable doubts about data presented, and to express
alternate opinions to those being discussed. However, in exercising this freedom, students
shall not interfere with the academic process of the class.”
There is also the following statement about Ethical Guidelines for Computer Users:
“University computer resources are designed to be used in connection with legitimate,
university-related purposes. The use of university computing resources to disseminate
obscene, pornographic, or libelous materials; to threaten or harass others; or otherwise to
engage in activities forbidden by the Code is subject to disciplinary action as specified in the
Code.”
Students can read more about rights and responsibilities in the handbook and the spirit in
which our university seeks to “maintain the campus as a place of work and study for faculty,
staff, and students.” In support of these rights and responsibilities, students interfering with
the academic process of the class or otherwise behaving contrary to the Code will be:

First, warned by the instructor to cease the behavior.
 Thereafter, referred to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action if instructor warning is
not heeded.
Special Needs.
Students who have a disability and need assistance, can have special arrangements made to
accommodate most needs. Students should contact the Director of Services for Students with
Disabilities (Walb Union, Room 113, telephone number 481-6658) as soon as possible to work
out the details. Once the Director has provided a student with a letter attesting to the needs for
modification, the student should bring the letter to the instructor. For more information, students
should visit the web site for Services for Students with Disabilities. If a student needs special
note-taking or test-taking accommodations due to a documented disability, the student should
send the instructor an email through the Blackboard course site so that we can plan accordingly.
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Diversity and Nondiscrimination.
“IPFW is committed to maintaining a community that recognizes and values the inherent worth
and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect
among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential.
In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the university seeks to develop and nurture
diversity. The university believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the
institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life.
IPFW prohibits discrimination against any member of the university community on the basis of
race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual
orientation, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.”
IPFW Services for Students:
IPFW has many support services for students. While you are unlikely to need all of these
services, they are listed here for your convenience in case you do have a need. Make sure to
bring me your letter if you get one from the office of Services for Students with Disabilities
(SSD). It would also help me to know at any time if you have special needs.
Services for Students with Disabilities, (SSD) Walb Student Union, Room 113, 260-4816658, support in accommodating needs related to disabilities.
Center for Academic Support & Advancement (CASA), Kettler G23, 481-6817, study skills
development, tutoring, STEPS short courses, supplemental instruction, English as a Second
Language (ESL).
The Writing Center, Learning Commons on the 2nd floor of Helmke Library, 481-5740, peer
tutors who can help with all phases of the writing process.
Career Services, Kettler 109, 481-0689, assistance with on and off-campus job placement
and internships.
Information Technology Services Help Desk, Kettler 206, 481-6030, information on all
aspects of computing at IPFW; hardware and software support (including Blackboard Vista
4); student e-mail accounts.
Studio M, Walb 220, 481-0114, Curriculum-based multimedia lab for students that offers
assistance customized to student needs and course requirements.
Center for Women and Returning Adults, Walb 120, 481-6029, workshops, support groups,
counseling, and other programs.
Multicultural Services, Walb 118, 481-6921, skills workshops, support groups, diversity
training, counseling, mentoring, cultural heritage programs; ASAP program.
International Student Services, Kettler 104, 481-6034 or 481-6923, visa and INS issues;
help with housing, counseling.
Mastodon Advising Center (MAC), Kettler 109, 481-6595, appointments with professional
academic advisors; help with guiding students in deciding on their major and ultimately their
career; help for exploring students, deciding students, and readmitted students; and various
student resources.
Helmke Library Service Desk, 481-6505, reference librarian help, books, journals, reference,
interlibrary loan reserve readings for courses. Other important library services for students:

Ask a Librarian;, to ask a librarian in person, by email, instant messenger chat, or phone.
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
Find Your Librarian, to find a librarian specialist for the subject you are studying and get
the help you need.
Dean of Students Office, Walb 111, 481-6601, student health insurance, mentoring, grade
appeals; free short-term personal counseling and support.
Tips for Success:
One of the most important things you can do is to use the Gridley supplemental demonstration
CD that you can download from MyMusicLab. Practice, practice, practice helps anyone, in
particular, the online videos. Plan your study time and the place where you will study. There is
no way to cram for this course. You must work at it every week. I want you to succeed!
Student Expectations of the Instructor:
I will respond to your messages posted in my Online Office and to your emails in a timely
manner; usually you can expect a response within 24 hours, though not so much on the
weekends.
Students Called for Military Duty:
“If you are a student in the military with the potential of being called to military service and
/or training during the course of the semester, you are encouraged to contact your advisor
immediately.”
This syllabus, with its course schedule, is based on the most recent information about the
course content and schedule planned for this course. Its content is subject to revision as
needed to adapt to new knowledge or unanticipated events. Updates will remain focused on
achieving the course objectives and students will receive notification of such changes.
Students will be notified of changes and are responsible for attending to such changes or
modifications posted on the Blackboard Learn site for this course.
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URLs for the web sites referenced in this document are listed below in alphabetical
order:
Albion’s Core Rules of Netiquette: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
Ask a Librarian: http://www.lib.ipfw.edu/2549.html
Baccalaureate Framework: http://ipfw.edu/academics/programs/baccalaureateframework.html
Bedford St. Martin’s Research and Documentation:
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/
Career Services: http://www.ipfw.edu/career/
Center for Academic Support & Advancement (CASA): http://ipfw.edu/casa.
Center for Women and Returning Adults: http://ipfw.edu/cwra/
Dean of Students Office: http://ipfw.edu/dos/
Dr. Farrell Vernon’s professional profile:
http://new.ipfw.edu/departments/cvpa/depts/music/faculty/music-bios/vernon.html.
Email IT Services Help Desk: helpdesk@ipfw.edu
Find a Librarian: http://www.lib.ipfw.edu/664.0.html;
Follett’s Bookstore Listing for this course:
http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/booklookServlet?bookstore_id1=281&term_id-1=201230&crn-1=32132
General Education Requirements:
http://new.ipfw.edu/offices/oaa/programs/GenEdProgram.html
Goals and Objectives of the IPFW Baccalaureate Degree, Learning Outcomes and
Requirements: http://ipfw.edu/offices/oaa/programs/GenEdProgram.html
Helmke Library Service Desk: http://www.lib.ipfw.edu/
Information Technology Services Help Desk: http://ipfw.edu/helpdesk/
International Student Services: http://ipfw.edu/iss/
IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct:
http://bulletin.ipfw.edu/content.php?catoid=25&navoid=639#Code
Library Service Desk: http://www.lib.ipfw.edu/
Lynda.com (Web Training Link): http://ipfw.edu/training/blackboard-learn/resources/
Mastodon Advising Center (MAC): http://ipfw.edu/mac/.
Multicultural Services: http://ipfw.edu/odma/
Online Learning (Video Tutorial): http://ipfw.edu/departments/dcs/depts/online/
Online Learning FAQ: http://ipfw.edu/departments/dcs/depts/online/faq.html
Online Learning Technical Troubleshooting:
http://ipfw.edu/departments/dcs/depts/online/troubleshooting.html
Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/
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Reserves Express (REX): http://www.lib.ipfw.edu/629.0.html
Services for Students with Disabilities: http://www.ipfw.edu/ssd/
STEPS Computer Workshops: http://ipfw.edu/steps/
Studio M: http://ipfw.edu/studiom/.
The Writing Center: http://ipfw.edu/offices/casa/writing/
Undergraduate Bulletin, Part 5: Program Descriptions:
http://bulletin.ipfw.edu/content.php?catoid=25&navoid=636
University Calendar: http://bulletin.ipfw.edu/content.php?catoid=25&navoid=645.
Welcome to Blackboard Help for Students!: http://help.blackboard.com/student/index.htm
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