FYS 118 (Sect. 001): Popular Music in World Cultures
Course Syllabus - Fall 2014
Instructor: Kevin Hoeschen E-mail: khoesche@uwsuper.edu
Class Times: MWF
Office Hours:
Ph: 715-394-8115 (Music Dept. Office)
(HFAC 1218) and by appointment
Course description: FYS 118 (Sect. 001)- Popular Music and World Culture (3 Credits)
General Education Attributes: HHE (World Lang, Culture, Philosophy), NW (Non-Western)
We live in a world where a song can travel to nearly every corner of the planet in a matter of seconds. From
rock to hip-hop, from folk to country, from Bollywood film music to computer game music, pop music not only
entertains, but it can also influence political and social change. Explore the power popular music has to
connect people globally. Together, we will survey some of the most popular genres of music in our world as
they are performed in different cultures. Students will also explore a type of popular music of their choice in
greater depth and, through field research, explore some music performed by local artists.
Required Text: Popular World Music by Andrew Shahriari, Prentice Hall, 2012.
Additional listening examples are on Learn@UW-Superior.
Unit 1 (September 3, 5, 8, 10) – Course Overview/Defining Music and Popular Music/Terminology
September 12 – Quiz 1
Unit 2 (September 15, 17, 19, 22, 24) – Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East
September 26 – Quiz 2
Unit 3 (September 29, October 1, 3) – Hip Hop Viewed Globally
October 8 – (Project #1 Proposal Due)
Unit 4 (October 6, 8) – Euro-Pop and Folk Fusions
October 10 – Quiz 3
Unit 5 (October 13, 15, 17, 20, 22) – Student Class Presentation Days (Project 1)
Unit 6 (October 24, 27, 29, 31, November 3) East Asia (India, China, Korea and Japan)
November 5 - Quiz 4
Unit 7 (November 7, 10, 12, 14) – Music of the Caribbean and Latin America
Unit 8 (November 14, 17, 19, 21, 24) – Student Class Presentation Days (Project 2)
November 26 and December 1 - Expo Preparation Days
Fall 2014 First Year Seminar Expo – Thursday, December 4 (?)
Unit 8 (December 5, 8, 10, 12) – American Popular Music and Social Change in the 20th Century
Final Exam – Date?
Grading
Quizzes (90 Points) - There will be six semester quizzes. Each quiz is worth 15 points.
Class Presentations (50 Points) - There will be two class presentations, each worth 25 Points. For
each presentation, students will work in groups of two. For the first presentation students will
explore a genre of popular music not covered in the course syllabus. For the second
presentation students will observe a live performer or performers, interview them and present
what they have learned to the class and at the FYS Expo.
Attendance (40 Points) - One point for each class with active participation, not including quiz days.
Total Possible Points = 180 (approximately)
Extra Credit Concert Report: Up to 5 points per report; maximum of 3 projects for 15 points.
Grading Scale (Focus on the percentage, not on the total points)
167-180 Points (93-100%) = A
144-150 Points (80-83%) = B162-166 Points (90-92%) = A138-143 Points (77-79%) = C+
156-161 Points (87-89%) = B+
133-137 Points (74-76%) = C
151-155 Points (84-86%) = B
127-132 Points (71-73%) = C-
122-126 Points (68-70%) = D+
115-121 Points (64-67%) = D
109-114 Points (61-63%) = DFewer than108 Points (Below 60%) = F
Attendance
Your attendance and active participation is essential for this class. Absences are excused only in the case of a
serious illness, a family emergency or a required UWS activity. (Please e-mail me at khoeshe@uwsuper.edu as
soon as possible if you would like to request an excused absence.) An excused absence will result in no grade
being entered in the grade book for that day. (Your final grade will not be affected negatively; your total
number of possible points will be fewer and your final grade is based on the total number of points you have
earned out of the possible points.) An unexcused absence will be recorded as a zero in the grade book and
will lower your overall semester percentage.
Quiz Make-up Policy
Quizzes can be made up only in case of an excused absence and within one week. Students should contact
the instructor to arrange a time for a make-up exam. Except in very unusual circumstances, once a quiz has
been handed back in class, the quiz cannot be made up.
The Writing Center
Writing is a skill we work to improve throughout our lives. Take the time to proofread and make necessary
corrections in your written work. I encourage you to get feedback at The Writing Center (Swenson Hall 1030)
for all written assignments. In fact, I believe so strongly in the value of The Writing Center that five-point papers
receive one bonus point and twenty-point projects receive three bonus points if The Writing Center is utilized!
Academic Honesty and University Policies
The University of Wisconsin-Superior is dedicated to a safe, supportive and nondiscriminatory learning
environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and graduate students to familiarize themselves with
University policies regarding special accommodations, academic misconduct, religious beliefs
accommodation, discrimination and absence for University- sponsored events. The work you do in Music 161
must adhere strictly to all of the University of Wisconsin System rules related to academic honesty. Be careful to
use your own words in all writing assignments; avoid any semblance of plagiarism (using others' writing without
acknowledging the source). For a good discussion of plagiarism, see
http://www.uwsuper.edu/oip/intl_pros/ethicsinwriting.cfm
Absolute honesty and integrity is expected for all tests. Any dishonesty, including use of cell phones, notes, or
copying another student's paper, will be viewed as a serious violation of UW policies and may result in severe
consequences. Details of the Student Disciplinary Procedures: Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process
(Chapter 14) can be found at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/14.pdf
Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 17) can be found at
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.go