MUE 589: Reading and Conference
Spring 2016: University of South Alabama
Meeting day and time: Fridays, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Jeannette Fresne
Email: jfresne@southalabama.edu
Office Hours
Monday, 1:00 – 4:30
Tuesday and Wednesday, 12:30 – 3:30
Phone: 251.460.6697
Office: LPAC 1121
Additional office
hours available by
appointment
Course Description
Guided study in preparation of the portfolio – video recording and self-critique, pedagogical
project, research paper – which should be taken in conjunction with preparation of the final
portfolio. Credit Hours: 1
Course Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: Completion of a minimum of 15 graduate hours
Goals and Objectives
• Examine library resources to complete a research paper.
• Understand the framework and grammatical patterns required in critiquing, writing
research papers and creating pedagogical projects.
• Develop self-editing and proofreading skills.
• Receive individualized assistance during the drafting phase and while finalizing the
portfolio.
Course Format
This course is taught as a Traditional Lecture course, which means we meet weekly in Laidlaw
Performing Arts Center, room 1121.
Course Materials: None
Examinations
Number and Type of Examinations: One Oral Exam.
Make-up Examination Policy: Illness: Students who are not able to submit the portfolio on the
established due date due to illness must provide documentation from a physician. Documentation
must provide the range of dates that class attendance was not possible. Emergency: Appropriate
documentation of an emergency must be submitted, which may include physician excuse, police
report, etc. according to the nature of the emergency.
Course Assignments
Types of course assignments: Video recording and self-critique; Pedagogical Project; and
Research Paper
Late Assignment Policy
Assignments are designed to help students reach the goals of the course. Early submission is
encouraged. Late work will be penalized by a deduction of ten points each day, including
weekends.
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Determining Final Grade
30% Project #1
30% Project #2
40% Oral Exam
Grading Scale
90.0 – 100.0 A
80.0 – 89.9
B
70.0 – 79.9
C
60.0 – 69.9
D
Below 59.9 F
Course Topical Outline
Week 1: Overview of university and departmental degree requirements. Brainstorm ideas for
creating the portfolio.
Week 2: Evidence of learning, “If you present a great lesson in the forest, did you teach?”
Week 3: Establish mutually agreed upon goals and expectations.
Week 4: Elements of teaching. Determine time and location for video recording of teaching.
Due: Outline of lesson: elementary/general music; choral; or band.
Week 5: Overview of Pedagogical Project.
Week 6: Research techniques. Examine library resources available on campus, through
interlibrary loan, and using various databases.
Week 7: Review and discuss two journal articles, their methods, results, and conclusions.
Distribute parameters for choosing your research topic.
Week 8: Research topic due. Discuss topics. Discuss research methodologies (quantitative,
qualitative, philosophical, and historical).
Week 9: Lesson presentations in class. Due: Written lesson plans for video recording.
Week 10: Lesson presentations in class (continued).
Week 11: Outline or rough draft of pedagogical project due.
Week: 12: Rough draft of research paper due for editing in class.
Week 13: Pedagogical Project Presentations.
Week 14: Research Paper Presentations.
Important Dates
 Holidays: January 18; February 9; March 14 – 18
 Last Day of Classes: April 28
Attendance Policy
Most classes will require your active participation and discussion. Regular attendance is
vital to the success in this course. Due to the limited number of class meetings and the length of
each class, one absence is allowed. Two unexcused absences will result in a lowering of the final
grade by one letter grade. Three unexcused absences will result in overall course failure. In the
event of an excused absence, the student is solely responsible for everything covered in class
including, but not limited to, new material presented, deadlines, review sessions, assignment
criteria, quizzes and activities. Students will be considered absent at 30 minutes after the start of
class.
“An individual student is responsible for attending the classes in which the student is
officially enrolled. The quality of work will ordinarily suffer from excessive absences. At the
beginning of classes, instructors must define their policy on absences, and all cases of illness and
emergency shall be promptly reported and verified to the instructor. For excessive absences (two
or three consecutive class meetings) due to illness, death in family, or family emergency, the
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Dean of Students’ office should be advised. Absence notices will be sent to each instructor
notifying him of the reason for and the approximate length of the absence. This notification does
not constitute an excused absence.
Students receiving veterans’ benefits are required to attend classes according to the
regulations of the Veterans Administration.
All international students on F-1 visas must comply with attendance regulations as
dictated by the Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Services. They must
remain students in good standing with at least twelve (12) hours per term.
Students attending authorized off-campus functions or required activities shall be excused
by the responsible University official through the Office of Academic Affairs. In case of doubt,
instructors may consult these lists in that office. Work missed as a result of these excused
absences may be made up.” See “Attendance and Absences” in 2011 – 2012 Undergraduate and
Graduate Bulletin, page 30. http://www.southalabama.edu/bulletin/1112bulletin.pdf
Academic Disruption Policy
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The
Lowdown (www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/) and includes the following:
The University of South Alabama respects the right of instructors to teach and
students to learn. Maintenance of these rights requires an academic environment that does
not impede their exercise. Disruptive academic behavior is defined as individual or
group conduct that interrupts or interferes with any educational activity or environment,
infringes upon the rights and privileges of others, results in or threatens the destruction
of property, and/or is otherwise prejudicial to the maintenance of order in an academic
environment.
An academic environment is defined as a classroom, laboratory, library, study
hall, field trip or similar setting in which formal learning is taking place. Though
dependent upon the size and nature of the academic setting, disruption refers to behavior
a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with the
conduct of an activity. Disruptive behavior may range from the mildly annoying (which
should be tolerated as much as possible) to clearly disruptive, dangerous and/or violent
behavior, which should never be tolerated.
Common examples of disruptive student behavior include (abbreviated list):
 The use of cell phones or pagers.
 Physical display of anger (such as throwing books or other items).
 Sleeping in class.
 Routinely entering class late or departing early.
 Repeatedly talking in class without being recognized, talking while others
are talking, or dominating class discussion.
USA’s policy regarding Academic Disruption – only available online – is in The Lowdown, the
student handbook. This is excerpted from The Lowdown.
Changes in Course Requirements
Not all classes progress at the same rate thus course requirements might have to be modified as
circumstances dictate. You will be given written notice if the course requirements need to be
changed.
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Student Academic Conduct Policy
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Student Academic Conduct Policy is found
in The Lowdown (http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/) and includes the following:
As a community of students and scholars, the University strives to maintain the
highest standards of academic integrity. All members of the community are expected to
exhibit honesty and competence in academic work. This responsibility can be met only
through earnest and continuing effort on the part of all students and faculty.
Any dishonesty related to academic work or records constitutes academic
misconduct including, but not limited to, activities such as giving or receiving
unauthorized aid in tests and examinations, improperly obtaining a copy of an
examination, plagiarism, misrepresentation of information, altering transcripts or
university records. Academic misconduct is incompatible with the standards of the
academic community.
Such acts are viewed as moral and intellectual offenses and are subject to
investigation and disciplinary action through appropriate University procedures. Penalties
may range from the loss of credit for a particular assignment to dismissal from the
University. Degree revocation may be warranted in cases involving academic misconduct
by former students while they were students at USA. Note that dismissal from any
University of South Alabama college or school for reasons of academic misconduct will
also result in permanent dismissal from the University.
Students are expected to be cordial, courteous, and respectful of faculty members
and fellow students.
Academic Misconduct will result in an F for the course.
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will
be afforded reasonable accommodation. The Office of Student Disability Services will certify a
disability and advise faculty members of reasonable accommodations. If you have a specific
disability that qualifies you for academic accommodations, please notify the instructor/professor
and provide certification from the Office of Student Disability Services located at 320 Alumni
Circle, Educational Services Building, Suite 19. The phone number is 251.460.7212.
Counseling and Testing Services
Counseling and Testing Services provides a variety of free and confidential services for students.
I recommend that all students look into taking the MBTI and Strong’s Inventory for intrapersonal
skill development. For further information regarding these resources go to
www.southalabama.edu/counseling or call the office at 251.460.7051.
Writing
If you need assistance with writing skills, please consult the writing center in Alpha Hall East
207, by phone at 251.460.6480, or at their website.
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