University of South Alabama
American Music, Fall 2014
Course:
American Music (4 credits), MUL 535 (web-enhanced)
Monday, 6:00-9:20 pm, LPAC 1102
Instructor:
Dr. Laura Moore
Office:
LPAC 1103, 251-460-6361; lauramoore@southalabama.edu
office hours posted at LPAC 1103, or by appointment
Required Texts:
Alexander, Heywood, ed. To Stretch Our Ears: A Documentary History of
America’s Music. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2002.
Crawford and Hamberlin. Recordings for An Introduction to America’s Music,
second edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2013.
Tick, Judith and Paul Beaudoin, ed. Music in the USA: A Documentary
Companion. [available as e-book through USA Libraries - do not buy]
Recommended Text: Crawford, Richard and Larry Hamberlin. An Introduction to America’s Music,
second edition. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 2013.
Resources:
wwnorton.com/college/music/americasmusic2/ - use your
registration code to access chapter outlines, chapter quizzes, listening
quizzes, flashcards, etc.
www.southalabamachoirs.org - MUL 535 page - class website
Course Description:
Early music in the colonies. Various attempts to create an in individual “American” musical style. Diversity of influences; European, African American, Native American, Spanish-Mexican, religious, jazz,
folk song, minstrel, etc. Music of Billings, Gottschalk, MacDowell, Sousa, Ives, Gershwin, Copland,
and others.
Course Objectives:
This course will promote greater understanding of the evolution of American music, both artistically and
culturally, through the study of musical styles, composers and their works, and the historical conditions
that produced them. The main purpose of this course is to build satisfactory competence in the student’s
ability to:
1. Summarize the major traditions and schools of American music distinguishing them from other music, and to relate American music to its foreign roots where appropriate.
2. Identify composers, compositions, and other significant names and terms as they relate to the music
studied.
3. Identify the studied compositions by sight or ear.
4. Discriminate among the various styles of music studied.
5. Display general knowledge of major events and trends in American music and describe how American solutions to various issues reflect American cultural and musical contexts.
6. Synopsize and critique writings by composers about music.
7. Encounter new American music and categorize it into the general context of the history of American
music.
8. Build a synthesis of information derived from class and individual study.
MUL535, Fall 2014, page 2 of 6
Course Requirements
Evaluation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Tests – three tests including listening identification – 130 points each (390 points total)
Written Responses to Readings for Class Discussion - ten at 20 points each (200 points)
In-Class Presentations – three at 50 points each (150 points total)
Final Project (10-12 page paper, PowerPoint presentation, annotated bibliography) - 250 points
Participation and Preparation - 10 points
6. Total points for the semester – 1000 points
7. Any student caught cheating on any of the above assignments will receive a zero grade for that
exercise. A subsequent offense will result in disciplinary action through the office of the Dean
of Students.
Grade Scale:
A = 900-1000 points
B = 800-899 points
C = 700-799 points
D = 600-699 points
Writing Assignments
The following format will be used in all written assignments: All papers are to be double-spaced,
with standard margins (no more than .75” left and right, no more than 1” top and bottom). Your font
should be 12-pt Times New Roman or Helvetica, printed in black ink. Please be sure your name and this
course number are clearly labelled on the front of the document and that all pages are firmly stapled together. If your paper is formatted incorrectly, five (5) points will be deducted.
The final project will be submitted to turnitin.com in advance of submission in class. Make sure you
establish a turnitin.com account and a link to this class, #8221944, with password “Ives.” All documentation will be in Chicago Manual of Style format, including Bibliography and footnotes.
Written assignments in hard copy are due at the beginning of class on the date scheduled. Any work
handed in after class has begun will be considered late. LATE WORK WILL BE PENALIZED FIVE
(5) POINTS PER CALENDAR DAY.
Written Responses to Readings for Class Discussion - 20 points each
Throughout the semester, excerpts of primary source material from the Alexander and Tick/Beaudoin
books are assigned to supplement the main text and lecture materials. These written responses are due at
the beginning of each class for which they are assigned. Students should write a brief paragraph for
each excerpt, which should include:
- 2-3 sentences giving an objective summary of the reading
- 2-3 sentences of subjective criticism - how did the reading expand, complement, challenge, or change
your existing knowledge of American music?
- No additional research or documentation is required for this assignment. It is not necessary to tie the
paragraphs together in any sort of essay form. However, each self-contained paragraph should be
well-written and concise, using correct grammar and style.
MUL535, Fall 2014, page 3 of 6
In-Class Presentations - 50 points each
Students will make presentations (20-25 minutes in length) to the class on topics provided by the
instructor. The student may choose to use a Powerpoint or other media presentation. The presentations
should include:
- a brief handout for the class members (the instructor can make multiple copies for the class if the
handout is received via e-mail no later than noon on the day of the presentation)
- a bibliography for the instructor — 5-6 sources in Chicago Manual of Style format, which should
include the New Grove Dictionary of Music and the New Grove Dictionary of American Music and the
Alexander and Tick readings assigned for that day; and may include any additional Alexander or Tick
readings deemed applicable, or external sources
- musical examples as applicable to the topic - the classroom can accommodate CD, iTunes, and
YouTube video
- time for discussion and questions relating to the presentation and the assigned Alexander and Tick
readings
Final Project (10-12 page paper, PowerPoint presentation, annotated bibliography) –
250 points
You will be required to compile a portfolio of research and writing on a personal topic, chosen in
collaboration with the instructor. Topics will be decided at the beginning of the semester, and will
require synthesis of relevant material from the course content as well as complementary research from
outside sources. The assignment must be 10-12 pages in length. At least eight research sources
beyond the textbook/class discussion must be listed in the bibliography and must include
research from the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the New Grove Dictionary of
American Music, as well as at least four additional printed BOOKS or ARTICLES in addition to
any reliable internet resources. S tudents are encouraged to pursue sources early, in case InterLibrary Loan services are required. Additional information on the essay will be posted on the class
website. This essay will also be submitted by the student to turnitin.com before the assignment due date
of Monday, December 8. Make sure you establish a turnitin.com account and a link to this class,
#8221944, with password “Ives”.
Attendance:
- The course is not graded on attendance, but roll will be taken and class attendance may be considered
as a grading factor in a borderline situation. Class attendance and participation is vital to the
educational process. If class is missed regularly (20% or more), the instructor may reserve the right to
withhold the option to make up missed exams.
- Tests will NOT be made up unless the instructor is notified prior to the test date. In case of illness or
emergency, a doctor’s excuse will be required for a make-up to be scheduled at the instructor’s
convenience.
- If a student misses one-third of regularly scheduled lectures without written documentation, that
student shall receive a grade of F*.
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.
MUL535, Fall 2014, page 4 of 6
University of South Alabama Policies
S tudents with Disabilities
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will
be afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of S pecial S tudent S ervices (OS S S ) 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 S pecial S tudent S ervices. OS S S is located at 5828 Old S hell Road at Jaguar Drive (251-460-7212).
Academic Disruption Policy
The University of S outh Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The Lowdown, the student handbook.
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicdisruption.shtml
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.
S tudent Academic Conduct Policy
The University of S outh Alabama’s policy regarding S tudent Academic Conduct Policy is found
in The Lowdown, the student handbook.
http://www.southalabama.edu/lowdown/academicconductpolicy.shtml
The University of S outh Alabama is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of
inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained.
The University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by
the Constitution and the Code of Alabama and to educating students relative to their responsibilities.
Additional Resources
Information about the University Writing Center is available at http://southalabama.edu/writing/
or by calling 460-6480. You may utilize the Writing Center at any point in the writing process keep in mind that they are an instructional facility, not an editing service. There is also online
assistance at the Online Writing Lab http://www.southalabama.edu/writing/smarthinking.html.
There is also excellent information on plagiarism and how to avoid it at:
http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/instruction/Faculty/plagiarism.html
MUL535, Fall 2014, page 5 of 6
Course Calendar
MUL 535, Fall 2014
This schedule may be modified with appropriate written notice. Regular attendance will insure that
you are informed as to any changes made in the semester schedule. Beginning on September 8, the
class will be comprised of two parts (except when tests are given). Presentations by students will begin
each class, amplifying topics from the previous class. This information includes supplemental readings
from Alexander (A) and Tick (T) - listed separately, and the subject of the Written Responses
described above. Chapter readings for the following lecture material are taken from Crawford (C).
Date
8/18
Material
Syllabus; Introduction
Colonial Music - Secular/Sacred
Readings
C 1-2
Research Writing “Boot Camp” (mandatory):
Sunday, Aug. 24 - 6-9 pm OR
Monday, Aug. 25 - 4-7 pm
8/25
[Hour 1 is occupied by Writing “Boot Camp”]
C3
Written Responses - A3, A9, A11-1, T5, T6
Lecture - Sacred Music of the Republic; Music Education - Lowell Mason
9/1
Labor Day – no class
9/8
Presentations - Psalmody; Lowell Mason
Written Responses - A17, A21, A25, T18, T27
Lecture - Antebellum Music
C 4-5
9/15
Presentations - Gottschalk; early band or classical concert music
Written Responses - A16, A42, A57, T28, T35, T37
Lecture - Minstrelsy and Popular Song; Review
C6
9/22
Test #1
Lecture - Popular music after the Civil War
9/29
C7
Presentations - Foster; Tin Pan Alley; Sousa and the band tradition
Written Responses - A33, A71, A72, T49, T51,
Lecture - Classical Music Comes of Age; Second New
C8
England School; Ives
MUL535, Fall 2014, page 6 of 6
10/6
Fall Break - no class
10/13
USA Choir Concert - “American Songscapes”
[you will write a brief response to this concert to serve as one of your 10
“Written Responses” for the class - it is due, with the program, on 10/20]
10/20
Presentations - Charles Ives; the Second New England School; Building the orchestras
Written Responses - A58, A59, A76, T50, T56, T61
Lecture - Musical Nationalism; Ethnomusicology
C9
10/27
Presentations - Spirituals; Native American music; Folk tradition
Written Responses - A56, A61, A90, A91, T48, T57, T65
Lecture - Popular and Classical Music 1900-1920; Blues and Popular Song
C 10, 11 (256-263, 274-279), 12 (280-
286)
11/3
Test #2
Lecture - Concert Music between the World Wars;
Film Music and Musical Theater
C 13, 15 (361-374)
11/10
Presentations - Modernist composers (Cowell, Seeger); Gershwin; Harlem Renaissance;
Musical Theatre or Ragtime; Film Music
Written Responses - A80, A82, A85, T92, T106
Lecture - Blues/Gospel/Folk before WWII
C14, 16-17
Classical, Popular Music after WWII
11/17
JAZZ! (with Dr. Mike Phillips)
11/24
Presentations - Postwar (Carter, Cage); Blues; Rock and Roll
Written Responses - A101, A104, A107, T109, T124, T131
Lecture - Neo-romanticism, Minimalism; MTheatre1970s and Micro-tonality
C 18 (446-450), 19 (485-492)
12/1
Presentations - Minimalism (Riley, Reich, Glass); Harrison/Partch/Johnson; MTheatre
Written Responses - A109, A110, T126, T134, T143, T144
Lecture - Classical/Film 1980-present
495-502, 514-527, 549-556
Review for Final Exam
287–303, 375-384, 396-406, 441-445, 531-536
Final Exam: Monday, December 8 (note change from assigned date of Dec. 10)
Test #3, including listening (+ cumulative material)
Final Project due on Monday, December 8
Last day to drop this course - October 24, 4:59 pm