MUL 101 sec. 103 - Introduction to Music
Dr. Robert Seebacher
Fall 2014
Office Hours By Appointment
Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, Room 1106
e-mail: rseebacher@southalabama.edu
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:05 a.m. to 9:55 a.m.
This syllabus contains all of the information that you will need to form a basis for success in this class.
There are numerous references to websites or resources within the University. It is suggested that you
fully explore these references if you do not completely understand the entire policy or resource being
referenced in summation on this syllabus.
Required Materials:
1. Text: Machlis/Forney: The Enjoyment of Music (Shorter Eleventh Edition)
2. The Norton Recordings (Shorter Version) to match the Eleventh Edition Text (either the 4 CD
package or the DVD package is acceptable.)
3. Notebook
4. Writing Utensil(s)
Course Format:
This course contains elements of both lecture and seminar. This course is Web Enhanced.
Course Description:
This course focuses on basic materials of music and the great style periods of musical literature in the
Western World. As with most 100 level classes, a high importance will be placed upon the development
of written assignments and effective note taking.
Objective:
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of artistic and literary endeavors.
This class aims to provide a basic understanding of the language and cultural heritage of Western art
music through guided listening, reading, discussion, and concert attendance. Furthermore this class aims
to increase the student’s ability to listen to all styles of music with increased perception, to expose the
student to a variety of musical experiences, and to develop an appreciation for Western music culture.
Attendance:
The course is not graded on attendance, strictly speaking, but attendance will be taken daily, and
class attendance and participation will be considered as a grading factor in a borderline situation
where the student is close to gaining the next higher grade. If you are the recipient of an athletic or
academic scholarship, the instructor may be required to report your attendance record and academic
performance to the University department that oversees your funding. It is the student's
responsibility to contact the instructor regarding any absence from a class or exam that is the result
of a true, documented illness or emergency. In any case, the instructor will not review lecture
material missed by an absent student. The instructor will not redistribute materials to a student that
failed to attend the class session at which the materials were originally utilized. Students are
encouraged to form friendships with other students in this class so that each student has a resource
for missed notes and materials. Class attendance is vital to your success. Copious note taking is
highly advised.
YOU WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL IF YOU REGULARLY MISS THIS CLASS.
Exams and Quizzes:
Four exams will be given during the semester. These exams will include material taken from all
lectures, discussions, readings, and assigned listening examples that pertain to the given era(s) of
study. The last exam will be given during the assigned date and time as shown on the “Final
Examination Schedule” and will include material taken from the entire semester (the final exam is
comprehensive).
All quizzes are unannounced and may not be made up unless a student misses a class with a
DOCUMENTED illness or emergency. Generally, there will be four quizzes, each are worth 25
points.
Exam dates are given in this syllabus but may be changed as the course progresses. (See “Changes to
This Syllabus.”) Make-up exams will only be administered in the event of a DOCUMENTED illness or
emergency. The make-up exam will be rescheduled at the convenience of the instructor (most likely in
the early morning between 6 and 7 am). A DOCUMENTED illness or emergency is defined as such an
event that produces a script, excuse, or letter of explanation issued by a recognized professional.
Exam 1 (Materials of Music, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque)
September 22, 2014
Exam 2 (Classical)
October 29, 2014
Exam 3 (Romantic)
December 3, 2014
th
st
Final Exam (20 -21 c. and comprehensive ideals) Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 8:00 a.m.
Students not in attendance promptly at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 will not be
permitted to take the final exam and will receive a score of 0 (zero) on the final exam.
Course Topical Outline:
This class is designed to be holistic, thus the progression of topics will evolve and change during the
semester. We will not be guided by a calendar of topics, but rather a series of knowledgeable
discussions that will introduce many of the topics below. Again, regular attendance is crucial to your
understanding of this material.
Introduction to the course
Concert Report Format
Melody & Rhythm
Harmony
Texture, Form, Tempo and Dynamics
Instruments, Ensembles
Instruments, Ensembles, Review
Styles, Middle Ages; Listening Techniques
Middle Ages / Renaissance
Conclude Renaissance; Listening Techniques
Organization of Musical Sounds
Baroque and Baroque Musical style
Baroque: Vocal Music
Baroque: Instrumental music
Classic: Sonata forms
Classicism
Classic musical style and the Classic master
composers
Classic: Chamber music and Symphony
Classic: Symphony
Classic: Concerto and Sonata
Classic: Vocal forms
Romanticism and Art Song
Art Song, Piano Pieces and Program music
Concert overture, Incidental music
Romantic: Program music
Nationalism
Tone Poem
Ballet
Romantic: Absolute forms, Choral music
Romantic: Opera, Music drama, and Review
Impressionism
20th Century: U.S. Serious music and Theater
20th Century: U.S. Blues/Jazz/Swing
Late 20th Century Ideals (Minimalism, Movie
Music, etc.
Live Performance Attendance and Concert Reports:
Attendance at four live performances is required during the semester. Attendance at these concerts
and the written report are required. Each report will be worth 50 points. You must do the following:
1) attend the entire program, 2) attach a printed program and ticket from the event to the back of
your report, 3) report on the program as if you were describing it to a musician or informed listener
in another location, and 4) comment about the music almost exclusively. Use correct spelling and
grammar. Reports must be typed (no handwritten reports will be accepted) and must be presented
for credit in hard-copy form only. Font size should be similar to 12 point Helvetica or Times. The
paper must utilize standard margins and must be double-spaced. You must staple the entire
package before submitting. Should any of the above criteria be missing, ignored, or is otherwise
lacking, the instructor will not accept the paper.
These concerts must be considered “classical” in nature, and may include orchestra concerts, opera
productions, band concerts, and choir concerts. It must be a live performance, with no recorded backup
or accompaniment, and must be considered a “concert” as opposed to entertainment at a social function
or ancillary entertainment that is a secondary function of another event. If you have any questions about
what is appropriate, check with the instructor first. It is the student's responsibility to verify the status
of all scheduled concerts/events. A list of approved concerts for MUL 101 students can be found at:
http://www.southalabama.edu/usa/music/recitalattendance
With in the first three weeks of class, the instructor will present a detailed lecture on constructing
these papers. Clear, precise, and detailed guidelines will be presented as well as suggestions about
forming a thesis statement and constructing a paper that supports said thesis.
The rubric, which details the grading structure of the paper, is attached to this syllabus.
Concert reports are due at 9:05 a.m. on the following class dates:
Concert Report #1 due not later than September 19, 2014
Concert Report #2 due not later than October 24, 2014
Concert Report #3 due not later than November 21, 2014
Concert Report #4 due not later than December 10, 2014 (at 8:00 a.m.)
Reports will be accepted only if submitted personally, in class (no exceptions). When in doubt,
submit your paper BEFORE the due date.
Any reports handed in late will be subject to a grade reduction (see criteria below). (Of course,
any report may be turned in earlier than the due date.)
! up to one class late = only 40 points possible rather than 50
! up to two classes late = only 30 points possible rather than 50
! after two classes late = no credit will be given
Grading:
Quizzes
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Concert Reports (4 @ 50)
100 points
100 points
100 points
130 points
200 points
200 points
Total
830 points
Your letter grade will be determined by the percentage of points you have earned divided by the total
points available for this course according to the following percent ranges:
100% - 90% = A
89% - 80% = B
79% - 70% = C
69% - 60% = D
Below 60% = F
There may be instances during which class will be cancelled. It is the right of the student to
request missed time by the instructor. Please contact the instructor if you feel you have not
received adequate instructional time.
Changes to This Syllabus:
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.
Some due dates may be changed to a more advantageous date for the student. Any changes to this
syllabus will be presented to the student in writing and/or distributed to the student via their University
e-mail account.
(See “Important Notice Regarding Your University E-mail Account.”)
Important Notice Regarding Your University E-mail Account:
The primary means of communication outside of this class will be via your UNIVERSITY e-mail
account (not a personal e-mail account). It is the student’s responsibility to set-up, maintain, and check
this account daily. Changes to this syllabus will be sent via e-mail to the student’s university e-mail
account.
For your convenience, the following section addressing University Email is copied from the
Undergraduate/Graduate Bulletin 2013-2014:
“Each student admitted to the University of South Alabama is assigned a free, permanent, official
University e-mail address (@jagmail.southalabama.edu). Most changes in University policies and
official University correspondence will be transmitted via the student's official e-mail account.
Instructors may also utilize this address to communicate with students. Students are responsible for
regularly reading e-mail sent to this address. The official University e-mail address cannot be changed,
but students may elect to have official mail forwarded to any other personal e-mail address. To activate
your jagmail account, select that link on the University's PAWS web site
at http://paws.southalabama.edu.”
Any questions, concerns, or problems relating to your University email account should be addressed as
soon as possible with the Office of Academic Computing at 251-460-6161.
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/academicconductpolicy.shtml: The University of
South 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.
Academic Conduct offensives, in any form, including any and all forms of plagiarism, will be reported
as described in the University’s Policy and will result in a grade of “F” (zero points awarded) for any
and all assignments, tests, quizzes, or other course grading associated with the offense.
Simply stated, this instructor of this course will enforce the Academic Conduct Policy with out
hesitation and with absolutely no exception.
Students with Disabilities:
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with bona fide disabilities will be
afforded reasonable accommodations. The Office of Special Student Services (OSSS) 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 Special Student Services. OSSS is located at 5828 Old Shell Road at
Jaguar Drive, (251-460-7212).
Academic Disruption Policy:
The University of South Alabama’s policy regarding Academic Disruption is found in The Lowdown
(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.
Students are expected to be cordial, courteous, and respectful of faculty members and fellow students.
Use of Audio Recording Devices and Computers:
Some students find it helpful to record lecture sessions. Permission is herby granted by the instructor
to utilize audio (not video) recording devices in this class. The student may only use these recordings
for personal, non-public studying purposes.
Computers are allowed only for the purpose of taking notes. You must utilize a word processing
program for note taking (such as Microsoft Word). You may not e-mail notes, distribute them to
anyone, sell them, or paste images or other documents into your notes. You may not use a computer in
any way during an exam. Any usage of your computer for reasons other than note taking during
designated lecture sessions will be considered academic disruption (see “Academic Disruption
Policy”) and full disciplinary action, as allowed by the University, will be pursued. In short, paper and
pencil is the preferred means of note taking in this class.
Assistance with Writing:
The University offers, as a resource to students, the “University Writing Center.” Students that are
experiencing challenges with their writing assignments are encouraged to seek assistance from this
center. Please note that the tutors at the Writing Center will not compose a paper for a student. They are
not an editing service. Rather, the student should form the basic ideas that will best fulfill the assignment
and include, if possible, a draft of an intended thesis statement. The student should compose a draft of
the paper. The student should then schedule an appointment with a tutor at the Writing Center to assist
in the editing of the paper’s structure, content, and flow as well as establish a strong thesis statement that
is well supported. The student should take their class notes with them, particularly the notes from the
lecture session during which the instructor gives the student clear and detailed expectations of the paper.
Online Writing Support:
The University of South Alabama provides online writing tutoring services through SMARTHINKING,
an online tutoring service. SMARTHINKING is available at http://services.smarthinking.com. Students
may enter the site by logging on with their Jag number and using the last four digits of the social
security number as the password. For log-on problems, technical questions and/or on-campus writing
assistance, contact the USA Writing Center at 251-460-6480 or e-mail csaint-paul@usouthal.edu.
Information about the University Writing Center and Online Writing Lab can be found online at
http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/instruction/antiplagiarism/writinghelp.html.
Counseling and Testing Services
The University of South Alabama Counseling and Testing Services provide a variety of free and
confidential services for students.
For further information regarding this resource go to www.southalabama.edu/counseling or call the
office at 251-460-7051. Counseling and Testing Services are located at 326 Alpha Hall East.
ACCESS TO STUDENT RECORDS (FERPA regulations)
1. No information from records, files, or data directly related to a student other than that defined as
"directory information" (name, address, phone number, email address) shall be disclosed or released to
any individual or agency outside the University with prior written consent of the student, except lawful
subpoena or court order.
2. Academic records will be available to faculty and University personnel for legitimate educational
purposes ONLY (e.g. advising).
3. The student will have the right of access and review of all such information.
4. Parents may request access to student records by submitting the appropriate form to the Registrar's
Office.
At the end of the semester, the instructor reserves the right to give no final exam and semester grade
results until after the grade notification has been made to students through USA's PAWS system.
Complete information regarding FERPA regulations can be found in the “Student Record Policy”
section of The Lowdown, A Student Handbook.
Scoring Rubric for MUL 101 Concert Reports
INTRODUCTION
Setting
Thesis Statement
CONCLUSION
MUSICAL
AWARENESS
Awareness of core
concepts and
structural
characteristics of
music.
CRITICAL
ANALYSIS
STYLE
Sentence flow,
variety, vocabulary,
diction & tense
MECHANICS
Name ________________________
4
3
2
1
Well-developed
introduction engages
the reader and creates
interest. Thesis
clearly states a
significant and
compelling position.
Conclusion
effectively wraps up
and goes beyond
restating the thesis.
Introduction creates
interest. Thesis
clearly states the
position. Conclusion
effectively
summarizes topics.
Introduction
adequately explains
the setting, but may
lack detail. Thesis
states the position.
Conclusion is
recognizable and ties
up almost all loose
ends.
Setting details are a
random collection of
information. Thesis is
vague or unclear.
Conclusion does not
summarize main
points.
Well-developed main
points directly related
to the thesis. Musical
descriptions are
concrete and detailed.
Main points are
related to the thesis,
but one may lack
details. Musical
descriptions use some
details.
The narrative
describes the event,
but is lacking in
detail about the music
itself.
The narrative
contains very little
accurate description
of the event or the
music.
The narrative
provides significant
critical analysis of the
event well supported
by musical examples.
Logical progression
of ideas with a clear
structure that
enhances the thesis.
Language usage is
mature and graceful.
The narrative
includes critical
analysis with some
supporting detail.
The narrative
includes some critical
analysis with no
supporting detail.
There is little critical
analysis in the
narrative.
Writing is clear and
sentences have varied
structure. Diction and
tense usage is
consistent.
Writing is clear, but
sentences may lack
variety. Language
usage is mostly
appropriate.
Writing is confusing,
hard to follow.
Contains fragments
and/or run-on
sentences.
Inappropriate diction
and tense usage.
Punctuation, spelling,
capitalization is
correct. No errors.
Punctuation, spelling,
capitalization is
generally correct,
with few errors.
Several errors in
punctuation, spelling,
capitalization.
Distracting errors in
punctuation, selling,
capitalization.
Successful Attendance/Behavior at Entire Concert
_______
(22 points possible)
Introduction/Conclusion
_______
(4 points possible)
Musical Awareness
_______
(8 points possible, score x 2)
Critical Analysis
_______
(8 points possible, score x 2)
Style
_______
(4 points possible)
Mechanics
_______
(4 points possible)
Total Points
_______
(50 points possible)
Grade ________
A = 50 - 45 points
B = 44 - 40 points
C = 39 - 35 points
D = 34 - 30 points
Objective Score (Musical Awareness + Critical Analysis) = _________