San José State University
School of Music & Dance
MUSC 100W, Written Communication II, Fall 2010
Instructor:
Gordon Haramaki
Office Location:
Music 107
Telephone:
(408) 924-4634
Email:
gharamaki@gmail.com
Please include “MUSC 100W” in the subject line of your email.
Office Hours:
Monday/Wednesday, 10:30-12:00
Tuesday/Thursday 10:30-11:30
Class Days/Time:
T/Th 9:00-10:15
Classroom:
Music 211
Prerequisites:
English 1A and 1B (with a grade of C or better); completion of
core GE, satisfaction of Writing Skills Test (WST) and upper
division standing.
GE/SJSU Studies Category:
Z
Faculty Web Page and MYSJSU Messaging
Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc. may
be found on my faculty web page at http://www.sjsu.edu/people/firstname.lastname or
accessible through the Quick Links>Faculty Web Page links on the SJSU home page.
You are responsible for regularly checking with the messaging system through MySJSU
(or other communication system as indicated by the instructor).
Course Description
Examines the process of critique, creative description, research, and professional
communications central to the performing arts. Students develop writing skills through
the study of varied formats focused on the arts. Writing about music and dance utilizes
specialized and challenging set of skills incorporating technical description, cultural
contextualization, subjective reaction, and certain stylistic conventions in a unique mix.
This course is designed to give you experience and guidance in developing these skills,
especially a basic competence in the use of technical musical and dance terminology.
Through topics pertinent to the music and dance, students will develop their ability to
write creative, well-organized, well-written papers in a variety of formats at an upperdivision university level.
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives
Students will be able to analyze, express, explain, develop, and criticize concepts and
ideas effectively in response to multiple readings and different forms of discourse (such
as audio recordings and video performances) both verbally in class discussion, keeping a
“Listening Journal,” and in writing through written summaries and responses at an upperdivision undergraduate level.
Students will be able to illustrate musical and dance performances in writing, both in
daily writing assignments and in the final critical essay, through description, utilizing
elements such as tempo, timbre, range, form, style, and genre to enable their reader to
hear and envision the work under discussion.
Students will be able to employ and develop the essential steps in the writing process—
prewriting, organizing, composing, revising, and editing—in the form of the preparatory
steps for a term paper in the form of a proposal, thesis statement, a 500-word and a 250word abstract, an outline, and an annotated bibliography for a critical essay (term paper).
Students will develop, organize, and write a critical essay (term paper) for both a
professional and general audience, using correct grammar, appropriate language,
constructing effective arguments, using pertinent supporting material, and including
appropriate editorial mechanics and standards for citing primary and secondary sources.
Students will be able to locate, analyze, and evaluate supporting materials for their
critical essay, demonstrating independent scholarly investigation in library research
assignments in the form and an annotated bibliography.
Students shall be able to write for different audiences (both specialized and general)
using a variety of technical writing formats, including a professional resume.
Required Texts/Readings
Textbooks
Richard Marius and Melvin E. Page, A Short Guide to Writing About History, 7th Edition,
New York: Pearson, ISBN: 9780205673704. Referred to as the “Guide” in the course
schedule.
D. Kern Holoman, Writing about Music: A Style Sheet, 2nd Edition, Berkeley and Los
Angeles: University of California Press, 2008. ISBN: 9780520256187. Referred to as
the “Style sheet” in the course schedule.
Other Readings
Copies of the course readings, major assignment sheets, and handouts may be found on
the course web page. Various handouts will be given in class.
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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Other equipment / material requirements
Please bring a loose-leaf notebook with removable 8.5 x 11 pages (please, not spiralbound) for in-class writing activities.
Library Liaison (Optional)
Patricia Stroh
The Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies
(408) 808-2059
E-mail: pstroh@email.sjsu.edu
Classroom Protocol
Students are expected to arrive on time, to read assignments given in the Course
Schedule, and come to class ready to participate in writing, editing, and reasoned
discussion. During class please turn off cell phones, pagers, and other messaging
devices.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop,
grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at
http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the
current academic calendar web page located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/academic_programs/calendars/academic_calendar/. The Late Drop
Policy is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should
be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Assignments and Grading Policy
Grading is based on satisfactory performance of the course requirements. No extra credit
will be given. Written assignments will be graded according to:
1. Reading the assigned essays, articles, and books
2. Correctly following assignment questions, prompts, guidelines, and length
requirements.
3. Quality, originality, and accuracy of content
4. Correct usage and spelling of names, dates, titles, technical terms, and concepts
5. Legibility, neatness, and completeness
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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We will be using the Chicago Style of citation, supplemented by D. Kern Holoman’s
Writing about Music: A Style Sheet.
Grade Scale and Percentage System
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
100-97%
96-93%
92-90%
89-87%
86-83%
82-80%
79-77%
76-73%
72-70%
69-67%
66-63%
62-56%
55 % and below
Late Policy
H o
d u
after
grade
m e w o r k
e
d a t e .
it is collected is
.
is
collected at the beginning of class o n
the
W o r k
t u r n e d
in during class
considered
l a t e, and will be penalized a half a
Late Listening Journals and Reading Responses will not be accepted after the class in
which they are due.
Homework received after class on the date that it is due will be penalized a full grade.
L a t e
w o r k will be penalized
a full grade
f o r
e a c h
d a y
after that, and late work will be accepted only until the next class meeting
after its due date.
Certain assignments—Listening Journals and Reading Summary and Responses will not
be accepted late.
Assignments
In-class writing, editing, participation, and presentation (5%)
We will be doing in-class writing, as well in-class editing of both your own and your
classmates’ work. In class writings will be handed in, and given a check for participation.
Your in-class critiques and editing of your classmates work should be seriousness and
thoughtful, and constructive.
Lively participation in general discussion will be noticed and appreciated, but so will the
ability to allow space for shyer or slower members of the class to contribute their views.
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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To further encourage equal participation, I will call on members of the class for responses
to discussion topics.
Reading Summary and Responses (20%)
We will be reading a variety of essays this semester on music, writing, and information
topics. You will turn in a typed summary and response for each of these essays, and be
ready to discuss the essay and your response. Each assignment is to be no less than 3
pages, and is due in class the day that we discuss each reading. For some readings you
may be given a prompt sheet for your response. Due to the topical nature and in-class
discussion of these assignments, no late Reading Summary and Responses will be
accepted.
Listening Journal (10%)
You will keep a Listening Journal, which we will discuss at the end of week two, and
these assignments may be typed or neatly handwritten. The objective is to get you
thinking in writing about what you hear (in the case of sound and music) and what you
see (in the case of movement and dance)—no more no less. Properly used, a diary like
this can make a valuable contribution to your skill as a writer—one learns to write by
writing—and offers a forum for you to engage repeatedly with music and movement.
A “Listening Journal Worksheet” will be handed out in class. You will turn in one
journal entry at every Thursday starting in week three, for a total of 10 entries over the
course of the semester. These journal entries, which should be at least a two pages long,
must use the following format, which we will discuss in class.
6. Entry number, i.e. “Listening Journal 1”
7. Date, time, place (and in-class—any class—does not count!)
8. Music or sonic event heard; dance or movement event seen. Please describe to the
best of your ability.
9. Was it your choice to hear or see this? If so, explain why. If not, explain why you
think it was happening at that place and time.
10. And most importantly—what did you learn from paying attention to this music/sonic
event or dance/movement?
Due to their ongoing nature, late Listening Journals will not be accepted.
Library Assignment (5%)
We will work on a library research project with Patricia Stroh, the School of Music &
Dance Library Liaison, during our two sessions at the MLK library on October 12 and
14 in Room 213.
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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Style Sheet Quiz (5%)
A short quiz on correct citation and style format.
Résumé (5%)
We will work on both a draft, and finished version of your résumé.
Critical Paper (50% total)
1. Proposal for Project (5%)
2. Annotated Bibliography (5%)
3. Abstract of paper, first version ~ 500 words (5%)
4. Abstract of paper, second version ~ 250 words (5%)
5. Paper Outline (5%)
6. Final Paper ~ 10-12 pages (25%)
The Critical Paper assignment is broken down into six components, each with its own
grade. The assignment is structured in this way in order to emphasize the importance in
writing of process and revision. The care and responsiveness you take will determine
your grade at each phase of the assignment. To this end, you must hand in each
successive phase of the assignment with all the preceding phases and drafts.
The Proposal is a presentation of possible topics and approaches for your Critical Paper.
The Annotated Bibliography will present the research materials that you have gathered
for your topic; from broad reference works (encyclopedias, etc.) to more specific
materials (books, journal articles, scores, recordings), and your annotations of your
bibliographical entries will state the reasons why each item is needed in your
bibliography.
For the 500-word Abstract, you will follow guidelines established in class in order to
create a description of your project, your main argument, what materials you will use to
support that argument, and why the reader should be interested in your topic. We will
focus especially on the creation of a strong thesis statement. The 200-word Abstract will
be revised into a 250-word version.
In the Paper Outline, you will flesh out the structure of the narrative flow of your paper,
based on your abstract and your further thoughts about your project. Your outline should
include an introduction, thesis, historical background support needed for your argument,
your supporting evidence (musical examples, diagrams, quotations, etc.), and conclusion
You will turn in your Proposal, Annotated Bibliography, 500- and 250-word Abstracts,
and Outline with your Writing Portfolio on the final day of instruction.
The Final Paper should be the best expression of your critical essay in considered,
polished, and corrected prose.
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Final Presentations, Dec. 7, 9, and 13
Students will present a brief conference-style summary of their papers and answer class
questions
University Policies
Academic integrity
Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose
State University. The University’s Academic Integrity policy, located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.htm, requires you to be honest in all your academic
course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of
Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical
Development website is available at http://www.sa.sjsu.edu/judicial_affairs/index.html.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without
giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For
this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise
specified. If you would like to include your assignment or any material you have
submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Policy
S07-2 requires approval of instructors.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need
to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an
appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential
Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must
register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/ to
establish a record of their disability.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center located on
the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer
labs may be available in your department/college. Computers are also available in the
Martin Luther King Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media
Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and
Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound
systems, wireless microphones, projection screens and monitors.
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center (LARC) is located in Room 600 in the Student
Services Center. It is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic
potential and to inspire them to become independent learners. The Center's tutors are
trained and nationally certified by the College Reading and Learning Association
(CRLA). They provide content-based tutoring in many lower division courses (some
upper division) as well as writing and study skills assistance. Small group, individual, and
drop-in tutoring are available. Please visit the LARC website for more information
(http://www.sjsu.edu/larc/).
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Room 126 in Clark Hall. It is staffed by
professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each
of the seven SJSU colleges. Our writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA
requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all
disciplines to become better writers. The Writing Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter/about/staff/.
Peer Mentor Center
The Peer Mentor Center is located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall in the Academic Success
Center. The Peer Mentor Center is staffed with Peer Mentors who excel in helping
students manage university life, tackling problems that range from academic challenges
to interpersonal struggles. On the road to graduation, Peer Mentors are navigators,
offering “roadside assistance” to peers who feel a bit lost or simply need help mapping
out the locations of campus resources. Peer Mentor services are free and available on a
drop –in basis, no reservation required. The Peer Mentor Center website is located at
http://www.sjsu.edu/muse/peermentor/
MUSC 100W: Writing Workshop, 41886, Fall 2010
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100W: Written Communication II,
Fall 2010 Course Schedule
Course schedule is subject to change with fair notice: schedule and due-date changes
will be announced in class.
Week
Date
1
Aug. 26
2
Aug. 31
Sept. 2
3
Sept. 7
Sept. 9
4
Sept. 14
Sept. 16
5
Sept. 21
Sept. 23
6
Sept. 28
Sept. 30
7
Oct. 5
Oct. 7
8
Oct. 12
Oct. 14
9
Oct. 19
Oct. 21
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
Introduction to course: Listening to and Writing about Music
Reading Responses
Reading Response 1; Christopher Small
Guide, Chapter 5, “Modes of Writing”
Listening Journals
Reading Response 2: Robert Krulwich
LJ 1
Guide, Chapter 1: Writing and History
Paper Topics
Reading Response 3: Norman Bryson
LJ 2
Guide: Chapter 2: Thinking about History
The Thesis
Reading Response 4: Tim Taylor
LJ 3
Guide, Chapter 6: Documenting Sources
Style Sheet, Chapters 1-4
Style quiz
Reading Response 5: Where the Hell is Matt?
Paper Proposal due
LJ 4
Abstracts
Reading Response 6: All Songs Considered
LJ 5
500-word Abstract due
Guide, Chapter 3: Gathering Information
*Library Research in MLK Library, Room 213
*Library Research in MLK Library, Room 213
LJ 6
Reading Response 7: Mitchell Morris
250-word Abstract due
LJ 7
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Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
10
Oct. 26
Oct. 28
11
Nov. 2
Nov. 4
Guide, Chapter 4: Notes and Drafts
Reading Response 8: William Osborne
Annotated Bibliography due
LJ 8
Outlining: The Classic Essay Form
LJ 9
12
Nov. 9
Nov. 11
Reading Response 9: Susan McClary
Veteran’s Day Holiday
13
Nov. 16
Nov. 18
14
Nov. 23
Nov. 25
Reading Response 10: Suzanne Cusick
Outline due
LJ 10
Outline Workshop
Resumes
Thanksgiving Holiday
15
Nov. 30
Dec. 2
16
Dec. 7
Dec. 9
Final
Exam
Monday,
Dec. 13
7:15-9:30
AM
Resume due
Resume Workshop
Resume Workshop
Final Resume due
Presentations, I
Presentations, II
Presentations, III
Critical Papers due
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