*College of Alameda : MUSIC 9 ONLINE (A1-30310) 3 UNITS
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD MUSIC
SUMMER 2012 : June 18th to July 26th
Instructor: David H. Sparks, M.M. (Ethnomusicology), M.L.I.S.
Contact & Office Hours: I check email daily M-F only
PREFERED CONTACT: Moodle Inbox
In Emergency: Peralta email <dsparks@peralta.edu>
Content and Objectives of the Course: To explore the rich history and
diversity of the musics of the world’s peoples. We will take an ethnomusicology
(anthropological) approach that studies music as an expression of people and
their cultures. In doing so we will not only consider the music, musicians, and
performance of global music traditions, but also the personal, social, political,
aesthetic, and sacred dimensions of music. We will cover a variety of styles
(including popular, folk, and traditional music) to reach an understanding and
appreciation of world music and its performance. This course does not require
any previous musical training or special knowledge of music. There are no
prerequisites for this course.
Learning Outcomes: This course is transferable to four year colleges for all
majors and may be used for Area 3 (Humanities) Requirements. You will need to
demonstrate proficiency in general reading, writing, and musical listening and
analysis. At the end of this course you will be able to

demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of world, especially
non-western, music and its performance;

define and describe the various forms and terminology of musical
compositions;
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differentiate and categorize different styles of music and the cultures
from which they are derived;
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identify the sounds produced by a variety of instruments considered
native to particular cultures.
Required Text: Soundscapes: Exploring Music in a Changing World, by Kay
Kaufman Shelemay, New York: W.W. Norton, 2006 & accompanying CDs (3).
Required Listening: Accompanying CDs with text. CDs will also be available for
listening in Moodle. Try to listen to all the chapter examples used in the text;
they are less than 1 min. long. Other required listening will be included in each
lesson. Also see the World Music Jukebox on text’s website.
Online Required Course Materials: See complete weekly schedule online at
http://online.peralta.edu/summer2012 for assignment details, readings, quizzes,
forums, and due dates. Lessons will be available on the Monday of each week,
but the first two weeks will be available now.
Once you’ve officially enrolled in the class using Passport, you must log-in into
Moodle using your Passport username/student number to see the course
materials. See instructions below. You are responsible for all lesson materials
presented in the lessons. The summer version of Music 9 is a condensed course.
This means that you are expected to complete in one week’s assignments, what
would take approximately three weeks during a regular semester. Be prepared to
dig into and enjoy new musical experiences. All assignments must be turned in
by the due dates. Late papers will be graded down.
There are SIX basic elements to each online lesson for this course:
1. READING/LISTENING: Textbook readings and listening examples;
other websites, listening examples and materials
2. FAMOUS ETHNOMUSICOLOGISTS – Bios of scholars and performers
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3. WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: specific questions to cover about assigned
reading and listening sent as attachments.
4. QUIZZES: At least one quiz per lesson over any and all materials
assigned.
5. Professional & Fun Activities: Learn about Ethnomusicology as well
as learn new musical feats and ideas related to the lesson
(Yes, you might be tested on these!)
6. FORUMS: Each lesson will have a FORUM to keep in touch with me
and other students. You will be asked to comment on specific ideas and
topics. More on forums below.
ONLINE RESOURCES: There is a major online resource provided by your
textbook publisher W. W. Norton & Company. There is a link in the Important
Resources section in Moodle.
Accessing the Course Online:
LOGIN:
 Login to the course (in Moodle):
http://online.peralta.edu/summer2012
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
Login Username = your PASSPORT username (first two letters of first
name followed by the first two letters of the last name followed by last 4
digits of student id #) (For example: hosi5678)

Login Password = your 8-digit Student ID# (Example:12345678) –
Note: your Student ID# is on your fee payment receipt or go to
PASSPORT Student Center and click on the “Demographic Data” link in
the personal information area. It is also printed on your student id card.

After logging in, you will see your courses listed on the right side of the
Moodle homepage under My Courses.
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
Click on the link for this class, Music 9 – A1 (30310) Introduction to
World Music (Online). You are now logged into the course.

The first time you enter the course, you will be asked to agree with the
Site Policy. Read the policy and click on yes.

Also, the first time you enter the course, you will need to update your
Profile for the class. Click on Profile on the left side of the course
screen, click on the Edit Profile tab. Update as needed the required
information (only the fields with an * are required). Also, you may want to
add a photo of yourself to your profile. The photo will appear next to your
posts in the Forums. When done, click on the Update Profile button at the
bottom of the screen.
Instructor Information
Name: David Hatfield Sparks, M. M. (Musicology/Ethnomusicology, M.L.I.S.
Contact Information: The best way to reach me is to compose a message
using the Inbox within Moodle (see directions below). I can also be contacted
at dsparks@peralta.edu -- but I prefer that you use the Inbox Moodle Mailbox &
you’ll get a faster answer.
Using the Inbox in Moodle to Send a Message to the Instructor:
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Login to the course within Moodle (see box above)
Click on Inbox and click on New email (top center of screen)
Click on Contacts
Click on the “To” box next to the instructor’s name, click on the “Close
This Window” button. You should now see David H. Sparks listed in the
“To” box of your message.
5. Type in a Subject (in the subject box) and type the text of your
message (in the message box)
6. Click on the Send button
7. Check back later within the inbox for a response from the instructor.
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** Every time you login to the course, check your Inbox for message from the
Instructor. This is how she will communicate one-on-one with students. It is
your responsibility to regularly check for messages from the instructor.
Office Hours: I will check my Inbox twice a day, Mon.– Fri. (not weekends). IF
YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR ARE HAVING ANY DIFFICULITIES,
PLEASE DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME!
Biography: I have a Masters of Music in Musicology/Ethnomusicology from the
University of Texas @ Austin. Focus of studies: African music in the American
Diaspora, Music and Gender, Music and Dance/Gesture, Music and the Sacred.
Besides teaching music and humanities in community college, I have published
scholarly articles on various topics in Ethnomusicology and participated in
numerous scholarly conferences and panel discussions. I have been a
professional musician for most of my adult life (keyboards, flute/recorder, drums,
voice). I studied Music Composition with William Sydeman @ Mannes College of
Music in New York City (now part of the New School) and with William Eaton @
Indiana University. Several of my compositions and theater pieces have been
performed.
Forum Postings
Forum postings are designed to get you thinking about the material and readings.
The instructor and all of the enrolled students for the class are able to view each
others’ postings in the Forums. In order to receive full credit, your post must
address the questions posed by the instructor in such a way as to demonstrate
critical thinking, make in-depth connections to the readings, music examples, and
videos, present unique ideas and be posted well in advance of the deadline in
order to give other students a chance to reply to your post. You must also
complete all of the tasks required of you as stated within the instructor’s posting
for each topic. Besides making your own comments on the Forum’s topic, you
will be expected to post at least one detailed comment another students post.
Forum postings (as with all other work) are due by 11pm on the due date.
Late posts will not be graded. Don’t wait until the night of the deadline for your
first post. Remember timeliness is considered as part of your grade (you must
post early enough that other students have a chance to reply to your post).
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The Forums will count heavily towards your class participation, so treat these
posts seriously and don’t be shy. Other good topics for forum discussion will be
the music you hear live and experience firsthand. All topics that relate to the
music we’re discussing in this course are relevant to Forums postings are
appropriate and encouraged. Remember to be polite and fair while posting.
These comments should not be critical or negative, but provide either detailed
agreement or disagreements. FLAMING (extreme, disrespectful, not useful
critical remarks will not be tolerated. The Forum is to discuss the music, not other
students or myself !
To Access the Forum:
1. Login to the course via Moodle
2. Click on the assigned forum link on the main course webpage
3. Read the Instructor’s posted message for that topic (Jane McKenna
is the author) and then post a reply (use the Reply link at the end of
the message, type in your message and click on the Post to Forum
button). You may also be required to reply to other students’ posts
(the number of required replies will be specified in the instructor’s post
for each topic). As other students reply, their messages will appear in a
list under the instructor’s post. To Reply to a Student’s Post: click on
their post title, read their post, click on the reply button, type your reply
in the message box and click on the Post to Forum button.
4. After the forum has been graded, you may view your grade by clicking
on Grades (on the main course webpage, left side of screen).
Assignments
Assignments are to be submitted by uploading documents through Moodle. Do
NOT e-mail the instructor with assignments attached. Assignments for each
week are due by 11pm on the due date. Late assignments will NOT be
accepted. Students should type their assignments save the files as .rtf file
type (rich text format) rather than in WORD. This makes it easier for the
instructor to grade.
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To Access and Submit Assignments:
1. Login to the course via Moodle
2. From the main course webpage, click on the file name of the assignment
due
3. Follow the detailed instructions given within the assignment link on how to
access, complete and upload that assignment.
Quizzes
Quizzes cover the readings and listening examples and are accessed through
Moodle. Quizzes are due by 11pm on the due date. Late quizzes will NOT be
accepted. Quizzes are timed (20 minute time limit) with only 1 try allowed.
To Access the Quizzes:
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Click on the assigned quiz from the main course webpage
Click on Attempt Quiz Now
Click on Ok and take the quiz
Note that once you begin the quiz the timer starts (20 minute time limit,
only 1 try allowed).
5. To submit the quiz, click on the Submit All and Finish button at the
bottom of the screen. Click on Ok and the click on Continue.
6. Quiz grades will be released after the quiz deadline has passed. Click on
grades (on the main course web page to see your score). The quiz will
not be graded until after the deadline. Once the quiz has been graded, you
can review the quiz (with the correct answers given) by clicking on the
quiz from the main course webpage and then clicking on your score (in the
summary table).
Final Paper
The final research paper is due on JULY 26th by 11pm. Detailed instruction
will be in Moodle. Discuss any concerns with me at anytime. Late papers
will not be accepted.
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SUMMARY OF REQUIRED ASSIGNMENTS:
Research Paper (5-8 pps.) –Choose a music or musician in which you
are interested and place this music or performer in the context of both its
“roots” and function in human experience as emphasized in the text and
lessons. You must get your topic approved by the instructor by July 8th.
Quizzes & Exams –These tests are comprehensive and might cover ANY
materials recently read, analyzed or discussed.
Lesson Assignments: You will be given points for completion of weekly
assignments that cover the text and listening examples will count towards
your final grade. These assignments can be used to explore a music area
of your interest and might be shared with the class.
Listening: Some familiarity with all examples used in the text is expected.
Please listen to all examples in each chapter, paying attention to the
explanations provided in the text.
Grading
Grades and instructor’s comments for each assignment can be viewed by
clicking on Grades on the course webpage. View the instructor’s comments in
the Feedback column on the Grades page.
The quizzes will not be graded until after the deadline. Once the quiz has
been graded, you can review the quiz (with the correct answers given) by clicking
on the quiz from the main course webpage and then clicking on your score (in
the summary table).
Grading System: Your grade will be determined as follows:
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Quizzes (5)
25% / points
Forums (5)
25% / points
Weekly Assignments (5)
25% / points
Final Quiz
10% / points
Topic Choice Summary &
Final Research Paper
15% / points
100% / points
Grading scale: A=91-100; B=81-90; C=71-80; D=61-70; F=60 and below
Attendance: Attendance and participation in the class will be determined by
turning in assignments and posting in Forum discussions is 50% of your grade!
Due dates & Tardiness: All homework (quizzes, assignments, forum discussion,
etc.) are due by the posted date. Late work is not generally accepted. If you have
emergency or extraordinary circumstances an official written excuse from an
appropriate official (doctor) must be sent to the instructor via email. For written
work, your grade will be deducted one letter grade for each week late. Exams
taken late must be negotiated with the instructor and are subject to lowered
grades.
Withdrawal: I do not drop students. It is the student’s responsibility to
withdraw/drop classes. Go to your counselor before June 21st to withdraw and
not receive a “W”. Last day to withdraw and not FAIL THE COURSE is July 16th.
See the Academic Calendar on the District webpage for more information.
Incompletes : Incompletes will not be given for the Summer semester. Contact
me in the case of a medical emergency. A doctor’s note will be required.
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