Syllabus and Contract
Pasadena City College
History of Rock Music
Music 24B Section 32343
Spring Semester 2015
Instructor: Selina (Traylor) Perera
Room: Center for the Arts 210
Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30pm-6:55pm
Email: superera@pasadena.edu
Course Objectives:
This course will be a survey of rock music from the late 1940s to the present, including its socio-cultural and
historical development. There will be a close examination of the roots and early development of rock, with a
focus on the stylistic trends and important artists. You’ll be required to attend at least one live musical
performance.
No credit if taken after music 127.
54 hours lecture and 18 hours in the music laboratory. Transfer Credit: CSU, UC.
Student Learning Outcomes: (Things you should be able to do by the end of the semester)
From information provided in lectures/discussions, video presentations, guided listening and required concert
attendance, students will be able to:
1. Describe the elements of music in general.
2. Discuss the ways in which politics, socio-cultural, and economic factors have shaped the music industry and
the development of rock and popular music.
3. Distinguish and analyze, through critical listening and observation, the various instruments, forms, and
cultural intricacies of rock music.
Student Performance Outcomes: (Things you will do that will help you master the items listed above)
1. Distinguish and analyze, through critical listening, the various instruments, forms, and styles in rock and
popular music.
2. Recognize and identify the major performers, composers/producers/arrangers of rock and popular music
throughout the era studied.
3. Successfully critique a live concert performance.
Course Requirements:
Reading Assignments
Readings will come from the required textbook: American Popular Music: The Rock Years, by Larry Star and
Christopher Waterman (2006). Reading assignments are listed on the day they are DUE.
Written/Aural Assignments
Listening Reports
Students are required to submit two listening reports, each containing approximately 20 entries based on
listening examples presented in class. Most of the examples will be from the textbook. You will hear listening
examples in class and you will also study those same examples in the music lab/library. You may be required to
listen to additional examples outside of class. Your lab hours should be dedicated to completing these
reports/studying for the listening portion of the exam. The purpose of the listening assignment is to familiarize
you with the music of the era or eras being discussed. The listening reports will assist you in your preparation
for the exam. Each listening report will count for 5%. Guidelines for the assignment are attached to this
document (page 5), and they are also available on my Pasadena web space (in the syllabus document).
(2 reports, 5% each= 10%). DUE March 4 and May 4.
Concert Report(s)/Research Paper
Students must complete TWO written reports over the course of the semester. You are required to attend at
least ONE live “rock” (or any of the traditions presented in the text book) concert and WRITE a 2.5-3.5 page
report. Ideally, you should write two concert reports, however you will also have the option of writing one
concert report and one (6-8 page) research paper on the topic of your choice (topic must be approved in
advance. Guidelines for the research paper will be presented on a separate document). If you are unsure about
your choice of concert, please see me. Each concert report or research paper counts for 15% of your overall
grade. Please consult attached guidelines for more information (page 4).
(2 reports, 15% each=30%). DUE March 18 and April 22.
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Exams
There will be two exams given during the course of the class. Exam 1 will evaluate your knowledge of
everything covered during the first portion of the semester, and Exam 2 will cover the second portion (in other
words, the final exam is not cumulative). There will be no make-ups! In case of an emergency, a doctor’s note
or evidence of a police report will be required. Any pop quizzes given will NOT count toward your exam
grade, but rather toward your “Attendance and Participation” grade (see below).
(Exam #1, 20%, Exam #2, 25%)=45%
Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend every class, unless you have a written excuse. You are also expected to participate
when appropriate, including unannounced quizzes. Your attendance and participation will account for 15% of
your overall grade. If you do miss class, you are responsible for making up materials. That means finding out
from a peer or myself, what you missed during your absence. (Please note that although 18 hours of listening
are required, completion of this requirement will count toward 5% of your overall grade, leaving 10% for
attendance, participation and quizzes). Please note: Lab listening hours MUST be completed BY the time class
starts on the day of the final to receive credit. Attendance and Participation, 10%+lab hours, 5%=15%
Office hours:
Location-Adjunct Lounge on the third floor of the Center for the Arts building (CA 312)
Mondays (except for week 1 and holidays) from 5:00-5:30pm.
WEEK 1: Course Introduction and Intro to Elements of Music
January 12: Course Introduction
Written Assignment due Wednesday Jan. 21: Make a journal/log of your music listening practices for the
entire week. Try to observe the following: Where do you listen to music? When do you listen to music (study,
work, over dinner)? What music do you listen to and what music do you hear around you? (More details given
in class)
January 14: Introduction to the Elements of Music
WEEK 2: Introduction to the Elements of Music
January 19: No class- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
January 21: Introduction to the Elements of Music cont.
WEEK 3: Themes and Streams of American Popular Music
January 26: Read Ch. 1, pgs.1-17
January 28: Themes and Streams cont.
WEEK 4: The Prehistory of Rock ‘n’ Roll 1945-1955
February 2: Read Ch. 2, pgs. 18-52
February 4: Prehistory cont.
View the Grammy Awards on Sunday Feb 8, 8pm on CBS
WEEK 5: Advent of Rock ‘n’ Roll 1954-1959
February 9: Read Ch. 3, pgs. 53-91, Discuss Grammy Awards
February 11: Advent of rock cont.
WEEK 6: American Pop and the British Invasion, 1960s
February 16: No class (President’s Day)
February 18: Read Ch 4, pgs. 92-125
WEEK 7: More American Pop and British Invasion
February 23: The Beatles, Beach Boys, etc.
February 25: British Invasion cont.
WEEK 8
March 2: Review Session for Exam #1
March 4: EXAM #1 (Listening Reports are due!!!)
WEEK 9
March 9: No CLASS-Spring Break!
March 11: No CLASS-Spring Break!
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WEEK 10: Country and Soul
March 16: Read Ch. 5, pgs. 126-139
March 18: (CONCERT REPORT #1 DUE!!!)
WEEK 11: Urban Folk and The Rise of Rock
March 23: Read Ch. 5 continued pgs. 139-166. Bob Dylan, Beatles, Hendrix, Clapton, etc.
March 25: Rise of Rock cont.
WEEK 12: The 1970s, Rock Music and the Popular Mainstream
March 30: Read Ch. 6, pgs. 167-196. Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Santana, etc.
April 1: Mainstream cont.
WEEK 13: Outsiders Music: Country, Reggae, Punk, Funk and Disco
April 6: Read Ch 7, pgs. 196-230. Ramones, Bob Marley, Parliament Funkadelic, Bee Gees etc.
April 8: Funk, Reggae, etc. cont.
WEEK 14: The 1980s
April 13: Read Ch. 8, pgs. 231-267. Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen etc.
April 15: 1980s cont.
WEEK 15: Hip Hop and Alternative Rock
April 20: Read Ch. 9 pgs. 268-300 only
April 22: Concert Report #2 or Research paper Due
WEEK 16: Hip Hop and Alternative Rock cont.
April 27: Hip Hop cont. and the Seattle Sound
April 29: Final Exam review session
WEEK 17: Final Exam
Monday May 4, 5:30-7:30pm
FINAL EXAM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A few other very important items:
1.
This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. (While I do not anticipate any major changes, they
may very well occur. In this case, I will do my best to accommodate the majority of the students).
2.
PLAGIARISM is a serious crime.
This excerpt below comes from the PCC academic integrity bulletin at:
http://pasadena.edu/resource/accred_631.pdf
Responsibility of Students
The ultimate success of a policy on academic integrity depends largely on the degree to which the policy is willingly supported by students
themselves. Students are more likely to support a policy if they are informed and understand the reasons for the policy (as succinctly stated
above). Therefore, in an effort to encourage and support academic integrity at PCC, the following recommendations are made for
students:
• Study the Academic Integrity Policy and the Types and Definitions of Academic
Dishonesty.
• Be honest at all times.
• Act fairly toward others. For example, do not disrupt or seek an unfair advantage over others by cheating, or by talking or allowing eyes
to wander during exams.
• Take group as well as individual responsibility for honorable behavior. Collectively, as well as individually, make every effort to prevent
and avoid academic misconduct, and report acts of misconduct that you witness.
• Do not submit the same work in more than one class without the instructor’s permission.
All work submitted to fulfill course requirements must be work done by the student specifically for that course.
• Unless permitted by the instructor, do not work with others on graded coursework, including in class and take-home tests, papers, or
homework assignments. When an instructor specifically informs students that they may collaborate on work required for a course, the
extent of the collaboration must not exceed the limits set by the instructor.
• Know what plagiarism is and take steps to avoid it. When using the words or ideas of another, even if paraphrased in your own words,
you must cite your source. Students who are confused about whether a particular act constitutes plagiarism should consult the instructor
who gave the assignment. Also, study the types and definitions of academic dishonesty outlined in this policy.
• Know the rules - ignorance is no defense. Those who violate campus rules regarding academic misconduct are subject to disciplinary
sanctions, including suspension and dismissal.
Please also see the link below for more information:
http://www.pasadena.edu/ipro/policies/pcc_4520.pdf
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Music 24B: Guidelines for the Concert Report
Students will attend a rock music performance of their choice and write a 2.5 to 3.5-page (800-1000
words) report (double-spaced, 12 point times or times new roman font). The paper should contain
information regarding the performance as well as your own observations and analysis of the
performance. If the paper is too short, you will NOT receive full credit.
Section 1: Your first paragraph should provide the necessary information about the performance
(time, location, etc.)
-Where and when it occurred?
-Who performed?
Who attended?
-What type of venue did it take place in?
-What was the occasion?
-Pay attention to how the performers interact with one another and with the audience, and how the
audience responds to the music (dancing, socializing, sitting quietly). Consider the following
questions:
-How do the performers address the audience?
- When does the audience applaud (after the piece, during the piece, not at all) and why?
Section 2: You should write a few paragraphs describing the actual musical performance in detail.
This is the most important part of the report. Please be sure mention the titles of all pieces played
and describe at least 3 pieces in detail, being sure to answer the following questions:
-Title?
-What style?
-Composer?
-Instrumentation? (If different from other pieces)
-Any soloists?
-Musical Texture?
-Tempo?
-Dynamic contrasts?
-Language?
-Have we studied this piece in class? If not, does it remind you of anything we have learned in class
(what specific piece(s) and why)?
-How long was the piece (approximately)?
Section 3:Your final two paragraphs should contain your opinions about the performance
-Was it good, excellent, sub-par? Why?
-Also include any information about your personal experience:
-Did you notice anything about the music or the context that you haven’t before?
-Was this a completely new experience for you?
-Has the experience changed or expanded your understanding of musical performance?
Your papers will be graded for both content and grammar. Be sure to read through these parameters
as you are writing to ensure that you are addressing all the criteria. Proof of attendance (ticket stub,
dinner receipt, photograph of yourself at the event, etc.) is required. Late papers will be penalized.
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Music 24B Listening Report Guidelines
Example #_____
Title:
Artist/Performer(s):
Composer(s) (music and words):
Year recording was made:
1. Instrumentation: What kinds of instruments are used to produce the sound (one voice, 4 voices, drums,
chordophones, etc.)? Name as many as you can and be as specific as possible, including names of performers
when known.
2. Describe, in detail, the texture and timbre of the music (Is it rough, smooth, loud, soft, energetic, chaotic,
meditative, percussive, etc.)?
3. How would you describe the rhythm: Fast or slow? Steady beat or fluctuating? Is the meter duple, triple---does
it change?
4. List as many characteristics that you can that will help you remember this piece and distinguish it from others.
(BE VERY SPECIFIC HERE!!!!)
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