MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
HIALEAH CAMPUS
COURSE TITLE: JAZZ AND POPULAR MUSIC IN AMERICA
COURSE NUMBER: MUL 2380
SCHEDULE: M/W/F 7:00 – 7:50 am
TERM: FALL SEMESTER 2008
CREDIT HOURS:
3
PROFESSOR: Dr. SERGIO GONZALEZ
DEPARTMENT: LITERATURE, ARTS AND SCIENCES
OFFICE LOCATION/HOURS: 1219-1
M: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm; 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
T: 7:00 am – 8:00 am; 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
R: 7:00 am – 8:00 am; 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
F: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
PHONE #: (305) 237-8727
E-MAIL ADDRESS: SGONZAL5@MDC.EDU
COURSE DESCRIPTION: A survey of the development of popular and jazz music
with an emphasis on musical styles and outstanding artists.
COURSE COMPETENCIES: Course competencies provide a statement of the scope
and contents of the course, skills to be developed, and material on which students will be
evaluated.
COMPETENCIE 1:
The Student will demonstrate knowledge of the basic
terminology associated with popular and jazz music by:
a. Defining terms.
b. Accurately using the musical vocabulary in describing and
analyzing music.
COMPETENCIE 2:
The Student will demonstrate an understanding of jazz and
popular music styles by:
a. Describing selected styles.
b. Identifying the style of a musical selection.
c. Naming and discussing significant musicians associated with
styles of jazz and popular music.
d. Describing the roles of the instruments in selected jazz sand
pop ensembles.
e. Describing designated social, political, or technological events
that impacted the development of various styles.
COMPETENCIE 3:
The Student will demonstrate an understanding of the basic
elements of music as they relate to jazz and popular styles by:
a. Defining terms.
b. Describing how these elements are utilized and or combined in
various jazz and pop styles.
GENERAL EDUCATION OUTCOMES: At the completion of this course, the student
should be able to:
1. Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, and writing skills. These will be
assessed by class presentations and class papers were the student will state his/her
opinion and judgment after careful listening sessions.
2. Evaluate and apply information via concert attendance and report.
3. Demonstrate an appreciation for aesthetics and creative activities by being exposed to
different musical performances.
REQUIRED TEXT: THE BEAT GOES ON-POPULAR MUSIC IN AMERICA
2ND ED, MICHAEL CAMPBELL, THOMSON/SCHIRMER
ASSIGNMENTS: Activities include lectures, readings, listening, audio-visuals (slides,
films), and class discussions. Each lesson contains study questions to enhance the
students’ understanding of the textbook readings. These questions are designed to
provoke thought.
Class activities, include assigned readings and presentations. Analysis and
research work as assigned in the classroom. After having participated in classroom
discussions, attended lectures, viewed specific films, and musical listening, studied
specific works of music, and studied in accordance with various modes of instruction
chosen by the teacher, students will be able to meet each of the specific competencies.
FINAL PROJECT: Each student is to write a final paper on a musical topic of personal
interest. The paper is to be at least three (3) pages in length, typewritten and doublespaced. Students are encouraged to locate information through the text, the Internet, the
Miami-Dade Public Library System, or other outside sources. Please do not plagiarize
material!
CONCERT CRITIQUE: During the course of the semester, the student will attend two
live concerts or recital. Two LIVE (meaning you must be in attendance) concert critiques.
The concerts or recitals may be rock, jazz, hip-hop, rap, Latin, techno, metal, etc. The
essays should be at least three (3) pages in length, typewritten and double-spaced.
Guidelines for writing on a live concert performance
This segment is intended as a guide for writing your report on a Live Performance. You Do Not
have to address everything mentioned here, but it should be helpful to you. Of course you can write on
things not mentioned here so long as it is consistent with this kind of critique. The finished product should
be like a newspaper article of “700” Words (3 typed pages-12 font, which you are now reading), but double
spaced, using complete sentences, complete paragraphs and written in such a way that other students will
know what you mean. Assume that the reader has absolutely no knowledge of the group you are
describing.
Go to a live performance of Jazz, Pop, Rock or Contemporary Music. There are many places
throughout this area (Restaurants, cafes, clubs, schools, Churches, etc.) in which you can hear live music
for free, or for the cost of a drink or a snack. If you go to a school performance, Junior High or below is
not acceptable. Movies, videos, etc. are also not acceptable. Attach proof of your attendance to the back of
your review. Just write what you hear in your own words. I don’t expect it to be the quality of a
newspaper article, although it should be in that form. Make sure your ideas are well thought out. Here are
some things you may want to talk about. They may help you formulate some of your ideas. Remember to
address the music at hand, do not spend the majority of the article writing about non musical observations,
but rather, most of the article should be dedicated to surveying the musical performance. The report should
describe anywhere from three (minimum) to four (maximum) songs/selections (name the musical pieces
and composer and arranger) employing the musical elements learned in class.
Name of group or individual:
Name of selection(s): Name of selection(s) you are talking about (at least three). Describe the musical
elements of the selection you are describing including instrumentation, the types of beat (tempo), rhythm,
melody, harmony, texture, form, dynamics, etc.
Style or period: What style of music? Instrumentation: What instruments were used?
Vocal style: Spoken, shouted, clear, easy to understand, dialect, soft, smooth, foreign language.
Lyrics: Major themes, tells a story, underlying political message.
Rhythm, Tempo: Tempo speed (Fast, Slow, Medium), complex or simple rhythms? Could you feel a strong
beat? Did you get lost? Was the beat (groove) danceable?
Form: Did you recognize the form of any of the songs you heard? How many choruses or solos were
there? Was there improvisation? If so, by which instrument(s)? Describe improvisation(s).
Visual elements: Costumes, Staging, Choreography, Lighting, Dancing, other.
Was it a concert, restaurant, Jazz club, etc. Were the musicians well prepared?
Did they have a good command of their instruments? How did their playing affect you? What was the
audience’s reaction?
What political and/or social circumstances (if any) contributed to this style of music?
Include your supporting attendance documentation.
Perform a 5-7 minute oral lecture/presentation.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: Introduction to the course. Review syllabus. Elements and Identity of Popular
Music, chapter 1.
Week 2: Popular Music in the Nineteenth Century, chapter 2.
Week 3: The Emergence of African American Music, chapter 3.
Week 4: Review/Test 1.
Week 5: The Modern Era in Popular Music, chapter 4.
Week 6: Swing and Sweet, chapter 5.
Week 7: Musical Theater, chapter 6.
Week 8: Review/Test 2.
Week 9: Country and Folk Music, 1920-1955, chapter 7.
Week 10: Latin Music in the United States, chapter 8.
Week 11: Rhythm and Blues and Rock and Roll, 1945-1960, chapter 9.
Week 12: Review/Test 3.
Week 13: The Rock Revolution: Rock and Soul in the 1960s, chapter 10.
Week 14: Rock and Rhythm and Blues in the 1970s, chapter 11.
Week 15: Counterpoint: New Trends of the Late 1970s, chapter 12.
Week 16: Review/Semester Exam.
GRADING SCALES: The following criteria will determine each student’s final grade.
Test and quizzes:
Papers:
30%
20%
Final Project:
Final Exam:
25%
25%
ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is required. Excessive absences (more than three)
will result in a lowered grade. Active participation in class is necessary. Attendance will
be taken at the end of class.
DROPS: If students are unable to continue in the course, they must notify the instructor.
It is their responsibility to fill out an official withdrawal form with the registrar’s office.
If they do not officially withdraw, they may receive an F in the course.
TESTS: Only under DIRE circumstances (limited to unexpected death in the family,
automobile accidents, and medical emergencies only-must have proof of such!) will you
be allowed to make up a test. Other than these circumstances, there is absolutely NO
MAKE UPS! You must contact me by telephone or e-mail within twenty four (24) hours
after the emergency that prevented you from taking the test. Failure to contact me within
24 hours will result in a zero (0) for that particular exam.
CLASS DECORUM: As a matter of respect to others in the classroom, you are not to
engage in conversations unrelated to the current activities of this course, use cell phones
or other electronic devices (turn off such items before entering the classroom), or work
on anything unrelated to MUL 2380 during class time.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Cheating and/or plagiarism are inconsistent with the
guidelines established by the college. Any student caught cheating will fail the entire
course and faces possible expulsion from Miami-Dade College.
DISSABILITY ACCOMODATIONS: Students with documented disabilities who need
course adaptations or accommodations please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible.