COURSE SLO ASSESSMENT REPORT, SAC
Department: Music
Course: MUS 103 Jazz in America
Semester: spring Year: 2014
Faculty Member: Brian Kehlenbach
Semester: Fall
Institutional
SLO
1. Communication
Skills
b. Reading and
Writing
Students will read
effectively and
analytically and will
comprehend at a college
level. Students will
write in an organized
and grammatically
correct fashion to
explain their feelings
and support a
conclusion.
2. Thinking and
Reasoning
Student will identify and
analyze real or potential
“problems” and develop,
evaluate, and test
possible solutions using
creative thinking,
analysis and synthesis,
quantitative reasoning,
and/or transfer of
knowledge and skills to
a new context as
appropriate.
a. Creative Thinking
Students will develop
the skills to formulate
original ideas and
concepts in addition to
integrating those of
others in the creative
process.
Year: 2013
Course SLO
Express an
understanding of jazz
music, musical
concepts, and specific
contributions of
important musicians
using an appropriate
jazz terminology.
Method of
Assessment
Essay components of
exams and quizzes
graded on factual
accuracy, use of
appropriate vocabulary,
and clearly expressed
ideas.
Semester:
Outcomes
assessment
Students are not using
the vocabulary learned in
class to express their
ideas about the music in
specific terms.
Plan for
Implementation
Have students develop a
vocabulary log online
where they can keep track
of important descriptive
and conceptual terms
used in class. Encourage
then to draw upon their
list in their writing
In-class essays awarded
points based on accurate
use of technical music
vocabulary to describe
actual aural experience.
Write a music review of
a live jazz performance
that employs
descriptive, interpretive
and evaluative criticism
as well as an effective
use of an appropriate
musical vocabulary.
Concert reports and
awarded points based on
student's observations,
analysis, and clear
written expression.
Writing ability of
students varies widely as
do their quality of
critical observations and
interpretations of the
music.
Develop a shorter
assignment that requires
review of a recorded
composition so that
students can get feed
back in this area before
doing their term paper.
Spring
Reassessment
Essay components of
exams and quizzes
graded on factual
accuracy, use of
appropriate vocabulary,
and clearly expressed
ideas. Vocabulary to be
drawn from vocabulary
blogs.
Year: 2014
Outcome
Plan for
Implementation
Use of appropriate
terminology is much
better. Other issues of
grammar and structure
are still a concern.
Disseminate additional
resources for instructors
and students to improve
student writing.
This enhanced activity
helped the students to
hone their review
writing skills and led to
better concert review
papers.
Continue this enhanced
activity
In-class essays awarded
points based on
accurate use of
technical music
vocabulary to describe
actual aural experience
according to a detailed
grading rubric.
Recording report,
graded with instructor
comments, and then
concert report
assignment points
based on student's
observations, analysis,
and clear written
expression.
b. Critical Thinking
Students will think
logically in solving
problems; explaining
their conclusions; and
evaluating, supporting,
or critiquing the
thinking of others.
4. Diversity
Students will develop
individual responsibility
personal integrity, and
respect for diverse
peoples and cultures of
the world.
a. Cultural
Students will respect
and work with diverse
people including those
with different cultural
and linguistic
backgrounds and
different abilities.
Actively listen, and then
analyze the
characteristics and
context of music from
different stylistic periods
of jazz music and
distinguish between
music of those different
periods.
Express in written form
an assessment of the
various cultural
influences on jazz
including race relations,
the contributions of
women, and social
movements in the
United States,
Listening tests and
listening logs graded on
insights expressed
through the
identification of specific
musical features and
styles.
Different sections are
approaching the listening
logs in different ways
with uneven
effectiveness.
Essay components of
exams and quizzes
graded on factual
accuracy, use of
appropriate vocabulary,
and clearly expressed
ideas.
Students offer many
good insights into race
relations and cultural
awareness, especially as
it pertains to the Black
community.
Provide a standard format
and grading scheme to
instructors for listening
logs.
Listening tests and
listening logs in
standard format with
specific grading criteria
assessed based on
insights expressed
through the
identification of
specific musical
features and styles.
Enhance this aspect of
the class so that Hispanic
influences are reviewed
in more depth.
Essay components of
exams and quizzes
graded on factual
accuracy, use of
appropriate vocabulary,
and clearly expressed
ideas. More cultural
essay questions are
given throughout the
semester relating to a
variety of ethnic groups
More consistency noted
in this area.
Students are responding
with good essays in a
variety of areas with
regard to the cultures
that have made
important contributions
to jazz.
Review the format of this
activity in faculty
meeting and formulate a
structure that all are
comfortable using.
Include more information
on gender issues as they
relate to jazz music,
including the study of
more female jazz
musicians and
composers.