Angelina College
Department of Fine Arts
MUSI 1310 American Jazz Appreciation Online
General Syllabus
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An overview of the history of Jazz, including a discussion of its origin in the
Blues, identification of the styles, and familiarization with the prominent players
from the turn of the twentieth century to the current day. Three hour credit.
A. Intended Audience:
This class is for the general student and serves as the Fine Arts elective for the
Humanities core requirement.
B. Instructor
Name:
Larry Greer
Office:
Hudgins Hall HH 110 A – AC College
Phone:
(936) 633-5236
Email:
lgreer@angelina.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
II. INTENDED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
A. Core Objectives Required for this Course
1. Critical Thinking: to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and
analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
2. Communication: to include effective development, interpretation and
expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
3. Team Work: To include the ability to consider different points of view and to
work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
4. Social Responsibility: to include the ability to connect choices, actions and
consequences to ethical decision-making.
B. Course Learning Outcomes for all Sections
1. Identify characteristics of specific styles within the genre.
2. Name a representative artist from specific time periods.
3. Explore listening techniques associated with the various styles.
4. Learn the form used in the blues.
5. Develop an appreciation for jazz as a legitimate American art form.
6. Examine the origin of jazz and its influence on American music.
III. ASSESSMENT MEASURES:
A. Assessments for the Core Objectives:
1. Critical Thinking will be assessed by means of an AC developed rubric
which evaluates the student’s ability to assimilate information and form
an opinion as reflected in an end of the semester, comprehensive essay
which asks the question, “How did Jazz, an American Art Form,
contribute to the evolution of humanity within the confines of American
culture? Students will address social, racial, and economic issues in
their answer.
2. Communication Skills will be assessed by means of a check list
developed to evaluate the student’s ability for written, oral, and visual
communication as reflected in an exercise consisting of written concert
critiques. The students will describe oral communication with the
performers, and describe in detail the visual elements related to the
setting and performance.
3. Team Work will be assessed by means of an AC rubric which measures
the effectiveness and level of student participation in group assigned
projects. Groups of from four to five students will be given a topic for
On line discussion and points will be awarded for number and
effectiveness of entries.
4. Social Responsibility will be assessed using an AC rubric to measure
the student’s ability to ascertain the importance of the multicultural
elements of jazz, and how these elements have contributed to the
evolution of humanity. Topics will include social, racial, and economic
issues and will be addressed through an end of semester essay
question.
B. Assessments for Course Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to identify characteristics of specific styles within the
genre and will be assessed through questions embedded in periodic exams.
2. Students will be able to name a representative artist from specific time
periods as reflected in periodic written assignments.
3. Students will explore listening techniques associated with the various styles
and become proficient at identifying these styles aurally. Students will be
tested through aural identification.
4. Students will become familiar with the form used in the blues and will be
assessed through online discussions and periodic chapter exams.
5. Students will develop an appreciation for jazz as a legitimate American art
form and demonstrate this awareness through end of the semester essay
questions.
6. Students will learn the origin of jazz and its influence on American music
and demonstrate this knowledge in and end of the semester essay question.
IV. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES.
Online discussion. Materials will be presented in chronological order. There will
be regular listening assignments, for the purpose of identifying styles, artists, and
other aspect of the music. Students will attend and critique two concert
performances. (A list of events will be posted on Blackboard calendar.)
V. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND POLICIES:
A. MANDATORY ORIENTATION. See blackboard for date.
B. The text, including exams, assessments and all other assignments are
online. (See Blackboard homepage for links)
C. Course Policies – (This course conforms to the policies of Angelina College).
1. There will be a number of written assignments, assessments, concert reviews,
and exams. The class is self-paced, however there are suggested due dates for
all work.
2. There will be no make-ups on exams and assessments without advanced
notification of inability to take them.
3. In extreme cases and if unavoidable conflicts arise, advanced notice is
required with documentation.
D. Academic Assistance
Students with academically-related problems stemming from individual
disabilities (as cited in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or Title II of
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) may request help from their
instructors, department/division chair, or by contacting Karen Bowser in the
Special Students support Office, Rm C200- C-Phone-633-5230 or 633-5209. To
report any complaints of discrimination related to disability, you should contact
Dr. Patricia McKenzie, Administration Building, Room 105 or 936-633-5201.
E. Attendance
Students are expected to log on regularly. Online classes require extra self
discipline and consistency in order to keep up. Regular study will help insure you
do well in the class. However, normal drop procedures should be followed if the
student decides not to continue with the class. It is not the instructor’s
responsibility to drop the student. If you have extenuating circumstances
concerning work schedules, etc., please discuss this with me in advance and
allowances will be made according to the situation.
Additional Policies Established by the Instructor.
Students must attend and critique two jazz concerts approved by the
instructor. Events will be listed on the Blackboard Calendar.
There will be written assignments consisting of questions pertaining to
chapter content which will be averaged as daily grades.
VI. COURSE OUTLINE: Description of the Course Activities including due dates,
schedules, and deadlines.
Outline is posted online each semester. (See attached outline.)
VII. EVALUATION AND GRADING:
A. Grading Criteria
1. Grades will be based on an accumulation of points from exams, assessments,
concert reviews, and written assignments.
2. The exams will be multiple choice and short answer and may include some
listening. All work will be done online.
B. Determination of Grade
1. Written assignments
4
8%
2. Assessments
14
28%
3. Concert Critique2
10%
4. ExamsMid Term 27%
Final
27%
6. Discussion Questions will be posted periodically.
7. Video links will be posted periodically.
Grades will be calculated as follows;
90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69= D
0- 59 = F
VIII. SYLLABUS MODIFICATION:
The instructor may modify the provisions of the syllabus to meet individual class
needs by informing the class in advance as to the changes being made.