Evolution of Jazz (Music 007) Course Syllabus
Penn State Altoona – Fall 2014
T-TR 4:05 – 5:20 p.m., section 2
Room 148 – Hawthorn
Instructor: Mr. Doug Stephens
Office: 108 Misacagnia
Music Store: BANDMAN
222 W Plank Rd
Altoona, PA 16602
Office Hours: T-TR 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., by appointment
Voice Mail: (814)934-9660
Store Phone: (814)942-7625
E-mail: doug@bandman.biz
Text: Essential Jazz: The First 100 Years, 3ed., by Henry Martin and Keith Waters with 2 CD’s.
Additional materials: Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz, 5 CD set with text on reserve in Eiche Library,
and www.aa.psu.edu/music
Course Overview: Music 007 presents a survey of American Jazz from the beginning to the late 20th Century.
The various styles and major contributors to those styles will be discussed. The course is non-technical and is
geared to non-musicians. Music terminology and concepts will be discussed that will provide students a greater
understanding of how to listen to jazz and what to listen for in a jazz recording or performance. Critical
listening will be stressed through lecture and assigned work.
Attendance: Class attendance is required. More than two unexcused absences will result in a loss of 5 points
per absence. Students must be present for in-class tests and quizzes. Students are permitted to make up test and
quizzes for excused absences. Consistent attendance is critical for syllabus updates, in-class exercises, videos,
lecture material not covered in the text, and exam reviews. Excellent attendance will be rewarded. Students are
responsible for missed quizzes, tests, lecture notes and hand-outs. Exam study guides are distributed after each
scheduled quiz. Students are expected to remain in class and use the rest of the period to work on the study
guides. Although the study guides are regarded as quite helpful in preparing for exams, they do not include
everything that is covered on the exams. Students are also expected to read the assigned chapters in the book
thoroughly, and take relevant notes during the lectures.
Grading: A student’s final grade will be determined by the cummulative results of five exams, seven quizzes
(two unscheduled quizzes will be given during the course of the semester to verify that reading assignments are
being completed), and any elected extra credit projects. All exams include listening identification. Quiz and
exam dates are listed on the syllabus. A class participation grade will be also be assessed for completetion of inclass assignments and participation in classroom discussion. In the event that a student’s class participation
grade is determined to be unsatisfactory, 10% of his/her total points will be deducted when calculating a final
semester grade. Final grades are assigned by the following cutoff points: below 60=F, 60-69=D, 70-76=C, 7779=C+, 80-82=B-, 83-86=B, 87-89=B+, 90-92=A-, 93-100 = A. Grades are calculated by dividing the student’s
total number of points earned by six. (5 tests and the quiz average).
Classroom Rules: Absolutely no cell phones are to be used during class. Texting and checking messages
during class is strictly prohibited. Promptness is expected. University policy permitting food and drinks in class
is acceptible, as long as no refuse is left behind.
Extra Credit: Students have the option to submit up to four extra credit powerpoint presentations. Each PPT
has the possibility of earning 20 points. Extra credit projects will consist of a 10 slide - 5 minute presentation
about a live jazz concert, audio CD, DVD, documentary, or biography of a jazz musician. A scholarly
discussion that uses the relevant terminology discussed in class will be expected. The presentation must include
a bibliography. All extra credit topics must be approved in advance by the instructor.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity free from fraud and deception and is
an educational objective of this institution. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) cheating,
plagiarism, fabrication of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others,
unauthorized prior possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used
without informing the instructor, and/or tampering with the academic work of other students (see Policies and
Rules for Students, Section 49-20). Academically dishonest students may be punished with a minor penalty,
typically a zero on a quiz or test, or with a major penalty such as a final grade of “F” in a course.
Weather-Related Closing and Delay Information
What's the best way to get weather- and emergency-related information?
• Visit the Penn State Altoona Homepage
• Register for Text Message Alerts
• Check your Penn State E-mail
There are situations, including inclement winter weather, that will necessitate either a delay or
closing of Penn State Altoona. Because many of our students live on campus, we typically
remain open unless the campus cannot be cleared or the main roads are impassible.
Penn State Altoona will utilize the attached schedule whenever a decision has been
made to modify our regular schedule. In the case of a delayed opening for the campus, we
now will utilize a two-hour delay schedule, wherein students and faculty will follow a
shortened version of their normal daily schedule.
For example, in the case of a two-hour delay, a class regularly scheduled for 8 a.m. will begin
at 10 a.m. With the two-hour delay schedule, every 50 minute class is compressed to 35
minutes, every 75 minute class is compressed to 50 minutes, every 120 minute class is
compressed to 70 minutes, and every 150 minute class is compressed to 115 minutes.
[NEW] For classes that are longer than the listed standard 50 and 75 minute classes,
students should follow the compressed schedule for the class start time closest to
their actual class start time. The end time will be determined by their individual faculty
yet be no later than 10 minutes before the start time of the class scheduled after their
normal class time.
LABS: It is within the discretion of the faculty member to determine if the lab will be held
pursuant to the two-hour delay schedule or if it will be cancelled; students should check with
their individual faculty member, the course syllabus, or on the class cancellation web page for
this information. The lab could take place during the corresponding multiple class times
following the two-hour delay schedule. For example, a MWF double period lab of 110 minutes
would instead meet for 80 minutes and a TR triple period lab of 170 minutes would instead
meet for 125 minutes.
The latest information on closings or schedule changes, along with the two-hour delay
schedule, is available on Penn State Altoona's website at www.altoona.psu.edu/cancel.
Closing and delay information will also be available on the following radio and television
stations:
TV:
WTAJ-TV (CBS); WJAC-TV 6 (NBC); WWCP-TV 8 (FOX); WPSU-TV 3 (PBS)
RADIO: Altoona
Johnstown
State
College
Tyrone
WWOT 100.1 FM; WVAM 1430 AM; WRKY 104.9 FM; WFBG 1290
AM; FROGGY 98.1 FM; WALY 104.1 FM; WRTA 1240 AM; WBXQ
94.7/94.3 FM; WKMC; WPSU 106.7
WKYE; WFGI; WYOT; WRKW; WNTJ; WNTW; WCCL/COOL 101.7 FM
G101 FM; WRSC; WMAJ; WLTS; WBUS; WQWK; WPSU 91.5
WTRN 1340 AM; WTYQ 99.1 FM; WGHF; WPSU 91.5 and 106.7
Compressed Class Schedule:
NOTE: As stated above, for classes that are longer than the listed standard 50 and 75 minute
classes, students should follow the compressed schedule for the class start time closest to
their actual class start time. The end time will be determined by their individual faculty yet be
no later than 10 minutes before the start time of the class scheduled after their normal class
time.
Classes on Tuesday and Thursday
Standard 75 minute
classes
08:00 a.m. – 09:15 a.m.
09:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
10:50 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
12:15 p.m. – 01:05 p.m.
01:15 p.m. – 02:30 p.m.
02:40 p.m. – 03:55 p.m.
04:05 p.m. – 05:20 p.m.
05:30 p.m. – 06:45 p.m.
07:00 p.m. – 08:15 p.m.
08:30 p.m. – 09:45 p.m.
Compressed 50 minute classes
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
01:00 p.m. – 01:50 p.m.
02:00 p.m. – 02:50 p.m.
03:00 p.m. – 03:50 p.m.
04:00 p.m. – 04:50 p.m.
05:00 p.m. – 05:50 p.m.
06:00 p.m. – 06:50 p.m.
07:00 p.m. – 07:50 p.m.
Music 007, section 2
Class Schedule - Fall 2014
Date
Topic
Assignment
8/26 – 8/28
Introduction: Jazz basics
read Introduction
(pages 3-21)
9/2 – 9/4
Roots of Jazz
read chapter 1 (pp. 23 – 42)
9/9 - 9/11
Early Jazz
read chapter 2 (pp. 45 – 82)
9/16
9/18
Quiz 1 / Exam 1 Study Guide
Exam 1
9/23 – 9/25
The Swing Era
read chapter 3 (pp. 85 – 117)
9/30 – 10/2
The Bebop Era
read chapter 4 (pp. 119 - 137)
10/7
10/9
Quiz 2 / Exam 2 Study Guide / Extra-credit Presentations
Exam 2
10/14 – 10/16
The 1950s and New Jazz substyles
10/21 – 10/23
Modal Jazz
10/28
10/30
Quiz 3 / Exam 3 Study Guide / Extra-credit Presentations
Exam 3
11/4 – 11/6
The 1960s
read chapter 6 (pp. 165 – 191)
11/11 – 11/13
Jazz/Rock fusion
read chapter 7 (pp. 193 – 210)
11/18
11/20
Quiz 4 / Exam 4 Study Guide / Extra-credit Presentations
Exam 4
11/24 – 11/28
Fall Break (no class)
12/2 – 12/4
Jazz since the 1980s
12/9
12/11
Quiz 5 / Exam 5 Study Guide / Extra-credit Presentations
Exam 5
read chapter 5 (pp. 139 – 163)
read chapter 8 (pp. 213 – 235)