Alvin Community College Fall 2014 MUSI 1310 section 60 (4138)
Instructor: James Harvey college email: jharvey@alvincollege.edu
Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 AM to 12:20 PM
Alvin Campus, Room B104
American Music-Country
Textbook: Country Music: A Cultural and Stylistic History by Jocelyn R. Neal. Oxford University Press,
2013. ISBN 978-0-19-973059-9.
This textbook can be purchased at the ACC bookstore, which is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 A.M. to
7:00 P.M. and Friday 7:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Bookstore hours can vary during holidays, so please call the
bookstore at 281-756-3681 for more information. The textbook can also be purchased online and mailed
directly to your residence from http://www.alvinccstore.com/. For information on the textbook and other course
materials, including details about how you can order your book online and have it delivered to you, visit the
ACC College Store's Web page.
Course Description: In this course we will develop and hone critical listening skills as well as critical thinking
skills and improve written and verbal communication through discussion and listening experiences reflecting
the development and history of American country music from its roots in the folk music of the British Isles to
the present day.
Methodology: Through audio, video, live performance, lecture, and informed class discussion, the instructor
and students will explore not only the theory and practice, but also the artists and events of American Country
Music decade by decade from the 1920s to today and assess their relative significance.
Prerequisites: P_DIRW/DIRR 0309 or READ 0309. You are expected to be able to read a college textbook
and produce a college-level research paper on a country music topic.
Course Goals and Objectives: The ultimate goal of this course is to increase students’ analytical and
expressive abilities through the study of country music. The students will learn the folk background, early
commercial hillbilly music; the first country singing star: Jimmie Rodgers; Western (cowboy) music; the steel
guitar and Western Swing; the electric guitar; Nashville; Honky-Tonk; Rock and Roll; The Nashville Sound;
The Urban Folk Revival; The Bakersfield Sound; Bluegrass; Country-Pop; Country-Rock; The Austin Sound;
The Outlaw Movement; The New Traditionalists; Hat Acts; Hair Acts; Top 40 Country; Alternative Country;
and Texas Music.
Course Student Learning Outcomes: While listening to a particular selection of country music, the students
will be able to identify the artists and particular styles of country music when taking the audio portions of the
exams; students will be able to identify the artists and particular styles of country music from photographs when
taking the visual part of the exams; having completed the assigned readings, the students will demonstrate
knowledge of selected country music artists and styles as well as their historical context and significance in
overall music history; the students will evaluate the developments of country music history in an essay; students
will analyze readings and recordings and communicate those analyses by writing an analytical essay; students
will identify and analyze in an essay question the effects of the social activism of selected country music
artists; by experiencing live country music performances, the students will gain a greater appreciation of
selected country music artists and styles.
Office hours: Before and after class and by appointment. I’m always happy to see you.
Communicating with your instructor: The preferred method of communicating with your instructor outside
of class is via cell phone calls or text messaging.
Grading Summary:
Attendance and class participation
20%
Exam 1 (written communication, critical thinking)
20%
Exam 2 (visual literacy)
20%
Research paper (written communication, critical thinking) 20%
Final Exam (social responsibility)
20%
Grading Scale
100-90
A
89-80
B
79-70
C
69-60
D
59-0
F
Examinations: Examinations will consist of listening tests, visual tests, multiple choice questions, and one
essay. Examination questions will come from assigned readings, lectures, images, and selected audio and video
recordings. Make-up Examinations: There will be no make up examinations. If you have to be absent on
test day, please notify me in advance. These assignments assess the core competencies of written
communication, critical thinking, visual literacy and social responsibility.
Assignments:
Research papers are three-to- five- page exploratory essays in which each student conducts independent
research on a country music personality, place, or event of his/her choosing with teacher approval. Choose an
instrument, a movement, an artist, or an event and assess its contribution and significance to the subsequent
history of country music The paper will provide each student in-depth knowledge of a country music topic and
help each student improve his ability to develop and present a clear, coherent essay. Students must type
(double-spaced) the term paper. College-level grammar and punctuation is expected. and grammatical and
formatting errors will be counted. This assignment must be submitted twice. Turn in a paper copy to the
instructor on the due date, and also submit an electronic copy via blackboard. This assignment assesses the
core competencies of written communication and critical thinking
Late Coursework Policy: Students are expected to have their assignments done by the due dates. However, I
understand that circumstances sometimes cause unforeseen delays. It is my policy to accept such late
assignments without grade penalty as long as I receive them before the final exam.
Classroom Policies: Unless otherwise announced in class, we will follow the reading and examination schedule
listed on the Tentative Course Calendar. The instructor reserves the right to modify this Syllabus and will
notify the class of any changes in a timely manner.
Expectations: Throughout class, students are expected to engage in informed discussion, ask questions, and
maintain a courteous demeanor. This is an adult learning environment and all students are treated accordingly.
If students become disruptive, the instructor reserves the right to remove them from class.
Attendance/Withdrawal Policies:
Notice: Students who take a course more than twice face significant tuition/fee increases at ACC and other
Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your instructor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring /
other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
The Texas State Legislature has begun to impose penalties on students who drop courses excessively. In 2007,
the Legislature passed a law limiting students to no more than six (6) total course withdrawals throughout their
academic career in obtaining a baccalaureate degree. It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw
from the course, and this must be done prior to November 17, 2014 at 7:00pm. After that date and time, students
will no longer be allowed to drop and will receive the grade that they earned. Faculty will NO longer be
allowed to initiate student withdrawals or to give Ws on the final grade sheet. It is recommended that the
student talk to the instructor before withdrawing. Current information can be found online in the Withdrawal
section of ACC Schedule. Students who file withdrawal requests by the published deadline will receive a grade
of W.
Incompletes: Only in exceptional cases will a grade of I (incomplete) be assessed. Feel free to discuss this
option with me if you need to.
Technical Support:
1. Computers are available for use by all ACC students in any of the 23 ACC/PCC computer labs including the
Cyber Lab, room A-173. Cyber Lab hours are: Monday-Thursday 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday 8:00 A.M to
5:00 P.M., and Sunday 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Call 281-756-3544 for more information about all ACC
computer labs.
2. The ACC Library website is http://www.alvin college.edu/library/default.htm.
3. The ACC Learning Lab and Writing Center, A-235, is for help with writing assignments, tutoring, exams,
and additional computer access: http://www.alvincollege.edu/resources/learning_lab.htm
4. MyBlackboard: Any technical problems or issues with MyBlackboard should be directed to the Distance
Education Department at de@alvincollege.edu. Include your first and last name, student ID number, and a
description of the problem. Students will not be penalized if there is an interruption in MyBlackboard service
and the instructor is notified of such an issue by the Distance Education Department.
5. WebACCess, Passwords, or Computer Labs: Contact the I.T. Department Help Desk at 281-756-3544.
Americans with Disabilities Act: ACC complies with ADA and 504 Federal guidelines by affording equal
access to individuals who are seeking an education. Students who have a disability and would like classroom
accommodations must register with the Office of Disability Services, A136, (281) 756-3533. Instructors are not
able to provide accommodations until the proper process has been followed.
Code of Academic Integrity and Honesty: Students at Alvin Community College are members of an
institution dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through a formalized program of instruction and learning. At
the heart of this endeavor lie the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, truth, and freedom
from lies and fraud. Because personal integrity is important in all aspects of life, students at Alvin Community
College are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity both in and out of the classroom.
Incidents of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated, and students guilty of such conduct are subject to severe
disciplinary measures.
Tentative Course Calendar
Date (week of)
Readings from Neal
Topics
8-25
Syllabus & CH 1 & 2
Early Country Music
Jimmie Rodgers
The Carter Family
9-1
No class
9-8
CH 3
9-15
CH 3
9-22
CH 4
Labor Day Holiday
O Brother Where Art
Thou?
Western Music
Western Swing
Western Swing
Steel Guitar
Honky Tonk
9-29
CH 5
Bluegrass
Reminders
No class
Exam 1 Chapters 1-5
10-6
CH 6
Rock and Roll
10-13
CH 7
Nashville Sound
10-20
CH 8
Bakersfield Sound
10-27
CH 9
1970s Classic Country
11-3
CH 10
Outlaw Country
11-10
CH 11
CH 12
1980s Countrypolitan
New Traditionalists
11-17
11-24
CH 12
CH 13
CH 14
New traditionalists
1990s New Country
Alternative country
12-1
CH 15
Texas Music
12-8
CH 15
Current Country
12-15
CH 11-15
Final exam
6:30PM-8:30PM
Exam 2 CH 6-10
Withdrawal deadline:
November 17, 2014,
7:00PM
Term Paper due
Final Exam
CH 11-15