POPULAR MUSIC IN AMERICA Online Pre-Course Information FAQ What is the text? The text is American Popular Music, 3rd edition, by David Joyner Do I need that edition? If you try to use an earlier edition, the page numbers will be incorrect and it will not include information on the most recent popular music. Otherwise, it is up to you. When do I need the book? You need the book by the first day of class. There is an assignment the first week that requires the textbook. I know the book costs 60+$ in the bookstores, so feel free to find it wherever, but don't ask to delay assignment submission while you are waiting for it to come in or if it is back-ordered. What are the tests like? Each exam will be available within a two-hour window of time, from 8:00pm to 10:00pm on the test days, which are usually on Sunday. The exams will only be available during the specified times. They will not be rescheduled to accommodate work schedules. Each exam should take about 30-40 minutes. You will have one hour from the time you begin the exam to finish it. Each exam will consist of two parts: 1) multiple choice questions based upon the lectures, reading, and other links, and 2) identification of songs from your listening list. How tech savvy do I have to be to take an online course? That is a common question and difficult to answer. We have great people in our tech help department when there are problems or you need help troubleshooting. Most of us know more than we think we do, and appreciate learning new things in technology. If you feel that you are very inexperienced, it would be a good idea to have some local help - someone available to you to walk you through processes at your computer in person. So, you can still give it a try with the help of son, daughter, brother-in-law, neighbor, or whomever loves you enough to give you a hand :-) What kind of a computer set-up and software do I need? You will need to use Word, PowerPoint, WinZip and be familiar with Blackboard (this is the distance learning environment used by Tarleton; there are tutorials once you begin the class). You absolutely need high-speed internet because the audio files used for testing are streamed. You can't be waiting for each file to load while taking a timed test. There are a few necessary configurations that will be explained by the Blackboard system, but that are easy to do. When and how can I access the course? On the morning of the first day of class (10am), you can go to Blackboard from the Tarleton website and the link to your course will be there. How can I take a music class online? Hey - you don't need the band in your living room to listen to your favorite tunes, do you? You can read, can't you? The lectures are written out - you read your book - you listen to some music (streamed from your computer) - you turn in assignments - you take tests - you have class discussions online - Voila! That's how you take a music class online. You "attend" class in your PJ's, with your drink of choice, at 3am. It's great! 
Syllabus Information (a more complete syllabus will be available at the beginning of the course) Course Description “An introductory study of popular music in the U.S., emphasizing the development and application of analytical skills oriented toward the popular arts.”
Required Text and Materials  | David Joyner, American Popular Music, 3rd edition |
| Computer with high-speed internet connection |
| Access to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint software |
Course Objectives Students in this course will:
| broaden their appreciation and understanding of the role of American popular music |
| learn to recognize specific musical styles, genres, and performers of American popular music |
| learn to understand and recognize compositional structures common to various genres of American popular music |
| increase their understanding of American cultural history by studying the significant trends, sounds, characteristics, and messages of its popular music. |
Course Activities | Online lecture material |
| Reading and listening assignments (See info about Listening below) |
| Weekly assignments |
| Discussions |
| Timed exams |
Course Requirements | Weekly assignments |
| PowerPoint presentation covering a specific topic of your choice within the subject of popular music | | 3 tests, each covering one unit of the text The tests will include questions concerning the reading assignments in the textbook as well as the material and listening excerpts covered in the lectures and online material. | | Discussion postings |
Created and maintained by Vicky Boucher |
MUSIC 3243