POPULAR MUSIC IN AMERICA 

POPULAR MUSIC IN AMERICA 

MUSIC 3243 

  Room 112  Fine Arts Building 

Instructor:  Vicky Boucher 

Office hours posted on my door (Room 122) 

E-mail:  boucher@tarleton.edu  

Phone:  ext.#9238 

SYLLABUS

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.  Concert attendance and listening requirements.”   

Required Text and Materials

 

• David Joyner, American Popular Music, 2nd edition

• I would also suggest keeping your materials in a notebook.  It will not, however, be graded. 

• Unit exams must be completed in pencil.

Course Activities

In-class lectures, discussions and guided listening, reading assignments, concert attendance, reports, WebCT components

 

 

Course Requirements

• Concert review essay covering a musical or jazz concert

Click here for the essay guidelines.

• Oral report covering a specific topic of your choice within the subject of popular music

   

  Click here for the report guidelines.

   

• 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. 

   

• Chapter assignments over the day’s reading material 

There are 23 chapters.  Each assignment is worth 4 points for a total of 92.  Students wishing to earn the extra 8 points may attend additional pre-approved concerts for 4 points each.

 

 

Grading

• 10%     Written report (Concert review essay)

• 10%     Oral report (Including PowerPoint component)

•  50%    3 unit tests

• 20%     Chapter assignments (4 points each, total possible 92)

• 10%     Participation

 

 

Attendance Policy

• Attendance is required.  Absences will only be excused with proper written documentation on letterhead.  This includes a note from a healthcare provider in case of illness or a form signed by a sponsor (presented in advance) in the case of a University sanctioned activity.  Attendance at funerals and court appearances will also be excused with proper documentation and advance notice. 

• Each class will begin on time.

• A student's absences will not change any deadline or assignment requirements.  You are always responsible for any material you miss, so check the course outline and/or a fellow classmate for announcements, assignments, and requirements. 

• Each class day will be allotted an equal number of points to total 100.  Unexcused absences will lower your participation grade by that amount and each tardy will count half of that amount.

 

 

Classroom Policy

• No food or drink in the classroom.

• Turn off your cell phones and put them out of sight (yours and mine).  Text messaging is prohibited during class.

• Keep your backpacks and other personal belongings out of the aisles

• Attention will be given to the lesson at hand, or you will be excused from the classroom.  (In other words, no working on other homework, personal business, sleeping, etc.)

• If your conduct for any reason is unacceptable, you will be asked to leave.  Do not return to class until you have made an appointment to see me and the situation has been resolved.

 

 

Students With Disabilities Policy

It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal, state, and local laws relative to the provision of disability services.  Students with disabilities attending Tarleton State University may contact the Office of Disability Services at (254) 968-9478 to request appropriate accommodation.  This information can also be accessed  here .  Once your needs have been verified, I will work with that office to accommodate them.

 

Academic Conduct

 

Any student caught cheating will receive a grade of "F" for the class.  Further disciplinary action may also be brought against the guilty student.  This decision will be mine in consultation with the department head.  Cheating is serious business and the penalties for engaging in this sort of activity will be severe.  Consult the following link for further information on academic conduct as specified in your student handbook. http://www.tarleton.edu/~stuserv/handbook/AcademicRights.htm  If you are unsure what constitutes cheating, please review this section in your handbook as you will be held responsible for this information.

 

Created and maintained by Vicky Boucher