SYLLABUS (Online) 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, 2nd 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 |
Grading | Unit Exams (3@150 points total) |
| Discussion Posts (3@ 50 points each) |
| Assignments (200 points total) |
| Final project (200 points) |
COURSEWORK CRITERIA | | Strong | Weak | Promptness | On time | Late | Completeness | All segments done as assigned | Some missing | Presentation | Length, proofreading, formatting, etc. checked | Unchecked | Clarity | Expression is succinct and clear | Expression is vague and imprecise | Application of readings | Terms and concepts understood and used appropriately | Terms and concepts misused or no usage | DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION CRITERIA | | Strong | Weak | Attendance | Presence in discussion within time assigned Read all posts | Absent or late Read only a few posts | Preparation | Appropriate forethought given to comments where required Extra reading or research if needed | Unsupported opinion | Application of readings | Same as above for coursework | | Constructiveness | Comments advance understanding | Comments have minimal substance or merit |
Students With Disabilities PolicyIt 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. Technology One of the biggest frustrations in an online course can be the technology required to make it happen. Don't hesitate to contact the technology resource personnel at Tarleton. They are there to help you. Here again is a webpage with several links to help you. Online Help Page There are links in the lecture notes to streaming audio of the listening selections for the course. Copyright restrictions prevent allowing students to download these selections for their own use. However, there are online services where you may buy or pay a fee to have these for your own library. A few are listed below.
Created and maintained by Vicky Boucher |
MUSIC 3243