Western Michigan University--School of Music (Spring 2012 Syllabus)

 

Music 1500: Music Appreciation "Live"

Mondays and Wednesdays 4-5:30PM Call Number 12133--4 Credits--Room 2452 Knauss Hall

Instructor: Dr. Daniel Jacobson

Office: 2136 Dalton Center; Office Hours 2-2:50PM Mon/Wed--Phone: 387-4685
E-mail: daniel.jacobson@wmich.edu

 

Course Description and Objectives

This introductory-level general education course is designed to increase your appreciation of music through active listening and understanding. Content is presented through live concerts, lecture-demonstrations, multimedia and assigned web-based reading and listening.

 

Required Course Materials

The only items you need to purchase for this class are:

(1)  A McGraw-Hill User's Registration License for the online WebBook & Workbook for A Listener's Introduction to Music ISBN: 0-07-338790-8 (Publisher: McGraw-Hill) $46.35 (available for purchase only at the WMU Bookstore in Bronco Mall or the University Bookstore next to WMU Parking Services). If you cannot find the license in the bookstore shelved under "MUS1500", then look under "MUS1520" (the same McGraw-Hill User Registration license form is used in MUS1520). Until this license is turned in to the instructor, you will not have access to the online textbook readings, workbook assignments and supplemental study materials for this course through the MUS1500 E-Learning link (which will appear as "access denied"). All other class information is posted on the open MUS1500 homepage (see "Class Website" below).

 

(2)  Music 1500 Concert Series Pass ($15; these passes will be sold before and after our class—please bring exact cash--no checks or credit cards). There are 3 concerts on our series this semester: February 6, March 26, and April 18—all at 4PM in the Dalton Center Recital Hall.

 

 

Grading, Testing and Attendance Policies

 

Final grades in this course are based on a 1000-total point scale: 

Midterm Exam

= 250 points possible

Final Exam (cumulative)

= 300 points possible

E-Workbook (online quizzes)

= 180 points possible

In-Class Concerts (3 @ 50 points each)

= 150 points possible

In-Class Essays (6 @ 20 points each)

= 120 points possible

1000 points possible

 

Distribution of Final Grades:

A =1000-940 points (100-94%)

BA = 939-890 points (93.9-89%)

B = 889-840 points (88.9-84%)

CB = 839-790 points (83.9-79%)

C = 789-740 points (78.9-74%)

DC = 739-690 points (73.9-69%)

D = 689-600 points (68.9-60%)
E = 599 or below (59.9% or lower)

 

Class Website (Homepage) (http://www.wmich.edu/mus-gened/mus150/mus150.html)

General class information and our schedule will be updated regularly on the Music 1500 class homepage; however, the majority of your web-based study and homework for Music 1500 will be done via the WMU E-Learning link for MUS1500 (see "Online E-Workbook Assignments," below).

You can also get to the Music 1500 homepage by doing the following:

1) go to the WMU School of Music homepage (http://www.wmich.edu/music)

2) click on the "Course Materials" link

3) click on the "Music 1500: Music Appreciation "Live" link

 

Concert and Class Attendance

You are expected to attend at least 8 of the Wednesday evening concerts in Dalton Center Recital Hall. Those events begin at 7PM and will be over by 9PM. In addition, regular attendance at our regular class meetings on non-concert nights is critical to your success. You are responsible for all notes, recordings, films/videos discussed in class or assigned as homework. Concert dates and information are listed on the "Course Schedule" link on the Music 1500 class homepage.

 

Exams

There are 2 exams: a "Midterm Exam" and a comprehensive "Final Exam". Each exam includes multiple choice, matching, true/false questions, and "listening identification" based on examples covered in the concerts, class sessions, and online homework. Exam dates are listed on the "Schedule of Lectures." Review guidelines and study aids will be posted online one week before each exam.

 

Online "E-Workbook" Assignments (E-Learning Quiz Assessments)

Each segment of the webbook has an online assignment (e-learning quiz assessment) associated with it, as accessed through the WMU E-Learning link that connects to the McGraw-Hill online materials for this course. E-Workbook assignments for each segment become available online at various times over the semester (see "Course Schedule" link). To help you prepare for exams and stay on schedule with the class material, you should complete each E-Workbook assignment within one week of when it becomes available online; however, the E-Workbook assignments are not "due" or graded until the scheduled date of the in-class final exam. Your cumulative point score on the 10 online quiz assessments will determine 20% of your final course grade in Music 1500 (maximum of 180 points possible).

 

Make-Up Policies

If you miss an exam, you must call or e-mail the instructor by the end of that class day in order to be eligible for a make-up:

-E-mail (best way to reach me): daniel.jacobson@wmich.edu

-Phone: 387-4685 (OK to leave message 24 hours a day)

Exam make-ups must be completed within 2 class days of the original due date.

NO MAKE-UP WILL BE GIVEN AFTER EXAM ANSWERS ARE POSTED ON THE WEB.

Missed in-class assignments cannot be made up or excused. You have the 1-time option to attend an extra credit concert, worth 25 points --see below).

 

Extra Credit

Each student has the option of attending up to TWO extra credit concerts (worth 25points each) from the ten concerts on the Dalton Wednesday evening 7:30PM Series—Student discount tickets are $5 at the door for any of the Dalton Series Wednesday concerts (see the "Concerts" link on the Music 1500 Homepage for more information)

 

WMU's "Academic Honesty" Policy

Please be aware that WMU has an official academic honesty policy that all students and instructors are required to follow. You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the Undergraduate Catalog that pertain to Academic Integrity. These policies include cheating, fabrication, forgery and falsification, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a hearing. You should consult with me if you are uncertain about an issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.