Music in American Culture

General Expectation

This class is an remote online course with weekly conferzooms.

How much time do I need to spend on the class work?

How much time do I need for this course? And What’s the equivalent total classroom lecture hours for online courses? Equivalent "total classroom lecture hours" is 52.5 hours as indicated in the catalog.

Lecture: 52.5 hours

Home work: 105 hours

Total hours: 157.5

Generally, students will work on approximately three modules per week!

Homework/Assignments/Projects

1. Online assignments

2. Online discussions

3. Reading assignments

4. Online quizzes

5. Midterm exam

6. Final Exam

Methodology

• Presentation of lectures and discussions on all facets of music.

• Showing films, videos, slides, distributing handouts, and/or using electronic or computer---based media in order to reinforce and expand understanding of concepts related to any aspect of art production, presentation, and reception.

• Cooperative/collaborative learning tasks and activities designed to assist students in developing more independent critical thinking skills in understanding, synthesizing, evaluating, and analyzing course content.

• Written assignments in order for students to develop independent critical thinking skills in understanding and analyzing course content.

• Computer---assisted and/or web---enhanced instruction that reinforces the course content.

Methods of Evaluation

• Individual and group assignments and projects designed to demonstrated successful understanding and application of basic art concepts

• Discussion of topics and content designed to evaluate students’ understanding of the variety of artistic expressions and cultural values portrayed in music

• Quizzes/tests designed to assess students’ ability to recall, critically analyze, and apply key concepts and course content.

• Participation and regular attendance as required by instructor to ensure progress in mastering course content.

• Midterm and Final examinations designed to assess students’ mastery of the essential concepts explored in this course.

• Written assignments and optional research papers/reports designed to analyze students’ understanding of material and ability to analyze art in written form.

Representative Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials

1. Koskoff, Ellen. 2005. An Introduction to Music Cultures in the United States. Routledge, New York and London ISBN 0-41-96589 (Optional!)

About Class Discussions

You will be automatically assigned to a discussion group of between 5 and 7 students.

For full credit, please upload by mid week, then others can comment. All must post their initial comment and comment on others at least once! (By Sunday night at midnight).

In your replies, please let your classmates know what you think of their posts and point out anything that you strongly agree or disagree with.

Please be thoughtful and considerate when you communicate with other members of this class. Use the same kinds of courtesy and values you would use in a real world class.

Strong opinions, contrasting views, and bold analysis are welcome are strongly encouraged. You will have discussion assignments that will give you the opportunity to speak your mind, ask questions, and be part of an online community.

Drops

The instructor may also drop students who fail two complete two consecutive weeks of internet-based assignments.

Submission of Work

Work for this class will be submitted through the canvas system. Printed assignments will not be accepted. Scores of late work will be reduced 10% for each day (24 hours) it is late.

Writing Requirements

Your instructor expects correct grammar and spelling in your written submissions. Students who need assistance with their writing should utilize the Writing Center or Tutoring Center to obtain assistance if needed.

Assignments and Grading Scale

To complete this course you will be doing the following assignments

2 writing assignments (50 points each) = 100 points

2 Discussions (20 points each) = 40

1 Midterm Quiz 100 points

1 Final Quiz 100points

1 Initial Quiz on class format 10 points

Course Grading Scale (450 Point Basis)

(90% and above) 405 to 450 points = A

(80 - 90%) 360 to 404 points = B

(70 - 80%) 315 to 359 points = C

(50 - 70%) 270 to 314 points = D

(Below 50%) 225 and below = FAIL

Extra Credit

You will be given one opportunity to do extra credit. It is located after Week 5. You will have 2 weeks to complete the extra credit. It is worth up to 50 points. There is no other extra credit offered in this course.

Class Content

This course is an overview of musical cultures in America and its value. This course will cover basic concepts, history, musical instruments, composers and their works. You will become comfortable talking about and critiquing music through class discussions and written assignments. As this is a general survey, we will be taking a broad approach to music al cultures and its history, looking at how it is made, by whom, and for what reasons. I ask that you take this class, its assignments, and my suggestions seriously, and that you participate to the best of your ability.

School Policies & Requirements

Attendance: You are required to login and follow the modules as often as you are capable. Don't fall behind for this a shory esculated session and it is not easy to catch up with all the work required! In the case that you are unable to fulfil the required work, it is your responsibility to inform your instructor.

Add Policy

Students adding this section will be provided with an authorization code. You are responsible for completing the add process before the deadline to add. This deadline can be found in the Schedule of Classes available online on the college’s website. If you fail to add the class by the deadline, you are not officially enrolled and college policy prohibits you from continuing the class.

The use of an add/authorization code issued to another student violates the Student Code of Conduct and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action. The unauthorized use of an add code is grounds for removal from the course.

Drop/Withdrawal Policy

Drop Policy: Students are responsible to drop the class. Not dropping the course will result in grade F.

It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a class whenever he or she determines that he or she can no longer attend the class. Failure to officially drop a class may result in a failing grade and/or a financial obligation to the college. A “W” on your transcript does not compute into your GPA, but excessive withdrawals will result in progress probation. Please refer to the schools website or administration office for withdrawal deadlines.

Behavior Policy

The Standards of Student Conduct are outlined in the Student Handbook.

Please use appropriate behavior in class. This means being respectful of your space, other students, and your teacher.

Announcement: Please check the CANVAS for possible weekly announcements.

Excused Absence Policy

These two things qualify as an “excused” absence:

• Illness: You will only be excused with a credible note from a doctor, to be presented to your instructor on the day you return. EMAIL me (on canvas) as soon as you know you will miss a session due to being sick.

• Family Emergency: Explanation by student must be given in ADVANCE as much as possible – email me (on Canvas) to let me know what is going on, don’t just inform after you have missed a session and give me your excuse.

Examples of unexcused absences: Work, taking friends to the airport, job interviews, vacations, appointments, etc. It is your responsibility to make sure you have regular internet access in order to complete this course. Be advised this is not an excusable absence.

Field Trips

By the end of the course you will either visit an actual performance containing live performances. A field trip report is required for credit, and instructions for the report can be found in the course’s online documents folder.

Academic Honesty

A student engaging in academic misconduct is subject to disciplinary action by the instructor and in the regulations established by CCSF.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of the author's work as one's own. Plagiarism is wrong, because it is a form of stealing, because it is unfair to other students, and because it ultimately prevents you from acquiring the writing skills you are going to need and expected to have as a college graduate in the work force. Students wanting to gain a more in-depth understanding about plagiarism visit this site on plagiarism. Self-plagiarism is the act of submitting your own work from a prior course in a current course; this is also a form of cheating and not acceptable.

All of your work will be evaluated by the instructor for possible plagiarism. All of the following are considered plagiarism:

• Turning in someone else's work as your own

• Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit

• Failing to put a quotation in quotation marks

• Giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation

• Changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit

• Copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not (see our section on "fair use" rules)

If the instructor determines that your work contains plagiarized content, your assignment will be penalized as follows:

• 1st offense: The assignment containing plagiarized content will be given a 0 score.

• 2nd offense: FAIL on the assignment and a report will be made to the Counseling Office that you have violated the college's Code of Conduct

• 3rd offense: FAIL in the course.

Cheating

Cheating will not be tolerated. Intentional and/or flagrant disregard of copyright infringement is unlawful. You must complete your own work. You may not lend to or copy your work from another learner. Such actions are considered cheating and are subject to actions as outlined in the college catalog. Cheating and/or flagrant disregard of copyright may result in a referral to the Office of Instruction.

Academic Support

Academic Support is available for all students through the services provided in each campus’ Learning Resource Centers. Inquire at each center regarding hours of operation and specific subjects for which tutors are available. In addition some subject area specialists are available for courses through specific departments. Ask your instructor if specialized tutors are available for your individual course.

All information and documentation is confidential. For more information, please see the student handbook.