CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Survey of the development of mankind in western civilization through the study
of music literature, music history, and basic components of music. For students
not majoring in music. A general education course (humanities or fine arts).
REQUIRED TEXT WITH CD-ROM
Roger Kamien, Music: An Appreciation, 9th edition, 2008, with 5-CD set;
9780073526560 McGraw-Hill
Textbook and CDs are available, bundled together for approximately $125.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: points
Eight (8) online examinations (including listening). = 400
Three (3) on time Email Concert Reviews (see due dates)* = 300
Weekly Participation + Assignments = 300
| Possible | 1000 | 100% |
| A | 910 | 91% |
| B | 810 | 81% |
| C | 710 | 71% |
| D | 610 | 61% |
*One concert review will be a professional orchestra or similar ensemble like
the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) (Cincinnati Pops/Casual Classics do
not count), one
will be
an "other
classical concert" (OCC),
and one will be a Jazz. event (OCC, CSO, Jazz) may be attended in any order.
You may use a second professional visit as your OCC.
You can submit all three reviews in the first couple of weeks of class if
you want, or you can put them off until the deadlines.
Participation:
• Attendance, listening, and timely completion of all assignments are a
critical part (30%) of your success in this course. Failure to fulfill these
requirements
places you in jeopardy, and possibly being dropped from the course.
• All
students are expected to share and actively participate in all class activities
and discussions.
• All students are expected to complete the assigned listening and readings
(below). Reading assignments are expected to be done in time to remain current
in the course.
• All work you will do at NKU is subject to the Student Honor Code, a commitment
to the highest degree of ethical integrity and academic conduct. http://www.nku.edu/~deanstudents/policies.htm.
Students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize
to
gain
an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements.
In this
course this also means that you will not copy assignments from each other,
and will not copy information from the Internet into your assignments without
proper
attribution.
• Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments,
auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Office of
Disability Services. Please contact the disability service office in University
Center Suite 320 or by calling (859) 572-6373 for more information. Verification
of your disability is required in the disability services office for you to
receive reasonable academic accommodations. Visit the disability services web
site at http://www.nku.edu/~disability.
• Since you are taking this course as a distant learner, absences and late
assignments should not be a concern. Please consult with me if you have any specific
problems fulfilling the required tasks on time.
TESTS:
• Tests will consist of questions from the assignments, readings,
online listening, and recognition of music from the CDs included with your
book.
The
CDs and online support materials
will
be an essential study guide for the book and the listening.You will also have
online listening via the university provided Classical Music Library.
• For all musical selections, know the composer, name of the piece, and
the period in which it was written.
• Material from Section I (pp.1 -77) is cumulative and may appear on any
test.
• Because of the volume of material, there is no cumulative final.
• Your exams will be taken online. Be prepared to respond quickly on a
high-speed internet connection as your tests will be time limited.
• Accommodation is available for students with disabilities who present
the proper University-approved forms to the instructor. Plagiarism (representing
another's work as one's own) or cheating will result in failure and/or dismissal
from the course. You are expected to properly attribute any materials from any
source (web, books, CD's, articles, etc.) that you use in any concert reviews
or assignments. This is in accordance with the NKU Honor Code.
Readings and Tests The following is an approximation of the schedule for the course. This should help you make your own study preparations.
[Tests include listening, and are not comprehensive except for Section I Elements] |
YOUR THREE CONCERT REVIEWS
• The due dates for your 3 reviews are Oct 9, Nov 5, and Dec 3. You
may turn in reviews early.
• One concert review will be a large, professional ensemble like the Cincinnati
Symphony
Orchestra
(CSO)
(Cincinnati
Pops/Casual Classics do not count), one will be an "other classical concert" (OCC),
and one will be a professional (non-student) Jazz.
event (OCC, CSO, Jazz.) They may
be
attended
in
any
order.
You may use a second visit to a professional ensemble as your OCC.
• Every concert must be pre-approved by your instructor if it is not on the list of "blessed" concerts. To submit an event for approval, email the instructor with the name of the group, the location of the performance, and appropriate information about the group (probably a web link for their performance.)
• Reviews must be submitted within three (3) days of the event to qualify.
(Concert on Sunday = Review submitted by Wednesday)
• Reviews are 100-point graded email assignments. The grade is determined
by how close you follow each of the requirements from this page. Not meeting
the deadline gives you a zero for that assignment. Reviews may be turned in
early.
• Only live performances from THIS SEMESTER are acceptable!
• Rock and/or R&B and/or country and/or night club and/or club performances
do NOT count as jazz events per se. When in doubt, check with your instructor
BEFORE you attend the concert and write your review.
• High school band concerts and/or regular church services do NOT count
as classical performances. Again, when in doubt, check first.
• Arriving late or leaving a concert early is very bad etiquette and unacceptable
for this class. Plan to stay for the entire concert. For the Blue Wisp, this
means one entire set (from break to break, about 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm for the
first set). Your comments should reflect the first and last pieces on the concert.
• Follow the format of the sample review outline.
• Do not email attachments.
• The reviews must be 450 words minimum. However, super long reviews are
not allowed.
• The concert reviews must be sent via email to jordant@nku.edu
I suggest that you do your reviews on a word processor with spell-checking, then cut and paste them into your email (NOT as an attached file).
If you have difficulty writing, please contact the free services of the Writing Center. Look over your review before you submit it.
All NKU students have email accounts <http://webmail.nku.edu>. You must use your NKU email account and Blackboard for this course.
Put "MUS 100 Online - Review" (without the quotes) in the subject line of your email message. If your email was sent correctly, you will receive an email response within 7 days. If you don't get a reply, email me again!
Save a copy of the programs/tickets from the concerts/events in case you are asked for further verification of attendance.
Include the name of group or event, date of the performance, your name, course name and section number in the top of the body of each of your reviews.
You MUST make written comments about individual pieces you hear during the concert, not just general broad comments. Comment on specific things you hear and see and your reaction to them. Keep your comments relevant to the class. You must use the section headers from the sample review!
Your emailed reviews may be shared with the whole class. Keep your comments and language such that this would not be a problem.
You might want to comment on any of the following: Caliber of performance, Programming, Type of Music, Likes/Dislikes, Style, Showmanship, Overall effectiveness of performance, Crowd reaction, Or any additional comments you feel appropriate.
Make your comments literate, spelled properly, and insightful. Do not I.M. me, dude! Avoid shallow, trite, cute comments. Demonstrate your depth of understanding of the music you hear and how it relates to the lectures. Use proper musical terminology as appropriate. Don't give me your recommendation - tell me why it was good, bad, or indifferent.
Cincinnati Symphony
Orchestra - not the "Pops" (coat & tie/dress)
NKU Recitals
NKU Faculty Recitals
NKU Music
Department Ensembles except the Prep Department
Cincinnati Ballet
Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra
CCM Recitals
Cincinnati Opera
Others ONLY with specific pre-concert approval by Mr. Jordan
(Note: a non-jazz performance (rock or R&B performance, etc. ) at one
of these is still not jazz. When in doubt, check first with your instructor!):
• Blue
Wisp Wednesday nights (starts about 9:30 pm)
• Dee
Felice's (Mainstrausse in Covington).
• Chez Nora's
in Covington
• Others only with specific pre-concert approval by Mr. Jordan.
Email reviews should be succinct yet full of interesting information and insights. They should use terms you have learned in class, and reflect on musical concepts you have gained from class. Please make every word meaningful. Excessively wordy assignments will be graded down. 450 word minimum.
Click Here for a Sample Review.
Music Appreciation, MUS 100, Tom Jordan / Fall Semester 2007
THIS SYLLABUS MAY BE ALTERED AT THE DISCRETION OF YOUR INSTRUCTOR.