MUTH 3410: Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint

UNT Spring 2014

Section 002:
Instructor: Mr. Ensign
Office: Bain Hall 311

MWF 12:00 - 12:50 pm

MU 290
E-mail: JeffreyEnsign@my.unt.edu
Office Hours: 11:00 am MWF or by e-mail appointment

Description
Contrapuntal procedures of 16th-century composers. Writing motets and madrigals in two to four voices.
Objectives
Become competent in reading and writing in all C-clefs
Treat dissonance properly according to 16th-century style, following species counterpoint rules
Develop compositional skills by writing original 2- and 3- or 4-voice compositions following
16th-century style with regard to correct text setting and contrapuntal practices.
Develop greater sensitivity to 16th-century style by recognizing compositions and composers
through listening quizzes.
Course Requirements
Prerequisites: MUTH 2400 and MUTH 2410, both with a grade of C or better.
Texts:
Required: Gauldin, Robert. A Practical Approach to Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint, Revised.
Materials:
1. Staff paper
2. Pencils with erasers
3. 1 inch 3-ring binder for handouts and returned assignments
Expectations
Come prepared and on time
Turn in all assignments on time
Bring required text and materials
Be courteous and respectful
Do not distract or disrupt fellow students or the instructor (talking, using electronic devices such
as cell phones, off-topic questions, etc.)
Do all your work INDIVIDUALLY to the best of your ability
Students who distract or disrupt or do not have required texts and materials will receive one warning
before being asked to leave
Attendance and Tardy Policy
Class will begin at 12:00 noon. If you are not in your seat at 12:00 noon, you will be marked
tardy. If you arrive after 12:20, you will be marked absent. Three tardies are equivalent to one
absence.
Since this class meets three days a week, you are allowed three unexcused absences. Each
additional unexcused absence will lower your final grade one letter (10%). Upon the seventh
absence, you will be administratively dropped from the class with a WF (Withdraw Failing) or
receive an automatic F. Coursework missed due to an unexcused absence cannot be made up.
Absences are only considered excused if you miss class in order to participate in a UNT
sponsored event for which your instructor or coach has provided the necessary documentation.
Any coursework missed due to an excused absence must be turned in or resolved PRIOR to the
absence. Absence due to illness or personal emergency is not excused. The three absences

provided without grade reduction are to be used for such occurrences as sickness and family
emergency. In the case of repeated absence due to illness, please contact me immediately.
Assignments, Analyses, and Projects
Assignments, analyses, and projects are due IN class. No late assignments, analyses, or projects
will be accepted.
These are designed for you to show your mastery of the content through original composition and
analysis of works.
Expectations:
- Work at a piano or keyboard
- Be able to play and sing all parts individually and play all parts together.
- Work in pencil on your own staff paper
- Try multiple solutions and then choose the best
- Notation should be neat and legible with proper vertical/rhythmical alignment.
- Work in the assigned clefs only
The class should be able to sight-sing your work, so it must be well written and legible.
Listening Quizzes
There will be 11 listening quizzes. These are designed for you to immerse yourself in the sound
and style of the music.
The lowest quiz will be dropped.
No listening quizzes will be given early or made-up.
Final Exam
You must be present for the final exam time to present your final project - no exceptions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Grading
Assignments 10 assignments at 20 pts each = 200 points
Listening Quizzes 10 quizzes at 10 pts each = 100 points
Analyses 3 analyses at 40, 60, and 100 pts = 200 points
Two-voice project
200 points
Four-voice Final project
300 points
TOTAL:
1,000 points

UNT Grading Scale

A
900 1000 pts
B
800 899
C
700 799
D
600 699
F
Fail to complete the course

Incomplete: An I grade is an non-punitive grade given only during the last quarter of a
semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course; (2) has justifiable reason why the work
cannot be completed on schedule; and (3) arranges with the instructor to finish the course at a
later date by completing specific requirements that the instructor must list on the grade sheet. All
work in the course must be completed within the specified time (not to exceed one year after
taking the course.)

Student Behavior in the Classroom

Student behavior that interferes with an instructors ability to conduct a class or other students
opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum
at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the
instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider
whether the students conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The universitys expectations
for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom,
labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at:
www.unt.edu/csrr.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is defined in the UNT Policy on Student Standards for Academic Integrity.
Any suspected case of Academic Dishonesty will be handled in accordance with the University
Policy and procedures. Possible academic penalties range from a verbal or written admonition to a
grade of F in the course. Further sanctions may apply to incidents involving major violations. You
will find the policy and procedures at: http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm.
Electronic Communication and Blackboard Learn
All electronic communication (e-mail) for this course must be through the UNT Eagle Connect
system. You must use your UNT email address (YourName@my.unt.edu) for all electronic
communications.
Blackboard Learn will also be used as an important component for this course for posting notes,
handouts, announcements and updating grades. You can access this at https://learn.unt.edu. Please
check this before every class.
Office of Disability Accommodation
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with
disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability
Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you
with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your
specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of
accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in
implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and
must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional
information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You
may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial
aid. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a
required number of credit hours based on total registered hours per term. Students cannot exceed
attempted credit hours above 150% of their required degree plan. If a student does not maintain the
required standards, the student may lose their financial aid eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision
to do so may have the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please visit
http://financialaid.unt.edu/satisfactory-academic-progress-requirements for more information about
financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. It may be wise for you to schedule a meeting with an
academic advisor in your college or visit the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to discuss
dropping a course being doing so.