Kishwaukee College Syllabus

Fall, 2010

Survey of American Music

MUS 130
3 credits
M, W, F 1:00PM – 1:50PM
Aug 23, 2010 – Dec 17, 2010
Room A-201

Instructor: Tsai-yun Huang

E-mail: thuang@kishwaukeecollege.edu
Office A 205
Office Hours: By Appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Historical survey of the development and major cultural contributions of
American music and composers, including symphonic, jazz, and popular forms, within the context of the
American culture from Colonial times to the present. Three hours lecture a week.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:
1. To identify music terminology.
2. To identify and analyze basic formal structure of music.
3. To identify the sounds and names of instruments and their coherent
settings.
4. To identify different musical genres and their influences.
5. To understand the background and factors that contribute to certain
styles of music, respect the uniqueness and diversities of music.
6. To bring the knowledge gained from the class to daily experience of
music. Turn in a report which presents the aspects of appreciating
music learned from the class.

RECOMMENDED TEXT AND MATERIALS:

Ferris, Jean. America's musical Landscape, 6th Edition. Boston: Mcgraw Hill, 2006.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. Students are expected to read assigned articles and additional
materials.
2. Students must turn in assignments on time, late home work will not
be accepted.
3. Participate in the discussion online will be part of your attendance
grades. You will find related course materials such as additional
articles, music, as well as information about exams and project on the
website of the course:
http://mus130surveyofamericanmusic.blogspot.com/

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Only two excused absences are allowed and must be approved prior to
class.
MAKE UP POLICY:
Tests will only be made up if an University approved absence is provided
before the absence.

GRADES
Attendance 15%
2 Exams (15% each) 30%
Midterm 20%
Final Exam 25%
Final Project 10%

Please check KishSOS, My Student Info, under Academic Profile, Grades, for
grade reports.

Final Project
Turn in a paper (1500 words) reporting one or more concerts you recently
attended. The context of the paper must include music analysis using the
knowledge gained from the class. Concert tickets or programs need to be stapled
on the paper as proof of your attendance. The project is due on the last day of the
class. No late assignment will be accepted.

GRADES
Attendance 15%
3 Exams (10% each) 30%
Midterm 20%
Final Exam 25%
Final Project 10%

Please check KishSOS, My Student Info, under Academic Profile, Grades, for grade
reports.

TENTATIVE SEMESTER SCHEDULE:

Week 1 August 23: Introduction/Elements of music (rhythm and meter)
August 25: Elements of music (melody, scale, harmony)
August 27: Elements of music (Timbre, Form, Music Notation)
Week 2 August 30: Music in Early North America
September 1: Music in Early North America
September 3: Music in the Nineteenth Century-Religious music
Week 3 September 6: Labor Day Holiday – no classes
September 8: Popular Music of the Civil War Era
September 10: Concert Music
Week 4 September 13: Exam 1
September 15: The Rise of Popular Culture
September 17: Jazz
Week 5 September 20: Jazz
September 22: Jazz
 September 24: Country Music
Week 6 September 27: Country Music/Rock and Roll
September 29: Rock and Roll
October 1: Exam 2
Week 7 October 4: Rock Flirts with Country
October 6: Rock Flirts with Country
October 8: Jazz Since 1960
Week 8 October 11: Jazz Since 1960
October 13: Popular Music since 1970
October 15: Fall-Midterm Break – no classes
Week 9 October 18: Popular Music since 1970
October 20: MIDTERM
October 22: Music for Films
Week 10 October 25: Music for Films
October 27: Music for Films
October 29: Experimental Music Revolution
Week 11 November 1: Experimental Music Revolution
November 3: Experimental Music Revolution
November 5: Experimental Music Revolution
Week 12 November 8: Experimental Music Revolution
November 10: Early Twentieth-Century Mainstream Concert music
Evolution
November 12: Early Twentieth-Century Mainstream Concert music
Evolution
Week 13 November 15: Early Twentieth-Century Mainstream Concert music
Evolution
November 17: The Avant-Garde, Continued
November 19: The Avant-Garde, Continued
Week 14 November 22: Exam 3
November 24: Thanksgiving Break – no classes
November 26: Thanksgiving Break – no classes
Week 15 November 29: The Recent Mainstream
December 1: The Recent Mainstream
December 3: The Recent Mainstream
Week 16 December 6: The Recent Mainstream
December 8: The Recent Mainstream
December 10: Review and additional materials
Week 17 December 13: Finals week
December 15: FINAL EXAM (12:00pm-1:50pm)/Final Project Due

IMPORTANT DATES
September 13: Exam 1
October 1: Exam 2
October 20: MIDTERM
November 22: Exam 3
December 15: FINAL EXAM/Final Project Due
COURSE EXIT REQUIREMENTS
Grade of “C” is required to advance in course sequence.

WITHDRAUAL POLICY
A “W” will not be given as final grade. The student is responsible for
officially withdrawing from the class according to procedures described in the
college catalog. Any student that does not officially withdraw from the class will
receive a letter grade. The last date for withdrawal for this course can be found at
“MY CLASS SCHEDULE” on KishSOS.

INCOMPLETE GRADE POLICY

All course requirements must be completed by the end date for the course.
If there are extenuating circumstances which merit granting a student more time
to finish course requirements, an incomplete grade (“I”) may be given. To receive
an incomplete, an incomplete Incomplete Grade Contract Form must be
completed and approved. If the requirements are not completed the “I” may
revert to an “F”.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER DEGREE STUDENTS
As part of the assessment program, students intending to graduate with an
A.A., A.E.S, A.F.A., or A.S. Are required to submit a Degree Portfolio. Information on
the degree portfolio can be found at www.kishwaukeecollege.edu/portfolio.

COPYRIGHT
As a Kishwaukee College Student, you may have software made available to
you by the college for course use. Please understand that copyright law prohibits
copying these materials. Violation of copyright laws can lead to prosecution for a
criminal offense.

CONTENTS OF THIS SYLLABUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE