copyright © 1998-2007 by Dr Larry J Solomon, PhD Music Theory
& Composition
click
hereCourse Number: MUS 102
Course Title: Music Fundamentals
Prerequisites: None
Credits: 3 Credits
Course Description: A beginning course in the fundamentals of music. Course consists of a study of harmony, rhythm, music notation, and musical terminology, including learning the staff, notes, intervals, scales, modes, chords, keys and signatures. Develops a basic understanding of music notation and basic structures in music. 3 credits. See the Course Content for detail.
Web Course: Exams are to be taken through WebCT. Required texts available in PCC West Campus bookstore. Interact one-on-one with instructor via E-mail (WebCT) and with fellow students via web Discussion Group (DG).
Requirements: Internet World Wide Web access via computer, including e-mail. Transferability: transfers as AGEC equivalent in most fields at UA, ASU, or NAU. Consult with a program advisor or counselor to assure proper transfer.
Since this is an Internet course there are no required class meetings. However, students are expected to participate in the class Discussion Group, or DG, through WebCT. There is a weekly check-in, which is monitored through the DG. Any student not participating by the 40th day will be dropped from the class. Any student who attempts to add the class after the 40th day cannot and will not pass. Additionally, failing to fulfill DG assignments on time will lower the semester grade. Participation means fulfilling the assignments and tests, posted by the instructor through the DG, by the deadline dates.
The
DG messages go out to everyone in the class. It is an
opportunity to communicate with other students in the class in a public
way. One can simply check in, ask questions, rap on topics, set up
special meetings and study groups, and learn from one another. It is
not to be used for topics outside of this course. The DG is the only
official way
to participate with the
class as a whole. A student can also communicate privately with the
instructor or
other students by WebCT e-mail. The textbooks are the primary source of
the information to be learned in this class; so they are essential.
There are also on-line drills on various topics covered. Help on topics
is prompted by the student asking the instructor questions through
WebCT mail (not through the DG).
Students are responsible for keeping communication channels open through WebCT and the DG, to maintain E-mail, phone, computer, and Web access throughout the term.
Students are responsible for keeping up with notices posted to the Discussion Group (DG), which may include updates or revisions to the syllabus.
All exams are now taken directly on a computer with web
access. All tests/grades must reach the instructor by the Final Testing Date
(at the bottom of the Class Schedule page). Testing rate is self-paced
so that a
student need not take an exam at the same time or day as other
students. However, each test must be tried and submitted at least once
by the dates shown on the Class Schedule. Otherwise
it is considered delinquent and subject to lowering of the final
grade. (See Grades)
Every test must pass in order to pass the
course (passing means at least a 60% result). A failing grade (F), on any test,
that is not subsequently passed results in failing the course. If a
test is failed, the grade may be raised by retaking it after the 24
hour obligatory waiting period. Each student can view the resulting
grade on WebCT, under "My Grades", once the test is graded (allow 48
hours). The highest test score (HTS)
on any one test is used to determine the final grade for the class.
(See "Grades").
The Final Testing Date is the deadline when all exams must be finished, i.e. grades must be registered. It is the date posted at the end of the Class Schedule & Assignments page. Test results are normally available within a day or two through WebCT. If a result does not appear within 48 hours under "My Grades", contact the instructor. For convenience, each Test also has a corresponding Trial Test listed and linked on the Schedule page. There is no limit to the number of times one may take a Trial Test, which is very similar to the official Test. Therefore, I recommend passing a Trial Test BEFORE taking the official Test.
Students are expected to keep track of their own progress and grades to satisfy obligations for the class. It is up to each student to contact the instructor periodically throughout the semester if there are concerns about grades and class obligations on the syllabus or schedule.
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
below 60 = F (failing)
Once all tests are PASSED by the Testing criteria (see Testing), the term grade will be entered as a letter grade from the above scale and based upon an average of the HTS (see Testing). Discussion Group "Check-ins" are used to monitor class participation and drop-status but do not figure into the final grade. However, each delinquent assignment or test beyond one will lower the term grade by five percent (5%). As stated in Testing, every test must pass in order to pass the course (passing means at least a 60% result). A failing grade (F), on any test, that is not subsequently passed results in failing the course.
No Incompletes (I-grade) will be issued unless 1) only one grade is missing and there is an exceptional circumstances that prevented the student from completing the course obligations, and 2) the student requests an I. Any such circumstances must be explained to the instructor immediatetly, and no later than a week before the final date on the syllabus, and the instructor must approve the excuse before an I-grade can be issued. An "Instructor Withdrawal", or Y-grade*, will only be issued by a student's request and the instructor's specific approval.
*The following policy was adopted in July 1999 by the Board of Governors: The "Y instructor withdrawal grade is no longer an option except in special cases that require documentation by the student and instructor. Any student wishing a "Y" MUST consult with the instructor before the end of the semester. Otherwise this grade will not be issued.
If there is any question about exams and grades accounted for, or
that some are missing, students must check with (e-mail) the Instructor
at least one week before the last date of testing. Any outstanding
exams still to be taken should be reported at that time with the date
of intended completion. Otherwise, the instructor's records are deemed
complete and correct by default. Students should be able to view a term
grade via the College System once they become available. Do not ask the
Instructor for the term grade before the end of the term. That grade is
usually the average of the ATS scores unless assignments are deliquent.
If the assignment records are good, the student should be able to
determine the term grade by adding up the test grades and dividing the
result by the number of tests). If a grade can't be accessed once the
term is over, call Admission and Records.
Studying through an Internet course does not mean that less work or time is involved. Actually, more responsibility is placed upon the student in this type of study. Self motivation is essential.
This particular course should not be measured or compared with some other Web courses, where less work may be required. Although the course is basic, it is technical and requires constant attention and study. (If students feel that they cannot commit to this, enrolling in some other class is a good option.)
The texts are available in the West Campus bookstore and are inexpensive. Distance learners can order the texts from the bookstore by phone and a credit card. They can mail them. Their phone number is (520) 206-6927.
L. Solomon: Music Fundamentals (main textbook)
L. Solomon: Music Fundamentals Workbook (essential
exercises)
L. Solomon: Resources for Music Theory & Composition (reference
material & manuscript paper)
Other optional: L. Solomon: Anthology
of
Music
Manuscript paper template masters are in the back of the Resources text. Copies of these can be made on a copy machine. Write on the copies, not in the book. For those who feel that they need a large-format manuscript paper for practicing and writing the template can be enlarged on a copy machine or click on Grand staff and print it on a printer.
Instructor
Breaches in scholastic ethics, such as cheating on an exam, copying someone elses work (plagiarism), or stealing exams, etc., will result in failing the class (grade=F).
Reasonable accomodations, including materials in an alternative
format, will be made for individuals with disabilities when a minimum
of five working days advance notice is given. Contact the West Campus
Student Resource Office for more information.
Educational institutions have a basic legal responsibility to ensure access for disabled students.
Section 504 states that "No otherwise qualified disabled person in the United States, as defined in section 7, shall, solely by reason of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity…"
The regulation defines a person with a disability as any person who has "a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment."