Music Appreciation Syllabus for 2024-2025
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>

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If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

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Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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Course

MUSI-1306-011 Music Appreciation

Prerequisites

Course Description

Understanding music through the study of cultural periods, major composers, and musical elements.  Illustrated with audio recordings and live performances. (Does not apply to a music major degree.)

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The following course materials are used in this curriculum

Connect Master: Maestro for Music Appreciation Edition 1    ISBN 126585839X for online access of all listening and supplemental materials 

Each student is expected to have his/her own digital e-book copy of Connect Master: Maestro for Music Appreciation AND a new access code for online listening and supplemental content.  The access code is included with a new purchase of textbook or e-book. If you purchase or rent a previously used book, you will have to purchase an additional new access code from the bookstore.

The materials are available at the Amarillo College bookstore https://www.actx.edu/bookstore/

NAXOS Music Library 

Each student is expected to have reliable access to the NAXOS online recordings library, access to which is provided through the Amarillo College Library. To enter the database through the Amarillo College Library website, go to https://www.actx.edu/library/music (DO NOT use Internet Explorer) and then enter your AC credentials.

Supplies

• access to text and listening materials outlined above
• reliable and consistent access to ACOnline

Recommended:

• A notebook or computer for in-class note taking
• Headphones for individual work--there's a lot of listening in this course!

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Identify musical works and elements in a variety of styles.
2. Analyze the elements and structures of music using appropriate terminology.
3. Critically evaluate the influence of social, political, technological, and/or cultural ideas on music.
4. Articulate the significance of music as an art form within historical, cultural and social contexts.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Online communication is should always be courteous in tone. Profanity and/or targeted negative personal comments will not be tolerated. Attendance of two live concert events, at the student's scheduling convenience, during the semester is required.

Grading Criteria

Grades will be weighted as follows:

• Weekly Chapter Tutorials and Reading = 30%
• Inquizative Quizzes and Final Comprehensive Exam = 35%
• Journals = 20%
• Concert Reports* = 15%

* attendance of two live concert events, at the student's scheduling convenience, during the semester is required to complete concert reaction papers

Grade scale is as follows:

• A = 90-100
• B = 80-89
• C= 70-79
• D = 60-69
• F = -59

All assignments are available and open for students to complete from the first day of class and for a time period of no less than four days to allow ample time for submission of materials. Students are accountable for planning their time wisely and submitting work well before deadlines to avoid last-minute technical or human complications. Working ahead is encouraged.

Attendance

Attendance for this class is required. Attendance will be taken each class period. If you must be absent due to illness, family emergency, official trip for student organizations, intercollegiate athletic events, etc., please notify me in advance of class.

Students are expected to spend approximately 1-3 hours per day logged into the course.  Attendance of two live concert events, at the student's scheduling convenience, during the semester is required to complete concert reaction papers.

Calendar

Additional Information

How to Succeed in this Course:

The level of success that you have in this course depends on your level of motivation, attendance and attention in class, ability to complete course readings and assessments on time, as well as your investment in studying for the exam. You should all strive to take an active role in your education. 

 

1. Read the textbook and study *intelligently* for the exam: Based on my teaching experience I assure you that your performance on exam and quizzes will reflect whether or not you have read and understood the course material. Feel free to ask questions inside or outside of class if you don’t understand something you’ve read. 
2. Ways to study well: 
   • There are many additional resources that go along with the book. Take the time to do some extra review or listening activities, try the flash cards, etc. It’ll pay off. 
   • Connect the material we’re studying to what you already know—this is called transferrable knowledge
   • *Spend time with the listening*: Listen often in the browser or create a playlist of the music we’re studying (try Naxos or Spotify for other recordings). This way you can listen to the music as you walk across campus or get ready for the day. Listen to more than you have to. If you like a particular composer, learn what else they wrote and listen to that too to learn more about their style and hopefully find a new favorite piece of music!
   • Use mnemonic devices to remember material—make up songs, create acronyms, draw funny pictures, etc. 
   • Repetition: probably the best way to remember material. Read something, re-read it, quiz yourself, etc. 
   • Space out your studying—no cramming! 
   • Have someone else quiz you on the material or create your own study guides or practice exam
3. Attend every class: I expect students to attend each class period. I am committed to ensuring that each class is organized and relevant to the course. I also assure you that the material we cover in class will be on exams. I’ll be in class with a good attitude; please come to class with a good attitude as well. 
4. Be an active student in class: This means actively listening and/or participating in class activities, taking notes, and NOT engaging in other activities (surfing the internet, using electronic means of communication, sleeping, talking to others, etc.).
5. If you are struggling, please act: You are always welcome to come and see me for additional help. You may also seek help or advice from other students or faculty. It’s a good idea to make a friend in the class that you can contact to ask questions or for clarification. If you have a question, it is likely that others have that same question!

Communication:

After a student has enrolled and the class has started, comments and questions about assignments, due dates, etc. relating to the course should be directed to the instructor through the "Student-Instructor Communication" link within the online course - this will be used instead of direct student to instructor email. Please reserve emailing the instructor for emergencies.

Writing Center:

If you believe you could use help with your writing style, proof reading, etc. please contact the AC Writing Academic Success Center: https://www.actx.edu/successcenters/writerscorner. They are a great resource. Submitted assignments should be proofread before submission for content, grammar, and punctuation.. 

Student Ethics:

Amarillo College Academic Dishonesty Policy:  Scholastic dishonesty shall constitute a violation of these rules and regulations and is punishable as prescribed by Board policies. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. “Cheating on a test” shall include:

1. Copying from another student’s test paper.
2. Using test materials not authorized by the person administering the test.
3. Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test without permission from the test administrator.
4. Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.
5. The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
6. Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
7. Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.

“Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work. “Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.
Taken from the "Students Rights and Responsibilities". Any student caught violating the Scholastic Dishonesty policy is subject to punishment.