Music Appreciation Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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-1306-003 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 Resources Student 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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The following course materials are used in this class:

Each student is expected to have his/her own digital code for Connect Master: Maestro For Music Appreciation McGRAW-HILLISBN 126585839X This is a custom package created for this class. Access includes eBook with Connect. 

Students should have this code on the first day of class to complete work required to avoid an Administrative Drop (https://www.actx.edu/registrar/withdraw-limitation-policy-sb-1231).

The code for this dual credit section is: K7N6-Q8V4-Q2H9-G3Q3-G7N2

Alexander Street 

Each student is expected to have reliable access to the Alexander Street online recordings library, access to which is provided through the Amarillo College Library at https://ac-libproxy.actx.edu/login?url=https://search.alexanderstreet.com If this link is not working for you, please go to www.actx.edu/library to contact staff.

Supplies

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

Student Performance

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.)

Course Purpose

The purpose of the Creative Arts component in the core curriculum is to provide the student the opportunity to develop an appreciation for the arts through an analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. This will involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art.

Core Objectives Addressed

• Critical Thinking: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information

• Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, and visual communication.

• Teamwork: To include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

• Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

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

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

Students are expected to have course materials and start working in the class on the first day of the session. All Module I assignments must be completed by the class census date to avoid an Administrative Drop from the class.

Online communication should always be courteous and professional 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:

• Assignments (Connect assignments, playlists, student projects, discussions) = 40%

• Quizzes (module quizzes, comprehensive final) = 30%

• Listening Journals = 15%

• Concert Reviews* = 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 = Below 60

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

Students are expected to spend approximately 3-5 hours per day (8-week and summer terms) or 1-2 hours per day (15/16-week semester) logged into the course. The entire course, including tests, takes place on the web, although 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

A Note From Your Instructor

Music is already a part of your life. You may listen to classical music, country, rock, jazz, hip-hop, worship music, musical theatre, film scores, or something completely different. You do not need to enter this course with a particular musical background or already know how to talk about music academically.

My goal for this course is not to convince you that you should love a particular style of music.

I don't need you to leave this class loving classical music. I want you to leave this class hearing music differently than you did when you arrived.

Throughout these eight weeks, I encourage you to listen with curiosity. Ask why music affects you the way it does. Notice sounds you might previously have overlooked. Make connections between the music we study and the music that is already meaningful to you. You may discover music you love, music you don't particularly enjoy, and music you simply understand better than you did before—and all of those are valuable outcomes.

If, at the end of this course, you find yourself listening to a familiar song and suddenly noticing the harmony, melody, rhythm, instrumentation, form, cultural context, or artistic choices in a way you never did before, then we have accomplished something important.

Course Communication

After you have enrolled and the class has started, questions regarding assignments, due dates, course content, or other course-related matters should be directed to me through the Messages tab within the online course. Please reserve email outside of the course for emergencies.

If you are in need of tutoring, Troy Edwards is available to tutor for free. Available times are:

• Monday - 2:00pm-6:00pm - Math Center
• Tuesday - 8:00am-10:15am - Music 200    10:15am-12:30pm - Music 204
• Wednesday - 10:00am-10:15am - Music 200   10:15am-12:30pm - Music 202   12:30pm-2:00pm - Math Center
• Thursday - 8:00am-10:15am - Music 200    10:15am-12:30pm - Music 204
• Saturday - 5:00pm-8:00pm - Math Center