COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Music Appreciation is a basic course designed to enhance your enjoyment and understanding of music.  Historical and cultural perspective, as well as building of analytical and listening skills, will be stressed.  No musical background is required or expected, although students with such a background may find certain material in the course to be less challenging.  The bulk of the course is focused on so-called “Western Art Music.”

ORIENTATION:  Orientation for this course is provided on Blackboard. You will need to click on the section “Orientation” and read the Orientation PowerPoint Presentation and complete the Orientation Checklist within the first three days of the course. 

Students who fail to meet a DL course's orientation requirements may be dropped from the class. If you are unable to complete your DL Course Orientation as scheduled, contact your professor immediately to determine if any alternatives are available.

LATE COURSEWORK   Coursework assignments that are not completed by the due dates are considered late.  These assignments may be completed late due to unexcused absence or negligence on the part of the student will be accepted for half credit.  It is always a good idea to talk to the professor and discuss any issues with them regarding any missed or late assignments.   Non-communication from student to professor is considered an unexcused absence.  Students with excessive amounts (as determined by the professor) of missed or late work may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the professor.

The only item that will NOT be allowed as 'late work' is the Discussion Forum.  This is an interactive discussion activity that requires real-time communication and exchanges of ideas with other students.  This cannot be recreated.  Therefore, if you miss these assignments, you will need to take a zero for that particular assignment.  Please do not ignore or miss these assignments, they are a major part of your overall grade.  This heavier weight is given to this assignment because of the nature of the assignment, using higher learning skills to evaluate and communicate with the usage of musical terminology is essential to the absorption and digestion of this subject material.  This assignment is designed to exercise that level of the hierarchy of learning.

COURSEWORK CHECKLISTS:

On Blackboard (ACC’s online course system) you will find a button titled, “Coursework Checklists”.  For each unit, a checklist will be posted detailing the work to be completed during the designated time period.  It may contain, reading assignments, listening assignments, dates for quizzes to be completed, assignment instructions and dates, etc…

CONCERT REQUIREMENT:

This course makes a requirement of one (1) live musical experiences to enhance the elements taught in the classroom.  For this concert, you will write a report and turn in as an assignment.   In addition, there will be one (1) assigned multi-media project, on which, you will write a short description as well.  This is a total of one report (1) and one (1) multimedia project.  Each of the due dates are listed below and on the Assignment Instructions.  The Assignment Instructions are listed on Blackboard under the tab titled, “Assignments”.  (This requirement's details are subject to changes due to the COVID-19 issues with availability of performances)

On Blackboard, the instructor will post the instructions as an assignment due for this class.  Proof of attendance to these concerts must be provided with the completed report and emailed to the instructor for grading. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  All papers are submitted to “SafeAssign” for integrity review.

Proof of attendance may be in the form of ticket stub and/or concert program, as well as a picture of yourself at the venue.  Your attendance to these concerts will be graded and be a large portion (40%) of the overall final grade to this course.  These items may be delivered to the instructor via scanned image/email.  ONLY electronic submissions of this assignment will be accepted.  This must be done by the due dates.

FINAL GRADE CALCULATION/BREAKDOWN:

The following shows how grades will be calculated based on different sections of the coursework. 

Policies

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Attendance is not required in an online course.  It is highly recommended to all students for academic achievement and success to maintain a set schedule of reading, listening and work time to complete all the required tasks and assignments in a timely manner.  The Professor will provide a schedule for all required tasks for each Unit (these Unit numbers correspond with the Part numbers in the textbook) and will expect each student to maintain high standards to succeed in the course.    You are responsible for completing all required tasks/work on time.  Assignments, Quizzes, Discussion Forums and Exams may be given, of which, is a substantial portion of final grade. 

WITHDRAWAL POLICY:  It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should it be deemed necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog.

INCOMPLETE:  An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester. 

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:  A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

 ACADEMIC FREEDOM:  Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good.  The common good depends upon a free search for truth and its free expression.  Hence it is essential that faculty members at Austin Community College be free to pursue scholarly inquiry without unreasonable restriction, and to voice and publish their conclusions without fear of institutional censorship or discipline.  They must be free from the possibility that others of differing vision, either inside or outside the college community, may threaten their professional careers.

The concept of academic freedom in Austin Community College is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility, shared by the Board of Trustee, administration, and faculty members.

The essential responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and administrators regarding academic freedom are set forth in the Criteria For Accreditation, adopted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as updated and revised.

In the classroom or in college-produced telecommunications, faculty members should strive to be accurate, to exercise appropriate restraint, and to show respect for the opinions of others.   In addition, instructors should be judicious in the use of material and should introduce only material that has a clear relationship to the subject field.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

STUDENT DISCIPLINE:  Austin Community College students are recognized as responsible persons who neither lose the rights nor escape responsibilities of citizenship.  Enrollment in the College indicates acceptance of the rules set forth in Administrative Rule 4.02.010 concerning disciplinary action.  Due process through an investigation and appeal process is assured to any student involved in disciplinary action.

STUDENT’S FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in the discussion forum.  In any classroom (including online courses) situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints.  These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn.  On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor.  It expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

STATEMENT ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:  Students with Accomodationsmust alert the instructor and provide them a copy of the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” by the end of the first week of classes.   Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.  Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.   

Students who have received approval for accommodations from OSD for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from OSD before accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.  

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.   

Additional information about the Office for Students with Disabilities is available at http://www.austincc.edu/support/osd/

SAFETY STATEMENT  Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

TESTING CENTER POLICY  Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center.  Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:

·      ACC Photo ID

·      Course Abbreviation

·      Course Number

·      Course Synonym

·      Course Section

·      Instructor's Name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester.  ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Student And Instructional Services:  ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at:   http://www.austincc.edu/s4/

Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.autincc.edu/tutor/students/tutoring.php

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

REQUIRED MATERIALS: 

*Required Online Access:

·      On-line access to “The Enjoyment of Music” is Required. This website provides all the materials needed to take the course; etextbook, musical examples, documentaries, listening guides and resource materials.

·      Course Materials:  All Norton Course Materials are embedded in Blackboard, however, before the materials can be accessed, you must purchase the access under the tab, “eBook & Course Materials”.    Here you will find the “Registration for The Enjoyment of Music” folder.  Follow the directions from this tab for registration.  The cost is $55.

·      

PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING UNTIL YOU READ THE ORIENTATION INFORMATION.

I)   Materials of Music

II)  Medieval & Renaissance

III) Baroque Era

IV) 18th Century Classical Era

V)  Romantic Era

VI)  20th Century Modernism

VII) Music Beyond The Concert Hall

Course Objectives/outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this class you will have developed:

• Stronger skills in the art of listening actively to music of all kinds.
• A broad knowledge of the many eras that make up the body of Western art music, as well as knowledge of representative composers and pieces from each era.
• An increased ability to communicate your awareness of and feelings about music to others.
• A basis from which to continue being nourished and fulfilled by music throughout your life.