• DL COURSE SYLLABUS - Fall 2024

  MUSI 1306: Music Appreciation- DISTANCE LEARNING/ONLINE COURSE

  12 Week Session September 23through December 15, 2024

   

  COURSE NOTICE:  This is a 12-week, intensive course for Music Appreciation.  Students enrolling in this course recognize that the same amount of work in the 16-week course is covered in the 12-week course.  To maintain SACS accreditation for college credit, there is no reduction in the course content for time constraints.  Continuance in this course after the start date is confirmation that students agree to the terms and conditions of this course and syllabus.  Due to this acknowledgment, no complaints, or excuses regarding 'time' will be accepted.   

   

  INSTRUCTOR:  Professor, Virginia Volpe

  INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFO: 

                Cell Phone : 512-565-5418(for emergencies only, please)

                Email: virginia.volpe@austincc.edu

   

  OFFICE HOURS:

  • Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00-10:30am  –or— by appointment by Zoom

   

  SCHEDULED CLASSTIMES:   Professor will be available online to answer questions and guide/assist students Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00-10:30am each week.  All coursework for this course is done on the students' own schedule.  There will be due dates for Units and coursework that must be met.  The students are expected to make arrangements in their personal schedule to accommodate this workload and meet the deadlines for the Units.  Quizzes are taken online through Blackboard -- again, at the students' own schedule, as long as work for that unit is done by the deadline on the Coursework Schedule.

   

  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.”

  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. DO NOT purchase a used textbook hoping to save money. It will not include the music files which are essential to passing this course.
  • 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 $65.
  • Registration must be completed by midnight (11:59 p.m.), Friday September 22, 2023.

   

  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.

  COURSEWORK CHECKLISTS:

  On Blackboard (ACC’s online course system) you will find a button titled, “eBook & Course Content”.  In this, you will choose which unit, and the checklists are within each of the corresponding, assigned Unit folders.  This provides the actual checklist you will need to completed all tasks for this course.  Each unit, a new checklist is posted for the work to be completed for that designated time period for the unit.  It may contain, reading assignments, listening assignments, dates for quizzes to be completed, assignment instructions and dates to be completed, etc…

  Quizzes:

  Only access quizzes through Blackboard.  If you complete the quizzes in the Norton website, you will NOT get credit for them.  Each of these quizzes are found in the chapter folder in Blackboard.  To check if you are completing them correctly, go to the Blackboard gradebook.  Here, you can check your grades at any time under the 'My Grades' tab.

   

  COURSE POLICIES:

  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 Quiz within the first two days of the course.  There is an Orientation Quiz that must be completed in the first two days of classes.  This due date is: Wednesday by midnight (11:59 p.m.) Sept.  20,  2023.

   

  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 instructor 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 (EXCEPT FOR DISCUSSION FORUMS).  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.  Additionally, NO late work will be accepted after the end of the semester.

    

  DISCUSSION FORUMS  Discussion Forums cannot be duplicated because of the interactive nature of the activity, therefore, if you miss it, this assignment cannot be made up. Please remember that these are a large portion of your overall grade (30%) and can lower your grade significantly if you do not participate.

   

  MISSED EXAMS  If there is a conflict with your scheduling regarding the exams or an upcoming deadline, communicate the conflict in advance with the professor.  You are expected to keep up with your deadlines, and you are expected to make adjustments in your schedule to avoid any conflicts with your coursework deadlines.  If you are ill, please notify the professor immediately if you are going to miss an exam or deadline.  Normally, the professor will ask for a doctor’s note or some kind of documentation/proof of your illness. 

     

  ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Physical 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 professor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should the instructor feel it 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.

    

  INCOMPLETES:  An Incomplete may not be used as a shelter from a potentially low grade in the class.  A student may qualify for an “I” (Incomplete) at the end of the semester only if ALL of the following conditions are satisfied:

  1.  The student is unable to complete the course during the semester due to documented extenuating circumstances.

  2.  The student must have earned at least the grade points needed for a “C” by the end of the semester.

  3.  The request for the grade must be made in writing (via email) to the instructor a minimum of two weeks prior to the end of the semester and necessary documents completed.

  4.  To remove an “I”, the student must complete the stipulations of the Incomplete contract signed with the instructor no later than two weeks prior to the end of the next semester.  Failure to do so will result in the grade automatically reverting to an “F”.

    

  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  https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities  .

     

  All assignments in this course must be completed by the enrolled student only.  The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to complete assignments is expressly prohibited.  The penalty for using AI to create written work or the use of another person’s writing (plagiarism) is the same as listed above for Scholastic Dishonesty. 
      

  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 Accommodations must 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 Students' Accessibilities Services Office (SAS).   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 SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS 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.   

    

  To request services, complete the Accessibility Services application steps at the campus that is most convenient for you.

    

  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: Safety and Environmental Management. 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.  Check ACC Testing Center policies.

    

  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: https://www.austincc.edu/students

    

  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.

   

    

  CONCERT ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: 

  Due to the fact this session is short, the concert report requirement will be an online assignment. 

  Due to recent pandemic, there may be fewer than usual live musical experiences available.  ACC and it's faculty/staff respect the health and well-being of the students and their families and will not require LIVE* attendance for this session.  Therefore, the concert reports requirement will be offered as online assignments 

  There will be concerts available around town, and only if you feel comfortable about attending live, you may attend and write your reports upon those concerts.  Be sure to approve the concert choice with your professor before buying tickets or attending. *.

  Also, you will need proof of attendance to these concerts must be provided with the completed report for grading.  Proof of attendance may be in the form of ticket stub and concert program, as well as a photo of yourself at the venue.  Your completion of these reports to these concerts will be graded and will be a large portion (40%) of the overall final grade to this course. 

    

  *Please note:  Online options for this assignment are provided to protect students from having to be exposed to Covid in crowds.  If you choose to attend a live concert event, you are doing so at your own risk.  ACC and its staff/faculty are not responsible if you contract Covid or any other illness due to attending an event.

    

  On Blackboard, the instructor will post the instructions as an assignment due for this class.  The completed report must be submitted through Blackboard  to the instructor for grading . Only electronic submissions will be accepted.  All papers are submitted to “SafeAssign” and other forms of AI detection software may be used for integrity review.  Your reports of these concerts will be graded and be a portion (40%) of the overall final grade to this course. These must be completed by the due dates for full credit.  Any late work may be submitted for half-credit ( see full information above under header 'late work')

    

  Each of the Concert Assignment due dates are:

  Report #1 is due by 11:59pm  – 11/05/2023

  Report #2 is due by 11:59pm - 12/03/2023

   

  FINAL EXAMS:

  There is no formal final exam in this course.  More weight has put towards the Unit Exams and the Concert Assignments.  

   

   

  FINAL GRADE CALCULATION/BREAKDOWN: 

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

    
   

   

  COURSE SCHEDULE BY UNITS AND MATERIAL COVERAGE:

   

  On Blackboard (ACC’s online course system) you will find a button titled, “Coursework Checklists”.  This provides the actual checklist you will need to completed all tasks for this course.  Each unit, a new one is posted for the work to be completed for that designated time period for the unit.  It may contain, reading assignments, listening assignments, dates for quizzes to be completed, exam instructions and dates to be completed, etc…

              

                                                                                                                                            END OF SYLLABUS                                                            

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  Schedule of Coursework in Units with Due Dates

  Schedule of Coursework in Units with Due Dates

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  Attached Files:

  •  12 week, Fall 2023 Schedule of Coursework in Units with Due Dates.docx  12 week, Fall 2023 Schedule of Coursework in Units with Due Dates.docx - Alternative Formats (17.872 KB)

  Schedule of Coursework in Units with Due Dates

  Week #	Unit #	Topics covered	Due Dates
  1	1	Orientation, Elements of Music, Musical Instruments & Ensembles              [Note: Orientation due by midnight Wednesday, 09/20/2023 --&-- Registration for course materials due by midnight on Friday, Sept. 22/2023 ]	09/24/2023
  2	2	Music of the Middle Ages & Renaissance	10/01/2023
  3-4	3	Music of the Baroque	10/15/2023
  5-6   7	4	Music of the Classical Era        Note:  Concert Report #1 due 11/05/2023	11/29/2023
  8-9   10	5	Music of the 19th Century   Note:   Concert Report #2 due 12/03/2023	11/19/2023
  11-12	6 & 7	Music of the 20th Century and Beyond	12/10/2023

  Course Complete!                                                                 12/10/2023

  Please Note:  No late work will be accepted after the course is complete on December 10, 2023.  The semester is over at that point and grades will be calculated (posted on Blackboard under “My Grades” tab) and reported to the university.

   

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  Course Grades

  Course Grades

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  FINAL GRADE CALCULATION/BREAKDOWN: 

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

  Portion of Coursework	Percentage of Overall Grade
  Chapter & Listening Quizzes	30%
  Discussion Forums	30%
  Concert Assignment Reports	40%
  Total	100%

   

  Course Grade 

  This is how your course grade will be determined:

  Course Grade Calculation

  Grade	A	B	C	D	F
  Percentage	90-100%	89-80%	79-70%	69-60%	59-0%

   

  Monitor your progress

  You can check your grades throughout the course by selecting the My Grades link in the menu.

  I will provide the feedback for each assignment in one week after your submission.

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  About Grades... READ THIS

  About Grades... READ THIS

  Enabled:

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  Hey gang!  I want to talk to ya'll about how, where and when grades are handled...

  1.  The grades that are posted in Blackboard are the actual grades for this class.   To view these, go click on "My Grades" tab.  The column called, "Weighted Total" will give you the average grade thus far which is calculated by the 30/30/40 percentages for the different categories of your grade. 

  2.  Chapter Quizzes:  Each chapter assigned in each unit will have a short quiz.  You get one attempt to take this quiz.  Your score will be calculated in your 'Weighted Total" grades.  These fall under the category of Assignments/Quizzes, of which are 30% of your overall grade for this course.

  3.  Listening Quizzes: These will begin appearing on Chapter 11 and you will need to take these as well.  You may take these as many times as you wish, the highest grade will be included in your grade calculations.  Your score will be calculated in your 'Weighted Total" grades.  These fall under the category of Assignments/Quizzes, of which are 30% of your overall grade for this course.

  4.  Exams:  There will be no exams.  There is no final exam.

  5.  Discussion Forums:  Do each of these before the due date.  You will find them under the tab, "Discussion Forums" in Blackboard.  These cannot be duplicated because of the live, interactive nature of this activity, therefore, if you miss it, this cannot be made up.  Please remember, these are a large portion of your overall grade and can lower your grade significantly if you do not participate.

  Your score will be calculated in your 'Weighted Total" grades.  These fall under the category of Discussion Forums, of which are 30% of your overall grade for this course.

  6.  Concert Reports:  You will find the instructions for this assignment under the "Concert Report" tab in Blackboard.  Keep your eye out for emails from your instructor for concerts around town.  You are welcome to find your own as well.  As the semester moves forward, more and more will become available.  I always try to let you guys know about free ones especially ;-)  

  Your score will be calculated in your 'Weighted Total" grades.  These fall under the category of Concert Reports, of which are 40% of your overall grade for this course.

  7.  Late Work:  Some folks will miss grades for some of the quizzes and/or the concert reports...you can still make these up for half credit. 

  Thanks so much for your patience and for reading this ever so long info letter ;-)

  Ciao!

See the above for a full explanation of the book used in this course. 

See the above for a full explanation of the subject covered in this course. 

The learning outcomes and objectives are included in the full syllabus, as seen above

Although the course mainly focuses on Classical Music, other forms of music are covered as well. See the textbook.