SYLLABUS (Online) For week by week description of requirements, assignments, and exams, please refer to the associated Course Outline link Long semester: http://vickyjohnson.altervista.org/PopularMusicCourseOutlineOnlineLongSemester.htm 8 Week course: http://vickyjohnson.altervista.org/PopularMusicCourseOutline8wks.htm Stay a Texan hybrid course: http://vickyjohnson.altervista.org/PopularMusicStayATexan.htm Summer course: http://vickyjohnson.altervista.org/PopularMusicCourseOutlineOnlineSummer.htm Course Description “An introductory study of popular music in the U.S., emphasizing the development and application of analytical skills oriented toward the popular arts.”
Required Text and Materials  | David Joyner, American Popular Music, 3rd edition |
For those who would prefer a digital text subscription, or who do not have time to order the text, it is also available at Coursesmart.com (http://www.coursesmart.com/0077285980) If your book gets back-ordered, do not wait for it after the semester begins - get the digital text.
| Computer with high-speed internet connection (dial-up is too slow for the streaming audio required for exams) |
| Microsoft Word 2007 or later (you need to be able to read .docx files) |
| Access to PowerPoint software: It is available on campus if you are close enough, but your final project must be in that format |
Course Objectives Students in this course will:
| broaden their appreciation and understanding of the role of American popular music |
| learn to recognize specific musical styles, genres, and performers of American popular music |
| learn to understand and recognize compositional structures common to various genres of American popular music |
| increase their understanding of American cultural history by studying the significant trends, sounds, characteristics, and messages of its popular music |
Course Activities | Online lecture material |
| Reading and listening assignments (See info about Listening below) |
| Weekly assignments |
| Discussions |
| Timed exams |
Course Requirements | Weekly assignments |
| PowerPoint presentation covering a specific topic of your choice within the subject of popular music | | 3 tests, each covering one unit of the text The tests will include questions concerning the reading assignments in the textbook as well as the material and listening excerpts covered in the lectures and online material. | | Discussion postings |
Grading | Unit Exams 50% |
| Discussion Posts 25% |
| Assignments and final project 25% |
COURSEWORK CRITERIA | | Strong | Weak | Promptness | On time | Late | Completeness | All segments done as assigned | Some missing | Presentation | Length, proofreading, formatting, etc. checked | Unchecked | Clarity | Expression is succinct and clear | Expression is vague and imprecise | Application of readings | Terms and concepts understood and used appropriately | Terms and concepts misused or no usage | DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION CRITERIA | | Strong | Weak | Attendance | Presence in discussion within time assigned Read all posts | Absent or late Read only a few posts | Preparation | Appropriate forethought given to comments where required Extra reading or research if needed | Unsupported opinion | Application of readings | Same as above for coursework | | Constructiveness | Comments advance understanding | Comments have minimal substance or merit |
Students With Disabilities PolicyIt is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking accommodations for this course, please contact Trina Geye, Director of Student Disability Services, at 254.968.9400 or geye@tarleton.edu. Student Disability Services is located in Math 201. More information can be found at www.tarleton.edu/sds or in the University Catalog. Academic Conduct Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's materials or ideas as one's own), or doing work for another person who will receive academic credit are all impermissible. This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an examination; the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports, or term papers; or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were the student's own work. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a grade of "F" for the class. Further disciplinary action may also be taken beyond the Department of Fine Arts. This decision will be mine in consultation with the department head. Cheating is serious business and the penalties for engaging in this sort of activity will be severe. Consult the following link for further information on academic conduct as specified in your student handbook. http://www.tarleton.edu/catalog/academic-information/academic-honesty.html Technology One of the biggest frustrations in an online course can be the technology required to make it happen. Don't hesitate to contact the technology resource personnel at Tarleton. The number for the Blackboard help desk is 254/968-1960. Write that number down and keep it handy! They are there to help you. Here again is a webpage with several links to help you. Online Help Page There are links in the lecture notes to streaming audio of the listening selections for the course. Copyright restrictions prevent allowing students to download these selections for their own use. However, there are online services where you may buy or pay a fee to have these for your own library. 
Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson | 