MUSI 5388

Thesis Syllabus

Course Description

MUSI 5388. Thesis. 3 Credit Hours (repeatable)
The thesis is a culminating activity in the Master of Music in Music Education degree program. No credit until thesis is completed.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of all coursework required for the Master of Music in Music Education and/or permission from the instructor.

Required Text and Materials

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th edition, 2010.
Access to Microsoft Word
Comments to your document will be made via Word mark-up.

Suggested Texts and Materials

Galvan, J.L. (2006). Writing Literature Reviews. Glendale, CA, Pyrczak Publishing.
It is not necessary to get the latest edition of this book. I recommend the second latest edition as a less expensive alternative.

Phillips, K.H. (2008). Exploring Research in Music Education & Music Therapy. New York: Oxford University Press.

Reference Management Software (Citation software)
This is a very helpful tool to help you organize your references. There are detailed comparison charts at this link.

Knowledge Outcomes

Students will develop an understanding of:
(1)       methods in their major field of study
(2)       the theoretical bases for analysis of data results
(3)       the use of professional writing style requirements

Skill Outcomes

Students will be able to:
(1)       formulate research questions and hypotheses, and operationalize them
(2)       find, analyze, evaluate, select, and integrate information using various sources
(3)       critically and systematically integrate knowledge
(4)       clearly present and discuss the conclusions as well as the knowledge and arguments that form the basis for research findings

Value Outcomes

Students will:
(1)       have a sense of responsibility for using acquired research knowledge in professional settings
(2)       understand ethical standards for conducting research
(3)       have the foundation to conduct independent research; present and evaluate results responsibly, critically, and objectively
(4)       determine the ethical value of his/her own research pursuits

Course Requirements:

Students choosing the thesis track must complete 2 semesters of MUSI 5388 (Thesis) to fulfill degree requirements. The course can be repeated as needed until the thesis is completed.

Grading

While the thesis is in progress, each semester grade will be "I" (in progress). The grade of "I" signifies that the student is making satisfactory progress toward completing the graduate thesis. When the thesis is completed, the last two semesters of thesis work will receive a grade of "S" (satisfactory).

Attendance

This is an online directed studies course. It is the student's responsibility to adhere to an appropriate timeline of progress.

Students with Disabilities Policy

It 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

Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a grade of "F" for the class. Further disciplinary action may also be brought against the guilty student. 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

Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson