MHL 525 - Music in America

This is a Web-based course taught by Dr. Brian R. Utley.

Instructor Contact Information 

Dr. Brian R. Utley email: butley@sfasu.edu (936) 468-1143 http://www.music.sfasu.edu/faculty/b_utley.html

Course Description
A survey of music and musicians in the United States from colonial times to the present.

Textbook Requirements
Music in the United States, A Historical Introduction (4th ed.) by H. Wiley Hitchcock with Kyle Gann (Prentice-Hall)

Course Prerequisites
1.  Acceptance as a graduate student in the School of Music or permission from the instructor.
2.  Access to a computer and the Internet (HIGH SPEED, or broadband, connection is best due to the number of listening examples).
3.  Access to a regional library, preferably a college, university, or large public library. This is necessary not only for research projects, but may also aid you in gaining access to supplemental recordings and readings.

Course Format and Participation Requirements
Course materials will be presented in the form of textbook readings, web page notes, and listening assignments (all on-line).  Three projects will be required. There will also be discussion board questions and chat sessions in which participation is mandatory.  All exams will be on-line.  This course is largely NOT self-paced; however, as special circumstances arise (particularly in summer sessions), a certain amount of flexibility can be attained.  It is incumbent upon the student to discuss any issues with the instructor as soon as possible.

On-campus or Face-to-Face Meeting Requirements
None.  

Course Assessment
Bibliography Project: 40 points possible
Listening Reports (3): 20 points each (60 points total)
Discussion Forum/Chat Participation: 100 points possible
Term Paper: 100 points possible
Exams: 300 total points possible (each weighted slightly differently)

Grading Scale (out of 600 points)
A = 540 - 600 points
B = 480 - 539 points
C = 420 - 479 points
D = 360 - 419 points
F = 0 - 359 points

Effort Expected
This is a 2-credit-hour course. You should expect to work 3 to 4 hours per week for each credit hour.  To be successful in this course you should expect to spend about 6 to 8 hours a week on readings, assignments, discussions, and other activities. This estimate is for the fall and spring semesters; if the course is offered during the summer course, more time per week may be necessary.

Technical Requirements for the Course
Other than the minimum technical requirements for any course, students will need Real Player software and Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Before the Course Begins

Complete the Getting Started area of sfaonline.

Register and pay for the course just as you would any other SFA course.

As soon as you are registered, please send an email message to the instructor.

Carefully read and complete all steps of Getting a myCourses Username and PIN.

F-1 Visa Holders
There are important federal regulations pertaining to distance education activity for F-1 Visa holders. All students with an F-1 Visa should follow the instructions at the following link to make sure they are in compliance.
http://www.oit.sfasu.edu/disted/facsup/f1visa.html

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