Fall 2026
American Music
Instructor: Madeleine LaFollette
Email: lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu
Phone: 409-984-6524
Office Hours: TBA or by appointment
Additional Contact Information: n/a
General survey of various styles of music in America. Topics may include jazz, ragtime, folk, rock, and contemporary art music which promotes the appreciation of cultural expressions.
An Introduction to America's Music, 3rd Ed.
Richard Crawford (author) and Larry Hamberlin Waterman (author)
W. W. Norton and Company, 2018
Print ISBN: 978-0-393-66828-5
eText ISBN: 978-0-393-69096-5
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Listening Journal (supplied by instructor)
Note taking materials (paper, pencil, pen, etc.), blooket.com, Blackboard access, LSCPA email, Office 365 access
none
1. Identify the elements, styles, and musicians representative of music within the chosen style(s).
2. Analyze the elements and structures of music using appropriate terminology.
3. Critically evaluate the influence of social, political, technological, and/or cultural ideas on the chosen musical style(s).
4. Articulate an informed personal reflection of the chosen musical style(s).
Students will engage in active listening to identify, interpret, distinguish, and critique the elements of music in instrumental and vocal music (classical, jazz, music for the stage and screen, and classic rock). (PSSLO 1abdcd; 3abcd; 4abc).
Students will be able to summarize the history and development of musical styles as connected to composers, musical terms, and music genres (PSLO 1abcd; 3abcd)
Students will be able to map, associate, and compare the development of music with the different periods of human history (PSLO 1abcd; 3abcd; 4abc)
Students will be able to debate, propose, and participate with personal responsibility. (PSLO 4)
Students will be able to appreciate the American song as an expression of social diversity, civic responsibility awareness of their own, and others' culture. (PSLO 5)
This course is organized into four modules. Modules 1-3 conclude with an exam. Module 4 concludes with a project. Module topics and schedule are subject to change based on semester events and course pacing, at the instructor's discretion.
Module 1 (Weeks 1-5): Music Fundamentals, Secular and Sacred Music in the European Colonies, America’s Music from the Civil War Through World War I
Module 2 (Weeks 6-9): America’s Music from World War I Through World War II
Module 3 (Weeks 9-13): America’s Music in the Postwar Era
Module 4 (Weeks 13-16): America’s Music Since 1980
Students are expected to complete quizzes, assignments, and Listening Journals on a weekly basis. All assignments are due on Fridays at 11:59pm unless otherwise specified by the instructor.
All Exams (Modules 1-3) will take place during class time on the given dates. Module 4 Presentations will be due on the date below, in lieu of a Module 4 Exam. Students will be given the exam at the beginning of the class period, and the exam will be collected for grading at the end of the class period.
Students may use their books for in-class tests but are NOT permitted to use any electronic devices (phones, laptops, Chromebooks, watches, etc.).
Students MUST notify the instructor if they will be late or absent for a test or presentation AT LEAST 48 hours before the test or presentation, otherwise they will receive a zero for the test or presentation. Exceptions will only be granted in extreme circumstances (illness, injury, death, etc.).
The Major Assignments schedule is subject to change based on semester events and course pacing, at the instructor's discretion.
The instructor will collect the Listening Journal for grading on exam/project dates.
Exam 1: September 25th, 2026 (Week 5)
Exam 2: October 21st, 2026 (Week 9)
Exam 3: November 16th, 2026 (Week 13)
Final Project Due: December 4th, 2026 by 11:59pm (Week 15)
The Module 4 Project will be due by Friday, December 4th, at 11:59pm. This project takes place of the Final Exam for this course. The Module 4 Project will be submitted on Blackboard.
90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 0-59 F
Final Project- 15%
Module Exams- 25%
Assignments and Quizzes- 25%
Listening Journal- 25%
Attendance- 10%
The contents of this syllabus (schedule, major assignments, instructor policies, etc.) are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is never tolerated in this or any course. Students are always expected to submit original work and cite all outside sources. The instructor may use Blackboard tools such as SafeAssign and Respondus to ensure student work is authentic and original. Failure to maintain academic integrity may result in a zero grade or course failure.
Artificial Intelligence: The use of Artificial Intelligence tools (ex. ChatGPT, Gemini, Grammarly, etc.) for exams, essays, homework, quizzes, or listening journals is strictly prohibited unless explicitly stated by the instructor. Unauthorized use will be treated as academic dishonesty and may result in a zero for the assignment or failure of the course. If AI use is suspected, the instructor will assign a temporary zero and contact the student via email, Blackboard, or in person to schedule a meeting. During this meeting, the coursework will be reviewed and appropriate action determined.
Absences and Late Arrivals: All classes begin promptly at the start time. Students are expected to be seated and prepared at the beginning of every class. If a student arrives to class more than five minutes late, they will receive HALF attendance credit. If a student departs from class more than five minutes early, they will receive HALF attendance credit. If a student misses more than half of a class period due to a late arrival or early departure, they will receive ONE FULL ABSENCE. Two late arrivals or early departures will count as ONE FULL ABSENCE. If a student accumulates more than 7 absences in this course, they will receive a failing grade for the course. If a student knows that they will be late or absent from class, they must contact the instructor via email at lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu. Exceptions for extreme circumstances (illness, injury, death, etc.) will be granted on a situational basis.
Technology and Electronics: Students are not permitted to use electronic devices (such as phones, laptops, Chromebooks, etc.) during in-person class meetings unless otherwise specified by the instructor. If the instructor observes any student using electronic devices during class time, they will ask them to put away their electronic devices. If the student continues to use their electronic devices, they will be asked to leave class for the day, and they will not receive attendance credit for that day.
Grades and Late Work: All grades will be posted in Blackboard. Students must meet with the instructor to discuss grades and grading policies. All work must be submitted on time. Late work will be subject to a 5% grade reduction after one day and a 10% grade reduction for every day after. (For example, if an assignment with a grade of 100% is submitted one day late, the grade would be reduced to a 95%. If the same assignment is submitted two days late, the grade would be reduced to an 85%. After three days, the grade would be a 75%.) The instructor will not accept any work turned in more than one week (7 days) late. Any work submitted more than one week (7 days) late will receive a zero. Submission extensions may be granted in extreme circumstances and must be discussed with the instructor.
The instructor takes attendance promptly at the beginning of every lecture. Students should always plan to arrive to class on time. Late arrivals and early departures from class are disruptive to the instructor and to classmates.
Students are expected to attend and participate in all lectures for this course. If a student is late or absent from class, they must inform the instructor via email (lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu).
Attendance counts for 10% of a student’s overall grade in this course. Failure to attend class may result in a student failing this course. If a student accumulates over 7 unexcused absences in this course, they will automatically fail the course. Any student with perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) will receive an automatic 5-point bonus added to their final project grade.
An absence is only considered excused if it is unavoidable (illness with a doctor’s note, bereavement, injury or accident en route to class).
A planned appointment will not be excused by the instructor. Do not schedule appointments or meetings during this class meeting time.
Students are expected to arrive on time for all classes. A student will lose half of their daily attendance credit for any late arrival or early departure exceeding 5 minutes. Two late arrivals or late departures will count as one full absence. A student who misses more than half a class period will be counted as absent and unexcused for that class period.
Students are encouraged to utilize the resources provided by LSCPA Student Services (https://www.lamarpa.edu/student-services/index.html) such as tutoring, counseling, career coaching, and The Nest. Students may also choose to use TimelyCare- Medical and Mental Health Support and Tutor.com (both links located in Blackboard, some restrictions may apply).
Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Accessibility Services Coordinator, Room 119, in the Ruby Fuller Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.