Instructor: Madeleine LaFollette

Email: lafollettemp@lamarpa.edu

Phone: 409-984-6524

Office Hours: TBA or by appointment

Additional Contact Information: n/a

Course Description:

Understanding music through the study of cultural periods, major composers, and musical elements. Illustrated with audio recordings and live performances. (Does not apply to a music major degree.)

Textbook and Materials:

We will be using one digital book with free access through Blackboard. 

Understanding Music: Past and Present by N. Alan Clark, Thomas Heflin, Jeffrey Kluball, and Elizabeth Kramer. (ISBN 978-1-940771-33-5). Produced by the University System of Georgia and Published by the University of North Georgia Press.

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.

Note-taking materials (pen and paper, etc)

Folder/Binder

Blackboard Access

Office 365 Access

none

Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will engage in active listening to identify, interpret, distinguish, and critique the elements of music in instrumental and vocal music (classical, popular music in the USA, music for the stage and screen). (PSLO 1abdcd; 3abcd; 4abc). 
2. 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) 
3. Students will be able to map, associate, and compare the development of music with the different periods of human history (PSLO 1abcd; 3abcd; 4abc) 
4. Students will be able to describe and differentiate musical styles as related to cultural trends. (PSLO 1abcd; 2abc;3abcd)
5. Students will be able to debate, propose, and participate with personal responsibility. (PSLO 4) 
6. Students will be able to appreciate music as an expression of social diversity, civic responsibility awareness of their own, and others' culture. (PSLO 5) 
7. Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Identify musical works and elements in a variety of styles. 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 music. 4. Articulate the significance of music as an art form within historical, cultural and social contexts.

PSLOs:

1. Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication. 
2. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts, and constructing solutions. 
3. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. 
4. Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities. 
5. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

Lecture Topic Outline:

Lecture topics are presented in 4 modules throughout the course. Module topics are as follows:

Module 1: Music Fundamentals, Music of the Middle Ages, and Music of the Renaissance

Module 2: Music of the Baroque Period and of the Classical Period

Module 3: Nineteenth Century Music and Romanticism and The Twentieth Century and Beyond

Module 4: Final Project: Popular Music in the United States

Major Assignments Schedule:

Students are expected to complete quizzes and assignments on a weekly basis. All assignments are due on Fridays at 11:59pm unless otherwise specified by the instructor.  

All Exams (Modules 1-3) are administered on Blackboard. Exams open on a Wednesday and close on a Friday (dates below). Module 4 Presentations will be due on the date below, in lieu of a Module 4 Exam. Students will have 120 minutes to complete each exam once the exam has been opened.

All exams are open-book. Students are permitted to use ONLY their course textbook to complete exams. Use of AI or unauthorized outside materials will result in a grade of zero for the exam.

Students MUST notify the instructor if they will not be able to complete an exam within the assigned window AT LEAST 48 hours before the exam, otherwise they will receive a zero for the exam. 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.

Exam 1: Open- September 23rd at 12:00am; Close- September 25th at 11:59pm (Week 5)

Exam 2: Open- October 21st at 12:00am; Close- October 23rd at 11:59pm (Week 9)

Exam 3: Open- November 18th at 12:00am; Close- November 20th at 11:59pm (Week 13)

Final Project Due: Open- December 2nd at 12:00am; Close- December 4th at 11:59pm (Week 15)

Final Exam Date:

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.

Final Project Due: Open- December 2nd at 12:00am; Close- December 4th at 11:59pm (Week 15)

Grading Scale:

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

Determination of Final Grade:

Final Project- 25%

Module Exams- 50%

Assignments and Quizzes- 25%

Instructor Policies:

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.

Technology and Electronics: This is an online course, and students are expected to use technology and electronics to interact with the course materials.

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.

This is an online course, and in-person attendance is not required for weekly class meetings.

If a student misses a scheduled meeting with the instructor, this may be counted as a zero for an Assignments and Quizzes grade.

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.