Evolution of Popular Music Syllabus

2015-2016

Instructor: Mr. Girtain
Room: 130
Email:
Phone: x424
Meeting Time: Period 8

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Half-year elective course.

Music is everywhere. Enter a concert hall, a restaurant, a house of worship, or even your own living room, and you will be sure to hear it piping out some electronic speaker or acoustic instrument. It comes in limitless varieties and accompanies all facets of human life from our most mundane annoyances (advertisements) to our most valued rituals (funerals). As a cultural phenomenon it has existed as long as there have been humans. The cavemen from pre-history made it, and doubtless the people of the future will, too. Thus by learning about music we stand to gain valuable insight into an inseparable part of the human experience, thereby enriching our understanding of both ourselves and the world around us.

In this course, The Evolution of Popular Music, we will mainly explore the role music has played in American society from the 19th century up through the present day. We will develop critical listening skills. We will develop a vocabulary to describe the music we hear. We will learn the main streams of popular music, and how they have interacted with each other over the years. We will learn the origins of popular music. We will learn the themes that have shaped the development of popular music through the present day.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1)Critical Listening Skills

  1. Determine musical form from listening prompt
  2. Verse-chorus
  3. AABA form
  4. Describe different musical textures
  5. Rhythm and accompaniment
  6. Solos, countermelodies
  7. Bass lines
  8. Percussion roles
  9. Analyze relationships between text and music
  10. Describe how large forms and localized musical events paint text
  11. Write personal responses to music that use accurate musical descriptions as support

2)Historical Narrative of Popular Music

  1. Popular Music of the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries
  2. Blues, Hillbilly Music, and the Swing Era
  3. Rhythm & Blues, Rock & Roll, British Invasion
  4. Disco and the 80’s
  5. 90’s and Today

3)Interpretation: Applying Critical Thinking and Listening Skills to Class Themes

  1. Music and Identity
  2. Articulate the role music plays in forming the relationships between societiesand individuals
  3. Music and Technology
  4. Describe how technological innovations have influenced the development of popular music.
  5. Be able to identify specific kinds of music technology in a piece of music from a listening prompt. This includes studio recording techniques as well as instruments, etc.
  6. The Music Business
  7. Explain the economic model of music business
  8. Articulate the complex relationships between the public, music business, and creative artists
  9. Centers and Peripheries
  10. Be able to identify the main geographical centers and peripheries that create popular music, as well as associate a sound or genre with them.
  11. Describe the streams of tradition, aka., the sources of popular music
  12. Identify unique characteristics of the European American, African American, and Latin American Streams of music from audio prompt.
  13. Create
  14. Use terms from class to describe surface-level characteristics of popular music
  15. Incorporate knowledgeof popular music narrative to create interpretations that properly contextualize any given popular music example.

4)Engage with Academic Dialogue on Popular Music

  1. Read Articles from Journals that articulate current thought on popular music
  2. Create unique interpretations of articles and share with peers.

5)Develop Passion for Popular Music

  1. Create project that shares interests in popular music with rest of class

PRIMARY TEXT:

American Popular Music, 4th ed. Starr, Waterman, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2011.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

America’s Musical Life, a History. Crawford,

(More to come)

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Notebook
  • Pen
  • Folder for handouts
  • Computer with internet access
  • Listening Capabilities (Headphones, stereo system)

CLASSROOM RULES and PROCEDURES:

  1. Arrive to class on time. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Promptly begin working on “do now” as instructed.
  2. Bring yourpen, notebook, and due homework to class every day. There will be no partial credit or late credit for missing homework unless there is a valid excuse (doctor’s note, court appearance, etc.). Homework will be assigned often, but not daily.
  3. To ask a question, or respond to a question from the teacher, please raise your hand and wait quietly to be recognized.
  4. There is no food or drink allowed in the classroom at any time. Exception for water.
  5. Cell phones will be confiscated if used anytime in class, or if ringer or vibration sounds. No second chances.
  6. At the end of each class, clean your area, and return your desk to its proper location.
  7. You are responsible for keeping your notes current and organized.
  8. Be courteous and respectful to all faculty and students at all times. No negative or derogatory comments will be allowed in the classroom.
  9. Teacher detention will be given for misbehavior, tardiness, or continuous talking or disruption in class.
  10. First detention = 15 minutes
  11. Second detention = 30 minutes and call home
  12. Third detention = visit to Mr. Koth

EVALUATION:

CATEGORY / POSSIBLE POINTS / EARNED POINTS
TwoTests, Including Final Exam / 200 / 180
Four Quizzes / 200 / 167
Three Supplemental Readings / 75 / 70
Homework / 100 / 100
Final Project/Presentation / 100 / 95
Class Participation / 100 / 95
Total / 775 / 707 (707/775= B+)
  1. Tests
  2. Cumulative tests will be administered once per marking period. They will be announced in advance and therefore unable to be made up in case of absence. Individually, each test will account for approximately 13% of your final grade.
  3. Quizzes
  4. Two quizzes will be administered per semester. Quizzes may be announced or unannounced. They will be less cumulative, and more focused on individual topics covered in class.
  5. Homework
  6. Homework will be assigned regularly, but not daily. As the most immediate form of feedback they are essential for measuring progress, checking comprehension, and reinforcing learned skills. No late homework will be accepted for partial or late credit.
  7. Final Project
  8. Successful completion of a final composition project will be required for a passing final grade. The deadline and requirements for this project will be announced well in advance. No late submissions will be accepted. More information to come.
  9. Supplemental Readings
  10. Three times over the course of the semester, you will be given reading assignments from an academic journal or textbook to supplement or augment what we learn in class. Each reading will be accompanied by an in-class activity which will be graded.
  1. Class Participation
  2. This grade will be determined by the quality and frequency of your contributions during class. For positive contributions it will go up, and for negative ones it will go down.

ADDITIONALLY:

The contents of this syllabus, including objectives and resources, may be subject to modifications as the school year progresses, the discretion of the instructor. Any modifications to this document will be announced in advance.

EXTRA HELP and OFFICE HOURS:

I will be available for extra help after school Tuesdays and Thursdays, and limited office hours during the school day. If you are struggling, or have any concerns whatsoever, please do not hesitate to let me know. I want you to succeed in this course and will be happy to assist you in any way that I can.

CONTRACT: To be signed and returned by Tuesday, September 8th

I, ______(print name), have read and understood this syllabus. I understand that I will be solely responsible for the knowledge of its contents. I understand the behavior that is expected of me in class and how my final grade will be calculated. I also understand that if, at any time, I have questions or concerns, Mr. Girtain is available as a first resource to me.

Student Signature:______Parent Signature:______Date:______