Robert Millar
Emeritus Professor of Music and Humanities, Skyline College
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Robert Millar Emeritus Professor of Music and Humanities, Skyline College
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MUSIC 204 - MUSIC HISTORY - ONLINE Fall Semester-- August 17 - December 9, 2011 PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL OF THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE STARTING THE COURSE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONDUCT OF THE CLASS, THIS PAGE CONTAINS THE FINAL WORD ON ALL COURSE MATTERS, DESPITE ANY CONFLICTS YOU MAY NOTICE ON THE OFFICIAL COURSE WEBSITE! PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING TO TAKE YOU TO THE PART OF THIS PAGE THAT MATCHES THE LINK: PAGE DIRECTORY COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS TEXT (logging on to the course) CONCERT ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT QUIZZES, MIDTERM AND FINAL EXAMINATION TIMES Course title: Music History - ONLINE Dept. number, section: MUS 204 OL, CRN: 91115 Hours: 3 lecture hours per week Last day to drop: 11/15/2011 Orientation: Via Email Grading method: Letter grade or credit/no credit Transfer and GE: UC and CSU transferable (C1), IGETSI AREA 3, Humanities area for AA/AS. Professor: Robert Millar (pron. mil LAHR) Office: 1115A (Office hours by appointment.) Mailing address:
Voicemail: 650-738-4264 E-mail: millar@smccd.edu (Please do not send attachments.) Course Description (Credit/No Credit or letter grade.) Course objectives After taking this course you will be able to 1. Identify and articulate the historical periodicity of individual pieces of music by listening to unidentified musical examples. 2. Differentiate between personal preferences and historical aesthetic criteria as standards for judging the merits of pieces of music. 3. Describe the general characteristics of the music of each period of music history and explain how they grew out of the social climate of the time. 4. Cite at least two individual composers from each historical period and explain the contributions of each to the music of his/her time. 5. Demonstrate understanding of the basic elements of music and explain how they are being employed in pieces of music. In coordination with the DSPS office, reasonable accommodation will be provided for eligible students with disabilities. If you do not yet have an accommodation letter, please contact the DSPS office at (650) 738-4280. Welcome to Online Music History Survey. I hope taking this course will be an enriching and fun experience for you. The aims of this course are very simple: To provide you with the tools for a basic understanding of the different music periods in history, and familiarize you with the main composers, music literature, and genres in each one of them. Imagine that you are a composer or a performer. This may not be hard for some of you, as you may already be one. Now think about the music that you compose or perform. The particular approach you bring to a piece of music depends on many factors: who your teachers were, who your musical influences were, or your own ingenuity. There will even be some factors that are out of your control, but have an equally profound effect on the music you create: the social or political climate of the time you live in; your upbringing; your religious or spiritual background. The music you make is shaped by the same influences that shape your life, your personality, and your beliefs. Similarly, when we look at the music of the great composers, we want to know what shapes their music. We want to understand how and why their music can have such a deep influence on us. To understand the answers to these questions, it is important to analyze the musical style of a composer along with his life circumstances, the political, social, and religious beliefs of his era, and the impact of his or her style on following generations. This, in essence, is the main point of our study of music history. We will focus on the salient characteristics of the music of different composers and historical periods. We will also look at the personal stories of the great composers. Our goal is to better understand their interrelation with their music, and, hopefully, to better understand the music of our own time. This Music History course is offered using the incredible resources of the World Wide Web (WWW) for learning purposes. This format has challenged many traditionally held assumptions about teaching and learning. I will not go into the many ways this has happened. I will, rather, let this exciting adventure unfold and reveal its lessons to all of you. The good news is that you can access the course any time of the day or night from any computer (any place in the world} that has an internet connection. This is a fully paperless class. All course materials, will be accessed electronically via streaming technology. Electronic mail (e-mail) and Discussion Forums will be the main source of information and interaction among us. However, you must be fully conscious that despite its present state of sophistication, computer technology is, for many reasons, quite immature. Expect to encounter some hurdles along the way. Don't be frustrated by them. Learn from your shortcomings and those of the technologies that we will be using. As you may have expected, all of the instruction for this Music History course takes place online; everything (exams, quizzes, assignments, readings, listening, etc.) will be accomplished online. You will work at more or less your own pace to complete the course, studying at whatever times are convenient for you as long as you complete the course by the end of the term ( 11:59 P.M., Friday, December 9th, 2011) and follow the rules and deadlines listed below. you must adhere to all of the deadlines and regulations listed below!! Please read them carefully now and refer to them frequently!! If, for some reason, you are enrolled in the class but cannot make the orientation, it is up to you to read and understand all of the information on this page before beginning the course. you will be held responsible for abiding by the parameters set out here. START THE COURSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ORIENTATION! BUY THE SOFTWARE WITHIN A WEEK AND BEGIN WORK. TO REMAIN IN THE CLASS, YOU MUST BE LOGGED ON AND WORKING REGULARLY . COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS I have found that the course, presented in a streaming format, works best with a high-speed DSL internet connection. However, students report to me that it also works with any ordinary modem with a capacity of 28,8 or better. Here is a link to the course website computer requirements page: http://www.student.connect4education.com/support/oma/software_hardware/index.htm The text for the class is called OnMusic History Survey Price:$99.95, directly from the course website online store. This course is now being delivered in a streaming format. You don't have to go to the college bookstore to purchase CD ROMs or a book. On the internet, go to www.store.connect4education.com to purchase an online access code for this course. Please make sure you buy the right access code! There are access codes for a number of online courses in the online store. You want the one for this title. You will receive your access code in an email sent automatically after your purchase, along with course log on instructions. Please note that you will not access this course on WebAccess (see section on TEXT below). Here is a link to the course website instructions on how to log in and find your way around the course: http://www.student.connect4education.com/support/documentation/orientation/index.htm All of the instruction for this Music History course takes place online. There are no on-campus class meetings. Shortly before the beginning of the semester, you will receive an email with orientation material and directions to the syllabus (this page) for the class. Please be sure to read all of this information very carefully so that you fully understand exactly how the course works. In this course, you may communicate constantly with your classmates via electronic mail and Discussion Forums, cooperatively learning concepts, solving problems, and completing projects. This interaction can be a major component of the learning experience. When you sign on to the class, you can access both the e-mail and the Discussion Forums through links on navigation bar at the top of your course webpage. You can initiate a Forum discussion at any time by submitting a question or comment on the Forum. You can also view all of the assignments in the course, submit assignments, check the course index, check the ongoing status of your grade, e-mail people, etc., all using that navigation bar. In addition to the numerous quizzes, midterm, and final, there are 3 written assignments for the class. It is highly recommended that you examine these assignments before beginning the course so that you can plan your time in such a way that you are able to complete them on time. You can examine them once you are on the course website by scrolling to the blue navigation box at the bottom of the page and clicking on the Assignments option. Each of these assignments involves considerable analysis, effort and involvement on your part, and each will be scrutinized and evaluated very carefully. Make sure you follow the instructions for each assignment extremely meticulously. Make your work long enough and complete enough to truly illustrate the FULL extent of your knowledge (AT LEAST 3-5 TYPED, DOUBLE-SPACED PAGES). Not only will you be graded on correctness, but on comprehensibility, grammar, syntax, spelling, etc., as well. So, make sure your work on these assignments reflects your very best effort. When turning in these assignments it is strongly suggested that you type your answer using a word processor such as MSWord, or Word Perfect, making sure that you save your work as you go along. When you are done, COPY and PASTE your work in the Submission window. That way, if for any reason you lose your connection to the internet in the middle of typing your answer, you won't lose all the work you have done up to that point. You may work on the course at more or less your own rate (please see the important provisions below), taking the quizzes and exams whenever you wish. However, you must turn in the three assignments before midnight on each of the following dates: Absolute and final due dates for the 3 written assignments are as follows (IN SPITE OF ANY OTHER CONTRADICTORY DATES YOU MAY POSSIBLY SEE INDICATED ON THE COURSE WEBSITE!!):
ASSIGNMENT 3 (THE CONCERT REQUIREMENT) SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS -- DUE: 12/9/2010 (or before) The most demanding of the assignments is a required concert attendance exercise (Assignment 3. For this assignment you must attend a live, *professional concert (not an amateur or any type of school, youth, or conservatory concert) of CLASSICAL MUSIC (not pop, folk, video game music, film music, or jazz) and write an analytical review about it (the equivalent of 3-5 pages, double-spaced). The concert you choose must be either 1) a *professional symphony orchestra concert (NOT A BAND CONCERT) 2) a *professional chamber music concert 3) a *professional opera company performance, or 4) a *professional ballet performance. The ballet must include a live orchestra in the orchestra pit, and the music must not be Rock (since the focus of this class is primarily on other genres of music). *(“Professional” means musicians making their primary living by performing music.) Please check with me first if you have any question as to whether or not a concert is appropriate. You do not necessarily have to spend a lot of money for concert tickets. Concert prices can range from free to full-fee, so if you want to keep costs down, it is important to plan your concert early enough in the semester so that you are not left with only full-fee alternatives at the end. This assignment should be turned in in the usual manner via the submissions window on the course website. Proof of Attendance You should turn in proof of your concert attendance by submitting one or more of the following:
Submission of the required proof of attendance materials should be sent in by regular U.S. Mail to Robert Millar --- MUS 204 OL Creative Arts Division Skyline College 3300 College Drive San Bruno, CA 94066 Please identify yourself and the online class you are taking on the materials. PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DROP THESE MATERIALS OFF IN PERSON AT THE COLLEGE! Failure to submit ticket stubs, program, or photo by the time the assignment is due will result in a lowering of your course grade by a full letter. In other words, an A course grade will become a B, etc. Therefore, make sure you choose a concert venue for which you will be able to obtain these items. Failure to DO the concert attendance assignment will result in a similar lowering of your course grade (not only will you receive no credit for the concert assignment when the course grade is averaged on the course website, but your overall course grade will be lowered one whole letter grade.) Do not leave this assignment for the last minute. Do it a few weeks before it is due so that you have ample time to complete it with your best work. If you are taking another online class with me, you may not use the same concert for both classes. Go to a separate concert for each class. REMEMBER: THIS ASSIGNMENT IS DUE, TICKETS AND ALL, IN MY POSSESSION BY Friday, December 9th, 2011 (earlier, if possible). Make sure that your proof of attendance materials to me early enough that they absolutely arrive on or before this date (mail 5 or more days before the due date). LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT.
Listings of possible concerts can be found by exploring the following websites: http://www.sfgate.com/eguide/music/ http://kzsu.org/~romain/mixed_links.html The following site tells you how to go about enjoying a concert. Look for the EDUCATION box on the left side and press the button titled :How to Enjoy a Live Concert: http://www.naxos.com/education/enjoy_intro.asp If you need help with your writing, please contact the Learning Center for help. They offer a variety of services, both in person and online, to help students with a variety of writing difficulties. Their web address is: http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skytlc/ Tips for improving your writing You may improve your performance on written work by making sure you are doing the assignment carefully and thoroughly enough. Of course, the content of your writing is extremely influential in determining your grade. But it may be to your advantage if, as you do each assignment, you ask yourself the following questions and then make adjustments as necessary:
In all of your coursework for this class it is extremely important to read everything associated with the course slowly and very carefully, including this syllabus! This includes assignments and directions. Most of the common problems that come up using this course can be solved through careful reading of all the text and closely following instructions. If you do run into problems that seem beyond your scope, you have seven resources that you can explore for assistance. You should use them in the following order: 1. All technical problems regarding the operation of the course (complaints about test questions, unclear explanations, perceived unfair grading of tests, questions about how to make the course work properly on your computer, etc.) should be referred to the course website and the resource links you will find once you log on to the course. Once there, if you click on the TECHNICAL SUPPORT tab on the right side of the home page you will see links that will lead you to the following resources: Student Orientation http://www.student.connect4education.com/support/documentation/orientation/index.htm Troubleshooting http://www.student.connect4education.com/support/oma/Troubleshooting2/index.html Contact Us http://www.webhelp.connect4education.com:8081/helpdesk/WebObjects/Helpdesk Be sure to check out the Student Orientation and Troubleshooting sections first, especially the FAQ section, since many common technical questions are answered there. If not, click on the CONTACT US link for Email and phone support. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 2. Start a Forum by clicking on the FORUMS link in your blue menu box. State your problem and check back periodically for responses. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 3. E-mail a fellow student. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 4. Contact me by e-mail. All instructional problems involving course content (when you don’t understand a point or subject under discussion) should be referred to me. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 5. Contact me by phone. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 6. We can arrange for a live, online text or video chat. If that doesn’t solve the problem… 7. Arrange an office visit with me so we can sort out the problem.
WITHDRAWAL POLICY IF YOU WISH TO WITHDRAW FROM THE CLASS, YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO USING THE WEBSMART SYSTEM. I WILL NOT ORDINARILY INITIATE A DROP FOR YOU, EVEN IF YOU NEVER SHOW UP FOR THE CLASS. FAILURE TO DROP IN A TIMELY MANNER MAY RESULT IN A GRADE OF "F" FOR THE CLASS. INCOMPLETE GRADES A COURSE GRADE OF INCOMPLETE WILL ONLY BE AWARDED DUE TO AN UNAVOIDABLE PERSONAL EMERGENCY SITUATION WHICH OCCURS NEAR THE VERY END OF THE SEMESTER. THE STUDENT'S RECORD MUST SHOW THAT HE/SHE WAS ATTENDING TO THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS SUCCESSFULLY THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR A LAST-MINUTE INCOMPLETE GRADE. LATE WORK LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED. THERE IS ENOUGH STRUCTURAL FLEXIBILITY AND ENOUGH TIME AVAILABLE IN THIS COURSE THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAN TO SUBMIT YOUR WORK BY THE DUE DATES AND TIMES. IF YOU ANTICIPATE A PROBLEM AS YOU APPROACH A DUE DATE, PLAN TO SUBMIT EARLY. IF FATE INTERVENES IN YOUR LIFE WITH MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. PERSONAL TRAGEDY, CAR FAILURE, OR OTHER UNAVOIDABLE PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE EXTENDED ABSENCE, YOU SHOULD DROP THE COURSE. IF YOU ARE HAVING BRIEF PERSONAL TROUBLES THAT ARE PREVENTING YOU FROM CARRYING OUT YOUR COURSE RESPONSIBILITIES, PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE MIGHT MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TRY AND MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SUCCEED. IF YOU CONTACT ME TOO LATE IN THE SEMESTER, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BE OF ANY HELP. EXCUSES MAKE NONE! I AM VERY CYNICAL WHEN IT COMES TO EXCUSES. OVER THE YEARS i HAVE HEARD THEM ALL--- "MY COMPUTER (OR PRINTER) DIDN'T WORK. I HAVE TO GO OUT OF TOWN FOR A FUNERAL (VACATION, WEDDING, ETC.). MY CAR BROKE DOWN. I GOT THE DATE MIXED UP, CAN I TURN IT IN LATER TODAY? I HAD A DENTAL OR DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT. I WASN'T FEELING WELL. ETC. ETC. ETC. ETC......." IN MY EXPERIENCE, 99% OF THEM ARE FALSE. PEOPLE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THAT MANY DISASTERS IN THE COURSE OF A SEMESTER. PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT TO RECEIVE MUCH LEEWAY BY USING THEM. ABOVE ALL, DO NOT APPROACH ME TOWARD THE END OF THE SEMESTER WITH THE OLD LINE, "BUT I HAVE TO GET A GOOD GRADE IN THIS CLASS SO THAT I CAN TRANSFER TO STATE NEXT SEMESTER!!!" IF YOU NEED A GOOD GRADE, PLAN TO EARN IT DURING THE COURSE OF THE SEMESTER'S WORK. RETURN OF MATERIALS NO SUBMITTED MATERIALS (TICKETS, PROGRAMS, ETC.) WILL BE RETURNED. FINAL GRADES FINAL COURSE GRADES ARE FINAL IN ALL SENSES OF THE WORD. THEY ARE NOT OPEN TO NEGOTIATION OR DISCUSSION.
Stay on top of the work!!! Pace yourself wisely so that the course doesn’t get away from you. You can proceed at your own pace through the course, but you must schedule your work so that you can complete everything on time (the last day for everything is 11:59 P.M., Friday, December 9th, 2011). If you leave everything for the last minute you may doom yourself to failure. You should also know that students have reported difficulty submitting assignments at the last minute due to e-mail overload problems at the website. Sometimes students cannot submit work during this busy time and have had their grades compromised as a result. You can avoid all this simply by submitting your work early. Do not use the same piece of music for more than one written assignment. Be careful not to try to enter or inspect a quiz or exam unit until you are ready to take it. Doing so can cause the course security system to engage and you will be unable to take the exam. Once engaged in the test, you cannot get out until the test is completed, nor can you go back and retake a test. The Midterm and Final Exams each have a time limit of 2 hours. Study and memorize the highlighted or otherwise-emphasized information. Pay close attention to the vocabulary links (in blue) peppered throughout the text. The definitions associated with these links ARE included on the tests! Listen repeatedly to the musical examples until you hear what the text is requiring from you. Don't forget to use the Discussion Forum to communicate with other students and your teacher. Sometimes, a little communication with others can help you clarify your thinking about problems, questions, and topics raised in the course. Also, you may help others to find solutions to their problems as you share your ideas with them. You must be fully conscious that despite its present state of sophistication, computer technology is, for many reasons, quite immature. Expect to encounter some hurdles along the way. Don't be frustrated by them. Learn from your shortcomings and those of the technologies that we will be using.
If you are registering for or adding a class today, you must pay your fees prior to midnight or you will be dropped. You may sign up for an inexpensive payment plan which will allow you to stretch out your payments between your registration date and April 5, 2012. You can obtain information about the plan using the link below. IMPORTANT NOTE: You must sign up for the Payment Plan TODAY if you have added classes today so you will not be dropped. If you are already on a payment plan, are receiving a BOGG or
have applied for federal aid, you will not be dropped Above all, enjoy your exploration of music!
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