MUSIC 245
American Music
Instructor: Frederick Burrack, Ph.D.
Office: 308 McCain Auditorium
Meeting: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:05-9:20
Location: McCain 204
Office Hours: by appointment
Email: fwburrack@ksu.edu
Course Description:
This course will explore the complex interrelationships among AmericaÕs folk, popular, and classical music. The text An Introduction to AmericaÕs Music tells the story of music in the United States, from its earliest days to the music that we listen to today. Beginning with the music of Native Americans, continuing with traditions by European colonizers and African brought hear as slaves. Emphasis will be upon understanding interaction of musical content (structure, aesthetics, and biographies) and context (times-places-peoples and cultural phenomena. The ultimate goal is to enhance sensitivity to and understanding of the music that we hear today.
Required texts:
Crawford, Richard. (2001) An Introduction to America's
Music. W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-97409-X with accompanying
CD's
Supplemental resources: as assigned
Objectives: As a
result of this course, students are expected to:
Expectations:
Attendance: Since our time together is very limited, it is essential to
make the most efficient and constructive use of that time. Therefore, prompt attendance is expected as a demonstration of
professional commitment. 1% will be taken off of your final grade for each
unexcused absence. Two tardies = 1% off of the final grade.
Class Participation:
Since class discussion is at the heart of this course, students are expected to
actively participate. The dynamics of this class, and its ultimate value to
you, require you to come to class prepared, bringing questions and comments to
stimulate discussions.
Honor
Policy: Students of the university must conduct
themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and
integrity. Academic dishonesty by a student will not be tolerated and will be
treated in accordance with the Student Academic Ethics Policy. Plagiarism or
violations of copyright policies are a form of academic dishonesty.
Please review the KSU Honor System
online (http://www.ksu.edu/honor/) or via the K-State Graduate Course
Catalog also available online (http://www.ksu.edu/grad/catalog/)
*Note: If
you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible.
Assignments:
All assignments are due by the class time on the date specified.
They may be turned in advance of the due date. Grades on late assignments will
be lowered by 10% for each day they are late.
Reading and Listening: For each class meeting, one or more readings from the
text and recordings from the CD set will be assigned. Journal reflections (21 total) will be collected each class period.
These reflections music include (1) a summary of the readings (what you feel it
the important information), (2) its relevance to current music (how did this
historical information impact todayÕs music and culture?), and (3) personal
reflection on the music listened to. Your reflections will be used as a basis
for each classÕs discussion. Class discussion will not be summaries of the
reading so come to class knowledgeable. (Questions may be sent via email for
added reflection on the topic. Please include your response to these questions
in your journal.)
Examinations: Both mid-term and final exams may
include essay (short answer), matching, and multiple-choice questions. Exams
will refer to readings, listening, and in-class discussion.
Current Music Observation: Listen to a selected style of
current music (preferably live such as a concert or a band at a local
establishment, but recorded such as MTV, VH1, recordings played by a DJ will
do). Listen carefully to the music and words to analyze the roots of this
music. Try to determine the where this style of music came from, what
influenced this music and what influence this music has, or may have, on
American culture. Write a detailed description of the listening experience and
your analysis of the music.
Research Paper and Group Presentation: Each student will research a topic
relating to a style, musician, or pop-culture icon from the last few decades of
American music. Common topics will be grouped for a presentation to the class.
(This is a chance to share and expand your knowledge of American music with the
class. Start thinking of a style of music, a band or artist, or aspect of
pop-culture relating to music.) Find relevant journal articles, historical
documents, cultural magazines, relevant web sites, and scholarly books to
support your information. (Remember that pop tabloids and web sites are far
from reliable sources but can be used as cultural influence.) Explored will be the impact of
pop-culture on the particular music and/or influence that the music had on
AmericaÕs culture. The 15-minute presentation to the class must be equally
shared by all group members using available multi-media such as PowerPoint, CD
recordings, DVD or VHS recordings, web-sites, pictures, etc. Your presentation
may be in the form of a VH1 video documentary if you choose to do so). A final
paper will be handed-in on the day of the presentation. Include all citations
of your references using APA. (See APA manual or links to be posted on course
site)
Grading
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Journals reflections: 20% Group Project: 20% Presentation: 10% Current Music Observation: 10% Mid-term Exam: 20% Final Exam: 20% |
Grading Scale
A+ (100); A (95); A- (91);
B+ (88); B (85); B- (81);
C+ (78); C (75); C- (71);
D+ (68); D (65); D- (61);
F (<60) |
(this calendar is
subject to change)
Reading journal assignments are due daily on the date
specified. Listening assignments will be provided in advance of each reading.
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Tuesday |
Thursday |
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August 23 – Orientation |
August 25 - Chapters 1 & 2 |
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August 30 – Chapters 3, 4 & 5 |
September 1 – Chapters 6 & 7 |
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September 6 – Chapters 8 & 9 |
September 8 – Chapter 10, 11 & 12 |
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September 13 – Chapter 13, 14 & 15 |
September 15 – Chapter 16, 17 & 18 |
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September 20 – Chapter 20 & 21 |
September 22 – Chapter 22 & 23 |
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September 27 – Chapter 24 & 15 |
September 29 – Mid-term Exam List of topics for Research Paper due |
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October 4 – Chapter 26 & 27 |
October 6 – Chapter 28 & 29 |
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October 11 – Chapter 30 & 31 |
October 13 – Chapter 32 & 33 Research Topic Finalized |
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October 18 – Chapter 34 |
October 20 – Research Day (Library) |
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October 25 – Chapter 35 |
October 27 – Chapter 36 Groupings Finalized |
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November 1 – Chapter 37 |
November 3 – Chapter 38 |
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November 8 – Chapter 39 |
November 10 – Group Planning Meeting Research Paper Due |
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November 15 – Chapter 40 |
November 17 – Group Planning Meeting Current Music Observation due |
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November 22 – Group Presentations (Music of the 60Õs) |
November 24 – no class, Happy Thanksgiving |
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November 29 – Group Presentations (Music of the 70Õs) |
December 1 – Group Presentations (Music of the 80Õs) |
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December 6 – Group Presentations (Music of the 90Õs) |
December 8 – Group Presentations (Music of 21st Century) |
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December 16 – Semester Exam: 2:00 – 3:50 |
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