HomeMy WebLinkAboutMUS-132Departmental Policy Syllabus
Revised 7/10/18
Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Arts, and Social Sciences
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Course Syllabus
MUS-132 Music Theory I
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and year:
Course and Section Number:
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description:
This course is a study of elementary diatonic harmony. It includes the study of major scales, natural,
harmonic, and melodic forms of minor scales. Also included is the study of interval and triad
construction, the figured bass, cadences, plus bass and soprano harmonization.
Lecture [2.00], Laboratory [2.00], 3 credits
Student Learning Objectives and Assessment:
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to:
1. Consider and review the rudimentary elements of music to acquire a deeper and more
competent fluency of the elements of pitch, intervals, scales, keys, and chords.
2. Analyze scores from varying stylistic periods examining melody, rhythm, harmony, form, and
instrumentation.
3. Compose original melodies using at least two different musical forms by challenging ourselves
creatively by composing music that is both exciting and meaningful.
4. Learn and apply in a musical context the chords: major, minor, major major 7th, major minor
7th (dominant 7th), augmented, diminished, fully diminished 7th and half diminished 7th chords.
5. Strengthen skills and analytical speed in and understanding of chords by analysis of music in
the styles of the Common-Practice, Post-Common-Practice periods to the present.
6. Strive for enlightened understanding of the aesthetic and formal beauty of the Western
European musical language and begin to acquire a deeper appreciation of the great works of art
that exemplify and embody its expressive power.
7. Connect the study of theory and harmony to our own personal musical goals and aspirations
by examining and analyzing music that is relevant to our other studies/lessons/performances.
8. Bring performance skills to life in the classroom by actively performing the music we are
studying.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will:
1. Execute the proper pitch, scales, and chords in all keys.
2. Acquire and demonstrate an understanding of the structural, formal, and procedural workings
of Western European tonal music.
Departmental Policy Syllabus
Revised 7/10/18
3. Complete course assessment instruments demonstrating an understanding of how melody,
rhythm, harmony, form, and instrumentation are used to effectively analyze music from the
various stylistic periods.
4. Complete analysis assignments from differing style periods that demonstrate their ability to
interpret the score.
5. Produce a minimum of two music assignments (of 30 measures) that demonstrate an
understanding of music theoretical concepts and selected musical forms.
6. Complete theory assignments such as realizing figured bass and creating an original
composition demonstrating notational skills
7. Execute correct analysis of excerpts from the standard classical repertoire to repertoire of the
present day, correctly identifying musical structures.
8. Execute the principles of conventional voice leading that contextualize these elements into
coherent musical statements, especially as they apply to the primary triads in root position and
first inversion, as well as the dominant seventh chord in root position.
Textbook Requirements:
Clendinning, J. P., & Marvin, E. W. (2016). The musician's guide to theory and analysis. WW
Norton & Company.
Clendinning, J. P., & Marvin, E. W. (2016). The musician's guide to theory and analysis
Workbook. WW Norton & Company.
Students should come to each class prepared with books, handouts, pencils and blank staff
paper. They are required to access the course Moodle site.
Evaluation:
Class Involvement = 10% (based on class attendance and participation (including lateness to
class), thoughts and reactions concerning the day’s assignments, projects and class discussions
and lectures.
(4) Tests= 60% (15% each)
Homework Assignments= 10%
(1) Composition/Analysis Project= 20%
Assignment details and grading rubrics will be posted on the Moodle site.
90-100 = A 86-89 = B+ 80-85 = B 76-79 = C+ 70 - 75 = C 65-69 = D
E =Unofficial Withdrawal W =Official Withdrawal INC=Incomplete 0–64 = F
Any work turned in late from the original due date shall be deducted by one letter grade. Two
letter grades shall be deducted after the second week from the due date, and three letter grades
after the third week from the original due date. There are no make-up examinations unless
approved in advance by the instructor.
BCC Attendance Policy:
All students are expected to attend punctually every scheduled meeting of each course in which
they are registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the
instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the individual
course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and counseling
purposes. Students will be evaluated on attendance and participation in class using the following
criteria: consistent attendance; evidence of studying text and assignments; completed daily
assignments; quality classroom responses. Each class can potentially count as .837 points
towards the possible 20% score for attendance and participation. A letter grade totaling 20% of
the final grade will be determined by the instructor based upon the aforementioned criteria.
Bergen Community College Academic Policies:
Bergen Community College is committed to academic integrity – the honest, fair and continuing
pursuit of knowledge, free from fraud or deception. Please review the college catalogue or
Departmental Policy Syllabus
Revised 7/10/18
student handbook for further information on this topic. Bergen Community College has adopted
an internal grievance procedure to provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints
alleging any action prohibited by federal regulation implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. (ADA). Please review
the college catalogue for further information on this topic.
Bergen Community College is committed to providing its students and employees with an
academic and work environment free from sexual harassment or discrimination. Please review
the policy prohibiting sexual harassment in the college catalog. Please review the statement on
acceptable use of BCC technology in the college catalog. Faculty hold 3 office hours per week,
and as requested by students, by appointment. Students are encouraged to seek out their faculty
member for academic needs.
Student and Faculty Support Services [optional but recommended]
List support services, e.g., the Writing Center, the Math Lab, the Tutorial Center, Online Writing
Lab (OWL), Office of Specialized Services, etc. Include information on the BCC Library.
Example:
Student and Faculty Support Services
The Distance Learning Office –
for any problems you may have
accessing your online courses
Room C-
334
201-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
English Language Resource
Center
Room C-
212
http://www.bergen.edu/elrc
The Tutoring Center Room L-
125
201-447-7908
http://www.bergen.edu/tutoring
The Writing Center Room L-
125
201-447-7908
http://www.bergen.edu/owl
The Office of Specialized
Services (for Students with
Disabilities)
Room S-
131
201-612-5270
http://www.bergen.edu/oss
BCC Library – Reference Desk Room L-
226
201-447-7436
Special Note on the Tutoring Center
The Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center encompasses the Tutoring Center,
the English Language Resource Center, and the Writing Center. The website of the Learning
Assistance Center is located at https://bergen.edu/current-students/student-support-
services/tutoring/. Tutoring services are available for this course in the Tutoring Center. As listed
above, the Tutoring Center is located in Room L-125, and its phone number is 201-447-7908.
Special Note on the Food Pantry
The Bergen Community College Center for Food Action is available to meet the urgent needs
of members of our campus community. The Food Pantry provides non-perishable food items,
toiletries, and additional support services in an environment that emphasizes discretion and
confidentiality. Anyone needing assistance is encouraged to visit C-111A) Tuesday from 9am-
1pm and Thursday from 2pm-6pm. Please call 201-447-7191 for more information.
Departmental Policy Syllabus
Revised 7/10/18
Include a Course Outline and Calendar [can be combined in a single syllabus section]
The Course Outline and Calendar must include all of the following elements:
• A daily or (at least) weekly schedule of topics to be covered.
• Dates for exams, quizzes, or other means of assessment. (This does not mean that all
evaluation of students must be in groups and at the same time. Exams and other means
of assessment can be listed as "to be scheduled individually.")
• Due dates for major assignments – e.g., when is a paper due; if the topic has to be
approved, when; if an outline or draft is an interim step, when it is due.
• Any required special events must be included in the outline/calendar, e.g., a lecture by a
visiting speaker, a dramatic or musical performance, a field trip.
• Designation of Student Learning Objectives – by number – for each topic (see sample
below).
• A note to students stating that the course outline and calendar is tentative and subject to
change, depending upon the progress of the class.
Sample Format for Course Outline and Calendar
Note to Students: The following Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and subject to change,
depending upon the progress of the class.
Week(s) Date(s) Topics & Assignments Learning
Objectives
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
See the Sample Course Outline and Calendar below.
Course Outline:
Departmental Policy Syllabus
Revised 7/10/18
The following outline may be revised at the discretion of the instructor. Specific readings and
written assignments will be shared during class meetings and posted on the course Moodle site.
Week Topic Student Learning Outcomes
Addressed
1 Course Introduction &
Diagnostic Test
Review of Pitch and Notation
1-3
2 Pitch, Rhythm & Notation 1-3
3 Scales, Keys & Intervals 1-3
4 Review and Test 1
5 Triads & Seventh Chords
(root position construction &
analysis)
1-4
6 Triad and Seventh Chord
Inversions (Roman Numeral
Analysis and Lead Sheet
Symbols)
1-5
7 Review and Test #2
8 Diatonic Triads and Seventh
Chords in M and m Keys
1-6
9 Principles of Voice Leading,
Root Position Part Writing
1-7
10 Review and Test #3
11 Form and Dramatic Shape in
Melody
1-8
12 Form and Dramatic Shape in
Melody continued
1-8
13 Dominant 7th Triads and
Inversions/ 11/30 Analysis
Project Due in Class
1-8
14 Melodic Forms and
Relationships
1-8
15 Review and Test #4