HomeMy WebLinkAboutMUS-105
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Bergen Community College
Division of Humanities
Performing Arts Department
Course Syllabus
MUS-105 A History of Jazz in America
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Course Description:
MUS-105 A History of Jazz in America is a study of the historical
development of jazz from its origin as a form of Black American folk music to its
acceptance as a major expression of American art.
3 lectures, 3 credits
Humanities and Diversity elective
No prerequisites
Student Learning Outcomes:
As a result of this course, students will be able to:
1. Articulate a critical perspective on the social, cultural, politcal and
economic forces that led to the development of jazz in America during
the 20th century.
2. Distinguish between the musical characteristics that differentiate the
various styles of jazz such as ragtime, traditional (Dixieland), stride
piano, swing, bebop, post-bop,cool jazz, west coast jazz, free jazz,
jazz-rock fusion, acid jazz, smooth jazz, and post modern jazz.
3. Explain how race, class, gender, and ethnicity along with the social,
economic and legal practices such as segregation, the New Deal,
played a role in the evolution of jazz.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of selected jazz innovators and soloists. You
should at least become familiar with the greatest instrumental (Louis
Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Miles Davis, John
ColtraneTrane, etc.) and vocal artists of each genre (Billie Holiday, Ella
Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra etc.).
5. Employ the basic vocabulary used to describe musical elements such
as melody, rhythm, harmony, form and tone color in written and oral
communication.
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6. Utilize library resources and online research tools to research primary
and secondary sources in order to present a historical argument on a
topic germane to the history of jazz and American culture.
In pursuit of the foregoing goals, the course is based on the reading and
discussion of writings on the arts as well as on attentive listening
techniques for musical selections and observations in the visual and
performing arts. Students are given the opportunity and are encouraged
to participate actively in class discussions; and are required to do a
substantial amount of expository and critical writing in response to the
material presented in the course.
Student progress in reaching the learning objectives is to be assessed
through various means of assessment, listed below.
Student Learning Objective Suggested Means of Assessment
1. Articulate-a critical perspective
on the social, cultural political
and economic forces that led to the
development of jazz during the 20th Century.
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class Participation
2. Distinguish- the musical characteristics that
differentiate the various styles of jazz (Dixieland,
swing, bebop, modern jazz)
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class Participation
3. Explain- how race, class, gender, ethnicity
with social, economic, and practices like
segregation played a role in the evolution of jazz.
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class participation
4. Demonstrate- knowledge of significant jazz
innovators and soloists such as Louis Armstrong,
Duke Ellington, Miles Davis,
and Charlie Parker.
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class participation
5. Employ- the basic vocabulary used to
describe musical elements such as melody,
rhythm, harmony, form and tone color in written
and oral communication.
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class Participation
6. Utilize library resources and online research
tools to research primary and secondary
sources in order to present a historical
argument on a topic germane to the history of
jazz and American culture.
• Quizzes and objective test
• Writing Assignments
• Class Participation
For General Education courses: indicate which Gen Ed/Essential Learning Outcomes (EL1-11, below) are aligned with these Student Learning Outcomes* using a table:
SLOs: EL
1
EL
2
EL
3
EL
4
EL
5
EL
6
EL
7
EL
8
EL
9
EL
10
EL
11
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1. x x x
2. x x
3. x
4. x x
5. x x
6. x
EL1-Effective Speaking EL2-Effective Writing EL3-Mathematical Reasoning EL4-Scientific Reasoning EL5-Technological Competency EL6-Information Literacy
EL7-Social-Behavioral Analysis EL8-Historical Analysis EL9-Humanistic Analysis EL10-Intercultural Awareness EL11-Moral Literacy
*In accordance with the Standards for General Education Courses at Bergen Community College (2013), all Gen Ed courses are required to address EL1, EL2, EL6, and EL11 (when appropriate), in addition to the ELO that corresponds to its area of study (EL 3-5 and 7-9).
WRITING AND CRITICAL THINKING ASSIGNMENTS
Since MUS-105 is a General Education course, it requires students to complete a
variety of critical thinking and writing assignments. These assignments may
include class discussions and analysis requiring the application of critical thinking
skills, short in class essays, out of class writing projects, tests, and examinations
containing essay components, and so forth. Work will be evaluated with
comments writing in detail.
Purpose:
A. To increase student’s awareness and skills of the interpretations of jazz
B. To increase student’s knowledge of the major historical style periods and
artists.
C. To increase student’s comprehension of the rudiments and basic vocabulary
of music.
• READING/LISTENING- Students will complete weekly reading and
listening assignments prior to Monday class meeting.
• FINAL RESEARCH PAPER ON THE HISTORY OF JAZZ: The signature
assignment for this course will be to write a research paper on the history
of jazz written in MLA format, 4-5 pages in length, double spaced, plus
bibliography, and include research sources. No Handwritten papers will
be accepted.
Examples: A style of Jazz, group or individual artist, bandleader, or
composer-arranger.
(Jazz music of the 1950’s; The influence of Jazz in America; Your Favorite
Jazz Artist, etc). It should follow the Student Leaning Objectives
demonstrating your
progress in the course.
In the paper, the student is expected to be able to describe in musical
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terms the concepts outlined in the lectures (form, improvisation,
instruments, type of compositions and the style). Your topic will need
approval then an outline or draft must be submitted before the
offical due date.
• EXAMINATION AND QUIZZES: The course will include a midterm and
final examinations and some quizzes. The exams will cover material from
the reading assignments, listening, material from the class and chapter
quizzes. There are no make-ups for quizzes or tests unless approved in
advance by the instructor.
**Please check Canvas daily for all updated class assignments, additional reading
assignments, review sheets and class materials
Course Content:
The course is intended to introduce students to the academic study of jazz,
including musicological analysis and various approaches to the historical and
sociocultural issues regarding music. Therefore, the
course includes the following (mandatory) components:
1. A review of the musicological analysis of music, studying the musical elements
and concepts of jazz
2. The variety of ways jazz can be studied: e.g., its historical significance, the
listening experience understanding the various styles of jazz, the jazz
personalities that have contributed to the evolution of jazz, and the historical and
sociocultural context of musical expression.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
DeVeaux, Scott and Giddins. Jazz: 2nd edition. W.W. Norton & Company, 2015.
ISBN 978-0-393-93706-0
Ebook, is also available from www.wwnorton.com/music.
To access study space visit: https://digital.wwnorton.com/jazz2
Student Set ID: 887722
Basic listening assignments can be found under "Assignments". A schedule for
reading may be found at "Course Outline"
Articles assigned for reading will be available as pdf files on the Toolkit web site
under "Materials" Online: Study Space. The publisher provides free access to the
Studyspace for Jazz Essentials, available at :
www.wwnorton.com/college/music/jazz-essentials/.
Grading Policy:
• The following shows how the course grade is determined. There are no
make-ups unless approved in advance by the instructor. All students
must complete a Final Research Paper approved by the instructor.
Assessment PERCENTAGE Other
Final Research Pape 20%
MIDTERM 20%
FINAL 20%
Quizzes 20%
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Class Participation (you start the semester with a 70 and earn 2 points per class that you participate)
20%
Late Work: All assignments and tests must be completed on time to receive full
credit. Late assignments (after the due date and time) will receive a grade
reduction of 10 points. Points will increase with work that is substantially late.
90-100 = A, 86-89 = B+, 80-85 = B, 76-79 = C+, 70-75 = C, 60-69 = D
Below 60 = F,
• Exam Policy: Student must initiate the request for a make-up exam.
Make up exams may be offered to students with emergencies but only if
they provide acceptable documentation on the emergency. There are no
make-ups for quizzes or tests unless approved in advance by the
instructor. The Final exam cannot be made up.
All assignments are due on time. Extensions can be available under certain
circumstances approved by your professor.
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BCC Attendance Policy and Lateness:
All students are expected to attend 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.
Attendance Policy in this Course:
Absence:
Students are allowed 4 absences without excuse. After 4 absences the students
grade drops one “degree,” i.e. from a B+ to a B.
Lateness:
A student is considered late if they are 10 minutes or more late arrival to class.
After five instances of late arrival, this will be computed as an absence in final
grade calculations.
If you are more than 10 minutes late, but attended class, it is up to the student to
ensure that they are correctly marked in the attendance roster for that day
Class Participation
is a combination of discussions, writing assignments and online assignments. All
students enrolled are expected to participate in class discussions and listen
attentively to the lecture. 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.
No Cell phones are to be used and are to be turned OFF during class. There will be
no talking during the lecture or during the listening portions of the class. Failure
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to follow this policy will result in a low attendance/class participation
grade.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements:
Examples:
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services:
Syllabus Statements | Bergen Community College
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services: [optional but recommended]
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all
students in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may
have a disability) and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to
participate in this class, complete course requirements, or benefit from the
College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as
soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any
academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The
OSS works with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-
related information without their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse
on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other student
service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers
a broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student
support services including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are
available online at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
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Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College
Include a Course Outline and Calendar:
Date:
Week
Topic/Activity: Learning
Outcomes: Assignments/Events:
1/15 Introduction to Class SLO 1-3 Read chapter 1
1/22 Musical Elements and
Instruments
SLO 1-6 Read chapter 1 and 2
1/27 The Roots of Jazz & New
Orleans
SLO 1-6 Read chapter 3 and 4
2/3 New York in the 1920’s SLO 1-6 Read chapter 5
2/10 Louis Armstrong & First
Great Soloist
SLO 1-6 Read chapter 6
2/17 Swing Bands SLO 1-6 Read chapter 7
2/24 Count Basie & Duke
Ellington
SLO 1-6 Read chapter 8
2/25 Review for Midterm
3/5 Midterm
3/10 Spring Break
3/17 Swing Era Soloists SLO 1-6 Read chapter 9
3/24 Bebop SLO 1-6 Read Chapter 11
3/31 Cool Jazz and Hard Bop SLO 1-6 Read Chapter 12
4/7 Jazz Composition and
Modal Jazz
SLO 1-6 Read Chapter 13
4/14 Fusion 1 to 1960 SLO 1-6 Chapter 16
4/21 Fusion 2 to 1970’s SLO 1-6 Chapter 17
4/23 Research Paper Due Date
4/28 Jazz today SLO 1-6 Chapter 19
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5/5 Final Review Prepare for Final Exam
5/7 Final Exam
Possible Note to Students: This Course Outline and Calendar is tentative and
subject to change, depending upon the progress of the class.