American Music

Class
A general survey of various styles of music of the Americas, including but not limited to jazz, folk, rock, and contemporary music.

Class Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is an expectation and requirement in face–to–face sections of this class.

Course Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

  1. Identify the elements, styles, and musicians representative of music within the chosen style(s).
  2. Analyze the elements and structures of music using appropriate terminology.
  3. Critically evaluate the influence of social, political, technological, and/or cultural ideas on the chosen musical style(s).
  4. Articulate an informed personal reflection of the chosen musical style(s).
  5. Understand American Music as an expression of individual and human values within an historical and cultural context.
  6. Understand the influence of American Music on intercultural experiences.
  7. Identify the major genres of American Music.
  8. Identify the major composers of American Music.
  9. Identify the major musical periods of American Music.
Required Textbooks

Materials: Textbook (by section); Required (R), Optional (O), No Text Required (NTR) [See below to find the Instructor of Record (IR) for the respective section in which you are enrolled.]

  1. Harlas (R); Story; James (R); (An Introduction to) America's Music, 3rd Edition, by Richard Crawford & Larry Hamberlin, W.W. Norton, ISBN 978-0-393-6692-8
  2. Laney (O); Reyes (O); Think Rock, by Kevin Dettmar, Prentice Hall, ISBN-978-0-205-77299-5; http://thethinkspot.com/rock-2011
  3. Lewiston (R); Listening to Jazz, 2e, Benjamin Bierman, Oxford University Press, ISBN-978-0-19-092590-1
Evaluation Standards

Assignments, exams, and other class activities Grades: 80%
Class Participation: 20%*
*Class Participation comprises 4 (four) criteria:

  1. preparation for class, including required materials
  2. attendance at a minimum of 1 (one) Weatherford College musical performance (free admission!) or other live musical event (pre–approved by IR)
  3. completion of assigned reading/listening assignments
  4. in–person attendance or online forum participation comprise 5% of grade average
Grading Standards

A = Student’s work is exceptional and consistently above average.
B = Student’s work is above average. Required assignments were completed in a timely manner and have met at least the minimum required standards.
C = Student’s work is acceptable. Majority of assignments meet the minimum required standards.
D = Student’s work fails to meet the minimum requirements for a grade of "C." Overall performance was sub-standard in comparison to normal expectations for this class.
F = Student’s work is clearly unacceptable. Student either did not attempt the work, or failed to meet any of the minimum required standards.

Required Institutional Core Learning Outcomes

Communication (COM), Critical Thinking (CT), Social Responsibility (SR), Teamwork (TW)

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Student Intellectual Property Rights

A student shall retain all rights to work created as part of instruction or using College District technology resources.

Revised
Fall 2021
Last Modified
Monday, September 13, 2021, 9:42 AM