1 MUH 2501 – Introduction to World Musics Summer 2015 Instructor

MUH 2501 – Introduction to World Musics Summer 2015
Instructor: Nina Menezes
Teaching Assistant: Tim Murray
Email: Via mail function on Canvas (Instructor)
timothymurray@ufl.edu (TA)
Office hours: By appointment / Skype
Required Texts / Material:
World Music: Traditions and Transformations [Paperback] by Michael Bakan McGraw-Hill
Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages; 2nd edition (2011)
ISBN-10: 0073526649 [Text and CDs]
Additional reading /material provided on E-Learning [Canvas] – See detailed Course Schedule
Course Description:
This course is designed for you to experience and think about music in a different way than what you are
accustomed. You will be able to combine musical and anthropological ideas as you hear/see music.
What you will do this semester is not just the study of world music, but the study of people making
music around the world. You will encounter new sonorities and new concepts, but more importantly,
you will be able to use what you learn here in your daily life.
Course Objectives:
During this semester, you will learn how to:
1) Develop and practice music-listening skills for world music
2) Be able to identify basic musical elements and style
3) Use technical terminology and vocabulary to discuss music
4) Describe and contextualize musical styles and instruments within broader themes of world history
and culture
Course Overview and Structure:
This online format might be a new experience for many of you. The course site is set up in such a
manner that every week will begin every Monday at 9 a.m. and end the following Monday at 9 a.m. EST.
Each week contains a list of readings, listening examples, video examples, and other resources. Based on
the course material for each week you will answer two quizzes and answer a short written assignment
comprising 1 or 2 short questions each week (Check Course Schedule for dates and Rubric for written
assignments). You will also take an on-line world music survey and a course reflection assignment that
you will turn in at the end of the semester.
While an online course gives you greater freedom in deciding when to engage with the course material,
it is your responsibility to read the syllabus carefully, log on to the course website (Canvas), and check
your email regularly. It is also your responsibility to stay motivated and keep pace with weekly
assignments. Once the deadline has passed, late assignments will not be accepted nor will quizzes be
reopened. All assigned work must be completed before the due date. No excuses will be entertained
for incomplete work. A missed / late assignment equals a “0” (zero). No extra credit assignments are
offered for this course.
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Grading:
This class is graded on a point system. Everyone starts with zero and can earn up to 200 points. Here is
how it works:
11 Quizzes (11 x 10)
110 points
6 Written Assignments (6 x 10)
60 points
Course Reflection (1 x 15)
15 points
Online World Music Survey (1 x 15)
15 points
---------------200 points
Please check your grades regularly on the course website. If you perceive a grading error, you must
address the issue within 72 hours of the grade posting, otherwise the grade is final and will not be
discussed further.
Final Grading Scale Percentages:
A (94–100%)
B (84–86%)
A- (90–93%)
B- (80–83%)
B+ (87–89)
C+ (77–79%)
C (74–76%)
C- (70–73%)
D+ (67–69%) E
D (64–66%)
D- (61–63%)
(0-60)
Course Material:
It might be easier to read this section with the course website open:
1) Course Schedule:
The Course Schedule is located on the course homepage on Canvas. The lists of due dates for all
readings, listening assignments, quizzes, and other course activities are highlighted. This should not
change, but in the event that something should happen changes will be announced via email and the
class website, you are ultimately responsible for finding out whether the schedule has been changed.
2) Texts and Material: This course proceeds Monday – Monday through the semester. Each week
consists of readings and listening assignments from the required text book and accompanying 4-CD pack
(listed above on the syllabus). In addition, other texts and material are uploaded under “Modules” tab
on E-learning (Canvas).
3) Written Assignments: These are located under the “Assignments” tab on the left side of the class
website. Each written assignment contains questions for you to reflect on from your reading and
listening excerpts. When submitting your assignments do not try to upload Word of PDF documents. All
you need to do is complete your response in the box provided under the appropriate “Assignment” for
the week on Canvas. Each assignment will only be available for the dates mentioned on the Course
Schedule. Written assignments are due every Monday before 9:00 a.m. EST. Please plan ahead. Once
the deadline passes, you will not be able to submit your work and no excuses will be accepted. A missed
assignment equals a grade of “zero”. Each written assignment will be graded out of a grading rubric of
10 points. The Rubric is provided under the “Syllabus” tab on the course website. Each written
assignment carries 10 points (6 x 10 = 60 points).
5) Quizzes: These are located under the “Quizzes” tab on the left side of the course website. There will
be two quizzes, the first quiz of each week is due on Thursdays and the second on Mondays of every
week beforre 9:00 a.m. EST. (Please check Course Schedule for due dates). The quizzes are always
“openbook,” meaning that you are encouraged to refer back to the week’s material as needed to
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complete the quiz. The quizzes are not timed, but once you answer a question, you cannot go back so
take your time and choose your answer carefully. Each quiz will only be available for the dates
corresponding to its respective weekly lesson. A missed quiz equals a grade of zero for that particular
quiz. Once quizzes close, they will not be reopened. Please look at the Course Schedule and plan
accordingly. Each quiz is for 10 points (11 x 10 = 110 points).
6) Course Reflection:
At the end of the course during Week 6 you will be required to reflect on the entire course material and
write a short paragraph based on a prompt provided under “Assignments.” The Course Reflection is for
15 points and must be completed before Thursday, June 18, 2015 9:00 a.m.
7) Online World Music Survey:
This semester I am including an online World music survey for 15 points. All instructions will be provided
under “Assignments.” If there are any changes to this assignment, you will be informed via e-mail. This
assignment is open from Week 1 – 6 and you may choose to take it through the course of this semester.
In your own interest try to complete it as early as possible. The deadline for this assignment is Thursday,
June 18, 2015 9:00 a.m. EST
Responsibilities as a Student
An online course might be a new experience for many of you. The course is designed to be as userfriendly as possible. However, this user-friendliness applies only if you follow this syllabus and the
Course Schedule. In an online course, I do not get to see you in person to remind you about deadlines. If
you compete your work in a timely manner things will run smoothly, but things will certainly fall apart if
you do not. It is your responsibility to make sure you know what is going on. Remember, no extra credit
is offered for incomplete work or late submissions. Plan out your work in advance. No assignment
requires that you log on only on the day of the deadline. You are responsible for planning ahead and
taking care of work before any University sponsored events, trips, or religious holiday.
If you have a concern, email your TA or the instructor in a timely manner. PLEASE NOTE: All emails will
generally receive a response within 48 hours Monday-Friday. If you perceive a grading error, you must
address the issue within 72 hours of the grade posting, otherwise the grade is final and will not be
discussed further.
Technological Issues:
Considering the online nature of this class, please note that technical difficulties do arise and these are
generally not considered an excuse to miss a deadline. In your best interest complete assignments well
in advance so you have sufficient time to work through any unforeseeable incidents and avoid
technological issues. Any work or deadlines missed on account of technology problems will neither be
valid nor excused. There are computer labs open 24/7 across campus. If you have any technical issues
or questions, please contact the Computing Help Desk first (learning-support@ufl.edu, 352-392-4357).
Students with Disabilities:
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The
Dean of Students Office will provide the necessary documentation which must be handed over to the
Instructor when requesting accommodation. Contact the Dean of Students Disability Resource Center at
http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/.
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Academic Honesty:
All students are expected to adhere to the University of Florida Honor Code. This includes the Student
Honor Code Oath and Academic Honesty Guidelines. The Honor Code Oath: “We, the members of the
University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of
honesty and integrity.” On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the
following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received
unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.”
* The instructor reserves the right to amend any portion of the syllabus, course structure or due dates
as needed during the semester.
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