COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN

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1 WACO, TEXAS COURSE SYLLABUS AND INSTRUCTOR PLAN Songwriting COURSE SYLLABUS WILLIAM HOWARD Spring 2013

2 Course Description: The student will be able to demonstrate acceptable competency in the basic skills and techniques of songwriting, including melodic construction, harmonic progressions, and lyric writing and revision. Prerequisites and/or Corequisites: Prerequisites: MUSC 2330, minimum grade of C / Corequisites: None Course Notes and Instructor Recommendations: To access updated information on textbooks, please visit Instructor Information: Instructor Name: William Howard MCC whoward@mclennan.edu Office Phone Number: Office Location: PAC 113 Office/Teacher Conference Hours: TBA Required Text & Materials: Title: The Craft Of Lyric Writing Author: Sheila Davis Edition: Latest Available Publisher: Writer s Digest Books ISBN: MCC Bookstore Website Methods of Teaching and Learning: Lecture, discussion groups, projects, student performances/presentations, written reports/papers. 2

3 Course Objectives and/or Competencies: 1.) Write augmented and diminished rhythms as well as superimposed meters. 2.) Utilize melodic sequences and phrase forms in melodies. 3.) Utilize common chord progressions and phrase forms in harmonic progressions. 4.) Write basic lyrics in AAA form. 5.) Write rhythms to lyrics. 6.) Combine musical elements using a lead sheet format. 7.) Use correct music notation. Course Outline or Schedule: 1/12 - Introduction to course Unit One - Rhythmic Elements 1/14 - Rhythmic elements / Use of meter 1/19 - Syncopation / Sequences / Augmentation and diminution Unit Two - Melodic Elements 1/21 - Melodic construction 1/26 - Scales and modes 1/28 - Melodic phrase forms / Contour 2/2 - Melodic development 2/4 - Melodic Review Unit Three - Harmonic Elements 2/9 - Chord types 2/11 - Common chord progressions /Bass Inversions 3

4 2/16 - Harmonic phrase forms / CESH / Cadences 2/18 - Modulations / Transpositions / Ostinatos / Pedal points 2/23 - Rhythms In Chord Progressions / Harmonic Review 2/25 - Combining Melodic and Harmonic Elements Unit Four - Other Musical Elements 3/2 - Introductions and endings 3/4 - Notation / Editing / Lead sheets 3/16 - Continued Unit Five - Lyrics 3/18 - Basic lyric concepts / Terminology / AAA form 3/23 - Verse /Chorus form 3/25 - AABA form / Review 3/30 - Point of view / Plot and settings 4/1 - Repetition and specifics / Common pitfalls Unit Six - Lyrics And Rhythm 4/6 to 4/13 - Combining lyrics and rhythm 4/15 - Individual Sessions 4/20 - Individual Sessions 4/22 - Individual Sessions FINAL PROJECT PERFORMANCES April 27 and 29 Course Grading Information: The final grade for this course will be determined by three factors: the number of competencies successfully completed by each student (25%), the grade average for each test and assignment 4

5 (50%), and the final course project (25%). The minimum passing grade for each competency, each test and assignment, and the final project is 70%. The grading scale for competencies is as follows: 7 competencies A 6 competencies - B 5 competencies - C 4 competencies - D (will not be accepted as a prerequisite for future classes) 3 competencies or less - F Late Work, Attendance, and Make Up Work Policies: Assignments for this course are normally due on the next class day and students should plan on completing these assignments as scheduled. Each student may at their discretion hand in one late regular assignment (not including final projects) on the second class day after receiving the assignment. Assignments handed in after that date may or may not be accepted at the instructor s discretion. Missed assignments will receive a grade of zero for that competency. Student Behavioral Expectations or Conduct Policy: Students are expected to maintain classroom decorum that includes respect for other students and the instructor, prompt and regular attendance, and an attitude that seeks to take full advantage of the education opportunity. MCC Academic Integrity Statement: The Center for Academic Integrity, of which McLennan Community College is a member, defines academic integrity as a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action. Individual faculty members determine their class policies and behavioral expectations for students. Students who commit violations of academic integrity should expect serious consequences. For further information about student responsibilities and rights, please consult the McLennan website and your Highlander Student Guide. 5

6 MCC Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students, and each instructor will maintain a complete record of attendance for the entire length of each course, including online and hybrid courses. Students will be counted absent from class meetings missed, beginning with the first official day of classes. Students, whether present or absent, are responsible for all material presented or assigned for a course and will be held accountable for such materials in the determination of course grades. Please refer to the Highlander Guide for the complete policy. ADA Statement: In accordance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the regulations published by the United States Department of Justice 28 C.F.R (a), MCC s designated ADA coordinators, Dr. Drew Canham Vice President, Student Success and Mr. Gene Gooch - Vice President, Finance and Administration shall be responsible for coordinating the College s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under ADA. Students with disabilities requiring physical, classroom, or testing accommodations should contact Ms. Renee Jacinto, Disabilities Specialist, Student Services Center, Student Development Department, Room 227 or at or rrjacinto@mclennan.edu TITLE IX No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. Legal Citation: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and its implementing regulation at 34 C. F. R. Part 106 (Title IX) In accordance with the requirements of the Title IX Education Amendments of 1972 MCC s designated Title IX Coordinator, Al Pollard Vice President, Program Development/EEO Officer and Deputy Coordinator, Phyllis Blackwood Director of Human Resources shall be 6

7 responsible for coordinating the College s effort to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Contact information Al Pollard, Title IX Coordinator Vice President, Program Development McLennan Community College Phyllis Blackwood, Title IX Deputy Coordinator Director, Human Resources McLennan Community College Administration Building, Room 417 Administration Building, Room College Drive 1400 College Drive FAX FAX apollard@mclennan.edu pblackwood@mclennan.edu SCANS Competencies: All Students must master the following competencies: Mastery will be demonstrated by in class presentations and reports; performances, and/or written assignments and exams. RESOURCES R1: Allocates Time demonstrated by lesson preparation. Scheduling time and using the time properly to prepare assignments to required standards. INFORMATION IF1: Acquires & Evaluates Information IF2: Organizes & Maintains Information IF3: Interprets & Communicates Information development of Musical skills require mastery of the above Information Competencies. Students will 7

8 learn to interpret printed music into sound by using the printed page to acquire and evaluate the required response; then to remember and to organize the response at the appropriate time while communicating musically. SYSTEMS S1: Understands systems S2: Monitors & Corrects Systems S3: Improves & Designs Systems - Students will demonstrate mastery by performing, composing and/or arranging music using proper application of music theory, pedagogy with an appropriate musical style. Students are also expected to monitor and improve the process at every opportunity. TECHNOLOGY T1: Selects Technology T2: Applies Technology Students will learn to select and apply the appropriate technology to appropriate situations. 8

COWLEY COLLEGE & Area Vocational Technical School

COWLEY COLLEGE & Area Vocational Technical School COURSE PROCEDURE FOR Student Level: This course is open to students on the college level in either the freshman or sophomore year. Catalog Description: