New Mexico State University College of Arts and Sciences Department of Music COURSE SYLLABUS - SPRING 2015 SEMINAR IN MUSIC THEORY - MUS 518 http://www.lcsproductions.net/mus518/mus-518.html INSTRUCTOR Lon W. Chaffin, Ph.D. lchaffin@nmsu.edu Music Center - Room 101C 575-646-2421 PREREQUISITES A grade of B or better in MUS 471 MATERIALS New Directions in Music by David Cope (supplemental) DESCRIPTION Varying topics in Music Theory, providing a more specific and in-depth study of the particular topic. (from the 2014-15 NMSU Graduate Catalog) This particular online course will focus on the concepts, styles, practices, innovations, and composers of the late 19th and early 20th-centuries. COURSE ORGANIZATION Each student will write 3 10-page research papers on topics from a predetermined list assigned by the professor. Each of these papers will be distributed to every student enrolled in the course Each student will read each paper and write a 1-page summary The final exam will consist of material from all of the research papers INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES All of the course material is online at: http://www.lcsproductions.net/mus518/mus-518.html COURSE DATA Links to: the syllabus supplemental textbook ASSIGNMENTS An overview of the assignments and due dates (details are noted here in the syllabus) NOTES / ARTICLES Notes and articles for various related topics are linked here Please read the disclaimer first
ONLINE RESOURCES These links are to sites that contain supplemental reading and helpful resources TOPICS FOR RESEARCH The topics for the research papers will be taken from these lists Each topic can only be researched by one member of the class - For each paper, the students will request a topic from the list - The professor will make assignments based on the students requests ASSIGNMENTS Two papers will be on topics that deal with 20 th -century compositional or analytical techniques. The remaining paper will cover the work of a 20 th -century composer or theorist. Each paper should be fully cited using the Turabian style. At least three legitimate sources should be referenced for each paper. No material from the LCS Productions website should be used. These papers are to be scholarly works in every respect. Each and every non-original statement must be fully cited. Any plagiarism will result in an F for the course. Use a 12 pt. font with 1-inch margins. Research Paper 1-15% of final grade Present the assigned topic within the following format: - Introduction - Historical context of the topic - Contributing composers, theorists, authors, performers, etc. - Significant musical characteristics (this should comprise the bulk of the paper) - Impact on the musical world - Conclusion Minimum of 10 pages (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt. font) Fully cited with complete bibliography (Turabian style only) See the note about plagiarism below Minimum of three scholarly sources (internet sources must have a documented author) No quotes from the course website are allowed Created with Microsoft Word or compatible software Submitted as an attachment by email before February 6, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. Research Paper 1 Summaries - 10% of final grade For each paper from the other students, write a 1-page summary addressing each of the points noted in the format section (above) Use a scholarly writing style, but no citations are needed Submit as an email attachment before February 20, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. Research Paper 2-15% of final grade Present the assigned topic within the following format: - Introduction - Historical context of the topic - Contributing composers, theorists, authors, performers, etc.
- Significant musical characteristics (this should comprise the bulk of the paper) - Impact on the musical world - Conclusion Minimum of 10 pages (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt. font) Fully cited with complete bibliography (Turabian style only) See the note about plagiarism below Minimum of three scholarly sources (internet sources must have a documented author) No quotes from the course website are allowed Created with Microsoft Word or compatible software Submitted as an attachment by email before March 13, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. Research Paper 2 Summaries - 10% of final grade For each paper from the other students, write a 1-page summary addressing each of the points noted in the format section (above) Use a scholarly writing style, but no citations are needed Submit as an email attachment before March 27, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. Research Paper 3-15% of final grade Present the assigned group/composer/theorist within the following format: - Introduction - Historical context/background of the group/individual(s) - Musical contributions made by the composer(s), theorist(s), author(s), etc. - Significant compositional/theoretical characteristics of the individual(s) s work (this should comprise the bulk of the paper) - Impact on the musical world - Conclusion Minimum of 10 pages (double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt. font) Fully cited with complete bibliography (Turabian style only) See the note about plagiarism below Minimum of three scholarly sources (internet sources must have a documented author) No quotes from the course website are allowed Created with Microsoft Word or compatible software Submitted as an attachment by email before April 17, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. Research Paper 3 Summaries - 10% of final grade For each paper from the other students, write a 1-page summary addressing each of the points noted in the format section (above) Use a scholarly writing style, but no citations are needed Submit as an email attachment before May 1, 2015 by 11:59 p.m. FINAL EXAM - 25% of final grade Will go online by noon on May 4, 2015 Must be completed by noon on May 5, 2015
Topics for Research requests for specific topics should be sent to the professor by email assignments will be made based on students requests earliest requests will be given priority Techniques/Movements Impressionism Serialism Set Theory Primitivism Texturalism Timbralism Indeterminacy Neoclassicism Expressionism Minimalism Algorithmic Composition The Golden Mean in Music Composers/Groups/Theorists Second Viennese School Igor Stravinsky Bela Bartok Edgar Varese Paul Hindemith Milton Babbitt Olivier Messiaen Iannis Xenakis Pierre Boulez Karlheinz Stockhausen Luigi Dallapiccola Charles Ives John Cage Philip Glass Steve Reich John Adams Tan Dun Allen Forte Fred Lerdahl David Cope All assignments are due at the time posted in this syllabus. NO LATE WORK will be accepted. Any work submitted after the due date will be given the grade of 0 (zero) and will be averaged in as such. Any exceptions will need to be worked out with the professor before the assignment is due.
Plagiarism is using another person s work without acknowledgment, making it appear to be one s own. Any ideas, words, pictures, or other source must be acknowledged in a citation that gives credit to the source. This is true no matter where the material comes from, including the internet, other student s work, unpublished materials, or oral sources. Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered instances of academic misconduct. It is the responsibility of the student submitting the work in question to know, understand, and comply with this policy. If no citation is given, then borrowing any of the following would be an example of plagiarism: An idea or opinion, even when put into one s own words (paraphrase) A few well-said words, if these are a unique insight Many words, even if one changes most of them Materials assembled by others, for instance, quotes or a bibliography An argument A pattern or idea Graphs, pictures, or other illustrations Facts All or part of an existing paper or other resource This list is not meant to include all possible examples of plagiarism. See the University Library s web page on plagiarism for further examples. Any verified instance of plagiarism found in a student's completed work will result in an immediate failing grade for this course. Please print, sign, scan, and return (by email) the syllabus agreement on the following page by the due date noted above. Without your signed agreement, I will not accept any of your work, and you will not receive any grades for this course.
I, (printed name), have received, read and understand the syllabus for MUS 518 and agree to abide by the policies and procedures therein. Student's signature Date