Basic Composition I Syllabus

Revision date: January 16, 2006

Music and Humanities Department

San Antonio College / 1300 San Pedro Ave. / San Antonio, TX 78212-4299

Course number and title: MUSI 1286. Basic Composition I.

Credit Hours: 2 Hrs/wk lec.: 2 Hrs/wk lab: 0 Lec/Lab: 2/0

Office: McAllister Fine Arts Building, Room 105 Phone (210) 733-2731 Fax (210) 733-2985

Web Address: www.accd.edu/sac/music

I. Catalog Description

MUSI 1286. Basic Composition I.

MUSI 1212 or consent of the instructor. Concurrent enrollment in 2211 and 2216 is highly recommended.

Basic composition is an introduction to composition through the analysis and writing of short studies and supervised original projects. Topics to be covered include traditional concepts of melody, modality, whole tone and pentatonic melody, neo-classic melody, 12-tone melody, 2- and 3-voice composition, and setting text to music.

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements

MUSI 1212 or consent of the instructor. Concurrent enrollment in 2211 and 2216 is highly recommended.

III. Text and other materials students are required to provide

A. No textbook is required for this course.

B. Manuscript paper.

C. No. 1 pencil and a good eraser.

D. Blank notebook.

IV. Instruction will consist of:

A. Lecture and demonstration

B. Recorded examples of music

C. Class workshop / performance

D. Class discussion

V. Course Content

This course teaches traditional melodic concepts, the setting of text to music, modality, and the writing of whole tone melodies, pentatonic melodies, neo-classic melodies, twelve-tone melodies, and two- and three- voice compositions.

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students’ mastery of those outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Students will understand melodic composition covering a range of methods, from the more traditional to whole-tone, pentatonic, neo-classic, and twelve-tone. They will create their own melodies utilizing sound compositional technique, and also compose pieces with two and three voices.

Performance Objectives:

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

A. Identify and understand a range of compositional methods, including whole-tone, pentatonic, neo-classic, and twelve-tone.

B. Compose melodies utilizing sound compositional technique.

C. Engage in two- and three-part writing utilizing sound compositional technique.

Methods of Measurement: Students will have achieved mastery of Learning Outcomes with at least a 70% of the final grade:

· Compositional projects, assessed by the instructor and assigned a grade;

· Class participation, factored into the students’ grade;

· A comprehensive (“capstone”) compositional project, worth at least 15% of the students’ final grade.

VII. Course Requirements and Grade Computation

A. College Requirements

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B. Departmental Requirements

Retention Means Completing the Course

The faculty members of the Music/Humanities department are committed to your successful completion of our classes without lowering the college’s academic standards. As a department, we have set a goal to increase the number of students who finish our classes with a performance grade (A, B, C, or D). As faculty (and former college students), we have discussed the many pressures (work, financial, family) that our students must face. Certainly, some of these issues are beyond your control. However, there may be something that can be done that would make the difference in whether you complete the course. If we are made aware of circumstances that impact your participation in class, we can be of assistance. Although this syllabus is full of requirements and policies, we are not inflexible. Please do not stop coming to class or drop the class without first talking to the instructor. Dropping a course should be your last step. Be aware that dropping may impact your grade point average, financial aid, and health insurance policies (some require you to be a full time 12 hour student). As experienced instructors, there may be options that we can point out that have not occurred to you. We are here to help you, but you must be willing to help yourself. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for advice. Your success matters to your instructor and it is a top priority in the department.

C. Instructor Requirements

(Customized by each instructor – see Faculty web page, then select Course

Information)

VIII. College Policies

A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C. ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each. Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W” (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (for information on college closures)

J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the

“Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf