Introduction to Western and World Music History is a course designed to familiarize you with music in its numerous purposes and guises in a variety of settings, most specifically cultural, historical, and functional.  You will develop an understanding of the music making (creation and performance) of others in diverse cultures.  

Assignments and Presentations = a synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression: You will complete several projects both in and out of class in order to synthesize content learned in class and demonstrate your skill level.

The student who passes this series of courses will be able to:

     1.    Identify, recognize, and describe general stylistic characteristics of music using

            accepted musical terminology

     2.    Accurately place a musical work within an historical, cultural, or stylistic context

     3.    Distinguish similarities and differences in musical characteristics among art, folk, jazz,

            popular, and world music traditions

     4.    Understand and categorize how music functions in different historical cultures from

            antiquity to the present

     5.    Understand and appreciate the functions of music in society as cultural, religious,

            ceremonial, inspirational, and recreational

     6.    Demonstrate teamwork by participation in research project presentation

                     7.    Demonstrate social responsibility through journal entries 

                     8.    Attend and meaningfully critique a concert production.

           Rubrics are available in D2L for assignments and presentations.

            Guidelines for concert and recording critiques, journal entries, and the world music project may be found in the complete syllabus attached to this electronic document.

You have paid for this class and it would be a shame if you wasted your money through non-attendance.  Lectures go hand-in-hand with assignments, and will expand your understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of music.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class and showing up more than 20 minutes late will counted as an absence.  You have a grace period of three class absences, after which each absence lowers your grade by one letter.  Upon your third absence an Attendance Referral will be sent to the Dean of Students.  After your fifth absence an Academic Referral will be sent to the Advising Office.  The professor may drop a student any time during the semester for more than seven absences, for consistently failing to meet class requirements, for an indifferent attitude, or for disruptive conduct.

If you skip class and miss a quiz or graded exercise, it cannot be made up.  If you miss class due to illness, you can make it up as long as you a) call/email before class and 2) present written documentation when you return to class.

Late work will receive at most half credit, but in general is not accepted.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.