Cluster Course: Syncopated Southern Synthesis: African American History through Jazz HIS 223 and MUS103 MUS 103: Introduction to Classic Jazz Course Syllabus Spring, 2018 Course Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 12:50 -1:50 PM Location: Patterson Hall (PH) Mezz Credit Hours: 4 Professor: Dr. Timothy Winfield Assistant Professor of Music Trumpet and Music Education Office: Patterson Hall Studio B Office Phone: 724-946-7274 E-mail: [email protected] Office hours: MF - 11:30am – 12:30pm TR – 6:00-7:00pm W 10:30 – 11:530am Or by appointment Cluster Description: In this cluster, students will examine connections between African cultures, and the development of jazz in the United States of America. Focus will be on West African origins, the slave trade, and interactions between black and white Americans. The close connection between the creation of jazz as an art form and the influence African American cultures had on this creative process will be a central figure. The racial tensions through the 20th century and their influence on society and music will also be a core idea. Cluster Outcomes: • Students will understand connections between African cultures and the development of jazz. Assessed through paper and presentation. • Students will evaluate the impact of segregation on American history and music. Assessed through quizzes and exams. • Students will comprehend the historical context of African American cultures as expressed through jazz performance. Assessed through concert reviews. MUS 103 Course Description: Introduction to Classic Jazz is a historical survey of the unique development of jazz from its origins as an African-American art form to its present status as an American art form. The course will be taught in conjunction with HIS 223 (African-American History) course as an approved cluster. Also satisfies IP credit in Visual and Performing Arts. Course outcomes: By the end of Introduction to Classic Jazz, students will be able to: 1 • Understand and appreciate the origins and development of jazz as an American art form by studying historical influential jazz figures. Assessed through concert reviews, exams, reflections, paper and presentation. • Understand and analyze various types of jazz music. Assessed through exams, reflections, paper and presentation. Departmental outcomes: By the end of Introduction to Classic Jazz, students will be able to: • To demonstrate knowledge of theoretical and historical information requisite for a musician. Assessed through exams/quizzes, oral presentations, and research papers. • To demonstrate the knowledge of a variety of musical styles and genres, and be able to relate that knowledge to high quality musical performance. Assessed through exams/quizzes, oral presentations, research papers, and concert reviews. • Assignments: Class Material Reflections Each student will write a reflection every two weeks covering the material addressed in class and readings. The purpose of this reflection is to use the material covered in the current weeks and apply it to something relevant in the student’s life or current society. These reflections should be at least 150 words long and should be submitted to the D2L dropbox before the beginning of the first class of every other week (see syllabus). Type your reflections out in word, then attach the document to the D2L dropbox. Please do not email your reflections, you must submit with the D2L dropbox. Cluster Presentation Students will work in groups of 5. Each group is responsible for creating a presentation that details a selected research topic. The presentation should include information from the topic including the social climate of the United States of America, the societal impact of the African America community, and how these areas influenced jazz (and/or how jazz influenced these areas). Each individual should present for roughly three minutes through the duration of the presentation. Group presentations will make use of at least 6 images (collectively, not individually) throughout the presentation to provide historical background/context for the topic. Each individual is responsible for providing an audio or video clip for their portion of the presentation as well. The audio/video clip should have a direct connection to what is being discussed in the presentation at that point in time. Be sure to describe the connection between the audio/video and the spoken content of the presentation. Cluster Paper Each presentation group is responsible for researching and writing a 10-page paper on a specified topic in American History. Groups should synthesize three historical 2 aspects of this topic. These three areas are the social climate of the United States of America, the societal impact of the African America community, and how these areas influenced jazz (and/or how jazz influenced these areas). Groups must include the most important societal events and movements as well as the most important jazz artists and/or genres of that time. More importantly groups must synthesize these areas. Groups must use at least 10 scholarly sources and include a bibliography at the end of the paper (This bibliography is not included in the 10-page paper length). Students are required to adhere to the guidelines of Chicago Manual Style. Paper Specifics: 10 pages in length 1” margins, double spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman Bibliography with at least 10 scholarly sources Footnotes, Bibliography, and overall style should adhere to the guidelines of Chicago Manual Style Exams/Quizzes Students will complete 2 exams and four quizzes consisting of multiple choice, short answer, true and false, and chronology questions, which will be generated from daily lectures, presentations, and reading. Concert Reviews Students are required to attend two jazz concerts during the semester. Concerts may include but are not limited to the Westminster Jazz Ensemble and Westminster Faculty Jazz Quartet concerts. Concert reviews must be turned in through the D2L dropbox. The deadline for this assignment is the beginning of the last class of the semester. You are encouraged to turn your concert review in the week after the concert. This will ensure the events of the concert are fresh in your mind. Each concert review must contain the following and should be at least 800 words 1. A program of the event (a ticket stub or picture of you at the concert is adequate for off campus events if a program is unavailable.) The program should state the date, time, place, and group, ensemble, and/or soloist(s) who are performing. Be sure to write your name, in pen, at the top of the program, and bring to class after submitting your concert review. 2. Provide your own reactions to the performance based on the content of this course. DO NOT USE PROGRAM NOTES. Describe the event and music using the elements, concepts, and vocabulary described in daily lectures and presentations. 3. Provide the reception the audience gives the performance. 4. Provide any unexpected or unusual occurrences. Grading: Assignment Percent of Grade Participation in Class 10 Weekly Reflections/Assignments 10 Quizzes 20 3 Midterm 10 Research Paper 15 Presentation 15 Concert Reviews 10 Final Exam 10 Grading Scale: 93-100 A 73-76 C 90-92 A- 70-72 C- 87-89 B+ 67-69 D+ 83-86 B 63-66 D 80-82 B- 60-62 D- 77-79 C+ Below 60 F Note on due dates and late work: All assignments that are turned in are due at the beginning of the class period unless I say otherwise. Late assignments are not accepted, unless the student has missed class due to an excused absence. In addition, assignments will not be accepted after class. A missed quiz will count as a zero percent, unless the student has missed due to an excused absence. This course follows the policy regarding exams and excused absences that is outlined in the Westminster College Undergraduate Catalogue. Important Note on Discussion of Grades: If students have a concern about grades of any sort (handed back papers, course grade, etc.), they are encouraged to discuss their grades with me during office hours. I will not discuss grades of any sort in class or in front of other students. Grades are strictly a private matter. Textbooks and Course Materials: • Lawn Richard, Experiencing Jazz, 2nd Edition • This book can also be found as an ebook through the WC library website. Attendance Policy: The attendance policy in this course follows the College policy, which is outlined in the Westminster College Undergraduate Catalogue. Students are expected to attend all classes. Every unexcused absence after three unexcused absences will result in the student’s final grade being lowered one-third of a letter grade letter. If you have extenuating circumstances, please talk to me so we can try and resolve your problem. I may excuse absences for the following reasons: course-related field trips; illness that is documented by a doctor’s note (not including the “self-reported sick in room” notice from the Student Health Center); death or serious illness in the immediate family as is verified by someone other than the student; appearance in court; co-curricular and extracurricular activities recognized and/or sponsored by the College; or another extraordinary reason as deemed appropriate by me. Students must make arrangements with me regarding the completion of missed work from excused absences. 4 E-mail and Computer Use: My preferred method of contact, outside of class is through the Westminster email system. Please make sure to correspond via your Westminster account only, or you may have your Westminster emails forwarded to another account. The bottom line is to make sure you check and receive your Westminster email frequently. Class materials will also be posted to D2L. Please make sure you have proper access. Academic Honesty: While students are encouraged to study and work in groups on homework assignments, copying work for the sake of turning in assignments on time is a breach of the College’s policy on academic integrity.