Course Syllabus

MUSC 3A Musicianship 1

Fall 2024

Tuesday/Thursday 9:30–10:30AM (+1 hr/week)
Forsyth Hall room 115

Dr. Mark Anderman

Email:  manderman@santarosa.edu
Phone: (707) 527-4330
Office Hours: In-person M T Th 11am–12pm; Online T 4–5pm, W 11am–12pm

Course Description

The first semester of a four-semester sequence of Musicianship courses required of music majors and minors in most universities and conservatories.

Application and development of the materials of MUSC 2A through sight singing, ear training, and dictation. Topics include rhythm, major and minor scales, intervals, triads, and diatonic melodies. (Grade only) Transfer Credit: CSU/UC.

Recommended Preparation:   Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 2A

Textbooks & Materials

• Benjamin, Horvit & Nelson, Music for Sight Singing, 7^th edition
          (You may use the 6^th or 5^th edition if you prefer)
• Horvit, Koozin & Nelson, Music for Ear Training, 4^th edition with MindTap access
• Music staff paper

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate fluency with the language of music in written and aural form.
2. Hear music with understanding, recognizing patterns and musical function.
3. “Audiate” and sight-read a musical score.

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Aurally identify and sing major and natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales.
2. Prepare and sing melodies at sight using movable-do solfeggio.
3. Perform rhythms with division of the beat in simple and compound meter signatures.
4. Take dictation of rhythms with division of the beat in simple meter signatures.
5. Aurally identify and notate all simple intervals - ascending, descending, and harmonic.
6. Aurally identify and notate major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads.
7. Take dictation of diatonic melodies with division of the beat in simple meter signatures.

Credit by Examination

Some students enter college with extensive prior music knowledge (such as from high school AP Music courses or private lessons). Students who believe that they can "test out" of MUSC 2A and/or MUSC 3A can sit for Credit by Examination.

The exams are held on the first Friday of each semester. You will need to sign up with me by the first week of school and enroll in the Credit by Exam section(s) before taking the test.

Guidelines for Assignment Submission

Assignments will be submitted online through Canvas. You may scan or take a digital photo of your page(s). Please upload only PDF or JPG files unless the directions say otherwise.

• Observe the posted due dates and make every effort to turn in your work on time. Late work may be accepted if turned before the next test. (Later submissions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
• Any work to be graded must be turned in by the last day of the course. I will not accept any homework during final exams week.
• Due to the high volume of work I need to process each week, I typically do not accept “extra credit” assignments.

Attendance Policy and Course Grades

As this is an activity-based course, attendance and participation are extremely important. Most activities will be done in class and will be difficult to make up if missed.

• Points will be deducted for each unexcused absence or tardy.
• If you are tardy, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are not marked absent.
• Exams must be taken at the time they are given. Make-ups may be allowed with an excused absence (such as a doctor’s note). Make-ups without an excused absence will only receive half credit. Missing the final exam will result in failing the course.

The final course grade will be based on these guidelines:

Course Content	%
Attendance & participation in in-class activities and drills	20%
Dictation lab work	20%
Sight singing and dictation exams	60%
Total	100%

Incomplete Grades

In some extreme circumstances, arrangements can be made for an incomplete (I) grade. Incomplete grades are appropriate when a student has been making satisfactory progress in a course, but is unable to finish for reasons beyond their control. Consult the District Grading Policy for more information.

Dropping a Course or Withdrawing from the College

It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course if they are unable to complete it. Students who drop a course or withdraw from the college before the semester deadline will receive a “W” on their transcripts for each course dropped. The drop deadlines are published each semester in the college catalog and on the college website. Failure to drop by this date may result in a failing grade. 

Classroom Decorum

Students are expected to always show respect and courtesy for the instructor and fellow students.

• Please come to class on time—excessive tardiness is disruptive.
• Please do not bring food to class. Water in secure travel bottles is OK, but keep it covered and away from pianos or other instruments.
• Please set cell phones and other devices to silent mode.

Academic Integrity

Academic dishonesty is regarded as any act of deception, benign or malicious in nature, in the completion of any academic exercise. Examples of academic dishonesty include cheating, plagiarism, impersonation, misrepresentation of idea or fact for the purpose of defrauding, use of unauthorized aids or devices, falsifying attendance records, violation of testing protocol, inappropriate course assignment collaboration, and any other acts that are prohibited by the instructor of record. Students suspected of academic dishonesty may be referred to the Dean and/or Vice President of Student Services for disciplinary action.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need disability-related accommodations for this course, please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to me as soon as possible. You may also speak with me privately during office hours about your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly.

Physical and Mental Health

Should you experience any physical or mental health issues, know that all of us at SRJC care about your well-being. SRJC’s Student Health Services (SHS) has nurse practitioners and mental health therapists available. Confidential sessions are provided via secure Zoom or in-person. Sessions are free for SRJC students taking credit or non-credit classes, and some providers can converse with you in Spanish if you prefer. SHS also has on-site covid rapid testing and vaccinations available also at no cost. To start the process for any type of physical or mental health appointment contact Student Health at 707 527-4445 or email studenthealthservices@santarosa.edu. More information about all that Student Health Services provides is available at shs.santarosa.edu.