Course Syllabus

MUSC 3D Musicianship 4

Spring 2025

Monday/Wednesday 9:30–10:20AM (+1 hour per week)
Forsyth Hall room 189

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

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

Course Description

Application and development of the materials of MUSC 2D through sight singing, ear training, and dictation. Topics include: diatonic modes; borrowed chords and mode mixture; the Neapolitan and augmented sixth chords; modulations to distantly related keys; and other musical techniques of the Renaissance, Late Romantic era, and twentieth century. (Grade only)  Transfer Credit: CSU/UC.

Prerequisite:  Completion of MUSC 3C (or MUS 3C)
Recommended Preparation:  Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 2D

Textbooks & Materials

  • Benjamin, Horvit & Nelson, Music for Sight Singing, 7th (or 6th or 5th) edition
  • Horvit, Koozin & Nelson, Music for Ear Training, 4th edition with MindTap access
  • Music staff paper

Student Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Demonstrate the ability to hear music with understanding, recognizing patterns and musical function.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to "audiate" a musical score.

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Aurally identify and sing the diatonic modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian).
  2. Prepare and sight sing modal melodies, modulating melodies (especially to distantly related keys), and atonal melodies.
  3. Take dictation of modal melodies, modulating melodies (especially to distantly-related keys), and post-tonal melodies.
  4. Aurally identify and transcribe 4-part harmonic progressions utilizing mode mixture, Neapolitan chords, augmented sixth chords, and modulation to distantly-related keys.
  5. Perform rhythms using common polyrhythmic formulae (2 against 3, 3 against 4) and mixed meters.
  6. Take dictation of rhythms using common polyrhythmic formulae (2 against 3, 3 against 4) and mixed meters.

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 and Grading Policy

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.

  1. Points will be deducted for each unexcused absence or tardy.
  2. If you are tardy, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are not marked absent.
  3. If you wish to drop this course, it is YOUR responsibility to do so before the deadline.
  4. 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.
Final Grade Guidelines
Assignment %
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.

Guidelines for Assignment Submission

  1. Self-correct all dictation assignments based on the guidelines in the course module.
  2. Turn in assignments on time. Assignments must be turned in before the next test.
  3. Please turn in all parts of an assignment together. Incomplete work will be returned without a grade.
  4. I typically do not accept “extra credit” assignments.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need disability-related accommodations for this course, such as a note taker, test-taking services, special furniture, use of service animal, etc., 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. For more information, consult Student Health Services at shs.santarosa.edu.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due