OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
COURSE SYLLABUS
II. Course Title: Music Theory
III. Course Description: This
is a course designed to prepare the prospective musician in the techniques
of properly notating
music. As in any other music endeavor, the means of accomplishing
our goals are through regular practice. Therefore
the course will consist of regular written assignments which must
be faithfully completed and turned in. There is no sub-
stitute for this practice, so to resist is futile. The class will consist
of considerable usage of computers, i.e. computer-
assisted drill programs as well as use of the internet. A web page
will be maintained throughout the term of this course.
The page will consist of a synopsis of each class session as well as daily
assignments and an opportunity to communicate
directly with the instructor. Each student will be responsible for
accessing this page regularly. The URL for the Music
221 web page is http://web.odu.edu/al/wbartolo/
IV. Course Competencies: As a result of this course and its activities, the learner should:
A. Be able to identify and construct intervals, scales (major and
all forms of minor), triads (major, minor, diminished and
augmented), and key signatures (major and minor)
B. Understand simple and compound meters
C. Learn basic principles of 4 part writing in root position
D. Understand melodic form and cadence
E. Understand and use good chord progressions
F. Understand basic computer usage, especially using the World Wide
Web
V. Course Requirements:
A. Purchase of an internet account either through the University
or a personal one at home
B. Written papers (approximately 32) will be due at the conclusion
of the class following their assignment. Any paper
not submitted at this time will be credited as a "0". NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED;
NO REDUCED CREDIT.
C. No paper will be accepted after the class is dismissed.
D. The four (4) lowest homework grades will be eradicated from your
record.
VI. Accommodating Students
with Special Learning Needs: In accordance with university policy, a student
who wishes to
receive some instructional accommodation, because of a documented sensory
and/or learning disability, should meet with
the instructor to discuss these accommodations.
VII. Attendance: Since papers are
due almost every class, it follows that if you are not in class, your paper
does not get to me
and receives a "0" grade. If you are not in class to receive the
next assignment, this often results in another "0". It is pos-
sible, when extreme circumstances prevent you from coming to class, to
ask a classmate to turn in your paper for you.
However, much of the content for the completion of assignments is provided
through lecture and discussion. This infor-
mation will not be readily obtained if the learner does not attend. So
the best policy is to attend every class session.
VIII. Grading: Whereas it is possible
to pass this course with a "D-", continuation to Music 222 is allowed only
for a grade of
"C" or better.
A = 93 - 100
A- = 90 - 92
B+ = 87 - 89
B = 83 - 86
B- = 80 - 82
C+ = 77 - 79
C = 73 - 76
C- = 70 - 72
D+ = 67 - 69
D = 63 - 66
D- = 60 - 62
F = Below 60
A. Final Exam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 35 %
B. Major Exams (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 45 %
C. Homework Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 20 %
IX. Honor Pledge: "I pledge
to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain
from any form of aca-
demic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I
am aware that as a member of the academic commu-
nity, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected
violators of the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings
if summoned." By attending Old Dominion University you have accepted
the responsibility to abide by this code. This is
an institutional policy approved by the Board of Visitors.
X. Office Hours:
Monday, 2:00 PM
Friday, 10:00 AM
Other times by appointment
XI. Class References Texts:
A. Kostka, Stefan and Dorothy Payne.
B. Workbook for above text.
This page is designed to assist students enrolled
in Music 221 - Music Theory. If you had difficulty in class with the contents
of this lesson, this may help you to comprehend the material. If you missed
the presentation in class, this may help to update the material for you.
If you still have questions, contact Dr. Bartolotta at wbartolo@odu.edu