PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS

MUSIC THEORY I 
MUS 1110

Class Hours: 3.0

 

Credit Hours: 3.0

 

Laboratory Hours: 0.0

 

Revised: Fall 08

 

 

 

 

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

This is the first in a sequence of four courses designed for the college music major.  Prior music reading experience or MUS 1000 is recommended. Materials of music, including basic elements through triads, seventh chords and non-chord tones. Exercise in writing and analysis of music, with emphasis on common practice period music. 

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

 College-level math, reading, and writing skills are required.  Each student should have a performing area (voice, piano, or instrument) and possess a keen desire to study music. 

Prerequisites:

 

 

 

 None

Corequisite:

 

 

 

 MUS 1300

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

 Kostka, Stefan and Payne, Dorothy.  Tonal Harmony (Text & Workbook in most recent edition)

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 

Week 

Topic

 

1

Chapter 1:  Elements of Pitch

 

2

Chapter 2:  Elements of Rhythm

 

3-4

Chapter 3:  Introduction to Triads and Seventh Chords 

 

5-6

Chapter 4:  Diatonic Chords in Major and Minor Keys

 

7

Review of fundamentals covered in chapters 1-4

 

8-9

Chapter 10:  Cadences, Phrases, and Periods

 

10-11

Chapter 11:  Non-Chord Tones 1 (passing tones, neighboring tones, suspensions, retardations)

 

12-13

Chapter 12:  Non-Chord Tones 2 (appoggiaturas, escape tones, neighbor group, anticipations, pedal points)

 

14

Review of non-harmonic tones, cadences, and phrases

 

15

Final Exam Period

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of common practice period  harmonic practices through seventh chords. II.1, II.6

 

B.

Evidence an understanding of  non-chord tones and characteristics of melody. II.1, II.6

 

C.

Acquire and utilize knowledge sufficient to identify and notate simple melodic, rhythmic and harmonic models and perform them at the keyboard. II.1, II.6

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR's general education goals.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Develop the ability to recognize melodic and harmonic elements in a piece of music of the common practice period.  Active Learning Strategy, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome

 

2.

Participate in structured class activities requiring the completion of four voice partwriting examples using figured bass symbols and proper voice leading techniques. Active Learning Strategy, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome

 

3.

Develop the ability to identify chords by Roman numeral and inversion. Active Learning Strategy, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome

 

4.

Participate in listening activities in which they interpret the phrase structure of a piece of music. Communication Outcome, Active Learning Strategy, Humanities and/or Fine Arts Outcome

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR's goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Recognize at sight and be able to notate chords in a key.  A, C

 

2.

Read and understand pitch and rhythmic notation.  A, C

 

3.

Identify chords by Roman Numeral and inversion numbers.  A, B, C

 

4.

 Identify and write a variety of non-chord tones. A, B, C

 

5.

Interpret the phrase structure and cadence patterns of a piece of music of the common practice period. A, B

 

6.

 Demonstrate an understanding of the functions of chords in a piece of music. A, B, C

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Testing Procedures: 

 

1. Four tests will determine 30% of the final grade. 
2. An average of all quizzes will account for 20% of the grade. 
3. A comprehensive final exam will constitute 20% of the final grade.
4. Homework assignments, attendance, and class participation will constitute the remaining 30% of the final grade.

 

B. Laboratory Expectations:

 

 N/A

 

C. Field Work:

 

 N/A

 

D. Other Evaluation Methods: 

 

N/A

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

A. Attendance Policy:

 

Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  Individual departments/ programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent. 

 

B. Academic Dishonesty Policy:

 

The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity.  Plagiarism, cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.  A student guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, is immediately responsible to the instructor of the class.  In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course.  (Pellissippi State Catalog)

 

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

 

If you need accommodation because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately.  Privately after class or in the instructor's office. 
To request accommodations students must register with Services for Students with Disabilities: Goins 127 or 131, Phone: (865) 539-7153 or (865) 694-6751 Voice/TDD.