INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Professor F. Weber  fweber@sierracollege.edu

As this is an online class,  I do not use an office on campus.  Here is my Mailing address;


Professor F Weber
Sierra College Music Department
5100 Sierra College Blvd. 
Rocklin, CA 95677 

On campus mail box;  across the hall from D1 and D2 in Walker Hall.


COURSE MATERIALS; the class uses a streaming program which contains all topics, examples, assessments, and tests.  It is called ONMUSIC APPRECIATION, 3rd edition;  It can be purchased and implemented the following ways; 

·         Course Material:
o   Students may purchase the course materials at the campus bookstore or through our online store:  www.store.connect4education.com (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
·         Registration: 
o   Once students have purchased their course material, they will need to register their 14-digit access code at register.mywebtext.org (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
·         Course Access:
o   Once students have successfully registered for your course, they can proceed to our website and begin their course work at www.connect4education.org (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.  
·         Technical Issues:
o   In the event students have any issue(s) with the course, please contact Tech Support atsupport@connect4education.com or 703/880-1180 ext. 200 for assistance.
Here are the main components of this class;

Weekly discussion forums with fellow students.  This is your required class participation and is not optional.  Students not participating weekly will lose overall points toward the final grade; Make your voice heard. 
Your term project will be in the form of a live symphony orchestra concert report.  Details  of this are found in the C4E software program under INTRODUCTION tab.
Topic assessments
Midterm and final exams
This class is taught through a variety of components, including; student discussion, topics with examples and assessments, concert report, and tests.  Below is some information about each component.

DISCUSSIONS;  Students are required to respond to a majority of discussions posted by the instructor each Monday...  These are considered 'class participation" and are not graded.

Extra credit is awarded to students who respond politely and intelligently to the majority of discussion questions (up to 1/2 letter grade). 

Discussion questions are posted in canvas as C4E forums do not accept youtube examples.

TOPICS, ASSESSMENTS, AND EXAMPLES

note: All topics are open at the start of the semester, so you can go through them as fast as you want.

Each day of the semester has an assigned topic.  They are found on the left hand side of this home page.  After reading, digesting, and listening to the examples, you are asked to fill out an assessment to see how well you understood the concepts of this topic.  Each assessment is worth 1% of your semester grade (so yes, you even earn points by doing this).  Be aware that when a deadline is reached for that topic. assessments close, and you lose the opportunity to earn those points.    In addition; the tests for this class are based on the assessments, so you are preparing for the test by doing them.    Always wait until you are ready to take the assessment  before clicking it on; they will not be reset for you, and you WILL LOSE THOSE POINTS.

Suggestion: The topics at first are pretty basic, and most students find them relatively easy.  However, the topics after the midterm are quiet complex (and long).  My point is that you may want to go through as many of the topics in the first half of class as you can, so you can devote more time to the 2nd half topics.  

TESTS:  There are 2 large tests that cover the topics you study.  They are based on much of the information found in the assessments, and in the same format. Test one is at the end of the 4th week (midterm) and test 2 is at the end of the 8th week (final).  Each test is around 25% of your grade. Students who miss either test will not be allowed to make it up without instructor approval. Be sure you are ready to take the test before clicking it on.  It will shut off after 2 hrs and 15 minutes, and due to test integrity, will not be reset.  

CONCERT REPORT; The information for this is found at the beginning of the daily assignments on the left hand side of the page.  Click on the tab that shows INTRODUCTION.  this assignment is worth about 17% of your grade.  You will need approval from your instructor before attending.  

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS
Music is art as well as science. To be able to comprehend it to the fullest we must, therefore, be able to appreciate both its emotional and intellectual content.

The aim of this course is very simple: To provide you with the tools for a basic understanding of music. It will not make you a musician or teach you how to write music. It will, however, give you the necessary background to understand what is going on technically when you are listening to music, so that your experience is not limited to a wash of sound that produces a certain feeling. 

The course will concentrate on

a) The development of an attentive style of listening,

b) The introduction and systematic study of the building blocks of music, and

c) Enhancing awareness of the main musical styles of selected western and non-western cultures.  

Don't be surprised that you will hear many examples from classical music.  You will also be asked to translate many of the concepts into what you listen to on a regular daily basis. 

 

 

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COURSE FORMAT
OnMusic Appreciation is offered using the incredible resources of the World Wide Web (WWW) for learning purposes. This format has challenged many traditionally held assumptions about teaching and learning. I will not go into the many ways this has happened. I will, rather, let this exciting adventure unfold and reveal its lessons to all of you.

There will be no lectures in this course. Actually, we will be at the opposite pole of the lecture paradigm. In this course, you are expected to communicate constantly with your classmates via electronic mail and Discussion Forums, and to cooperatively learn concepts, solve problems, and complete projects. This will be a major component of the learning experience.

This is a fully paperless class. All course materials will be accessed electronically. Electronic mail (e-mail) and Discussion Forums will be the main source of information and interaction among us.

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comments; 

Keep your computer in running order at all times, as deadlines are not extended if you have computer problems.  
Most students who stay with the class end up with an A or a B.  The material is not hard,  you just have to be organized and get it done.  You are encouraged to work ahead, and submit work ahead if schedule. 
 If you wish to communicate with other students in class (other than the discussions) just enter you contact info and how you wish to communicate under the student profile tab in C4E. 
 

After completion of this class, you will:

Hear all music in a new way
Be able to discuss musical concepts using a more complete musical vocabulary
Have experienced much more music
Know more about musical instruments and  human voices
Know more about music construction
Know more about famous composers
Enjoy the music you identify with even more
Experience a “live” classical concert
Be aware of the many types of “formal” musical ensembles
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Evaluation

midterm and final	23%	each							
concert report	17%								
35 assessments	37%								
Grading

A fixed grade scale is used, so that it is possible for everyone to do well.

A
90-100%
B
80-89.99%
C
70-79.99%
D
60-69.99%
F
below 60%
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty in any form is unacceptable. Consequences will be administered in accordance with official school policy.