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Music 51A: Intro to Electronic Music
1:30-3:10 MW section in AT-401 | 9:30-12:50 Friday section in A-11 | 3 units
Office: AT-401 | 123.456.7890 | FacultyJohn@fhda.edu | http://faculty.deanza.edu/multipage/
Course Description
Introduction to Electronic Music is a beginning level course covering general principles of synthesizer and drum machine operation, an introduction to digital synthesis concepts and MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), and other aspects of electronic music media. The primary emphasis is of
the course is on the operation of the synthesizers, computer software and hardware, and other equipment in the De Anza College electronic music lab.
Text and Materials
The Music 51A Syllabus is online. Although you will receive a printed copy of this greensheet at the first class meeting, the online version is authorative and will reflect any changes in course policies, due dates, etc. Whenever you need to check this information check the online version.
ZIP Disk. You need one PC- or Mac-formatted disk. You may use a ZIP disk that already has other files on it as long as there is enough spece left over to back up your electronic music files. ZIP disks are available at the bookstore and from other sources.
All Electronic Music students must join the Electronic Music Weblog site. Visit the site and use the "Join Now" link in the sidebar to join. You will need an email address in order to sign up. If you do not have an email account, sign up for a free web-based email account from a service like http://www.hotmail.com/ or http://www.yahoo.com/.
Students should read current electronic music and audio magazines such as Electronic Musician, Keyboard, etc.
Labs
The lab requirement for this course is met through scheduled weekly attendance at individual practice sessions and group tutoring sessions.
Practice Sessions: You must initially sign up for a weekly one hour block of individual practice time in the electronic music studio - room A-37. You will sign up for an additional hour - a total of 2 hours per week
- later in the term.
During these sessions you will apply the information from the lectures to the actual operation of the studio, work on class projects, and experiment and practice with studio equipment. A sign-up sheet for these sessions will be circulated during the first class meetings. It becomes a semi-permanent schedule for the quarter.
You must arrive at the studio during the first ten minutes of your session or you forfeit that session and another student may use the studio. In addition to your regular practice sessions, you may use the studio anytime that no one else is using it. You must sign in and out on the log sheet on the studio bulletin board whenever you use the studio. Also use the log sheets to note any malfunctioning equipment or other problems.
Tutoring Sessions. You must attend a weekly 20 minute group tutoring session in the studio, during which you will operate the instrument under the teacher's supervision and have an opportunity to ask questions. Sign-ups for tutoring sessions will take place during the first class meetings. Tutoring sessions will also be used for individual testing later in the quarter.
Scheduling for tutoring sessions varies depending upon course enrollment - and this quarter it may also depend upon room availability. Tutoring sessions are scheduled on regular class meeting days; between 2:30 and 3:30 for the MW (or TTh) class and between 11:10-12:50 for the Friday class.
Studio Rules
All electronic music students are responsible for reading, understanding, and following the studio rules.This is absolutely critical so that we can maintain open studio access for all students enrolled in this class. Consequences for violating the studio rules include suspension of access to the studios.
Grading
Let the instructor know immediately if you think you have received an incorrect grade. Grades will not be changed if you wait more than 72 hours after an assignment is handed back or after grades are posted on the web to bring errors to the instructor's attention.
Written Tests - Two written tests will be given - each is worth 15% of the total course grade. Tests count for 30% of the course grade.
Quizzes - Quizzes will be given several times during the term. They include questions of the type found on the tests and serve as reviews for these tests. Missed quizzes may not be made up, but one may be missed without penalty. Quizzes count for 20% of the course grade.
Assignments and Projects - Written and recorded MIDI assignments will be due throughout the quarter. This work counts for 20% of the course grade.
Final Project - Final projects are due at the scheduled final exam session - see the course calendar below. (Note: Because this class extends through more than one class hour, the final session may be rescheduled by the instructor for either of the sessions.) Attendance is required, so make early arrangements to avoid schedule conflicts. Most students play back a piece realized in the De Anza College electronic music studio for their projects. Project details will be described later. Final projects count for 30% of the course grade.
Attendance
Attendance will be taken at each class session. You are subject to being dropped from the class for excessive absences or tardies. However, there is no guarantee that you will automatically be dropped if you stop attending without notifying the instructor. You must contact the instructor immediately if you miss a class or if you decide to drop.
It is your responsibility to be aware of drop deadlines and to make timely arrangements with the instructor and the registrar if you decide to drop this class.
The class schedule lists deadlines for dropping with no record or for dropping with a "W" grade.
To meet these deadlines you must contact the instructor during a regular class meeting or at a scheduled office hour beforehand. The instructor will not back-date drop requests submitted after deadlines.
Late Work
Assignments are late if they are not turned in at the time the class session begins. You are responsible for ensuring that you are on time on due dates - arrive early to make sure your work is not late. Better yet, turn your assignments in early.
Quizzes may not be made up, though one may be missed without lowering your grade.
Make-up midterms may be possible for students who make prior arrangements with the instructor.
Other late assignments will be penalized 1 letter grade for each class session after the due date.
Failure to turn in a final project may result in a grade of F for the course.
Copying and Cheating
Students who cheat or submit the work of others as their own work on papers, tests, or any other course assignments on which collaborative work is not specified are subject to an automatic failing grade in the course and will be reported to the appropriate college authorities.
Office Hours
Please visit me during my office hours, call 123-456-7890, or send email to FacultyJohn@fhda.edu any time you have a question or problem relating to the course.
My office is in room AT-401 in the Advanced Technology Center building. You do not need an appointment to see me during an office hour, but you can make one if you prefer. Office hours are:
- Monday through Thursday at 10:40-11:30
- Friday at 8:30-9:20
If you cannot visit during a scheduled office hour, I am available to meet at many other times by arrangement. Call me or send email to set up an alternate office visit.
Calendar
Important assignments and dates are listed in the Music 51A Calendar.
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