Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Class Guitar Syllabus

MUSC 1080-01

Course: MUSC 1080-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31252

Course Description

A course in the basic techniques of playing the guitar. The student must supply his/her own instrument. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Required Text(s): Guitar For Students – A Method For Classroom and Private Student – USC Thornton School of Music Guitar Instructional Series. By Nick Stoubis and Rick Schmunk. Published by Mel Bay.

  • Additional supplemental material will be handed out during class.
  • Students should bring a guitar to class each week. Classical (nylon-string), acoustic (steel-string), and electric guitars are all fine.
  • Guitar picks.
  • Electronic guitar tuner.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will become much more proficient in the following areas of guitar playing:

  • All basic open position chords.
  • Basic rhythm and strumming patterns.
  • Reading notes in open position.
  • Learning popular music songs.
  • Basic music theory and comprehension of symbols used in music.
  • An introduction to scales and bar chords.
  • Basic finger-picking patterns.

Course Requirements

Video Lessons

Video lessons will be supplied to students in lieu of class time from time to time throughout the semester. These lessons are intended to supplement classroom instruction and help students develop the ability to become independent learners. Video assignments will range from beginning to advanced and be posted in Canvas. Students will be expected to watch the video, play what is being taught and record a video of them demonstrating the new skill.

Midterm and Final

There will be one midterm and one final in this class. Each of these exams will be comprised of two parts. The first part will be a written test where students are tested on material covered in the book. The second part will be a performance test where students are asked to play specific examples covered in class. There will be a thorough review before each test so students will know exactly what to prepare.

Final Performance

There will be an end of semester performance for all guitar students. Each student will be expected to play one song that they have learned during the semester. This song can be any song they choose. They can sing along if they want to, or just play the guitar. They are also free to invite others to perform with them or to perform alone. The goal of this project is to give the students experience performing. They will not be graded on how good they are in comparison to anyone else, but will be awarded full credit just for completing the assignment.

Weekly Preparation and Practice

In order to learn the guitar effectively, students should make practicing a part of their daily routine. It is expected that students devote at least 30 minutes a day to practicing. Adhering to this practice schedule will ensure that steady and consistent progress is made throughout the semester.

Students should come to each class having mastered the material from the previous lesson so they will be ready to learn the next assignment. A consistent lack of preparation will affect the final grade significantly.

In order to ensure that class time is used efficiently, each student should come to class with three things:

  • Guitar tuned and ready to play.
  • Guitar pick and tuner.
  • Method books and other learning materials.

Travel: Travel may be included as part of the class requirements.

Grading Breakdown
AssignmentsDatesPercentage Breakdown
Video Lessons15%
Attendance Policy15%
Weekly Preparation and Practice15%
Midterm TestWed. Oct 8th20%
Final TestMonday December 8th 3:00 pm25%
Final PerformanceWednesday December 3rd 3:00 PM10%
Total100%
Letter Grade
Letter GradePercentage
A90% - 100%
B80% - 89%
C70% - 79%
D60% - 69%
FLess than 60%

Course Outline

This course will follow a week by week progression that will help students master class materials. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

No late work will be accepted

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to arrive to each class on time and should only miss a class if there is an emergency or other valid reason. Attendance counts for 20% of the grade and will be impacted greatly if students do not show up. Each student will be allowed one excused absence without penalty. Students must communicate with the instructor via email or phone at least 24 hours in advance of the class to be missed in order to excuse their absence. Texting will not be permitted as a method of communicating these absences.

Course Fees

None

Method(s) of Instruction

Face to face and/or video lessons.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.