Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Aural Skills I (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1130-01

Course: MUSC 1130-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31261

Course Description

The first course in the aural skills sequence, the course covers melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation of diatonic materials. Exercises in solfege develop sight-singing abilities. Students must pass an entrance exam given during the first class period of MUSC 1110 (co-requisite), otherwise they will be placed in MUSC 1100 and dropped from MUSC 1130. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

No text is required for this course. However, a workbook is posted on Canvas that students must print out, or download to use on an iPad. Students are strongly encouraged to have an iPad with an Apple pencil. Also recommended is an app that allows editing or writing on PDFs, such as ForScore.

Numerous online sources will be useful for practice outside of class. Some examples are:

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Sight-sing tonal melodies in major and minor keys with accurate pitch and rhythm using moveable Solfege.
  2. Notate rhythmic dictation that include simple or compound meters.
  3. Notate melodic and harmonic dictation.
  4. Identify aurally the quality of diatonic intervals.

Course Requirements

Exams

There will be four exams given during the semester, including the final exam. Each exam has two parts: an in-class dictation portion, and an out-of-class sight-singing portion. The sight-singing will be scheduled individually.

The final sight-singing exam and dictation exam will be given during the appointed final exam time.

Grade Weighting
  • Dictation exams: 40% of the final grade
  • Sight-singing exams: 40% of the final grade
  • Attendance: 10% of the final grade
  • Assignments: 10% of the final grade
Dictation Exam Grading
  • Intervals: 1 point for the correct pitch, 1 point for the correct identification.
  • Rhythm: 1 point per note.
  • Melody: 1 point per pitch, 1 point per rhythm. Depending on the length, the points could be halved.
  • Harmony: 1 point per soprano note, 1 point per bass note, 1 point per Roman numeral, 1/2 point per figured bass numbers/symbols, and 1/2 point per alto and tenor notes.
  • Error Detection: 1 point per error identified.
Sight-Singing Grading
  • Showing up at the appointed time and taking the exam: 35 points
  • Correct pitches: 20 points
  • Correct rhythms: 20 points
  • Intonation and remaining in the correct key: 10 points
  • Fluidity (not starting and stopping): 10 points
  • Solfege syllables: 5 points
Assignments

Each module contains assignments (worksheets) that will be completed during class. Students will need to turn in the assignments electronically. Assignments may be submitted in Canvas until 11:59 the day the worksheets are completed in class. The assignments will not be graded, but given full points if completed and turned in.

Assessment Mapping
Course AssessmentsCourse Outcomes
Dictation Quizzes Outcomes 2, 3, and 4
Sight Singing Quizzes Outcome 1
Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

GradeRange
A100 % to 94.0%
A-< 94.0 % to 90.0%
B+< 90.0 % to 87.0%
B< 87.0 % to 84.0%
B-< 84.0 % to 80.0%
C+< 80.0 % to 77.0%
C< 77.0 % to 74.0%
C-< 74.0 % to 70.0%
D+< 70.0 % to 67.0%
D< 67.0 % to 64.0%
D-< 64.0 % to 61.0%
F< 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline


Course Summary:
Chapter 1 - Aug. 27 - Chapter 1 Sight Singing & Dictation Test - Sept. 18
Chapter 2 - Sept 23 - Chapter 2 Sight Singing & Dictation Test -  Oct. 9
Chapter 3 - Oct. 14 - Chapter 3 Sight Singing & Dictation Test - Nov. 6
Chapter 4 - Nov. 11 - Chapter 4 Sight Singing & Dictation Test - Dec. 9 - Final Exam

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

Late and Make-Up Work

Absences from exams are not permitted. Late assignments and make-ups for exams will NOT be accepted unless accompanied by valid documentation for an unexcused absence and approved by your instructor. Late submissions and make-up exams are at the discretion of the instructor.

Instructor Response Time and Feedback

For messages sent to the instructor, a response will be provided in a timely manner. Feedback is an important part of learning; please look for feedback on your assignments promptly. To find feedback, consult these tutorials:

It is the instructor’s goal to:

  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days
  • Provide grades and feedback within 2–3 days from the due date

Attendance Policy

 Attendance is 10% of your grade. Success in this class is directly connected to attendance.  Most coursework is completed during class time.  There are a few assignments to be completed on your own time.  Daily practice of aural skills will have the greatest impact on your success.  If classes are missed students can complete the worksheet on their own times.  There are audio tracks of each exercise found in the modules.  Any missing work is due before the chapter test is given. 

Course Fees

For information on program and course fees, see Program and Course Fees.

Technology and Canvas Support

Financial Wellness

Finances are an integral part of maintaining your wellbeing. If you are struggling financially or wish to know more about budgeting, please visit the Financial Wellness Center in room 201C in the Sharwan Smith Center, contact Ashleigh Zimmerman at (435) 865-8436, or text the Financial Wellness line at 435-708-1952.

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.