Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Aural Skills I (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1130-02

Course: MUSC 1130-02
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31262

Course Description

The first course in the aural skills sequence, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic dictation of diatonic materials will be practiced. Exercises in solfege develop sight-singing abilities. Students must pass the Music Theory Entrance Exam online before enrolling. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): MUSC 1110 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

All available on Canvas

Learning Outcomes

  1. Count aloud rhythms using a numeric based enunciation system for rhythms that include beat and subdivision levels of simple and compound meters.
  2. Sight-sing tonal melodies in major and minor keys with accurate pitch and rhythm using moveable Solfege.
  3. Notate rhythmic dictation from given melodies that include simple or compound meters.
  4. Notate melodic and rhythmic dictation from given melodies that include skips to all diatonic pitches.
  5. Identify the harmonic function of given chord progressions that include I, IV, and V.
  6. Identify the quality of given triads (M, m) played as an arpeggio and together.
  7. Identify the quality of given intervals when played melodically.

Course Requirements

1000 points total

930-1000 = A 800-829 = B- 670-699 = D+
900-929 = A- 770-799 = C+ 630-669 = D
870-899 = B+ 730-769 = C 600-629 = D-
830-869 = B 700-729 = C- 0-599 = F

Four tests are 200 points each (100 for singing/100 for dictations) totaling 800 points. Tests must be taken by the scheduled testing date but may be taken earlier in coordination with the professor. The dictation portion of each test will occur in the classroom during the first portion of class time on the given days. The singing portion of each test will typically occur outside of the standard class time on a one-on-one basis at times arranged by the professor and student - to be administered in either the classroom or the professor’s office.

The lowest test score (up to 200 points) will be dropped from each student’s grade – therefore, if the student has maintained an overall “A” grade up to the time of the final examination, they may opt to skip the final examination and retain their grade of “A”.

Eight assignments are 25 points each, totaling 200 points. Assignments are graded holistically as follows: 25 points reflects a solid attempt at the homework, containing minimal errors; 15 points reflects a submitted assignment that has several errors throughout, reflecting a poor grasp of subject matter; 0 points reflects an assignment that has not been submitted or is missing a significant portion of the work.

There is no final exam.

Course Outline

DATE  TOPIC                                                 DUE
8/28    Syllabus, Introduction 
9/2      Unit 1: M2/m2; scales; meter (4/4) 
9/4                                                                  Assignment 1 
9/9
9/11                                                                Assignment 2  
9/16   Review 
9/18   Dictation and Singing Test 1                 Dictation/Singing Test 1
9/23   Unit 2: M3/m3; meter (3/4); tonic/dominant harm. 
9/25                                                               Assignment 3 
9/30
10/2                                                               Assignment 4 
10/7   Review 
10/9   Dictation and Singing Test 2                Dictation/Singing Test 2
10/14 FALL BREAK (NO CLASS) 
10/16 Unit 3: P5; dotted quarter; subdominant triad |
10/21 
10/23                                                            Assignment 5 
10/28 
10/30                                                            Assignment 6
11/4   Review 
11/6   Dictation and Singing Test 3                Dictation/Singing Test 3
11/11 Unit 4: P4; compound meter; V7 
11/13                                                            Assignment 7
11/18 
11/20                                                            Assignment 8 
11/24-28 THANKSGIVING BREAK (NO CLASS) 
12/2  Review
12/4  Dictation and Singing Test 4                Dictation/Singing Test 4

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

Life exists beyond the classroom. I accept late work and resubmissions. Ideally, we could work indefinitely to understand and master course material. However, due to the constraints of the semester, any late work or resubmissions are due by December 2nd. When possible, letting the professor know that a class will be missed in advance is a nice thing to do.

Phones/tablets/et al may be used, but will be silenced in class. Willful failure to do so will result in dismissal from the classroom.

Attendance Policy

While attendance is not graded, it is highly beneficial for students to attend all classes. Missing the topic addressed in class may cause confusion for the student and negatively impact the student’s score for subsequent tests and assignments.

Course Fees

None.

Additional Course Information

Prerequisites and Co-requisite

Prerequisites:
Permission of the instructor. Co-requisite: MUSC 1110

Syllabus Change Policy
  • Information contained in this syllabus - other than the grading policy and attendance policy - may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor. *

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.