Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Aural Skills III (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 2130-02

Course: MUSC 2130-02
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 31803

Course Description

The third course in the aural skills sequence, covering dictation and singing of chromatic materials. Successful completion of the Piano Proficiency Exam is required to obtain instructor permission for registration. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): MUSC 2110 Prerequisite(s): MUSC 1120 and MUSC 1140 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

All available on Canvas

Learning Outcomes

  • 1. Have a general understanding of chromatic theoretical concepts within the Western classical tradition.
  • 2. Be able to interpret and analyze music using lead-sheet notation.
  • 3. Recognize general forms of songs in popular and jazz music.
  • 4. Understand the treatment of upper extensions and modes within a jazz idiom.

Course Requirements

1000 points total for theory; 1000 points total for aural skills

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

Ten quizzes for each course (10 for theory and 10 for aural skills) are 60 points each; totaling 600 points. Quizzes occur in class at the end of each week (Thursdays for Aural Skills; Fridays for Theory) and are self-assessed. Full points are given for honest participation.

A midterm exam for each course is worth 200 points and will cover material pertaining to chromatic theoretical concepts within the Western Classical tradition. The theory exam is written and will be taken in class on the date listed. The aural skills exam is a combination of written and in-person singing and will take place in class on the date listed.

A single final project is worth 200 points and is due the Monday after Thanksgiving break. This final project will be an original composition employing concepts from class. Further details will be given on Canvas.

Bonus point opportunity* each week, each student may choose to present one example of the weekly theoretical concept that they have found ‘in the wild’ to the class. Each presentation is worth 10 bonus points.

Course Outline

DateClass TopicDue
8/27Introduction and syllabus
8/28Introduction and syllabus
8/29Secondary dominants
9/1LABOR DAY – NO CLASS
9/2Secondary dominants
9/3
9/4Quiz 1
9/5Quiz 1
9/8Embellishing diminished seventh chords
9/9
9/10
9/11Quiz 2
9/12Quiz 2
9/15Neapolitan triads
9/16
9/17
9/18Quiz 3
9/19Quiz 3
9/22Augmented sixth chords
9/23
9/24
9/25Quiz 4
9/26Quiz 4
9/29Modulation
9/30
10/1
10/2(no quizzes this week)
10/3UTAH SHAKES – NO CLASS(no quizzes this week)
10/6Overflow
10/7Review/practice test
10/8Review/practice test
10/9Midterm examAural Skills Midterm Exam
10/10Midterm examTheory Midterm Exam
10/13FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
10/14FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
10/15Jazz form
10/16Quiz 5
10/17Quiz 5
10/207th chords in a jazz context
10/21
10/22
10/23Quiz 6
10/24Quiz 6
10/27Extensions in jazz; alterations
10/28
10/29
10/30Quiz 7
10/31Quiz 7
11/3Intro to modes; Lydian/Mixolydian
11/4
11/5
11/6Quiz 8
11/7Quiz 8
11/10Dorian/Phrygian
11/11
11/12
11/13Quiz 9
11/14Quiz 9
11/17Locrian; overflow
11/18
11/19
11/20Quiz 10
11/21Quiz 10
11/24THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS
11/25
11/26
11/27
11/28
12/1Final Project presentationsFinal Project
12/2
12/3
12/4
12/5

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 1st.

Phones/tablets/et al will be silenced in class. 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.

When possible, letting the professor know that a class will be missed in advance is a nice thing to do.

Course Fees

None

Prerequisites and Additional Policies

Prerequisites and Co-requisite

Prerequisites:
Permission of the instructor. Co-requisite: MUSC 2110-2; 2130-2

Co-requisite(s): MUSC 2130

Prerequisite(s): MUSC 1120 and MUSC 1140 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C
Prerequisite Test: Piano Proficiency Exam
Registration Restriction(s): None

Syllabus Changes

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.