Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

String Methods (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 3750-01

Course: MUSC 3750-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32596

Course Description

Catalog Description

This course provides students with foundational performance skills on each of the four orchestral string instruments. Participants will be introduced to key pedagogical methods, rehearsal practices, and technical approaches relevant to orchestral strings.

Required Texts

Course Materials

Essential Elements 2000 for Strings, Teacher's Manual. Book 1. Publisher: Hal Leonard. Authors: Gillespie, Allen, Hayes. ISBN: 9798350120738. UPC: 196288198901

Learning Outcomes

Course Outcomes

String Methods introduces music education students to the pedagogy, methods, and techniques involved in teaching orchestral string instruments. Enrollment is limited to music majors who have been accepted into the music education program.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Perform on orchestral strings at a first-year level.
  2. Perform on orchestral strings at a first-year level.
  3. Assess and correct student technique.
  4. Teach posture, bow/instrument hold, fingerings, playing methods, instrument range, intonation, rhythm, and bowing.
  5. Address equipment needs and pedagogical strategies.
  6. Provide basic string instrument repair and maintenance.

Course Requirements

Assignment Table


Category Points                     Each                   Total Points
Classroom Observations (6)    25/each                150
Attendance/Participation         15/day                  405
Playing Assessments (4)         25/each                100
Quizzes (4)                             25/each                100
Assignments                           10/each (TBA)      150
Pass-offs                                10/each                 20
Final Project                           75 points               75
                                                                Total   1000


Grade Scheme

The following grading standards will be used in this class:
GradeRangeGradeRange
A | 100 % to 94.0%          | C | < 77.0 % to 74.0%
A- | < 94.0 % to 90.0%     | C- | < 74.0 % to 70.0%
B+ | < 90.0 % to 87.0%    | D+ | < 70.0 % to 67.0%
B | < 87.0 % to 84.0%      | D | < 67.0 % to 64.0%
B- | < 84.0 % to 80.0%     | D- | < 64.0 % to 61.0%
C+ | < 80.0 % to 77.0%    | F | < 61.0 % to 0.0%

Course Outline

Assignment Due Dates 

Classroom Observations (Due on or before these dates)
  • #1 — 9/11 
  • #2 — 9/30
  • #3 — 10/12
  • #4 — 10/28
  • #5 —11/13
  • #6 — 12/2.
Playing Assessments (Subject to change)
  • 9/23 — Assessment #1: Individual assessment
  • 10/9 — Assessment #2: Video assessment
  • 11/6 — Assessment #3: In-class assessment
  • 12/4 — Assessment #4: In-class performance
Quizzes (Subject to change)
  • 9/4 — Quiz #1: Instrument parts, open strings, instrument care
  • TBA — Quiz #2: Rehearsal
  • 10/2 — Quiz #3: Bowing and Dynamics
  • 12/2 — Quiz #4: Take home, Unit 14
Assignments (Subject to change)
  • 9/11 — Practice Chart #1
  • 9/18 — Practice Chart #2
  • 9/18 — Fingering Chart #1
  • 9/25 — Practice Chart #3
  • 10/2 — Practice Chart #4
  • 10/7 — Method Analysis Presentation and Write-up
  • 10/7 — Fingering Chart #2
  • 10/23 — Practice Chart #5
  • 11/4 — Practice Chart #6 and Write-up
  • 11/6 — Fingering Chart #3
  • 12/2 — All make up work due
  • 12/4 — Fingering Chart #4
Pass-offs (Subject to change)
  • 9/9 — Hand Patterns
  • 10/2 — Timed Writing
Final Project
  • 12/4 — 3 Lesson Plans

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

Late Assignments: Late assignments are accepted only on the next day of class. If absent due to illness or emergency, submit assignments by the second class after returning. If the student has handed in an assignment on time and is not satisfied with the grade received, they may revise and resubmit that assignment for a higher grade if turned in before December 2, 2025.

Attendance Policy

Attendance/Participation: Attendance and active participation are required. Notify the instructor if you need to take emergency calls; otherwise, keep cell phones off and put away during class. Each class is worth 15 points.

Absences/Tardiness: Students may have up to 2 waived absences; each additional absence deducts 15 points from your grade. Extenuating circumstances such as illness and emergency will be considered by the teacher. It is up to the student to find out missed assignments on days they were absent. Students should be on time and prepared for class. Each tardy deducts 5 points from the grade. In-class quizzes and assessments cannot be made up due to absence or tardiness.

Course Fees

Yes.

Custom

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

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.