Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Popular Music History/Theory (Online)

MUSC 6933-A70

Course: MUSC 6933-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MUSC
CRN: 32767

Course Description

Course Description


Topics in this course will include theory analysis of electronic, popular, commercial and film music, from the development of electronic music, with Vladimir Ussachevsky, to the present. Using concepts derived from the analysis, students will compose original works in the style or genre under review. The focus will be on analysis and composition, using theoretical concepts taught at the undergraduate level, and reviewed in this course. 





Required Texts

N/A

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes


Upon completion of this course you will be able to:


  • Students will be able to analyze music involving technology and utilizing theoretical concepts. Analysis assignments are those such as Assignment 4.1 - A Full Song Analysis
  • Students will be able to compose music employing concepts learned through analysis. Composition assignments are those such as Assignment 3.1 - Reharmonize Summertime


Course Requirements

Required Materials


To be successful in an online course, students need minimal digital literacy skills. Students should be able to use "a variety of computer applications to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills" [SUU Essential Learning Outcomes Definitions]



Course Outline


Course Summary:



Discussion Topic Introduction Discussion | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 1.1 - Nashville Numbers | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion 1.1 - American Vernacular Music | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion 1.2 - Country Music | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 1 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 2.1 - Re-harmonize Summertime | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion 2.1 - The Link Between Tin Pan Alley and Broadway | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 2 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 3.1 - Musique Concrète Today | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 3.2 - Human Performance and Quantization | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Discussion 3.1 - Perfect or Imperfect Rhythm | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 3 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 4.1 - A Full Song Analysis | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 4 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 5.1 - EDM | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 5 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 6.1 - Analysis of a Film Cue | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Module 6 Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Assignment 6.2 - Final Project | due by 11:59pm

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


GRADES


Your grade is based on the following:

  • Application of analytical methods, understanding of the music analyzed, and application of theoretical concepts in their analysis.
  • Demonstration of theoretical, stylistic, and aesthetic principles applied in original compositions.
  • Final project employing materials covered in course lessons.
  • There will be no late work accepted in this course.
  • Grades will be calculated as follows:

            Assignments – Students will have assignments, each worth 100 points.


Final Project
– Students will be able to choose from three main final project ideas to best suit their desires and need. 100 points.


Discussions
- Students will complete online discussions. Each is worth 10 points. Absolutely no hate speech or inappropriate communication (as determined by the instructor) will be tolerated. Students who engage in these practices will receive no points for that assignment and may be asked to be removed from the course altogether.


Quizzes
- Students will take quizzes. Each quiz covers topics learned that week in the course. Each quiz is worth 10 points.

Grading Scheme


A          = 100-94%


A-        = 93.99-90%


B+       = 89.99-87%


B         = 86.99-84%


B-       = 83.99-80%


C+       = 79.99-77%


C         = 76.99-74%


C-       = 73.99-70%


Etc...


 

Attendance Policy

Online asynchronous course. If you'd like to get one on one time, absolutely reach out via email or Canvas. 

Course Fees


FEES


There are no additional course fees associated with 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.