Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Special Topics in Music (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 4500-29

Course: MUSC 4500-29
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 13672

Course Description

This course teaches proficiency in the use of Pro Tools software and enables students to gain their “Pro Tools User” certification. (Fall - Even Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Required Texts

Pro Tools 101 – Pro Tools Fundamentals I version 2023 by Avid Technology. Published by Avid. This book can be found on Avid.com. Currently priced at $44.99.

 

Pro Tools 110 – Pro Tools Fundamentals I version 2023 by Avid Technology. Published by Avid. This book can be found on Avid.com. Currently priced at $44.99.

 

                                                        

Learning Outcomes

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:  Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

·       Understand how to create and use a Pro Tools sessions.

·       Use Pro Tools to record audio and generate MIDI instrument sounds.

·       Apply editing techniques and understand advanced Pro Tools Topics.

·       Apply basic mixing skills to recording projects.

·       Gain “User” level certification in Pro Tools. 

Course Requirements

Reading Assignments: Each lesson in the Pro Tools 101 and Pro Tools 110 books have a list of Review/Discussion Questions that students need to answer as they read the lesson. Because test questions are derived directly from these assignments, it is important that students keep up on them and make sure to study them before a test. Each assignment is worth points that will be factored into your final grade.

Quizzes: Some classes will begin with a short quiz based on the Review/Discussion questions from the Pro Tools Lessons. 

PT Exercises: Each chapter in the Pro Tools 101 and Pro Tools 110 book has an exercise assignment that will help students become familiar with the information in that chapter. These exercises build upon each other from chapter to chapter, so it is important that students stay caught up. Additional assignments will be added to each module to help students learn different aspects of audio production.  

Tests: There will be a Midterm test and Final test. Questions for this test will be derived from the reading assignments and Review/Discussion questions from each book. The Midterm Test will be the Pro Tools 101 certification test and the Final Test will be the Pro Tools 110 certification test. 

Final Recording Projects: The Final Recording Project will allow students to use Pro Tools in a creative way. This project has specific guidelines that will be given to the students later in the semester. 

Course Outline

Course outline will be provided by the instructor at a later date.

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

Late work will only be accepted for half credit. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required and your overall grade will be affected by absences. 

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.