Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Summer Semester 2026

Intro to Music (Online)

MUSC 1010-33I

Course: MUSC 1010-33I
Credits: 3
Term: Summer Semester 2026
Department: MUSC
CRN: 20668

Course Description

This course is designed to expose the general student to the principal forms of traditional Western art music as well as multicultural music genres through the study of music history and literature. (Fall, Spring) [Graded Letter]

Required Texts


Textbook & Course Materials

Optional Text(s):
The World of Music 7th or 8th ed. by David Willoughby. Published by McGraw-Hill. This text book is optional. Students may find it helpful to purchase it and use it, but they are not required to do so.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: Notate, analyze, and describe music using a common vocabulary. Develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the history of music as it relates to form, style, performance practice, and the other arts.

Students are also expected to gain proficiency at:

  • Demonstrating perceptive listening skills by using the proper vocabulary when describing music elements.
  • Comparing and contrasting a variety of musical styles.
  • Using their knowledge to evaluate concert performances.
  • Discovering how music is influenced by cultural issues.
  • Identify the major terms and concepts of art, literature, music, or theater.
  • Critically analyze and evaluate artistic texts, works and/or performances using the terms, concepts and features of the musical discipline.

Course Requirements

Concert Review

During the semester, students are required to attend one CSC concert performance. Students should take notes during the performance that could then be written up as a concert review. CSC school of music has many performances each semester that are free and on campus. Students should attend one of these performances, and staple a program from it to their report. Reviews should be 1 to 2 pages in length and should follow the concert review guidelines.

Tests

Students will take a 30-40 question test at the end of each style of music. Half of these questions will be listening questions and the other half will be short answer, matching, fill in the blank and true or false. During listening questions, students will hear the first 45 seconds of a song and then be expected to write both the song title and name of the artist/composer. These tests are worth 50 points each. There will also be a mid-term test and final test in this class. They will both be comprehensive listening tests only.

In order to prepare for the listening tests, students should make a playlist for each style of music in their Spotify or iTunes account. Students should add songs in red to their playlists and make sure to listen-study before each test.

Research Topic PowerPoint

Students will create a PowerPoint presentation to propose a topic that they would like to research for their final research paper. These PowerPoints should include enough information to show that the student is generally familiar with the topic and why it is important to them. Topics can be about genres of music like blues, folk, jazz or specific artists or groups. Student should pick a topic that they are not familiar with. PowerPoints should use both text and images to convey the research topic. Pictures with brief explanations will not suffice. Each page should have sufficient text to explain the image. This project should be 5 slides long and will be shared with the class during an in-class presentation at the end of the semester.

Research Paper

Students are expected to write a research paper on a topic that relates to music. This topic can be based on something learned in class, or any other subject that relates to music. All topics must be approved in advance by the instructor. Papers should be 5 – 6 pages in length, use appropriate music vocab and terminology, and include a works cited page. Bad grammar and plagiarism are unacceptable for this paper. Students are expected to have a competent reader proofread their paper before submission. Copying and pasting from internet websites is unacceptable and will be noticed by Turnitin (See below). Plagiarism of any kind will result in the grade of an F for the entire course.

Graded Course Activities and Letter Grade Assignment
AssignmentsPoints PossiblePercentage Breakdown
Concert Review505%
Research Topic PowerPoint505%
Tests50050%
Midterm Listening Test10010%
Final Listening Test10010%
Research Paper20020%
Total1,000100%

Letter GradePercentage
A90% - 100%
B80% - 89%
C70% - 79%
D60% - 69%
FLess than 60%

Course Outline

Week by Week Class Schedule: (subject to change)
DateScheduleTests & Assignments
JulySyllabus/Intro to class
Blues Music
Folk Music
Jazz Music
Rock and Roll
Early Beatles
A Hard Day’s Night
Blues Test
Folk Test
Jazz Test
Rock and Roll Test
Early Beatles Test
AugustMidterm Test Review/Research PowerPoint
Midterm Test
Late Beatles
Motown R&B
Early Michael Jackson
Late Michael Jackson
World Music
World Music Test
Final Test Review
Research Paper Due
Final Exam
Research Topic Due
Midterm Test
Late Beatles Test
Motown Test
Early MJ Test
Late MJ Test
World Music Test
Final Test Review
Concert Review Due
Research Paper Due
Final Exam

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

Late work will be accepted for partial credit.

Attendance Policy

Students should attend the class virtually by logging into Canvas. 

Additional Course Information

Credit hours

3 Credit Hours

Method(s) of Instruction

Online

Textbook & Course Materials

Optional Text(s):
The World of Music 7th or 8th ed. by David Willoughby. Published by McGraw-Hill. This text book is optional. Students may find it helpful to purchase it and use it, but they are not required to do so.

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.