Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Music of the World (Face-to-Face)

MUSC 1050-01

Course: MUSC 1050-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Music
CRN: 30841

Course Description

An introduction to music-cultural traditions in selected world cultures. Introduces content, scope, and methodology of ethnomusicology, focusing on understanding the musical styles, performance practices, and cultural functions of these musical traditions. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll General Education Category: Fine Arts

Required Texts

No book is required for this class.  The class is based on Worlds of Music: An Introduction to the Music of the World's Peoples | 6th Edition. Jeff Todd., and may be purchased for study and future reference.

Learning Outcomes

This course is designed to enhance students' skills in several key areas outlined in the SUU Essential Learning Outcomes, specifically Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World, Intercultural Knowledge, and Information Literacy. 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.
  • Discovering how music is influenced by cultural issues.
  • Exploring diverse global cultures through their unique musical traditions.
  • Learning how music is used as a powerful form of human expression across different societies, and fosters a greater appreciation for global diversity.
  • Identifying and researching musical traditions and examples.

Course Requirements

Materials presented in class:  We will view slides with information regarding the musical culture of different regions of the world, and listen to/watch example of each.

Chapter Notes: Chapter notes will be included for each culture of music discussed in class. These notes are an additional resource to help students learn course content and study for tests.

Listening Quizzes: There will be a listening quiz for each style of music covered in the video lessons. During these quizzes, students will hear a recording of a song or piece of music and be expected to recognize the title or instrument from a multiple choice menu. MP3 recordings of these songs will be available for students to download and listen to in Canvas under the “Files” link. These quizzes will be timed, so students should study in advance.  

Tests: There will be four tests given during the class. Exam questions will be based on material from video lectures, chapter notes, class discussions, and videos shown in class. Exams will consist of multiple-choice, true/false, and short-answer questions. These tests will be timed, so it is best that students study the material in advance. No Midterm and Final exam. 

Video Project: This project is the first step towards creating the final video project. Students will need to research a world music style and create a PowerPoint, or put together a script and other materials for a social media style video. This  will then be used in the Final Video Project.

Final Video Project: This project is an opportunity for students to research a world music style of their choice and showcase it to the class in a video presentation. Students will need to create their own PowerPoint or short form educational social media style video, include listening and video examples, and record an audio or video clip of them explaining their project/research to the class.

Plagiarism of any kind will result in the grade of an F for the entire course.

Course Outline

Week 1, 9/2 (2 days)
Lesson 1: Introduction, What is Music, Music and Culture

Week 2, 9/9 (2 days)
Lesson 2: North America/Native America

Week 3, 9/14 (3 days)
Lesson 2 Continued
Lesson 3: Africa

Week 4, 9/21 (3 days)
Lesson 3 Continued
Lesson 4: North America/Black America

Week 5, 9/28 (3 days)
Lesson 4 Continued
Test #1 on lessons 1-4, 9/30
Lesson 5: Central and Southeast Europe

Week 6, 10/5 (3 days)
Lesson 5 Continued
Lesson 6: India

Week 7, 10/12 (3 days)
Lesson 6 Continued
Test #2 on lessons 5-6, 10/14
Lesson 7: Indonesia

Week 8, 10/21 (2 days)
Video Project Part I due 10/21
Lesson 7: Indonesia

Week 9, 10/26 (3 days)
Lesson 8: China

Week 10, 11/2 (3 days)
Lesson 9: Japan/Korea

Week 11, 11/9 (3 days)
Test #3 on lessons 7-9, 11/9
Lesson 10: Brazil

Week 12, 11/16 (3 days)
Lesson 10 Continued
Lesson 11: South America

Week 13, 11/23 (1 day)
Lesson 11 Continued

Week 14, 11/30 (3 days)
Lesson 12:  Arab World

Week 15, 12/7 (3 days)
Exam #4 on lessons 10-12, 12/7
Final Projects due by 12/9
Begin viewing final projects

Week 16, 12/14, Finals Week
Finish viewing final projects

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

No late work is accepted in this class without prior consent given by the professor. Consent for late work must be given through email. Any work turned in late because of personal hardship or learning disabilities must be coordinated with the DRC. The DRC is located in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Suite 206.

Attendance Policy

While attendance will not be taken, all students are expected to come to every class. If you miss a lecture, it is your responsibility to get notes and information from a classmate. The professor will only provide support for making up missed material in cases of a documented excused absence, in accordance with university policy.

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.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

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.