West Valley College Music 4A

Music Theory Level 3

Course:               Music Theory Level 3, Section #56357, Fall 2007

Class Time:        Tuesday and Thursday, 9:20 am - 11:50 am

Location:             Music Department, MU16

Instructor:            Robert Cornejo

Office:                 Music Department,  MU 2

Office Hours:      Monday 2-3pm, Wednesday 2-3pm, Thursday 3-4pm

Office Phone:     408/741-2464              Fax: 408/741-2059

E-Mail:                robert_cornejo@westvalley.edu


Course Description:

The study of advanced harmonic, rhythmic and melodic material, with emphasis on chromatic harmony, modulation, survey and analysis of musical styles and period techniques.  Continued study of reductive analysis.  Four-part writing using secondary dominants, leading-tone seventh chords, Neapolitan, German, French, and Italian sixth chords.  Advanced sight-singing, melodic and harmonic dictation, and rhythmic dictation.  The textbook Harmonic Practices In Tonal Music will be used as an instructional/learning resource for this class, not all of the contents will be covered or considered imperative for the curriculum of this course.  

Recommended PreparationMusic 003B - Music Theory Level 2

Text:   Gauldin, Robert.  Harmonic Practice In Tonal Music. 2nd ed.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

(Accompanying CD-Rom is highly recommended!)

Gauldin, Robert.  Workbook For Harmonic Practice In Tonal Music.  2nd ed.  New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1997.

Ottman, Robert and Rogers, Nancy. Music For Sight Singing. 7th ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2006

Hall, Anne Carothers. Studying Rhythm. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005.

Highly recommended course for concurrent enrollment   

Music 031A Intermediate Piano 

Required Materials:

Pencil, Notebook, Music Manuscript, Portfolio

The portfolio must contain all assignments, analysis, quizzes, and exams in chronological order.  A check-list will be given at the end-of-semester for submission.

Classroom Procedures:

Lecture

Notes

Discussion

Workbook Applications

Reading Text

Homework

Attendance and Drop Policy:

There are NO excused absences.  The instructor does not have the time, nor the desire to evaluate what constitutes an excused absence.  The instructor will not drop students from the roster after the first day of class; it is the student's responsibility. 

Evaluation and Grading:

There will be no make-up opportunity for exams.  Under the most dire circumstances, and at the instructor's discretion, an exam may be made-up, provided it is scheduled prior to the following class meeting.  Notice must be given prior to the exam, with an excusable explanation and documentation (if needed).  Please call or email the instructor's office if there is a concern.

Assignments are worth 6-10 points depending on the amount of correct work, or a re-do.  All work must be complete and turned in on the due-date, no later than 2:30 pm.  Incomplete work will not be evaluated, but will be returned for completion.  All assignments may be revised for an upgrade, but must be submitted within one week from the due-date.  Corrected work must be completed on separate manuscript stapled to the original assignment.  An assignment may be turned in late, but only prior to the start of the following class, 2 points will be deducted as a late penalty.  All other evaluative work will be graded based on specific criteria, with no opportunity for re-do.  There are no extensions or grace periods given due to personal circumstances.  There will be no re-do opportunities for assignments scheduled one week prior to the final exam, and will therefore be subject to grading of 0-10 points.  No evaluative work will be accepted directly after the final exam.

A request for an incomplete may be granted if 80% of the coursework has been completed, and the student has a "C" grade standing or better.

Participation in ear training and sight-singing (the start of every class) is worth 35 points.  2.5 points will be deducted for every two missed.   A final test in ear training and sight-singing will be given at the end of semester for 15 points.

Ten Homework Assignments            10 points each = 100 points

Two Analyses                                     20 points

Mid-Term Exam                                  40 points, extra credit will be offered

Final Exam                                           40 points, extra credit will be offered

Thursday, December 13th, 9:40 - 11:40 am

Ear Training Exam Thursday, December 6

Participation                                        50 points

Portfolio                                                40 points

Total Points                                        310 points                                                              

90-100%                                              A

80-89%                                                 B

70-79%                                                 C

60-69%                                                 D

0-59%                                                   F

Student Attendance Policy  (from the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Students are expected to attend all sessions of each class.  Instructors may drop students from the class if they fail to attend the first class meeting, or when accumulated unexcused hours of absences exceed ten percent of the total number of hours the class meets during the semester.  Moreover, an instructor may drop from the class any student who fails to attend at least one class session during the first three weeks of instruction.

Policy on Academic Dishonesty  (refer to the WVC Catalog, p. 182)  

Note: The College's policy on academic dishonesty covers in-class cheating, out-of-class cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false information. 

Classroom Decorum:

As a courtesy to your fellow students and me please switch your pagers and cell phones off.

Sunglasses are not allowed to be worn inside the classroom.  Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, nor will lewd or foul language.  This class follows the standards set in the Student Code of Conduct, Board Policy 5.19, found in the West Valley College Catalog.  Students are subject to disciplinary action for violation of that code.

Disability Statement: 

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.  Students should notify DESP (Disability & Educational Support Program) located in the Learning Services building (408-741-2010) of any special needs.

Unlawful Discrimination/Sexual Harassment :

If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student or employee that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at West Valley-Mission Community College District, Human Resources Department, (408-741-2060).  If the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources is not available, contact the President of the college in which you attend or are employed.  For West Valley College, contact the office of Dr. Philip Hartley at 408-741-2097.

Emergency Procedures:

West Valley College is one of the safest campuses in California.  However, earthquakes and other incidents could occur.   The college has developed an emergency procedures plan.  This document includes how to respond to emergencies that might occur on campus and in the classroom.  A copy of the plan is available to review from the Division Office or me. 

Evacuation:  In the event of an evacuation, the emergency assembly area for this classroom is in Parking Lot #7.  Take all of your belongings with you.   While we will try to evacuate together as a group, if you get separated, we will regroup at our assembly area in lot #7.  Do not leave campus or the assembly area unless instructed to do so my me or another responsible official (police, fire, etc.)

Updated August 29, 2007