MUSIC 151: HISTORY OF ROCK MUSIC

Fall 2023

 

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION

Instructor:        Dr Sonya Schumann (she/her) – I also go by Dr S or Prof S
Contact info:     sschumann@sdsu.edu at any time, or in person at Music office 273 by appointment
Office Hours:     T 2:00-3:00PM available via Zoom, and by appointment

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

For millennia, the Kumeyaay people have been a part of this land. This land has nourished, healed, protected and embraced them for many generations in a relationship of balance and harmony. As members of the San Diego State University community, we acknowledge this legacy. We promote this balance and harmony. We find inspiration from this land, the land of the Kumeyaay.

Course Overview

COURSE CONTENT: 

Immediate Access Course: All the required materials for this class are provided in digital format within Canvas. The materials are available by the first day of classes and are free through the add/drop date. The SDSU add/drop deadline is at 7:59 p.m. PDT but you have until 11:59 p.m. PDT to opt out of Immediate Access. Unless you opt out of Immediate Access by 11:59 p.m. PDT on the add/drop date, your SDSU student account will then be charged the special reduced price for use of the materials for the remainder of the semester. Please visit www.shopaztecs.com/immediateaccess for additional information about Immediate Access pricing, digital subscription duration, print add-ons, opting out and other frequently asked questions.

 

Important Note:

This History of Rock class will deal with human responses both physiological and psychological to music. It will deal with U.S. and World history, as well as societal factors from the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The material presented in this course content in addition to being historical can be graphic/direct and may elicit discomfort to some.

You should be aware that this course content contains subject matter that contains nudity, verbal obscenities, and explicit references to: human sexual/physiological responses to music, the societal impact of war, racism, drug and alcohol abuse, and references to religious beliefs and God. If you feel uncomfortable with this material or at any time become uncomfortable YOU SHOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE CLASS BEFORE THE ADD/DROP DEADLINE.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course presents an aural and historical study of the music of rock musicians. The principal focus will be on the music with analysis. Secondary emphasis is placed on the sociological, political, and economic conditions which so heavily influenced this genre’s development. Active, directed listening will be the primary function of online guided learning.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Our learning outcomes will help us determine what you’re learning and how to prepare toward graded assignments. The activities through the course are designed to help you learn to:

1. Categorize, identify, and implement basic musical elements and terminology used across multiple genres of rock music.
2. Analyze and deconstruct the basic forms and musical structures found in Rock/Blues/Popular music.
3. Organize a chronology of musical and social events leading to era- and genre-development in Rock Music (1950s-2000s).
4. Distinguish between musical instruments, recognize electronic inventions, and evaluate the historical differences between recording processes as these intersect with Rock Music history.
5. Evaluate and assess the historical lineage of Rock Music and its artists with American and World history from 1950 to the present.

Enrollment Information

PREREQUISITE:
None

ADD/DROP DEADLINE:
September 1, 2023

Please note, to continue enrollment in this course, you must sign the online class agreement document. If you have not signed the agreement by 23:59 PST on August 29, you will be automatically dropped from this course. The agreement can be found on the course Canvas site, under Assignments: Syllabus Agreement, or in the Start Here module.

TEXT AND Materials

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK:

Covach, John and Andrew Flory What’s That Sound? An Introduction to Rock and Its History 6^th edition

• Available as a digital Immediate Access etextbook directly embedded in Canvas

 

With the exception of the hard-copy book (if you opt to purchase this in hard-copy rather than using the digital textbook), you will access all learning resources via Canvas. Each lesson module has a ‘Learning Resources’ section in Canvas that includes clickable URLs for the required readings, videos, etc. A bibliographic list of this course’s learning resources (which will be helpful when you want to cite one of our readings in a paper) and a list of supplementary texts is on our Canvas site.

 

ONLINE LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY:

This is an online course. You are responsible for your own connectivity. Information Technology, or IT, challenges can come up. Be prepared for them.  Please be assured that if/when problems occur on the SDSU end you will not be penalized.  However, when problems occur on your end, the story is different.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR COMPUTING NEEDS. To succeed in the online learning environment, keep in mind the following requirements:

• A computer - PC or Mac - with a stable Internet connection. Higher speed Internet connections (cable modem, DSL) are strongly recommended.
• Basic computer skills - email, surf the Internet, and create basic word processor files.
• A reliable email address that will not change from the beginning until the end of the semester.
• A "technology back-up" plan. Plan out an alternative location to do assignments and quizzes in the event their computer or Internet connection is not working!
• Distance learning courses require as much time as traditional (classroom) instruction. The primary difference is that online instruction allows flexibility.
• Self motivation. Online students must be "self starters" and have the ability to work with a minimum of supervision. Students who procrastinate are rarely successful in distance learning courses.

When problems occur on your end, you must fix them prior to any course deadlines. You can go to the Library Computing Hub in the Love Library for help or to use their computers; call (619) 594-3189; email hub@sdsu.edu. The instructor cannot provide IT support.

Course Structure

The course is organized into several sections or ‘modules’, each followed by an online section test.

To do course work, simply go to Canvas, enter the relevant module (starting with 1), and work through the modules within the section by completing assigned items (readings, videos, etc.) in the order presented. Throughout each module, you will complete some ‘learning and self-assessment activities’ such as quick quizzes or reflective writing to spot-check your learning. At certain points, you will be reminded to work on a larger assignment, separate from the chronological course material. Then, in the designated exam window, take the section exam. Afterward, simply move on to the next section or part of the course.

Please note that although you may work at your own pace within a given section, making this course ideal for anyone with a complicated schedule, you must complete all work by the end of the day (23:59 hours) on the closing dates provided. Deadlines keep us on track and ensure that the workload entailed in this course—for you, for me, and for our TA (if we have one)—is evenly distributed for the duration of our time together.

You are also required to:

• Make use of the online course materials available via Canvas. Access to these materials is available once you have registered to the course.
• Participate in asynchronous online discussions.
• Check email on a daily basis.
• Complete readings and assignments by the dates indicated on the syllabus.

LIKE ALL OTHER RULES SET OUT IN THIS SYLLABUS, the work completion deadline rule applies to EVERYONE. I cannot extend deadlines or waive requirements for students who overextend themselves. Please think twice about enrolling if you anticipate being overtaxed by other courses or obligations, or if you have a history of trouble with deadlines or with following written instructions.

 

EMAIL:

SDSU does not share your phone number or address with me. The only way that I can communicate with you is via email on Canvas. It is your responsibility to ensure that you can receive email from Canvas (and it is your responsibility to check for email regarding the course). Make sure that your email address within the system is correct, and that you are set to receive notifications daily. Some email systems block Canvas mailings as if they are spam. If you can’t find Canvas emails, check your spam folders, and be sure to mark these emails as safe!

I generally answer email upon receipt. However, for general inquiries, you must allow for a 24-hour turnaround (not including holidays and weekends). Email does sometimes go awry: If you do not hear back from me in due time, please try again with a different heading (in case the original was recognized as spam) and/or find me in office hours.

 

NETIQUETTE:

Netiquette is online etiquette. It is important that all participants in online courses be aware of proper online behavior and respect one another. Use appropriate language for an educational environment:

• Use complete sentences
• Use proper spelling and grammar
• Avoid slang and uncommon abbreviations
• Do not use obscene or threatening language

Remember that the University values diversity and encourages discourse. Be respectful of differences while engaging in online discussions. Find SDSU’s netiquette guidelines at this link: http://its.sdsu.edu/learning-management-system/student-netiquette. For more information about Netiquette, see The Core Rules for Netiquette by Virginia Shea.

Course Schedule

Module	Description	Due Date
0	START HERE	September 3
1	Music Fundamentals and the World Before Rock and Roll	September 17
2	The Birth of Rock and the Beginning of Soul	September 17
Exam 1
3	The Beatles, the British Invasion, and the American Responses	October 1
4	Motown and Psychedelia	October 15
Exam 2
5	Black Pop, Reggae, and Disco	October 22
6	Mainstream Rock, Punk, and New Wave	November 5
Exam 3
7	MTV, Heavy Metal, Indie Rock, and the Birth of Rap	November 19
8	Alternative Rock and Widening Gaps	December 10
Exam 4

Course Assessment and Grading

All work, including exams, must be received on time to count toward your grade. Times as stated refer to San Diego or Pacific Standard Time. This is the time standard used by Canvas’s internal clock. Our standard ‘deadline’ time is 23:59 hours. This does not mean you should press ‘submit’ at 23:59 hours. You need to allow time for internet traffic, just as you need to allow time for freeway traffic and parking (etc.) when you have to appear somewhere on time. I would suggest submitting before 23:30 hours (11:30 pm). DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Please be aware that deadlines placed on Sundays at 23:59 hours (vs. at the close of business on Friday) are placed there as a courtesy to working students; weekend and night-time help with content-related questions or technological problems is not guaranteed. In the face of either, deadlines remain in effect.

I am always happy to receive early work and will regrade second submissions, so long as it is prior to the deadline and is in your own words. Plagiarism is a violation of the University’s Academic Honesty Policy and is required to be reported. You can read more about plagiarism below, but if you have any questions about whether something may constitute plagiarism, please come to me. I would be happy to work with you on how to avoid plagiarism issues, and there are never penalties for learning about it!

NOTE ABOUT Online Exams:

Your online exams and quizzes in this course require proctoring online, since we are entirely online and asynchronous. Review the syllabus and the requirements for online connectivity to determine if you can meet these requirements to remain in the course. 

The University library offers secure settings for test taking, hours and availability found at https://library.sdsu.edu/spaces. If you have concerns, please reach out to me to find an appropriate space for exams. Taking exams at work or in busy public settings is not recommended. Plan ahead to have a high-speed internet connection (preferably wired, or a wireless network not shared by many users). Please be aware that heavy Internet traffic might slow down or otherwise interfere with your connection if you are using a public or workplace wireless connection. If you must use public or workplace Internet access, please test your computer at the same time of day that you will take your exam. Please use either Chrome or Firefox on a laptop or desktop; mobile devices (smart phones) are not supported.

Additional setup information will be provided by your instructor prior to taking the proctored exam. If you have any questions about taking a proctored exam, please contact your instructor prior to the scheduled exam time.

 

STRUCTURE AND GRADING

1. Exams (4)………………………………………..…………….….....30%
2. Assignments…….…………….…………………………………...30%
3. Quizzes......…………………….…………………………………….20%
4. Mix Tape…...….……………………………….……..……………..20%

 

Percentage	Letter Grade	Grade pts
0-59.9%	F	0
60-63.9%	D-	0.7
64-66.9%	D	1
67-69.9%	D+	1.3
70-73.9%	C-	1.7
74-76.9%	C	2
77-79.9%	C+	2.3
80-83.9%	B-	2.7
84-86.9%	B	3
87-89.9%	B+	3.3
90-93.9%	A-	3.7
94-100%	A	4

     

 

A: EXAMS 30% (300 pts total)

Exams (4 at 100 pts each) will be given at the ends of large units. Each exam will include multiple choice questions and a listening portion meant to test your familiarity with the music analyzed and listened to in that unit. Exams are not cumulative. The lowest exam grade will be dropped at the end of the semester. There will be no make-up exams offered, for any reason.

Each exam is “open” for a four-day period, Thursday through Sunday. Once open, Canvas gives the exam taker a 180 minute (3 hour) window to complete the exam (average time to complete has been closer to 45 minutes-1 hour). You must complete it in a single session, without closing the browser or leaving the webcam area. Canvas will close them at 23:59 hours (midnight) on the last date indicated for the test in question.

 

B: ASSIGNMENTS 30% (300 pts)

Assignments are assigned within Modules, or can be located under ‘Assignments’ on Canvas. Assignment points are awarded for Canvas activities completed and accrued as the course progresses. Assignments will have a gradual increase of value over the course of the semester, as you become more comfortable with absorbing the musical material. Each set of two modules will have: (1) Mixtape prep, (1) Creative Assignment, (1) Musical Analysis, (1) Create-a-Question, and (1) Module Survey. The assignments ask you to apply, practice, or otherwise demonstrate and self-assess what you have just learned. The aim of completing these assignments is to gain practice and hone understanding so that you do as well as possible on the graded work you will submit. Please see rubrics available on Canvas for each assignment. Due dates are clearly stated on Canvas.

Most activities must be completed by 23:59 PST of the due date of a Module, typically Sunday nights. However, some assignments have other due dates:

• Musical Analyses will be due one week before the corresponding exam close date, to allow instructor or TA grading time and for you to have subsequent study time before applying this knowledge to an exam.
• Create-a-Question assignments are due one week before the corresponding exam close date, to allow instructor or TA grading time to add the best question of those submitted to the exam.
• Module Surveys are voluntary - for extra credit. These surveys must be taken before the opening of the exam to qualify for extra credit, and will close the Wednesday evening before the exam opens.

Please note that, while the module due dates are set, these assignments’ due dates will exist outside of those module due dates, and it is your responsibility to keep track of this. In addition, some assignments will require more planning than others, so plan ahead and plan accordingly. Points will only be given for activities completed on time.

 

C: QUIZZES 20% (200 pts)

Module quizzes (8 at 25 pts each) will occur at the end of each module and are required to be completed before continuing to the next module. Each quiz will include multiple choice, true/false, and short answer questions pertaining to the module. Canvas will allow for quizzes to be taken up to 3 times, and the highest grade of the three attempts will be kept. If you attempt less than three times, the highest grade of the attempts will be kept. The quizzes are designed to help you prepare and build for the exams at the end of each unit. Quizzes will be open until a module is closed. Your answers to quizzes will be made available after your final attempt or the closing of a module, whichever occurs first.

Each module’s quizzes must be completed by 23:59 PST of the due date of a Module. Points will only be given for quizzes completed on time. 

 

D: MIXTAPE 20% (200 pts)

For this assignment, you will create a playlist. Your playlist must have two ‘sides’. Side A and Side B must include at least 30 minutes of music each, for a total of at least one hour of music. When creating your playlist, you are creating a musical journey – a story of your own making, using music that already exists in the world. Also due with your playlist is a song list that includes the following information:

• A title for your mix tape
• The name of the group or performers, and/or the conductor
• The title, composer, and date for each song recording
• Why this song was included in your playlist; what does this song signify to you? Is its placement in your playlist order important in some way? Did you feel connected to specific elements of music within the song? Use terminology learned in Module 1, such as melody, harmony, tempo, instruments, dynamics, texture, form, consonance or dissonance.

See Mixtape Assignment on Canvas for rubric, due date, and more information.

Academic Honesty 

The University adheres to a strict policy prohibiting cheating and plagiarismLinks to an external site., including

• Submitting AI-generated work and claiming it as original work.
• Copying, in part or in whole, from another's test or other examination. 
• Obtaining copies of a test, an examination, or other course material
  without the permission of the instructor.
• Collaborating with another or others in coursework without the permission of the instructor.
• Falsifying records, laboratory work, or other course data.
• Submitting work previously presented in another course, if contrary to the policies of the course.
• Altering or interfering with grading procedures.
• Assisting another student in any of the above.
• Using sources verbatim or paraphrasing without giving proper attribution (this can include phrases, sentences, paragraphs and/or pages of work).
• Copying and pasting work from an online or offline source directly and calling it one's own.
• Using information found from an online or offline source without giving the author credit.
• Replacing words or phrases from another source and inserting one's own words or phrases.

Under CSU policy, instructors must report instances of academic misconduct to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary review by the University, which may lead to probation, suspension, or expulsion. Instructors may also, at their discretion, penalize student grades on any assignment or assessment discovered to have been produced in an academically dishonest manner. Any use of generative AI (like ChatGPT) not assigned by the instructor may constitute academic dishonesty and be subject to discipline under the terms of the SDSU Student Code of Conduct.

Turnitin

By taking this course, you acknowledge and agree that all required papers and essays may be subject to submission for textual similarity review toa plagiarism checker such as Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. You may submit your work in such a way that no identifying information about you is included.

ESSENTIAL STUDENT INFORMATION

• Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name. Please let me know if you would prefer an alternate name and/or gender pronoun.
• Canvas support is found at 619-483-0632 or through the “Help” button at the bottom left menu.
• Compliance with CSU / SDSU vaccination and facial covering policies is required.
• Your SDSU email address will be used for all course-related communications.
• The Student Conduct Code prohibits conduct disruptive to instruction, including academic dishonesty and the unauthorized recording, dissemination, or publication (including on websites or social media) of lectures or other course materials.
• SDSU provides disability-related accommodations via the Student Ability Success Center (sascinfo@sdsu.edu | edu/sasc). Please allow 10-14 business days for this process.
• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) mandates the protection of student information, including contact information, grades, and graded assignments. I will not post grades or leave graded assignments in public places. Students will be notified at the time of an assignment if copies of student work will be retained beyond the end of the semester or used as examples for future students or the wider public.
• As an instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. I am required to share information regarding sexual violence on SDSU’s campus with the Title IX coordinator, Gail Mendez (619-594-6464), who will contact you to let you know about support services at SDSU and possibilities for holding accountable the person who harmed you. If you do not want the Title IX Officer notified, you can speak confidentially SDSU’s Sexual Violence Victim Advocate (619-594-0210) or Counseling and Psychological Services (619-594-5220, psycserv@sdsu.edu).
• Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. Please let me know if you would prefer an alternate name and/or gender pronoun.
• Need help finding an advisor, tutor, counselor, emergency economic assistance, or other support? Contact the SDSU Student Success Help Desk Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
• For technical or computing assistance, contact the Library Computing Hub.

A complete list of all academic support services is available on the Academic Success section of the SDSU Student Affairs website.

If you or a friend are experiencing food or housing insecurity, or any unforeseen financial crisis, it is easy to get help! Visit sdsu.edu/ecrt for more information, email ecrt@sdsu.edu, or walk-in to Well-being & Health Promotion on the 3rd floor of Calpulli Center. The SDSU Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) is a group of on-campus and off-campus resources focused on addressing students' basic needs. The ECRT Coordinator aims to connect students experiencing food or housing insecurity, or any unforeseen financial crisis, with short-term, bridge support to transition students out of the crisis. The ECRT Coordinator aims to help students move from merely surviving to truly thriving by helping them identify and access long term, sustainable solutions. The ECRT is a collaborative initiative that leverages on-campus and off-campus partnerships and provides direct referrals based on each student’s unique circumstances. Within 24 hours of submitting a referral, students are contacted by the ECRT Coordinator and are quickly connected to the appropriate resources and services.

For help with improving your writing ability, the staff at the SDSU Writing Center is available online.

Counseling and Psychological Services offers confidential counseling services by licensed psychologists, counselors, and social workers. More info can be found at their website or by contacting (619) 594-5220. You can also Live Chat with a counselor http://go.sdsu.edu/student_affairs/cps/therapist-consultation.aspx between 4:00pm and 10:00pm, or call San Diego Access and Crisis 24-hour Hotline at (888) 724-7240.

Student Privacy and Intellectual Property

Students maintain intellectual property rights to work products they create as part of this course unless they are formally notified otherwise.

Students will be notified at the time of an assignment if copies of student work will be retained beyond the end of the semester or used as examples for future students or the wider public.

Copyright Policy

SDSU respects the intellectual property of others and we ask our faculty & students to do the same.

It is best to assume that any material (e.g., graphic, html coding, text, video, or sound) on the Web is copyrighted unless specific permission is given to copy it under a Creative Commons License.  More information about the use of copy written material in education as part of the TEACH Act and Copyright Fair Use Guidelines. Whenever possible, you should attribute the original author of any work used under these provisions.