Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | MUS-1028-VO01 - Introduction to Rock & Roll

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Gregory Matses
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

VSCS Arts & Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

A survey of Rock & Roll from its origins through contemporary rock. Students will discuss the social, economic and political conditions that influenced the development of rock music and the artists who have contributed to its form. Through extensive listening, students will explore a variety of rock styles from 1950s through the present.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe Rock and Roll's ancestors and early influences.
2. Explain basic rock harmonic progressions and other conventions of the form.
3. Describe early rock forms such as rockabilly, vocal groups, doo-wop, pop, teen idols and identify major figures in each style.
4. Discuss the British Invasion and the influence of the Motown sound.
5. Discuss punk, metal, grunge, and related styles that influenced rock including reggae, rap and African pop.
6. Discuss the recording and broadcasting industries and their impact on rock music, including singles, album-oriented production and music videos.
7. Describe a variety of rock styles in terms of lyrical content, instrumentation and stylistic elements.
8. Describe the contributions of several rock artists to the development of the form.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

MUS-1028-VO01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

The class will proceed through a decade-by-decade study of the stylistic development and structure of rock & roll from 1950 to the present. Critical listening skills will be developed through the discussion of rock music's primary elements. Significant attention will be given to the social and political events that influenced the form. Course materials and homework will be drawn from the textbook, handouts, online resources, and extensive listening lists.Quizzes and exams will have both written and listening components. The Live Rock Performance Review will be a 4-5-page critical analysis of an in-person or prerecorded rock performance.

Evaluation Criteria

Attendance/Participation/Assignments 60% (graded weekly on a scale of 0-10)
Quizzes 10%
Midterm Exam 10%
Live Rock Performance Review 10%
Final Exam 10%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity