Allison Fairbairn & Alex Loewen –

MUS 111.3 Class Syllabus Department of Music

Email: music.onlinecourses@usask.ca
History of Popular Music Office Hours
by appointment
Online – PAWS/Blackboard
January 3 – April 5, 2019

Land Acknowledgement
Our Saskatoon campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

Course Description
The official course description and prerequisites are in the U of S Course and Program Catalogue
available at http://www.usask.ca/calendar/coursecat/

Contacting your instructors

Because we teach online, and our offices are not located on campus, email is the best way to
get in touch. We monitor our course email between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday
through Friday. If you email us on the weekend, you can expect to hear back on Monday, or if it
is a long weekend, Tuesday.

If you pop into the Department of Music, you will not find us! We are not there. We generally try
to handle everything by email, but if you need to meet with us in person, please email us at
music.onlinecourses@usask.ca to set up a meeting.

Course Notifications
All notifications will be posted on the home page of your MUS 111 course tools. Notifications will not be
sent by email. It is the student’s responsibility to check the home page regularly (at least weekly) for
information about the class, assignments, upcoming deadlines, and other pertinent information.

Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this class, students should be able to:
1. Recognize key figures throughout the history of popular music, and be able to discuss their
significance and contributions.
2. Formulate opinions about the significance of social, cultural, and economic factors that influenced
the development of various styles.
3. Compare and contrast musical styles from various periods and identify specific characteristics of
each through critical listening.
4. Discuss the cultural significance of popular music in society.

Required Resources
Rockin’ Out: Popular Music in the U.S.A. by Reebee Garofalo and Steve Waksman
This is an online resource that will cost $75 for 12 months of access. Instructions for how to access this
resource will be provided in your Blackboard Course Tools. Other readings and resources will be
provided in your Blackboard Course Tools as needed.

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan

Class Schedule
January 3-11 January 12-18 January 19-25 January 26 – February 2-8
February 1
Introduction and The Segregation of “Good Rockin’ The Reaction to
Constructing Tin Popular Music Tonight” The Eruption of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Pan Alley Rock ‘n’ Roll
Activity due date: Activity due date: Activity due date:
Jan. 18 by 10 pm Jan. 25 by 10 pm Activity due date: Feb. 8 by 10 pm
Jan. 11 by 10 pm
Feb. 1 by 10 pm
February 9-15 Assignment February 23 – March 2-8 March 9-15
Popular Music and Deadline #1: March 1
Political Culture Punk and Disco at Music Videos,
1 blog post Music Versus the Poles of Pop Superstars, and
Markets Mega-Events
Activity due date:
Feb. 15 by 10 pm Feb. 15 by midnight
Activity due date: Activity due date:
Activity due date:
Mar. 8 by 10 pm Mar. 15 by 10 pm
Mar. 1 by 10 pm
March 16-22 Assignment March 23-29 March 30 – April 5 *April 8: Final
Deadline #2: Exam Essay due,
Rap, Metal, and The Changing Pop Music and Media in midnight
Youth Culture 1 blog post Mainstream the New Millennium
*Online Final
Activity due date: Mar. 22 by midnight Check PAWS for
Activity due date: Activity due date:
Mar. 22 by 10 pm your exact date
Mar. 29 by 10 pm Apr. 5 by 10 pm

Note: No Class Days/No Evaluation Days for this Class in February 18 (stat); February 18-23 (Midterm
Break); No Final Exams: April 19-20 (Easter Break)

* your final exam will be broken into two parts; an essay question due April 8, and the online final which
will be scheduled by the University. Please see Final Exam Details below, and further details will be
provided in your Course Tools closer to the end of classes.

Evaluation and Grading Scheme

Module Quizzes 30%
Assignments 30%
Final Exam 40%
*must write the final exam to receive credit
Total 100%

Detailed descriptions of assessments will be provided in your Course Tools on Blackboard.

Module Quizzes – 30%

There is a brief quiz for each module that must be completed by 10 pm on the due dates listed above.

Assignments – 30%
You will be required to complete 2 blog posts throughout the course, worth 15% each. Please
see the assignment deadlines in the calendar, above. Details will be provided in your Course
Tools.

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan MUS 111 - Class Syllabus Page 2 of 5

Final Exam – 40%
The final exam for this class will be a comprehensive examination of all of the material covered in all
modules.
It will be broken into two main parts: an essay question that must be submitted at the beginning of finals
(see calendar, above), and an online exam that will be scheduled by the University.
The essay question is due earlier to expediate grading so that your marks can be submitted shortly after
you write the online exam.
You will be able to access the online exam between 7 am and 10 pm (CST) on the date
scheduled by the University.

Once you start the online exam you will have three hours to complete it before you will be
locked out. The online exam covers content from Modules 1-12. It may contain a variety of
questions including but not limited to multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching questions, and
long or short answer.

Note: Students must write the final in order to pass the course. Students who do not write the final
exam, even if their coursework results in a grade above 50%, will receive an Incomplete Fail on their
transcript.
Important: Students must keep the entire exam window open until your schedule is known. Final
exams will not be rescheduled except in emergency circumstances. Applications to move or defer a final
are decided by the College of Arts and Science Undergraduate Student Office, and are frequently denied.
Students are encouraged to review all examination policies and procedures at
http://students.usask.ca/academics/exams.php

Online Exams
Please note that online exams are viewed and treated the same as any other exam. Online exams are
tracked and monitored for irregularities.
Any collusion, collaborating, copying, cheating or any form of academic misconduct is a very serious
offence at the University of Saskatchewan and could result in suspension or expulsion from the university.
Academic misconduct (including any form of cheating or collusion) discovered on any part of the
final exam will result in a grade of 0 on the entire exam and a failing grade in course.

Submitting Assignments
You will submit your assignments using a variety of online tools. Instructions will be provided on how to
do this. Note that assignments are due by midnight Saskatchewan time on the due date.
Please review the class due dates carefully. Late assignments must be discussed with your instructor and
will only be accepted on the basis of medical or compassionate reasons.
Late quizzes will NOT be accepted as the answer key is made available once the due date has
passed.
Given the large class size, it is important that we maintain the class schedule and students take
responsibility for completing work and solving problems. The expectation is that students will make their
best effort to answer questions that arise by reviewing all material and closely watching multimedia
examples prior to contacting the instructors.
It is also expected that students be confident in a computer-learning environment prior to taking
the course. Students should be comfortable emailing, taking screen shots, accessing learning
materials, submitting assignments, performing online research, and completing online
assessments with minimal assistance from the instructors.

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan MUS 111 - Class Syllabus Page 3 of 5

Extensions and Late Assignments
Overdue assignments will be assessed a penalty of 10% per week late. If you have
extenuating circumstances, please contact your instructors prior to the deadline.

Late quizzes will NOT be accepted as the answer key is made available once the due date
has passed.

Regarding Plagiarism
Any evidence of plagiarism in a given assignment or assessment will result in an automatic grade of 0.
There may be an opportunity to rewrite the project with a significant penalty, depending on the severity of
the offence.

Additional Evaluation Information

DEU Writing Centre - Quality writing help for free!
Anyone taking a distance class (online, independent studies, televised, or multi–mode delivery)
administered by the DEU can use this free service. The Writing Centre provides tools and support to help
you write effective essays, reports, or reviews. Simply submit a project draft, and a qualified tutor will
assess your work and offer advice to improve your project. Contact the DEU Writing Centre at
http://distanceeducation.usask.ca/support/writing-centre.php

University Writing Centre (Main Library)

If you are on the main U of S campus, you can also access the University Writing Centre at the main
library. Here you can book appointments or drop in to receive one-on-one in-person assistance, and they
also offer one day on various topics related to university research and writing. You will find more
information at this link: https://library.usask.ca/studentlearning/writing-help/

Understanding Your Grades

Information on literal descriptors for grading at the University of Saskatchewan can be found at:
https://students.usask.ca/academics/grading/grading-system.php
Please note: There are different literal descriptors for undergraduate and graduate students.
More information on the Academic Courses Policy on course delivery, examinations and assessment of
student learning can be found at: http://policies.usask.ca/policies/academic-affairs/academic-courses.php
The University of Saskatchewan Learning Charter is intended to define aspirations about the learning
experience that the University aims to provide, and the roles to be played in realizing these aspirations by
students, instructors and the institution. A copy of the Learning Charter can be found at:
http://teaching.usask.ca/about/policies/learning-charter.php

Integrity Defined
“Integrity is expected of all students in their academic work – class participation, examinations,
assignments, research, practica – and in their non-academic interactions and activities as well.” (Office of
the University Secretary)
It is your responsibility to be familiar with the University of Saskatchewan policies and procedures on
Academic Misconduct (http://www.usask.ca/secretariat/student-conduct-appeals/academic-
misconduct.php) and Non-Academic Misconduct (https://www.usask.ca/secretariat/student-conduct-
appeals/non-academic-misconduct.php).
Access and Equity Services
Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan MUS 111 - Class Syllabus Page 4 of 5

If you are a student needing accommodations based on a diagnosed disability (learning, medical,
physical, and/or mental health), religion, family status (including pregnancy), and/or gender identity, you
must register with Access and Equity Services (AES) in order to access AES programs and supports.
Information about AES can be found at https://students.usask.ca/health/centres/access-equity-
services.php
For AES exam accommodations please ensure that you fill out the AES Exam Accommodation form
within the applicable deadlines. (https://students.usask.ca/health/aes/accommodations.php)
***Please submit your AES form to your instructors as early in the term as possible, so accomodations
can be set for online assessments.***

Distance and Distributed Library Services

As a U of S student, if you are located outside of Saskatoon, you can find help accessing library
resources and services at: https://library.usask.ca/ddls/#RegisterforDDLS.

Copyright
Every effort has been made to trace ownership of all copyrighted material and to secure permission from
copyright holders. In the event of any question arising as to the use of any material, we will be pleased to
make the necessary corrections. The University of Saskatchewan copyright policy is available at
http://www.usask.ca/copyright/.

Acknowledgements
Course Creation Team:
Allison Fairbairn, BMus, BA, MA (Musicology)
Alex Loewen, BMus, MMus (Composition)
Kerry Agnew, BMus/MusEd

Instructional Design and Course Development

Instructional Designer: Jordan Epp
Instructional Technology Coordinator: Robb Larmer
With Special Thanks to: Dr. Gregory Marion, Dr. Gerald Langner, Dr. Glen Gillis, and Dr. Amanda
Lalonde.

Distance Education Unit, University of Saskatchewan MUS 111 - Class Syllabus Page 5 of 5