MUS 014: Popular Musics of the World

Discussion Section Syllabus Spring 2015

TA: Elizabeth Wood ewood004@ucr.edu
Office Hours: Thursdays 1 2 PM (or by appointment) Arts 144
Overview
Discussion sections are your opportunity to engage more fully with the materials covered in lecture
in a small group setting. Please come to discussion prepared to discuss the readings and subject
material from that week, to ask questions, and to have fun!
Grades
Your discussion grade will make up 20% of your overall class grade. This is based on:
Attendance (10 points): Attendance is mandatory at all discussion sections. You have
three free absences before you begin to lose points*. For each successive absence over
three, you will lose two points. To have an absence excused, you must let me know ahead
of time (unless it is a medical emergency) and have proof. I will make all final decisions
about excused or unexcused absences. If you are a student athlete who must miss class for
travel purposes, let me know at the beginning of the quarter.
Participation (5 points): Participation is encouraged and expected as a part of this class.
Ask questions, take notes, sing or clap along when asked to, and/or attend office hours.
You will lose points if you are on your cell phone during class.
Practice Quizzes and Writing Assignments (5 points): Periodically throughout
the quarter, you will have in-class practice quizzes to help prepare you for the exams.
These quizzes will cover course material as well as readings, and will be very short (five to
ten questions). In addition, there will be two short writing assignments designed to help
you prepare for your final paper. All assignments and quizzes are graded for completion,
not correctness.
Getting in Touch
I will do my best to answer emails within 24 hours. I will not, however, answer emails after
10 pm if you email me in the middle of night, do not expect a response until the
following day.
If you have questions about the class but cannot make it to office hours, please email me to
set up an appointment. I am happy to work with you to find a time we can meet.
Please do not email me about information that can be found in the syllabus (ex. office
hours, due dates). I will give you one free pass, and then I will not answer your email.
If for some reason you need to leave something for me (a paper, an assignment, etc.) but
you cannot get in touch with me, my box is located in the Music Department in the ARTS
Building, directly across from my office.
*NB: Please come to class on time. If you arrive later than 10 minutes after the class has started,
you will be marked absent. Similarly, if you leave early without emailing me at least 24 hours in
advance, you will be marked absent. If you come in late or leave early, please be as discreet as
possible so as not to disturb your fellow classmates.

Important Dates
(Subject to change)
Week 2
FRI, April 10: Practice Quiz #1
Week 3
FRI, April 17: Review for Exam #1
Week 4
THU, April 23: Exam #1
Week 5
FRI, May 1: Proposal for Final Paper (due in class)
Week 6
FRI, May 8: Annotated Bibliography for Final Paper (due in class), Practice Quiz #2
Week 7
FRI, May 15: Review for Exam #2
Week 8
TUE, May 19: Exam #2
Week 9
MON, May 25: Optional drafts of final papers due by 5:00 PM (via email)
FRI, MAY 29: Practice Quiz #3
Week 10 - June 5
FRI, June 5: Review for Final Exam, Final papers due by 5:00 PM
Final Exam: Thursday, June 11, 11:30 AM 2:30 PM