MUS 131-001, Music Theory I, Fall 2016

University of Tennessee at Martin

Basic Information:
Course Section: MUS 131, section 001
Course Title: Music Theory I
Meeting Time and Place: MWF 9:00-9:50 am, Fine Arts 244
Course Credit Hours: 3 hours

Textbooks and Other Required Materials:

Tonal Harmony, 7th edition, by Stefan Kostka and Dorothy Payne

Manuscript paper is required for every class (www.blanksheetmusic.net).

Faculty Contact Information

Kurt Gorman, DMA

226 Fine Arts Building
731-881-7404
kgorman@utm.edu

Office hours: MWF 8:00-9:00, TR 10:00- 11:00 and by appointment

Course Information:
Course Description/Information:

131 Music Theory I (3) Brief review of music fundamentals, followed by a sequential study of
harmonic progression, part writing procedures and stylistic elements. Prereq: Passing score on
departmental theory entrance exam or grade of C or better in MUS 120. Coreq: MUS 123. In order to
proceed to MUS 132, students must complete MUS 131 with a grade of C or higher.

Course Resources:

www.musictheory.net

Student Learning Outcomes/Objectives:

By the end of this course, the student will:

1) Read treble and bass clef fluently and develop familiarity with alto and tenor clefs.
2) Identify and construct the following:
major and minor scales and key signatures,
diatonic and chromatic intervals
major, minor, augmented, diminished triads.
diatonic 7th chords
3) Understand the following:
The notes on the piano keyboard and their placement on the staff.
Fundamentals of rhythm (meter, note duration, division and subdivision)
 4) Learn the basics of four-part writing as a foundation for further study of tonal harmony.

The course content will include chapters 1-12 of Tonal Harmony by Kostka-Payne.

Course Communications:

Communication concerning this course will be conducted through email. The instructor will not
communicate with any email account other than the UTM student email account listed in Banner. The
instructor may be contacted at kgorman@utm.edu. Under most circumstances, the instructor will reply
to queries within 24 hours on business days.

Course Requirements/Expectations:
Course Requirements, Assessments, and Evaluations:

Major Assignments and Exams

Students will receive regular homework assignments to be turned in at the beginning of class in
which they are due. Assignments not turned in at that time will be assigned a 0 and cannot be made up.
There will be five unit tests content and dates listed below.
A cumulative midterm exam and comprehensive final exam will be administered.
Tests and exams will not be made up except under extreme circumstances.

Course Calendar and Test Dates:

9/1 TEST 1 Chapter 1, Elements of Pitch

9/14 TEST 2 Chapter 2, Elements of Rhythm
9/28 TEST 3 Chapter 3, Introduction to Triads and 7th Chords
10/7 MIDTERM EXAM Chapters 1-3
Chapter 4, Diatonic Chords in Major and Minor Keys
10/28 TEST 4 Chapter 5, Principles of Voice Leading
Chapter 6, Root Position Part Writing
11/21 TEST 5 Chapter 7, Harmonic Progression and the Sequence
Chapter 8, Triads in First Inversion
Chapter 9, Triads in Second Inversion
12/6, FINAL EXAM Chapters 1-9
Tuesday, Chapter 10, Cadences, Phrases, Periods, and Sentences
7:45-9:45 am Chapter 11, KP, Introduction to Nonchord Tones I
Chapter 12, KP, Introduction to Nonchord Tones II

Class will not meet on the dates listed below:

9/5 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
9/16 ** NO CLASS **
10/14 ** NO CLASS **
10/17 FALL BREAK
11/4 ** NO CLASS **
11/23-25 THANKSGIVING BREAK
Grading, Assessment, Evaluation
The following distribution will be used: Grades will be assigned with the following scale:

Homework 30% 90-100 A

Unit Tests 30% 80 89 B
Midterm Exam 20% 70 79 C
Final Exam 20% 60 69 D
59 - F

Attendance policy.

More than 5 absences will result in a failing grade. The instructor must be notified in advance of any
absence. It is the students responsibility to acquire make-up assignments for missed class.

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class period they are due. Late assignments will
not be accepted.

Learning Environment:

The Students Responsibility

Be prepared for class.
Be respectful of others.
Actively contribute to the class.
Abide by the UT Honor Code.

The Instructors Role:

Maintain a positive classroom environment
Encourage student input and questions
Hold to the expectation that all students can succeed in this course.

How to Be Successful In This Course:

What students can do:

1. Commit to a minimum of one hour of study per hour of class.
2. Increase your study time three days prior to a test or exam.
3. Practice for mastery of the material both speed an accuracy.
4. Complete assignments and turn them in on time.
5. If you have questions about content or have done poorly on an individual assignment or test, you
should seek the assistance of the professor immediately.

Additional Campus Resources:

Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog: (Listing of academic programs, courses, and policies)
Important Dates: (add/drop, payments)
Student Success Center: (Academic support resources)
Student Health and Counseling Services: (Mental and physical health services)
Library: (Access to library resources, databases, course reserves, and services)
Department of Music Statement on Professionalism

Faculty, staff, and students in the UTM Department of Music have the right to work in an environment
conducive to both learning and creative expression. It is expected that music major and music minors at the
University of Tennessee at Martin will represent the department in a professional and positive manner.
Furthermore, communication with faculty, staff, and student colleagues must be conducted in the spirit
of mutual respect. Behavior and public statements that could be considered unprofessional that are made
either in person or electronically, including through social media, will result in departmental reprimand.
Failure to comply may result in, but is not limited to, contacting the Office of Student Conduct, the
Department of Public Safety, and the loss of scholarship funding.

Course Evaluations:

Student course evaluations will be conducted through Banner at the end of the term.

University Policies:
Academic Integrity:

The University of Tennessee at Martin has chosen as its primary objective quality undergraduate
education. Commitment to this objective must include an obligation by all members of the University
community to promote and protect the highest standards of integrity in study, research, instruction and
evaluation. Dishonesty or unethical behavior does not belong at an institution dedicated to the
promotion of knowledge and learning. Integrity of the academic process requires fair and impartial
evaluation by faculty and honest academic conduct by students. Specific integrity attributes can be
found: http://www.utm.edu/departments/conduct/new_academic_integrity.php

Standard of Conduct:

When persons enroll in The University of Tennessee at Martin, they retain the rights and duties of a
citizen. Additionally, they must assume the duties and observe the regulations imposed by the
University community. Specific conduct attributes can be found:
http://www.utm.edu/departments/conduct/conduct.php

Disability Services:

The University of Tennessee provides reasonable accommodations (academic adjustments and

auxiliary aids) to ensure equal access to educational content and university programs for students with
disabilities. Students who are eligible for and who request accommodations through the Disability
Services office must provide instructors with a letter of accommodation. The Disability Services office
is located in the Student Success Center, 203 Clement Hall (731) 881-7605.

The instructor reserves the right to revise, alter or amend this syllabus as necessary. Students
will be notified any such changes in writing.