Syllabi
SYLLABUS: MUSI 1107, BWF, or BWE: Music in Society: Fall 2025
College of the Arts
School of Music
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential
knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help master course content,
and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
· How do I interpret the human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
· Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
· Ethical Reasoning
· Information Literacy
· Intercultural Competence
Course Information
Class meeting time: online D2L
Modality and Location: online D2L
Syllabus is posted in D2L
Instructor Information
Name: Dr. John Marsh
Email: jmarsh42@kennesaw.edu (I prefer you send me emails in D2L email)
Office Location: not on campus
Office phone: not on campus
Office Hours: communicate with me via email as described above
Preferred method of communication: email
Course Description
This course examines the role of music in society through a study of musical works within their cultural and historical contexts. Course assignments develop skills in critical analysis and global perspectives as well as an understanding of the creative process. Required attendance at live performances provides the experiential component so crucial to the understanding and enjoyment of music. (Most events require paid admission.) Notes: Offered as an online course.
3 Class Hours 0 Laboratory Hours 3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: Successful completion of all Learning Support English requirements.
Course Materials
Required Texts: The Enjoyment of Music by Kristine Forney and Joseph Machlis. 5th Essential Listening edition. See Announcements on the D2L class homepage for full details.
Listening assignments are available through YouTube playlists. Purchasing access through Norton publisher is optional. It is very helpful, but not required. Students may listen to any recording on YouTube free of charge (suggest using my YouTube playlists in D2L).
Learning Outcomes
BWF, or BWE: Music in Society satisfies one of Kennesaw State University’s general education program requirements. Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of works in the visual/performing arts, general education learning outcome(s). For more information about KSU’s General Education program requirements and associated learning outcomes, please visit http://catalog.kennesaw.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=44&poid=5249.
Course Requirements and Assignments
Evaluation and Grading Policies
Recorded attendance at one Professional concert = 10%
Recorded attendance at two KSU School of Music concerts = 5% each (total 10%)
See Arts Events Attendance/Concert Proofs under Content in D2L. Late submissions accepted
at the discretion of the instructor, 20% penalty assessed.
Elements Test (Part 1 of text; chapters 1-11) = 15%
All 3 tests are taken in the D2L browser, 2 attempts allowed.
Test 2 (Parts 2, 3, 4 of text; chapters 12-29) = 20%
Test 3 (Parts 5, 6, 7 of text; chapters 30-53) = 20%
Late submissions accepted at the discretion of the instructor, 20% penalty assessed, one attempt allowed.
5 Discussion topics = 25%
Late submissions accepted at the discretion of the instructor, 50% penalty assessed.
Grading Scale:
90% - 100 % A
80% - 89% B
70% - 79% C
60% - 69% D
0% - 59% F
I will round up grades if they are > or = .5 or above, for example, an 89.6 is an A, but 79.2 is a C.
Course Policies
Attendance is required. Online software keeps track of student attendance in D2L and
reports to the instructor.
Department or College Policies
All grades will be posted in the D2L grade book within one week after completing the
test or assignment. The grade book will update grades as they are entered, so students
will be able to view their current standing.
Institutional Policies
Federal, BOR, & KSU Course Syllabus Policies: http://curriculum.kennesaw.edu/resources/federal_bor_ksu_student_policies.php
Student Resources:
http://curriculum.kennesaw.edu/resources/ksu_student_resources_for_course_syllabus.php
Academic Integrity Statement:
http://scai.kennesaw.edu/codes.php
KSU Student Resources
This link contains information on help and resources available to students: https://curriculum.kennesaw.edu/resources/ksu_student_resources_for_course_syllabus.php
Weekly Class Schedule
updated 06 19 25
Week of August 18
● Become familiar with the D2L website. Explore!
● Use this page on the the KSU website to check your device for compatibility with D2L, http://www.usg.edu/usgweb/d2lchecker/
● Read chapters 1-6.
● Take a look at Discussion 1 (Introducing Yourself). It’s due Friday, August 29. It does not require the text.
● Listening is important in this class. We will be using YouTube (YouTube playlists) that I have created for that purpose. Under Contents, you will find these playlists. This week, take a look, click on links and get used to using the playlists for your listening. Remember that listening is included on all tests. So you need to be prepared for the listening ahead of the tests. Our first test, Elements Test, will include listening from chapters 1-12.
Week of August 25
● Read chapters 7-12.
● Under Assignments and Class Resources, take a look at Building Scales, Keyboard to Staff, Fundamentals Overview, Intervals, Keyboard, Keyboard Pitches by Octave, Orchestra Chart. This will help you for Test 1 (Fundamentals).
Arts Events Attendance (Concert Proofs): All students must attend a total of 3 separate arts events over the semester. Find details under Content.
Week of September 1
· Elements Test (Test 1; chapters 1-12) is due Friday, September 5 by 11:59 pm.
● We will be using YouTube (YouTube playlists) that I have created for that purpose (under Contents). This week, take a look, click on links and get used to using the playlists for your listening. Remember that listening is included on all tests. So you need to be prepared for the listening ahead of the tests. Our first test, Elements Test, will include listening. So be listening to music from chapters 1-12 on the playlists.
Week of September 8
● Discussion 2: take a look. It’s not due till Monday, September 15, but give it some thought.
● Read chapters 13-17.
● Keep up with Listening. Test 2 will include chapters 13-32.
Week of September 15
● Discussion 2: Sacred and Secular Music is due Monday, September 15 by 11:59 p.m.
● Read chapters 18-24.
● Have you thought about the Arts Events Attendance (concert proofs)? Details under Content.
Week of September 22
● Read chapters 25-32.
Week of September 29
● Review chapters 13-32 for Test 2. There will be Listening on the test.
● Discussion 3: Is music for the wealthy or the masses? It’s due Monday, October 13.
Week of October 6
● Test 2 is due Monday, October 27.
● Read chapters 33-37.
Week of October 13
● Discussion 3 is due Monday, October 13.
● Read chapters 38-41.
Week of October 20
● KSU School of Music concert proof #1 is due Monday, October 20. See Content page for details. Professional concert proof and 2nd KSU School of Music concert proof are due later.
● Read chapters 42-45.
Week of October 27
● Test 2 is due Monday, October 27 (chapters 13-34). Listening is prominent in this test.
● Read chapters 46-49.
● Review Listening using YouTube (YouTube playlists). Test 3 includes chapters 35-62.
Week of November 3
● Discussion 4 is due Monday, November 3.
● Read chapters 50-51
Week of November 10
● Read chapters 52-56.
● Have you completed your Arts Events Attendance proofs? Check out details and due dates under Content.
Week of November 17
● Read chapters 57-62.
● Test 3 covers chapters 35-62. So it’s a lot of material. Begin your study now.
● Discussion 5 due Monday, November 17.
● Professional” concert proof is due. See Content for complete details.
Week of November 24
● Thanksgiving Week. No assignments. Use the time to get caught up.
Week of December 1
● KSU School of Music concert proof #2 due Tuesday, December 4. Details under Content.
● Test 3 due Wednesday, December 5. Review Listening in preparation for Test 3 using the YouTube (YouTube playlists) found under Contents. Test 3 covers chapters 35-62.
● Our D2L class website closes the day after Test 3, Thursday, December 6.