MUS-150-100 Intro to Music Production: Listening & FX

Spring 2015

Instructor Name	Marc Beth	Credit Hours	3
Instructor Email	mbeth@elgin.edu	Room Number	H123
Alternate Email	n/a	Meeting Days	Monday / Wednesday
Instructor Phone	847-214-7126	Class Time	2:30pm – 4:10pm
Alternate Phone	847-214-7240 (Dean’s Office)	Office Location	H305

Office Hours

DAY	HOURS	LOCATION
Monday	12:30pm – 2:30pm 4:10pm – 5:00pm 6:15pm – 7:15pm	H305
Tuesday	1:50pm – 2:30pm 4:10pm – 5:00pm	H305
Wednesday	12:30pm – 2:30pm 4:10pm – 5:00pm	H305
Thursday	1:30pm – 2:30pm 4:10pm – 5:00pm	H305

Course Requirements

Textbook Required	Text: Everest, F. Alton. Critical Listening Skills for Audio Professionals. Artistpro, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-59863-023-7
Course Pre-Requisites	Reading: Grade of C or better in RDG 091, an ACT Reading score of 18 or above or an appropriate placement score.
Computer / Software Requirements	Access to a computer is required in order to visit the D2L course site. Students will receive regular update via their student.elgin.edu email account.
D2L Requirements	Class information, all assignments, and required course content will all be posted on D2L. Students are expected to regularly check D2L and submit all assignments via D2L. You will use your AccessECC username and password to log on to D2L.

Mid-term & Withdrawal Dates

Mid-Term Date	Wednesday, March 11, 2015
The last day to withdraw from this course with a grade of W is:	Sunday, March 29, 2015

After the withdrawal date listed above, the only grades that will be assigned are A, B, C, D or F.

Course Description

This course is designed to train the ear of audio professionals and includes exercises designed to improve the student’s ability to hear audio effects and errors in recordings. Students will analyze recordings, identify instrumentation and audio effects, identify stylistic influences, diagnose errors, and identify and implement corrective steps.

Course Outcomes

Diagnose errors in recordings and generate appropriate feedback designed to correct errors.

Identify stylistic influences in recordings and deduce how such influences are represented.

Analyze recordings and identify all instruments used.

Compile an organized list of common audio effects as they are used in popular recordings.

www.curricunet.com

Grading Standards

Grading Policies and Procedures

There will be two exams. The midterm exam will include content from the first half of class. The final exam is cumulative, and will thus include content from the whole course.
Students will receive regular, weekly assignments. These assignments are published online at our course’s D2L site (ecc.desire2learn.com) You will find all course documents as well as modules to supplement the text here. You will also use this site to upload completed assignments in Microsoft Word or RTF format. (NOTE: do NOT submit files in WPS or OpenOffice format. There is an option to save as RTF in nearly all word processing programs. You will receive 1 cautionary email on your student account if you submit a file in an incorrect format. Any incorrect submission format following will result in an automatic failure on the assignment.)
Students will also be graded on participation in the class. To earn a full participation grade, you will be expected to contribute to class discussion on a regular basis.

Grading Summary Table

Graded Items	Percent Values
Midterm Exam	15%
Final Exam	20%
Assignments	25%
Portfolio	15%
Participation	25%
Total Points	100%

Make-up Exam and/or Late Work

Exams may be made up if a suitable reason is provided for missing exam class periods.

I will accept late work with a 10% deduction for every day it is late UP TO TWO DAYS. After two days, late work will not be accepted. NOTE: The portfolio will NOT be accepted late.

Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Minimum Points / Percentage	Maximum Points / Percentage
A	90%	100%
B	80%	89%
C	70%	79%
D	60%	69%
F	0	59%

Course Policies

Attendance, Tardiness, and Student Illness Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled and to know the attendance policy of each of their instructors. Under no circumstances should a student stop attending class without formally withdrawing. This can result in a failing grade on the student’s permanent record. Attendance at the first class is expected. Registered students who do not attend the first day and do not contact the instructor may be dropped from the class for non-attendance.

Instructor’s Attendance Policy	Because so much material is covered in this class, regular attendance is crucial to success. While attendance is not strictly used in grading, if more than 4 absences are recorded, you may receive a failing grade in the course, at the instructor’s discretion.
Instructor’s Tardiness Policy	Two tardies = 1 absence

Behavioral Expectations

Students are expected to abide by the Elgin Community College Student Code of Conduct (see www.elgin.edu/codeofconduct). Any behavior that violates the conduct norms will not be tolerated.

Respectful classroom environment

Cellphones are to be used for emergencies only.

No food or drink is allowed in the classroom or lab with the exception of water only.

Disability Accommodations

ECC welcomes students with disabilities and is committed to supporting them as they attend college. If a student has a disability (visual, aural, speech, emotional/psychiatric, orthopedic, health, or learning), s/he may be entitled to some accommodation, service, or support. While the College will not compromise or waive essential skill requirements in any course or degree, students with disabilities may be supported with accommodations to help meet these requirements. The laws state a person does not have to reveal a disability, but if support is needed, documentation of the disability must be provided. If none is provided, the college does not have to make any exceptions to standard procedures. To request accommodations, sign a release form to have documentation sent to the college, or bring in documentation. If you have questions, call the Disability Services office (Building B, room 115) at 847-214-7220 (TTY - 847-214-7392) or e-mail Annabelle Rhoades at arhoades@elgin.edu. (See additional information at www.elgin.edu/disability).

Academic Integrity / Plagiarism / Cheating Policy

ECC strives to foster an environment of respect for and achievement of the highest levels of academic integrity for all members of its academic community. Academic integrity and honesty are essential hallmarks of the institution’s contributions to the great society and cannot be abridged without considerable harm to those who must rely upon the intellectual pursuits of the institution.

Plagiarism, submitting someone else’s work as your own, is a serious offense. Having a parent, spouse, classmate, or friend of your work, knowingly or unknowingly, accomplishes nothing except placing unreasonable demands on people who care for you. This includes work on assignments as well as tests and quizzes. Furthermore, plagiarism is easy for an instructor to spot. I reserve the right to give a zero for any plagiarized work including, but not limited to, assignments and tests. Repeated cases may result in a withdrawal from the class or a failing grade.

Academic Integrity (for information see www.elgin.edu/academicintegrity)

Course Outline and Schedule

Assignment Descriptions

Should describe course assignments, how each will be evaluated (it would be useful to include grading rubrics and the point value assigned to each assignment)

Course Outline

Class Meeting Date	Topic Covered	Assignments and Tests	Due Date	Points
Week 1	Introduction
Week 2	Elements	Pg. 4-53, Assignment 1	1 /21/15	20
Week 3	Begin recording sounds	Pg. 151 - 201
Week 4	Continue sounds
Week 5	Continue sounds, begin Effects	Pg. 203 – 257, Assignment 2	2/11/15	20
Week 6	Continue Effects
Week 7	Begin listening skills	Pg. 60-125, Assignment 3	2/25/15	20
Week 8	Continue listening skills	Mid-term Exam	3/11/15	15%
Week 9	Portfolio Building - Sounds	Pg. 260 - 300
Week 10	Portfolio Building - Sounds	Pg. 301 - 351
Week 11	Portfolio Building - Sounds	Pg. 352 – 402, Assignment 4	4/8/15	20
Week 12	Portfolio Building - Effects	Pg. 403 - 487
Week 13	Portfolio Building - Effects	Pg. 488 - 500
Week 14	Portfolio Building - Effects	Pg. 501 – 533, Assignment 5	4/29/15	20
Week 15	Finalizing Portfolio Work
Week 16	Finalize Portfolio & Final Exam	Final Exam	5/11/15	20%

Resources

Tutoring and Study Labs

Statement (optional; for information www.elgin.edu/tutoring).

Student Resource Guide

To view the Student Resource Guide PDF document click here: Student Resource Guide

Emergency Closing Information

For information regarding emergency closing situations at ECC please visit: Rave Alert - Emergency Notification System

ECC Library

For information regarding the ECC Library please visit: ECC Renner Library