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Department of Music

Elementary Music Theory – Music 116 

Summer, 2023

Course Description

This course is specifically designed for individuals who do not possess a background in music. Emphasis will be placed on the rudiments of music, encompassing the essential aspects such as the notation of time, basic pitch structures including scales, chords, and rhythmic patterns, as well as rudimentary analysis techniques. By exploring these foundational concepts, students will gain a solid grounding in music theory, enabling them to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of music.

Textbook & Course Materials

Required Text

· The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, THIRD EDITION (W. W. Norton, 2018) by Jane Piper Clendinning, Elizabeth West Marvin, & Joel Phillips. ISBN: 978-0-393- 63918-6

· Internet connection

Course Structure

This music theory course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental music concepts and principles. The material will be presented asynchronously in a weekly lecture form through online videos, ensuring flexibility and accessibility. Students will be expected to actively engage with the course content by completing homework assignments independently, reinforcing their understanding and application of the concepts covered. Please keep in mind that during the summer quarter, the length of the course is shortened, potentially increasing the workload per week.

Student Learning Outcomes

· Recognize and explain the fundamental elements of music.

· Notate and perform rhythms according to common metric schemes.

· Analyze and label scales, intervals, and harmonies in notated music.

· Construct scales, intervals, and harmonies on the keyboard and in staff notation.

Topic Outline/Schedule

Week 1 

Week of June 20 - 25

Readings:

· Chapter 1, “Pitch Notation and the Grand Staff,” from The Musician’s Guide to

Fundamentals, pp.1–14

· Chapter 2, “Accidentals and Half and Whole Steps,” from The Musician’s Guide to

Fundamentals, pp.25–36

Assignments:

· Chapter 1 Homework

· Chapter 2 Homework

Week 2

  Week of June 26 - July 2

Readings: 

· Chapter 3, “Simple Meters,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, pp.47–60

· Chapter 4, “Beat Subdivisions and Syncopation,” from The Musician’s Guide to

Fundamentals, pp.73–82

Assignments:

· Chapter 3 Homework

· Chapter 4 Homework

Week 3 

Week of July 3 - 9

Readings:

· Chapter 6, “Compound Meters,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, pp.127–

140

Assignments:

· Chapter 6 Homework

· Chapter 3,4 & 6 Homework

Week 4 

Week of July 10 - 16

Readings:

· Chapter 5, “Major Scales and Keys,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals,

pp.97–109

· Chapter 7, “Minor Scales and Keys,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals,

pp.157–174

Assignments:

· Chapter 5 & 6 Homework

· Midterm

Week 5 

Week of July 17 - 23

Readings:

· Chapter 8, “Intervals,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals, pp.193–213

Assignments:

· Chapter 8A Homework

· Chapter 8B Homework 

Week 6

Week of July 31 - Aug. 6

Readings:

· Chapter 9, “Triads and Seventh Chords,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals,

pp.233–249

Assignments:

· Chapter 9A Homework

· Chapter 9B Homework 

Week 7

Week of Aug 7 - 13

Readings:

· Chapter 9, “Triads and Seventh Chords,” from The Musician’s Guide to Fundamentals,

pp.233–249

· Chapter 10, “Melody Harmonization and Cadences,” from The Musician’s Guide to

Fundamentals, pp.267–284

Assignments:

· Chapter 9C Homework

· Chapter 10 Homework

Week 8 

Week of Aug 14 - 18

Readings:

· Chapter 10, “Melody Harmonization and Cadences,” from The Musician’s Guide to

Fundamentals, pp.267–284

Assignments:

· Final Exam (due 8/21/2023)

Online Learning Environment

Stable internet access is a basic requirement for this online class. We are not responsible for any issues with internet connectivity, including VPN functionality, that arise on your end. Similarly, all assignments will be graded as we receive them via Canvas. In the unlikely event that you believe Canvas has recorded your response to an assignment incorrectly you should seek to resolve this issue through the “Canvas Help for Students” resource at UW (linked below).

All Comprehension Checks and Theory Quizzes should be completed via Canvas through a web browser opened on a desktop or laptop computer, and NOT through the “Canvas app” on a tablet or smartphone. Note that only assignments submitted via Canvas will be graded; material sent via email or through any other medium will be ignored.

Technology issues happen. For this reason we strongly recommend that you complete all your assignments in a timely manner (i.e., long before the deadline). If you do have technical difficulties with assignments you can get help immediately from Canvas support by clicking on the “Help” link on our Canvas site, or by contacting “Canvas Help for Students” at UW (linked below). Keep in mind that MANY technical issues that users have with Canvas can be solved by switching to a different web browser or by updating your current web browser. Note that Safari has produced a particularly large number of display errors on Canvas in recent years and, for that reason, is not recommend as a means of accessing or submitting materials for this class.

You will frequently receive information about MUSIC 116 via your UW email address and through the Canvas messaging system. You are expected to check your university email at least once daily and will be held responsible for any information provided to the class via email.

Grading Policy

Graded Course Activities

Visit the Assignments link in Canvas for details about each assignment listed below. Click on Assessments to access quizzes and exams. (See Part 4 for more information about accessing tools and activities).

Percentage	Description
50%	Homework Assignments
20%	Midterm Exam
30%	Final Exam

Late Work Policy

Be sure to pay close attention to deadlines—there will be no make up assignments or quizzes, or late work accepted without a serious and compelling reason and instructor approval.

Viewing Grades in Canvas

Points you receive for graded activities will be posted to the Canvas Grade Book. Click on the My Grades link on the left navigation to view your points.

Grading Scale

Final grades will be awarded on the following scale and will round down to the nearest integer.

 

Course Policies

Complete Assignments

All assignments for this course will be submitted electronically through Canvas unless otherwise instructed. Assignments must be submitted by the given deadline or special permission must be requested from instructor before the due date. Extensions will not be given beyond the next assignment except under extreme circumstances.

All discussion assignments must be completed by the assignment due date and time. Late or missing discussion assignments will affect the student’s grade.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Under federal and state law, the University of Washington creates inclusive and accessible learning environments. Students who require learning accommodations must request accommodations through Disability Resources for Students (DRS). DRS provides resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between DRS, yourself, and I. The accommodations included, but are not limited to: mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical, or health affects. Students can find Further information on the DRS website.

https://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/Links to an external site.

Religious Accommodations

In accordance with RCW 28B.137.010, the University of Washington is committed to accommodating students’ religious observances. Students who are absent during certain days of a course or program due to religious holidays must be accommodated by faculty. A student is expected to be reasonably accommodated when it comes to the scheduling of examinations and other activities necessary to complete the program, including rescheduling examinations and activities or providing them at different times.

To request reasonable accommodations, a student must inform the Office of the University Registrar. Further information is available at https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/Links to an external site.

Academic Integrity

Students will be bound by the UW Student Conduct Code, which prohibits academic misconduct. As defined in Student Governance Policy, Chapter 209, Section 7.C, academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

· Cheating

· Plagiarism

· Self-plagiarism

· Unauthorized collaboration

· Engaging in prohibited behavior

· Recording and/or disseminating course content without the permission of the instructor.

If you have questions about what constitutes academic misconduct, please contact me, and I will be happy to explain. Extensive information on plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found in the

Important Note: Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, may be reported to the office of student affairs.
Course policies are subject to change. It is the student’s responsibility to check Canvas for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in Canvas.