SYLLABUS- SENIOR PROJECT (MUS 498) Spring 2018 Instructor: Dr. Donald Sloan Meeting times once a week, TBA Phone: x2192 , Office EHFA 157 EHFA 227A e-mail: dsloan@coastal.edu Prerequisite: MUS 497 Catalog Description: MUS 498 Senior Project (3): (Restricted to music majors) (Pre-req.: MUS 497) The Senior Project is a capstone project, typically a music composition, a research paper, analysis paper, recording project or other project required of those students seeking a B.A. in Music with emphasis on Concentration in General Studies. One faculty member should serve as the project advisor. Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

1) Complete a composition, paper, recording project or other approved project, working in consultation with a faculty advisor.

2) Demonstrate an ability to synthesize concepts learned throughout the music curriculum. 3) Demonstrate where appropriate an understanding of music’s role among and in

comparison to other disciplines. 4) Demonstrate the ability to design and implement a plan for the project. 5) Demonstrate insight in evaluating the progress of the project each step of the way.

Course Objectives: In a general sense, the objectives of the course are:

1) To show an advanced skill in one area of concentration other than performance or pedagogy.

2) To handle a large project from beginning to end using skills learned throughout the curriculum.

Course Requirements: Attendance — This course will be conducted as an independent study with a faculty advisor. As such, regular meetings, about once a week as schedule permits, are required. University policy on attendance is posted in the undergraduate catalog. The student is obligated notify the instructor as soon as he or she knows about an absence. Whether an excused absence, as listed in the catalog, or unexcused, student is responsible to do the required work. Per university policy, if a student has unexcused absences for more than 25% of the scheduled classes, the instructor may assign a grade of F for the course. Committee Review –The committee of at least three faculty members formed as a requirement in MUS 497 will review and advise this project, with a primary advisor meeting regularly with student. This committee must approve the final submission in order for the advisor to assign a passing grade. The grading is described below, and for approved final submissions is at the sole discretion of the advisor following the input of the other committee members. Grading — Grade will be based on a single project. Students are held to an appropriate level of creativity and/or scholarship, depending on the project. Compositions should be free of awkward formulations, and should sustain musical ideas over a long-range form. Research papers should contain a thesis supported by competent research, and be well written. Analysis papers should elucidate a moderately complicated piece of music, both at the micro and macro levels. Recording projects should demonstrate a high level of planning and a solid technical grasp of the hardware and software as required, as well as either a lecture/demonstration or an accompanying paper describing the importance and context of what is being recorded. Other projects should show a similar level of understanding and skills. At any point before completion of the project, a student may ask the instructor for an estimate of the grade based on completed work to date. For the final version of the project, a grade of A (90-100) shows a high level of mastery over these materials, B(80-86) or B+ (87-89) shows a good level of mastery with one or

two weaker areas. A grade of C (70-76) or C+ (77-79) shows a basic competence in all areas, with a number of weaknesses. A grade of D (60-69) or F (below 60) shows an inability to demonstrate a basic level of competence in one or more key areas. Class preparation and student conduct- The student is responsible for finding a faculty member to serve as an advisor, getting a basic plan approved by this faculty member, designing a schedule and outline, and implementing each step in consultation with the advisor, Other requirements may be made by the faculty member, depending on the nature of the project, and will be given to the student in time to implement. The student is expected to follow all standing university policies regarding appropriate student conduct. Academic Dishonesty- The CCU website (http://www.coastal.edu/aic/ and http://www.coastal.edu/judicialaffairs/codeofconduct.pdf) describes policies concerning academic dishonesty. Penalties for infractions may include failing the project and therefore the course, at the discretion of the instructor. The student is expected to do original work where warranted, use appropriate citations for research, and make clear to the instructor when getting help from outside sources. Student may not use or reuse work done in whole or in part from a previous course without prior permission from the instructor of this senior project. Sample Weekly Schedule: Composition Project Week 1: Discussion Review of project proposal with instructor Week 2: Sketch of formal and thematic ideas Week 3: Begin first draft of work Week 4: Revise what was reviewed, continue with new material Week 5: continued, as well as listening and score study as assigned by instructor Week 6: continued Week 7: continued Week 8: Midterm review of project—summary of what needs to be created or improved Week 9: continued Week 10: First draft should be all or mostly completed submitted to advisor and committee Week 11: Week 12: revisions Committee returns draft with comments for revisions Week 13: revisions Week 14: final review of revisions submission of project Week 15: Submission of final version of composition Final Approval by Committee The nature of the interim work above will vary depending on the type of project, but the deadlines for drafts and final version should follow the schedule above for all projects.