Sacramento State School of Music

MUSC 11A: Theory I

Fall 2020

Course Information
Brett Judson, instructor
Email: brett.judson@csus.edu
Office: Working from home
Office hours on Zoom: Mondays, 11:00AM-1:15PM, Zoom link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/7101126284
& By appointment

CLASS TIMES & LOCATION:

*Section 1: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes take place from 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. in live
synchronous Zoom sessions on Canvas. Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/91222658426

*Section 2: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes take place from 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. in in live
synchronous Zoom sessions on Canvas. Zoom Link: https://csus.zoom.us/j/92389687639

*Students must attend the section for which they are registered. Students are not allowed to attend any
other section at any time. This is strictly enforced.

PREREQUISITIES: You must pass MUSC 4 or a placement exam to enroll in this class. If you have done
neither, please contact me immediately.

OVERVIEW: You are responsible for knowing and understanding all the course requirements and
policies. This syllabus is not a contract. It is the planned course outline. Items may be added, subtracted,
or changed at the discretion of the Professor.

Note about Canvas: Important information, assignments, or changes may be announced via Canvas. It
is the responsibility of the student to check Canvas DAILY to stay up-to-date with course information.

Note about email: Important information, assignments, or changes may be announced via email. When
you contact the professor via email, allow at least two to four (2-4) working days for a response to your
email. I do not answer e-mails posing any question that can be answered by reading the syllabus or the
assignments, all of which are available 24/7 on Canvas.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Theory I is designed to introduce you to some of the materials and structures of certain styles of tonal music.
The course begins with a brief review of fundamentals before moving quickly into the understanding of an
important type of notational shorthand, the lead sheet, which has been used for several genres of 20th- and
21st-century jazz, musical theatre, and popular music. The second half of the course is concerned primarily
with the study of counterpoint, or the way musical lines interact with each other, in the context of tonal
harmony. These studies will prepare you to engage two topics critical to the success of a musician:
interpretation and expression.

Should you complete this course successfully, you will be able to:
• quickly recognize and spell all major and minor key signatures and scales, intervals, tonal triads and
seventh chords, and lead-sheet chord symbols;
• realize a lead sheet with smooth voice leading in keyboard texture;
• understand the tonal function of diatonic harmonies;
• understand the symbiotic relationship between tonal counterpoint and harmony;
• compose melodies against tonal bass lines with passing tones, neighbor tones, and suspensions using
counterpoint stylistically appropriate to 18th-century central and western European music;
• be able to analyze diatonic chorales from the perspectives of counterpoint and harmony; and
• recognize the rhetoric of gestures and various kinds of dissonance, both tonal and rhythmic, and their
effect on musical perception.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND SUPPLIES

There is no required textbook for this course. Be prepared to print required materials from Canvas,
which is Sacramento State’s online learning management system.

• Computer/smart phone for watching & participating in class lectures.

• Computer/smart phone for recording video/audio for final project.
• Internet or Wifi for a signal to receive the lectures as they are broadcasted.
• Printer for printing all class materials as they cannot be made available by the instructor in hard copy.
• Scanner/Camera to upload assignments to Canvas. It is up to the student to make sure that lighting is
adequate so that assignments are legible. If not, the instructor will give the grade based on what is
readable.
• Pencils (not pens) and erasers for class notes, exercises, and tests, and for completing assignments.
• Staff paper for classwork.
• A three-ring binder in which to keep course materials

Recommended materials
Burstein, L. Poundie, and Straus, Joseph. Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony. 1st ed. New York: W.
W. Norton & Company, 2016.
Sibelius® or Finale® music notation program for assignments
Tuning fork tuned to A440Hz.

GRADING

The time to start worrying about passing the course or your grade is now, not halfway or three-quarters
of the way through the semester. If you begin to think about passing the course or your grades only late
in the semester, it is usually too late to make a dramatic change in your grade. Start now and keep up
with your best effort right away. Grades are published on Canvas for students to see as soon as possible.
If students are ever unsure what their grades are, ask the professor in a timely manner.

Access Grades. Students may chart their progress in Canvas.

Please note that the Professor will not respond to emails about grades or your progress in class
because of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA).

Grading is based on fluency. While students may have a basic understanding of the material in this class,
part of the learning experience is to develop an ease and faster speed with performing the material.
Similar to learning languages, this means that a student’s command of the information needs to be
demonstrated in a smooth and comfortable manner. Regular practice and meeting with the professor
outside of the class will help the student to “speak the language” of the class within given time limits.
 While a student may succeed at completing an assignment after two hours of work, part of the objective
in this class is for the student to demonstrate fluency in a short period of time. The best way to develop
fluency in this class is to immerse yourself entirely in the material.

Grading, Calculation Errors. While we do our best to ensure accurate grades reflecting the quality of
your work, sometimes we make an error in the arithmetic. If you see that there is a mathematical error
in calculating your grade, please bring the matter to the professor during office hours.

Grading, lowest assignments dropped. Although late work is NOT accepted for credit, at the end of the
semester, three (3) of your lowest assignment grades will be dropped automatically when calculating
your final grade. In addition, one (1) of your lowest quiz grades will be dropped, too. Just as there are
a small number of allowable absences, dropping your lowest assignments and quiz grades may help
bring up a portion of your overall grade. This will not necessarily make a student’s grade change
dramatically. Since this calculation is done at the end of the semester, meet with the instructor early to
discuss how this may affect your grade before all assignments are completed.

Grading, Other. If you would like to have an assignment re-graded, you must submit the original graded
work and a one-page, double-spaced request, including a detailed explanation of why your work should
be re-evaluated with clear references to your work and the assignment. The Professor will then review
the original work and the original grade assigned. Re-evaluation of work rarely results in a higher grade.
The new grade is final. The deadline for requesting a re-grade on all work is two weeks from the due
date of the original assignment. This is a strict deadline.

Grade Distribution. Your grade for the term will be determined by your performance in the following
areas, weighted as indicated:

30% Written assignments. You will be given several written assignments. They must be submitted
on the date specified and in accordance with the guidelines given in the “Policies” section
above.
20% Quizzes. You will take many short quizzes, most of which will be timed, on Canvas throughout
the term; the dates are given in your schedule of meetings. Each quiz will address a specific
topic you have been studying in class. Since mastery of each topic you study relies upon
mastery of all previous topics, these quizzes should serve as checkpoints for you. It is
strongly recommended that you seek a significant amount of tutoring outside of class
immediately upon failing a quiz; not doing so puts you at risk of failing the course. Quizzes
are weighted differently; not all quizzes are worth the same number of points.
25% Fundamentals Exam. This exam is due Wednesday, October 14
20% Counterpoint and lead sheet portfolio. You will submit a portfolio of two-voice compositions
and lead sheet realizations on Friday, December 11. You will be given details concerning
the contents of this portfolio in prior classes.
5% End-of-semester performance. You will record a performance from your counterpoint and lead
sheet portfolio. You will be given details in prior classes. The performance will be recorded
and turned in through Canvas for credit.
Section 1: Due by Friday, December 18, 10:00 am.
Section 2: Due by Friday, December 18, 10:00 am

Grade definitions. Percentage grades will be given for assignments, quizzes, and exams for which
evaluation is strictly objective; letter grades will be given for assignments, quizzes, in-class exercises,
and exams, for which evaluation requires a degree of subjectivity. At the end of the term, letter grades
are translated into percentage grades. The letter grades, which may be qualified with a “+” or “-” sign
(e.g., B+) are loosely defined thusly:
 Excellent/Outstanding range: A- 90-92.99 A 93-96.99 A+ 97-100
Consistently demonstrates sophisticated
and nuanced understanding of materials
and skills
Exceeds Expectations/Superior range: B- 80-82.99 B 83-86.99 B+ 87-89.99
Consistently demonstrates satisfactory
understanding of materials and skills with
displays of sophistication or nuance
Meets Expectations/Satisfactory range: C- 70-72.99 C 73-76.99 C+ 77-79.99
Predominantly demonstrates satisfactory
understanding of materials and skills
Unacceptable/Needs Improvement range: D- 60-62.99 D 63-66.99 D+ 67-69.99
Demonstrates minimally satisfactory
understanding of materials and skills, but
unevenly or haphazardly
Failing range: F 59 and
Frequently fails to demonstrate below
satisfactory understanding of materials
and skills
Work submitted later than the due date or NC 0
not at all, without an approved excuse, or
unprepared work, receives no credit.

COURSE POLICIES
& ZOOM NETIQUETTE

Attendance of and participation in this course are mandatory: they are critical to your success and the
success of your classmates. Attendance will be tracked through Zoom just as if you were attending
class in person. You are permitted four (4) absences for the term without penalty. Students must provide
written communication for all absences in advance of a class that will be missed. Each additional
absence will result in a three-point reduction of your final average. Arriving to class fifteen (15) or
more minutes late counts as an absence (See tardiness below). By missing a class, you are not exempt
from material covered, handouts gone over, homework assigned, and quizzes (announced or
unannounced) and exams given. There are no excused absences in this course. All absences count
toward your accrued absence total. Although this calculation does not show on Canvas, strict records
are being kept and will be deducted from the final grade at the end of the semester. If you are unsure of
your attendance, students should ask to confirm.

A student who is logged in to class but does not respond to the instructor for prolonged periods of time
will be asked to leave and receive an absence. Attendance is defined as being logged on to Zoom AND
actively present.

Tardiness—Arriving late to class fifteen (15) minutes or more counts as an absence. A tardy is defined as
arriving to class, one to fourteen (1-14) minutes after roll has been taken. For every four (4) tardies,
one (1) absence is earned. Arrive early and study class material while waiting for class to begin.
Although this calculation does not show on Canvas grades, strict records are being kept and will be
deducted from the final grade at the end of the semester. If you are unsure of your attendance, students
should ask to confirm.
Leaving class—In a traditional classroom setting, leaving the lecture requires permission. The same is true
for Zoom sessions in this course. Asking for permission to be dismissed ensures that students take
class seriously and avoid getting distracted. This should be kept to a minimum throughout the semester.
Students leaving for more than fifteen (15) minutes at a time during class will receive an absence. To
minimize disruptions, a student may not be asked to leave class permanently if the instructor finds the
student’s behavior distracting. Zoom tracks how a student engages with the computer window showing
the lecture. If the student minimizes the window, Zoom gives the instructor a score for each student’s
participation.

Electronic equipment must be kept off during class time. Students requiring accommodations should make
arrangements with the instructor by the end of the second week of class. Repeated use of an electronic
device will result in the student being asked to leave class and receive an absence. If there is truly an
emergency, students should be asked to be dismissed and receive an absence. Cell phones are never
permitted during class.

Food and drink are not allowed during class at any time. Students who eat and drink will be asked to leave
class and receive an absence. Plan ahead for breakfast, lunch, and snack breaks to happen outside of
the classroom. This is to minimize disruptions and increase potential for focus.

Printing Class Materials. Beyond the electronic format of the classes, students must print all class
materials and handouts to store in a binder for easy access. All materials should be printed before class
begins. Under “files” on Canvas, there is a folder entitled “Classwork-Print before class”. Students are
expected to check this folder before every session begins. Adequate time should be left to print out any
worksheets or handouts. Students may check fifteen minutes before class begins if any materials have
been added for that session. Because of the nature of class worksheets, students should use pencil on a
piece of paper. This will help make the class “more real” and reinforce concepts discussed. Because
students will work in small groups often, they should have printed copies readily available so that their
group does not suffer any loss of time.

Assignments. Because assignments are designed to reinforce concepts from the preceding class or in
preparation for the class on which they are due, late assignments lose most of their pedagogical value;
therefore, assignments must be submitted in accordance with the following guidelines:

All assignments are due at the start of class. Assignments will be considered late once class begins.
Late assignments may be turned in for possible feedback from the instructor, but late assignments earn
zero (0) points. Because this is a skill-based class, many of the answers to the assignments are given in
the next class, making a late assignment lose its value.

Late Assignments will receive zero (0) points for the assignment. However, late work may be reviewed
within two weeks of the due date to assist the student in learning outcomes. You are encouraged to
complete all assignments to gain the most that you can from this class, but you will earn no (0) points
for late work. A student may request to turn in an assignment early if they see a potential conflict when
the assignment is due.

Completion of All Work—including, but not limited to, assignments, quizzes, etc.—is strongly
encouraged to earn, but does not guarantee, a passing grade in this course. A passing grade will depend
upon the quality of your work and points earned.

Submission of Work. To make sure that all assignments are received and counted for each student, all
work must be submitted through Canvas. With the number of students and assignments, emailed
assignments have a high chance of not being seen. Therefore, work will NOT be accepted via email.
 Only in the case of a technology glitch is a student permitted to email the instructor an assignment for
credit. Unfortunately, hard copies cannot be accepted at this time.

Copies of all work must be kept throughout the semester. It is your responsibility to maintain correct and
complete records of the work you produce along with any grades and comments.

Quizzes—There will be periodic quizzes throughout the semester. All quizzes will be taken outside of class
on Canvas. Students must complete all quizzes. If a student misses a quiz, quizzes will NOT be
rescheduled for credit and will receive zero (0) credit. However, students are encouraged to make-
up a quiz to stay on schedule with the topics as they appear in the semester. To take a make-up quiz,
which will receive NO credit, make arrangements with the instructor in advance. The only exception
to taking a make-up quiz for credit requires written documentation from a doctor.

Make-Up Quizzes may be available for only two quizzes and must be requested via email within one (1)
week after you missed the quiz, with the quiz number and date of the missed quiz in the subject line.
Make-up quizzes may need to be administered during office hours or at a mutually agreeable time.
Make-up quizzes will earn no (0) points, but will assist the student in successfully completing this
course. Please plan accordingly.

Cheating—You are encouraged to discuss concepts from class with your colleagues. However, all work
submitted for the course must be entirely your own, without any consultation, feedback, or assistance
whatsoever from anyone. If you have any questions about whether or not you may collaborate on a
particular class-related task, assume that you may not and then contact me for clarification.
Noncompliance will be dealt with according to the terms of Sacramento State’s academic integrity
policy, which you may consult online at http://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/stu-0100.htm. Although
cheating might be possible because of the online class format, remember that this course is one class in
a sequence of classes. While you may be able to cheat on an assignment now, earning a higher grade
in the short-term, it will do critical damage to your learning outcomes in the future. Avoid it at all costs;
it will not help you and it will be reported immediately.

Extra Credit opportunities may be announced during the semester. Earned extra credit grades cannot be
used to move you from one grade range to another. For example, earned extra credit grades may raise
your grade from a C to a C+, but not from a B+ to an A-. All extra credit is due by Friday of the last
week of classes. This is a strict deadline.

Student Health & Counseling Services. Many students struggle with issues from mental health to finances
to time management. These things can have a strong impact on their day-to-day lives and their academic
performance. Student Health & Counseling Services is located in The Well and is available to help you,
often at no additional cost to those who pay health fees. Go to the first floor for urgent physical or
mental health concerns; go to the second floor for previously scheduled appointments. Their regular
hours are:
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

There are additional resources for you if you need help outside of those hours, which you can find on
their webpage, https://www.csus.edu/student-life/health-counseling. Contact Student Health &
Counseling Services by phone at (916) 278-6461.

Crisis Assistance and Resource Education Support (CARES)—If you are experiencing challenges with
food, housing, financial or other unique circumstances that are impacting your education, help is just
a phone call or email away! The CARES office provides case management support for any enrolled
student. Email the CARES office at cares@csus.edu to speak with a case manager about the resources
 available to you. Check out the CARES website: https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/crisis-
assistance-resource-education-support/

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

Academic Honesty—Students are expected to do their own work as outlined in the CSUS Policy on
Academic Honesty published in the CSUS General Catalog. The office of Judicial Affairs will be
alerted in cases of academic misconduct. Students are expected to be familiar with the University’s
Academic Honesty, Policy & Procedures.

Statement on Disabilities and Learning Challenges—Sacramento State assures equal access to

instruction through a partnership among students with disabilities, instructors, and Services to Students
with Disabilities (SSWD). If you have a documented disability, you should contact me early in the
semester to provide me a copy of your SSWD accommodation letter and to discuss your academic
accommodations. If you have a disability but are not registered with SSWD, contact the office in Lassen
Hall Room 1008 at sswd@csus.edu or (916) 278-6955 to initiate the accommodation process.

Student Conduct—Any comments or actions that instigate or contribute to a hostile environment in the
classroom will not be tolerated. Any individuals who, as a result of their words or behavior, silence
their classmates will be held accountable. The policy regarding student conduct can be accessed from
the University Policy Manual (https://www.csus.edu/umanual/student/ums16150.htm)

STUDY GUIDE TIPS

• Read and understand the syllabus in its entirety, not merely as a schedule of assignments, but as a map
of the ideas for the semester.
• Know the important concepts listed in the course objectives and in the daily outline of the syllabus.
• Finish all the assignments sooner rather than later. Don’t wait to start an assignment, as it may require
extensive revision before turning it in.
• Make a list of questions that you may have at any given time and take advantage of office hours. These
hours are provided for YOUR benefit to help you understand the material that will be covered
for the semester.
• Attend every class online, take notes, read the book, do the assignments, pay attention, ask questions,
and don't miss anything. If you do this, you won't have to study as much because you will have
already been exposed to all of the material.
• Your instructor: Your instructor is here to help you! Please don’t be afraid to approach him outside of
class if you are struggling or if you want to challenge yourself more. Although he has two
office hours at designated times, he is more than happy to meet at a mutually agreeable time
outside of office hours. Send him an email letting him know what you’d like to discuss—that
way he can prepare for your meeting—and give him some options for times you’re available.

COURSE SCHEDULE

**All topics, quizzes, and assignments are subject to change at any time. Check Canvas daily for up-to-
date information on all deadlines.**

**Quizzes are due by 9am on the date listed below. Check Canvas for any changes.**

Week 1:
Monday, August 31
Introduction to music theory;
Key signatures
 Wednesday, September 2
Key signatures
Intervals
Quiz: Practice quiz

Friday, September 4
Intervals
Quiz: Syllabus Quiz
Quiz 1: key signatures

Week 2:
Monday, September 7
Labor Day, No class

Wednesday, September 9
Intervals;
Root-position triads and seventh chords

Friday, September 11
Root-position triads and seventh chords
Quiz 2: intervals

Week 3:
Monday, September 14
Root-position triads and seventh chords

Wednesday, September 16
Lead-sheet chord symbols
Quiz 3: root-position triads and seventh chords

Friday, September 18
Lead-sheet chord symbols and voicings

Week 4:
Monday, September 21
Lead-sheet chord voicings; reading a lead sheet

Wednesday, September 23
Realizing a lead sheet
Quiz 4: lead-sheet chord symbols

Friday, September 25
Realizing a lead sheet

Week 5:
Monday, September 28
Realizing a lead sheet

Wednesday, September 30
Triads and seventh chords in inversion
 Friday, October 2
Triads and seventh chords in inversion

Week 6:
Monday, October 5
Triads and seventh chords in inversion

Wednesday, October 7
Review of fundamentals

Friday, October 9
Review of fundamentals

Week 7:
Monday, October 12
Review of fundamentals

Wednesday, October 14
Theory fundamentals exam

Friday, October 16
Roman numerals and harmonic function

Week 8:
Monday, October 19
Roman numerals and harmonic function

Wednesday, October 21
Roman numerals and harmonic function

Friday, October 23
Roman numerals and harmonic function
Quiz 5: Roman numerals and harmonic function

Week 9:
Monday, October 26
Introduction to tonal counterpoint
Quiz 6: common diatonic harmonies

Wednesday, October 28
First-species counterpoint

Friday, October 30
First-species counterpoint

Week 10:
Sunday, November 1-Sunday, November 8
43rd Annual Festival of New American Music
 Monday, November 2
First-species counterpoint

Wednesday, November 4
First-species counterpoint

Friday, November 6
Second-species counterpoint
Quiz 7: first-species counterpoint

Week 11:
Monday, November 9
Second-species counterpoint

Wednesday, November 11
Veterans’ day, No class

Friday, November 13
Second-species counterpoint

Week 13:
Monday, November 16
Second-species counterpoint

Wednesday, November 18
Third-species counterpoint
Quiz 8: second-species counterpoint

Friday, November 20
Third-species counterpoint

Week 14:
Monday, November 23
Third-species counterpoint

Wednesday, November 25
Fourth-species counterpoint

Friday, November 27
Thanksgiving break, No class

Week 15:
Monday, November 30
Fourth-species counterpoint

Wednesday, December 2
Fourth-species counterpoint

Friday, December 4
Fourth-species counterpoint
Quiz 9: fourth-species counterpoint
Week 16:
Monday, December 7
Harmonic analysis

Wednesday, December 9
Harmonic analysis

Friday, December 11
Harmonic analysis
Course evaluations
Section 1: Counterpoint and lead sheet portfolio DUE, 9am
Section 2: Counterpoint and lead sheet portfolio DUE, 10am

Sections 1 & 2: Due Friday, December 18, 10:00 a.m.

Recorded Performances of portfolio compositions due on Canvas.