OAKTON COLLEGE

APPLIED GUITAR - COURSE SYLLABUS

I. Course Course Course

Prefix Number Name Credit Lecture Lab

MUS 167 Applied Guitar I 2 1 6

Instructor: Thomas Clippert

Email: clippert@oakton.edu
Phone: 847-635-1937
Office: 1352
Office Hour: By appointment

II. Prerequisites:

Consent of instructor

III. Course Description:

Courses offer private study in specialized areas. Strongly recommended that

student who desires to study piano, voice, etc. complete all class levels offered for
that particular instrument (class piano, class voice, etc.). Intent of applied music is
to increase ability to perform more advanced music from all periods and styles.
Arrangements must be made through the music faculty who arrange lessons in
piano, voice, band and orchestra instruments.

IV. Learning Outcomes:

A. To perform music artistically from a variety of periods, styles, and repertoire.

B. To develop listening and critical thinking skills through self evaluation of
performance.

V. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND STUDENT CONDUCT:

Students and employees at Oakton College are required to demonstrate academic

integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code prohibits:

cheating,
 plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
helping others to cheat,
unauthorized changes on official documents,
pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
any other behavior that violates academic integrity.

There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against
you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of
the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.

Please review the Code of Academic Conduct and the Code of Student Conduct, both
located online at www.oakton.edu/studentlife/student-handbook.pdf.

VI. Outline of Topics:

This area will be tailored to fit individual student needs, to emphasize their strengths, and
to overcome their weaknesses. All lessons will include studies in technique and
musicality using instructional materials suitable to the student’s level. In addition to
these general guidelines, the following representative topics will be addressed:

A. Guitar
Frets
Positions
Holding guitar
Tuning

B. Essentials of music
Rhythmic note values
Rhythmic reset
Staff names
Ledger line names

C. Guitar Strings
Notes on sixth string
Notes on firth string
Notes on fourth string
 Notes on third string
Notes on second string
Notes on first string

D. Rest Stroke
With thumbs
With fingers index
With finger middle
With finger ring

VII. Methods of Instruction:

Course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.

The weekly lesson will include lecture, explanation, and demonstration of skills.

VIII. Course Practices Required:

Read and abide by the list of applied lesson policies handed out at the beginning of
the term.
Weekly attendance at private lessons is required.
Practice and be willing to devote enough time to individual instruction. (A minimum
of six hours of practice per week is required.)
Listening and reading assignments. (Topics to be discussed.)
Performance of one short solo piece or movement with accompaniment in a semester
concert.

IX. Instructional Materials:

Depends on the level of the student’s playing ability.

Representative textbook such as “Guitar Technique” by RCM Examinations.

Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on
Oakton’s Schedule of Classes.

If a Direct Digital Access (DDA) fee has been charged as part of tuition and fees,
viewable on myOakton, students have the option to opt-out of the e-book(s) and
fee(s). Please email ddaoptout@oakton.edu for more information.
 X. Methods of Evaluating Students Progress:

Evaluation and critiques of student progress by the instructor each class session.

Final exam is the performance of two solos from memory.

XI. OTHER COURSE INFORMATION:

1. Oakton College values equity and the diversity of learners and community
members
we serve. We strive to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If
you encounter a course, program or activity that is not accessible, or you wish to
request disability-related accommodations, please contact the Access and Disability
Resource Center at accessdisability@oakton.edu or 847-635-1489.
2. Oakton College is committed to maintaining a campus environment emphasizing
the
dignity and worth of all members of the community, and complies with all federal
and state Title IX requirements.
Oakton College is committed to combating sexual misconduct. As a result,
college faculty and staff members are required to report any instances of
sexual misconduct, including harassment and sexual violence, to the Title IX
Coordinator so that all parties involved may be provided appropriate
resources and support options. There are two important exceptions to this
requirement:

1) A list of the college’s Confidential Advisors who, as counselors and

medical professionals, do not have this reporting responsibility and can
maintain confidentiality, can be found here:
https://www.oakton.edu/studentservices/counseling/contact/
2) An important exception to the reporting requirement exists for academic
work. Disclosures about sexual misconduct that are shared as part of an
academic project, classroom discussion, or course assignment, are not
required to be disclosed to the college’s Title IX office.
Students who have been subjected to any form of sexual misconduct are
encouraged to access these resources:
● Office of Student Affairs: 847-635-1745
● SHARE @ the Wellness Center: 847-635-1885 (8:30 AM TO 5 PM M-F)
and 847-635-1880 (after business hours to reach the counselor on call)
Oakton’s Title IX webpage:
 https://www.oakton.edu/about/title_ix/index.php
If there is a safety concern, please contact Oakton Police Department, 847-
635-1880.
Other reporting information is available here:
https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?OaktonCC&layout_id=2
Resources and support for:
● Pregnancy-related and parenting accommodations can be found at:
https://www.oakton.edu/about/title_ix/pregnancy_parenting.php
● Resources and support for LGBTQ+ students can be found
https://www.oakton.edu/life-at-oakton/diversity-at-oakton/lgbtq+.php
3. Electronic video and/or audio recording is not permitted during class unless the
student obtains written permission from the instructor. In cases where recordings are
allowed, such content is restricted to personal use only. Any distribution of such
recordings is strictly prohibited. Personal use is defined as use by an individual
student for the purpose of studying or completing course assignments.
For students who have been approved for audio and/or video recording of lectures
and
other classroom activities as a reasonable accommodation by Oakton’s Access
Disabilities Resource Center (ADRC), applicable federal law requires instructors to
permit those recordings. Such recordings are also limited to personal use. Any
distribution of such recordings is strictly prohibited.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action through the Code of Student
Conduct.
4. Oakton Emergency Building Closures. When an Oakton building is closed due to
an
emergency (e.g., weather-related closings), that doesn't mean instruction stops.
Students should check for communications from their instructor via D2L, other
learning environments such as myMathlab, or via email or text. If you don't
receive

communication from your instructor within 24 hours of building closure, please

contact them.

COVID-19 Protocols

To mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the

following protocols are required of all students that
come to the Oakton campus:
Masks are required in the Wellness Center at Des Plaines
and Skokie, regardless of vaccination status.

Faculty and staff may request individuals to wear masks

in one-on-one meetings in close spaces or offer alternate
accommodations for meetings and consultations.
The College’s facilities team will continue to conduct frequent cleaning, including in
classrooms and on high-touch surfaces.
● Employees and students are encouraged to maintain
physical distance when possible.
● To maintain a safe campus environment and to
support students affected by COVID-19, Oakton expects
students enrolled in classes with an on-campus
component (regardless of vaccination status) to self-
report in the following categories:
1. Testing Positive for COVID-19,
2. Experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19,

3. Having had close contact with a person known to

have tested positive for COVID-19, or

4.Having had close contact with a person

experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.

Reports should be made by students as soon as possible

to the Office of Student Affairs at
studentaffairs@oakton.edu or (847)635-1739. In
addition, your instructor may also inform Student
Affairs on your behalf. Once a self-report is
received, the office will begin the contact tracing
process and will reach out to the student to trace and
advise, as appropriate.

● Students who are not able to attend class due to

having, having symptoms of, or caring for someone with
COVID-19 should immediately contact their
instructor(s). Instructors will discuss if and how the
student will complete their academic assignments if
the student is quarantined and/or unable to attend on-
campus classes due to COVID-19 on a case-by-case
basis.
● Additional protocols may be required by your
instructor.
Please note:
● Details about testing, vaccines, quarantine, other
COVID-19 procedures at Oakton and Oakton COVID-19
metrics can be found here.
● As the pandemic is ever-evolving, federal, state,
college, and instructor policies and procedures may
change over the course of the semester. Those changes,
should they occur, will be communicated to you by the
college and/or your instructor. Thank you for your
continued patience and cooperation as we navigate this
pandemic together.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND REQUIREMENTS

2023 SPRING SEMESTER
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Faculty may request individuals to wear masks in close
spaces, such as those within the Music Department, and for
applied lessons, performances and rehearsals.
This includes, but is not limited to, the use of Gator Masks
and Gator Bell Covers, as well as Protec covers (flute
instruments) within the Music Department.
Puppy pads are required to be used by Brass players to
release the spit from the spit valves.
Masks may be required in music classrooms, including
music classes, music spaces, and labs.
Physical distancing is strongly recommended in classrooms,
during music classes, and labs. Physical distancing is strongly
recommended at all rehearsals and performances
Additional protocols may be required by your instructor.
All students will sign an acknowledgement to follow the safety
protocols and requirements.

As the pandemic is ever-evolving, federal, state, college, and instructor

policies and procedures may change over the course of the semester.
Those changes, should they occur, will be communicated to you by the
college and/or your instructor. Thank you for your continued patience
and cooperation as we navigate this pandemic together.

Music Practice Rooms Safety Protocols and

Requirements
2023 Spring Semester
Only music students registered for Music Courses in Guitar,
Piano, Percussion, Strings, and Ensemble Classes in Guitar,
Piano, and Strings are permitted to use the Music Practice
Rooms – 1353, 1355, and 1357.
Masks are required to be worn by the students at all times in
all Music Practice Rooms. Masks are to be worn correctly at
all times over the nose, mouth and under the chin.
Only three practice rooms (1353, 1355, 1357) can be used for
individual practice.
None of the other music facilities are to be used to practice
in or as a practice room.
Only one student is allowed at a time in each practice room.
Practice time may be limited to one hour per student in the
practice rooms.
For the 2023 Spring semester, practice rooms will not be
available for use during the weekends (Saturday and Sunday).
No food or drinks are allowed in the practice rooms.
Before students are permitted entry into the practice rooms
(1353, 1355, 1357), they are required to:
1. Obtain the Music Practice Room Permission Slip
Contract from Professor Sprague.

2. The student must present a copy of their class

schedule that shows what classes they are registered
for to Professor Sprague.
3. After the student and Professor Sprague signs the
permission slip and Professor Sprague grants approval,
then the student will show the Music Practice Room
Permission Slip Contract to the Police Department so
they can unlock the Practice Room.
4. After the student leaves the practice room, they are
to make sure the door is completely closed and locked.
5. The student keeps the Music Practice Room Permission
Slip Contract for the 2023 Spring semester. Each time,
the student wants to practice on their instrument in
the practice room, they are required to show the
permission slip contract to the Police Department so
they can unlock the practice room.