WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES

SPRING 2017

77

Quick Links: Goals Materials Assignments Due Dates Grades Attendance Calendar Contact Help

World Musics
and Cultures
MUST 0809
Section 003
a

Ah, music, he said, wiping his eyes. A magic beyond all we do here!
Dumbledore

Course Description
World Musics and Cultures focuses on select folk, popular, and art
music traditions from around the world. All cultures are musical and
people hold passionate views about different styles of music. With
globalization becoming an increasingly prominent reality of everyday
life, this course seeks to facilitate understanding between disparate
cultural groups through using music as a window to cultural identity.
You will learn to be more open to the unusual and less dismissive or
critical of the new and different. This is a skill that can be applied to
any situation: a doctor dealing with a patient, an accountant looking
for a solution to a problem. Whenever possible, you will also have the
opportunity to participate in the musical traditions we study through
playing musical instruments, singing, and dancing. The creativity and
imagination that are applied by artists to create works of beauty are
the same powers that are developed in a successful businessperson,
human relations employee or medical researcher to solve practical
problems.
No formal experience in music is necessary to succeed in this course,
just an open mind and interest in expanding your musical horizons.

Meets MWF 12:00pm 12:50pm

Tuttleman 107

Instructor Info
Alisha Nypaver, M.M.
alisha.nypaver@temple.edu
Office Hours:
Mon. Wed. Fri. 1:15pm 2pm
In the Artists Palate Caf
(Presser/Tyler)
Tues. and Thurs. 1pm 3pm
Presser 124 or via Google
Hangouts (please email in
advance to schedule a hangout
so I dont double-book)
Other times by appointment
Text: remind.com/join/tuworld
Send and receive texts from the
instructors without sharing
phone numbers.

Diamond Peer Teacher

Communication Policy

Before contacting the instructor, check the syllabus and

Blackboard announcements page.

Michelle Kwong
michelle.kwong@temple.edu
Office Hours: Alter Hall 403c
Tues. 1:30 3pm Thurs. 10
11am or by appointment.

Text messages will receive a response within 5 hours between

the hours of 7am 10pm.

Email messages will receive a response within 36 hours. If you

do not hear back within 36 hours, please resend email or send a text message reminder.

Saturday is my day off. You should not expect an immediate response to inquiries on Saturdays.
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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Program Goals
As part of the general education program at Temple University, this course is committed to working
towards GenEd program goals. As such, it is designed to foster the following skills:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Critical Thinking
Contextualized Learning
Interdisciplinary Thinking
Communication Skills
Information Literacy
Civic Engagement
Lifelong Learning

More information about the GenEd program goals can be found here.

Area Goals
GenEd Arts courses are intended to develop artistic literacy by teaching students how to:
1. Experience and respond to a work of art or creative process.
2. Recognize and interpret a work of art or creative process in a societal, historical or cultural
context.
3. Describe or evaluate a work of art or creative process using appropriate terminology.
4. Demonstrate appreciation for the value of art in our lives and society.
5. Function as a member of an audience.

Course Goals and Objectives

The course goals have been developed in alignment with the program and area goals outlined above.
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Correctly identify and describe musical elements using appropriate terminology.
2. Correctly identify musical elements belonging to a certain region of the world through aural
recognition of common characteristics.
3. Cite specific examples to help explain how music can be used as a lens to help understand the
shared cultural values of world communities.
4. Theorize about the cultural significance of live musical performance today through academic
research and first-hand experience as a critical audience member at a live concert event.
5. Perform simple musical works and dances in the style of select traditions from around the world

Required Course Materials

No textbooks are required for this course. Course reading and video assignments will be posted on
Blackboard and can be found under the unit materials tab and should be completed before class as
directed.
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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Course Requirements and Assignments

Class Workshops (16% of course grade)
Workshop days consist of in-class group work sessions. Some of these workshops require at least one
group member to have a mobile device with internet access (such as a tablet or laptop) and may
require headphones as well. Each of the eight workshop days are worth 20 points, or 2% each of your
final grade. Dates are marked on the course calendar and are subject to change with notice.
Missed workshop days cannot be made up except in extreme and well-documented circumstances.

Unit Quizzes (24% of course grade)

Unit quizzes are comprehensive assessments of your understanding of the unit materials. There are 8
unit quizzes. Each unit quiz is worth 30 points, or 3% of your overall course grade. Quizzes are
completed through Blackboard. Due dates can be found below.
Quiz questions may be multiple choice, fill in the blank, matching, true/false, or short answer and are
based on classroom lectures and assigned materials. Some questions will have audio and video
components. Please ensure you are able to listen and watch before beginning the quiz. Quizzes are
timed. You will have 20 minutes to answer 15 questions. You are given three attempts to complete
the quiz. Each quiz attempt will randomly draw questions from a question pool, so you may
encounter different questions on each attempt. Your score will be an average of graded attempts.
You are not required to use all attempts. Example: if you take the quiz twice scoring 24 the first time
and 28 the second time, your final score will be 26/30. If you take the quiz three times and score 10,
20, and 30, your score will be 20/30. If you take the quiz once and earn a 28, your score will be 28/30.

Performance Reaction Papers (15% of course grade)

We will have at least four guest musicians coming into our class to give lecture-performances. You
should write reaction papers for three of these events. Dates are on the course calendar and are
subject to change based on performer schedule. Paper guidelines are on Blackboard in the
performance reaction paper folder under the course resources tab. Reaction papers are due within 1
week of the performance date. Each paper is worth 50 points, or 5% of your overall grade.
If you miss class that day, you forfeit the opportunity to earn those points.

Concert Report (20% of course grade)

All World Musics and Cultures courses at Temple University require you to attend a live concert
outside of the classroom. This concert requirement is an opportunity for you to experience music as a
member of an audience and get to know your local culture and community a bit better. More
information is on Blackboard in the concert report folder under the course resources tab.
Proposals due Jan. 30 via email to alisha.nypaver@temple.edu.
Concert reports due two weeks after your chosen concert, but no later than April 14 th.

Final Project (25% of course grade)

This assignment requires you to work with your classmates to explore a musical culture in greater
depth to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have attained during the semester. Projects will
be presented to the class at the end of the course. There are several options for completing this final
project to give you some flexibility and account for your groups strengths and preferences. More
information is on Blackboard in the final project folder under the course resources tab.
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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Late Assignment Policy

Assignments will be accepted up to one week past the scheduled due date. Late work will be given a
minus 3% late penalty for each day late.

Grades
The varied assessment methods were designed to
engage a range of learning styles and preferences as
well as to foster active engagement. Grades will be
updated in Blackboard approximately one week after
the assignment was submitted.
You must earn at least a C- (70%) to pass the course.

Grading Scale
A = 93.0 100%
A- = 90.0 92.99%
B+ = 87.0 89.99%
B = 83.0 86.99%
B- = 80.0 82.99%
C+ = 77.0 79.99%

C = 73.0 76.99%
C - = 70.0 72.99%
D+ = 67.0 69.99%
D = 63 66.99%
D- = 60.0 62.99%
F = Below 60.0%

Due Dates
Unit Quizzes (available Fri. at 11:59pm on the last day of the course unit, due Weds. by 11:59pm)
Feb. 1
Unit 1 Quiz
Mar. 22 Unit 4 Quiz
Apr. 26 Unit 7 Quiz
Feb. 15 Unit 2 Quiz
Mar. 29 Unit 5 Quiz
May 10 Unit 8 Quiz
Mar. 1 Unit 3 Quiz
Apr. 12 Unit 6 Quiz
Performance Reaction Papers (due by class time as a hard copy and on Blackboard)
Feb. 10 Allyn Miner, sitar
Mar. 1 Joseph Alpar, drumming and dance
Feb. 22 Jeffrey Werbock, mugham
Apr. 21 Junqing Li, Chinese opera
Concert Reports
Proposal due via email to alisha.nypaver@temple.edu on Jan. 30 by class time.
Report due by 11:59pm 2 weeks after your concert date or Apr. 14, whichever date comes first.

Plagiarism
Students should be certain to read the information about Academic Honesty located in the Temple
University Undergraduate Bulletin. The penalty for plagiarism or cheating on an assignment will be
failure on the assignment or failure in the course.
Examples of plagiarism include:
Copying directly from another source without using quotation marks.
Changing a few words from another source.
Using another persons ideas without providing proper accreditation.
Paraphrasing a source but failing to provide in-text citations for your sources.
Submitting work that was completed wholly or in part by another student.
Collaborating on an individual assignment without crediting the collaborator.
To learn more about plagiarism visit http://www.plagiarism.org/

Keeping track of your grades is your responsibility.

Check your grades frequently.
Alert the instructor immediately if any grades are missing or inaccurate.
Make copies of and save all assignments until final grades are submitted.
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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Attendance Policy
The instructor does not differentiate between excused and unexcused absences.
You may miss four class periods without penalty. These may be used for planned events such as
weddings, religious holidays, conferences, or career fairs. They should also be used for unplanned
events such as illness, car trouble, SEPTA delays, and family emergencies. In the event of extreme and
unusual circumstances (such as extended hospital stays), please contact the instructor.
To get credit for attendance, active participation is required during class time. An active participant is
well-prepared, has completed any out-of-class readings, video, or audio materials necessary to
participate in class discussions and activities, and asks or answers questions. If you are not an active
participant, you will not be given attendance credit for that days class and marked mentally absent.
Some class activities will require you to use your laptops, tablets, and smartphones to find
information and fully participate. When we are not engaged in those activities, my expectation is
that you keep your mobile devices out of sight. If I see your phone or laptop out when it is not
supposed to be, I will mark you mentally absent. The reason for this policy is that I have designed
the course in such a way that most active learning should happen during class time. If you are
distracted during this time, your mind cannot fully focus on the task or activity at hand, and therefore
your learning will be compromised. Being able to focus your attention for a set period of time without
distraction from mobile devices is a skill that you will find useful for the rest of your adult life.

Late Entrances and Leaving the Classroom

If you arrive after attendance is taken, you will remain marked absent unless you inform the
instructor of your presence at the end of the class period. If you are chronically late, your late
entrances will be recorded. Three late entrances equal one absence. If you habitually leave the
classroom during class time or leave class early, you will also be marked late.

Disability Accommodations
Temple University is committed to the inclusion of students with disabilities and
provides accessible instruction, including accessible technology and instructional
materials.
The process for requesting access and accommodations for this course is:

Contact Alisha Nypaver privately to discuss the specific situation as soon as possible.
Contact Disability Resources and Services at 215-204-1280 in 100 Ritter Annex to coordinate
reasonable accommodations. Accommodations cannot be provided without a letter of
authorization from the Disability Resources and Services Offices.
Provide a DRS accommodation letter. Remind the instructor when accommodations are required.

Statement on Student and Faculty Rights and Responsibilities

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. You are free to
share your ideas and opinions in class, and I am free to challenge those opinions. Similarly, you are
free to challenge mine. Empathetic and respectful dialogue leads to understanding, knowledge, and
the betterment of all. The University has a policy on Student and Faculty and Academic Rights and
Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02) which can be accessed through this link.
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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Required Equipment
To successfully complete this course, students will need to bring the following to class:
- A laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone with high-speed Internet access.
- A pair of earbuds or headphones.
- Pens or pencils.

Blackboard
This course is primarily taught through Temple Universitys preferred Learning Management System,
Blackboard. Blackboard hosts a special website just for this course where you will be able to access all
required course materials, including your coursework, assignments, exams, as well as view your
grades, email the instructor, and find links to helpful resources. If you are new to Blackboard, please
visit https://computerservices.temple.edu/blackboard-quick-reference-guide-students.

Email
You will frequently receive emails from the course instructor. By default, emails will be sent to your
assigned Temple University email account. If you wish to forward your mail to a different account,
you may do so. Information on how to set up, manage, and personalize your Temple email account
can be found at https://computerservices.temple.edu/gmail-preferences.
Students should be sure to review Temple Universitys Technology Policy at
https://computerservices.temple.edu/technology-usage-policy.

Where to Find Help

For technical help with anything related to Blackboard or Temples email system,
contact help@temple.edu or call 215-204-8000. You can also reach help via live chat
weekdays from 9am 4pm or weekends from noon 4pm at the help desk website,
https://computerservices.temple.edu/

Relevant Resources for Temple Students

Temple University has a number of resources available for students to help them succeed. Please
take advantage of these resources as needed!
-

Temple Writing Center

http://www.temple.edu/writingctr/
Schedule an in-person visit or receive help via email to improve and hone your writing skills.

Disabilities Resources and Services

http://disabilityresources.temple.edu/
Register here to obtain an accommodation letter to present to your instructor.

Wellness Center
For all your physical and mental health needs.

Tuttleman Counseling Center

http://counseling.temple.edu/
Offering confidential and free of charge counseling and psychiatric services.

http://wellness.temple.edu/

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WORLD MUSICS AND CULTURES | SPRING 2017

Course Calendar
Week

Monday

Wednesday

Friday

Unit 1: Elements of Music

Jan. 16 20

No class

Introduction to music

Timbre & instruments

Jan. 23 27

Layers of music

Meter and dynamics

Activity: Finding the beat

Workshop:
Elements of music review

Unit 2: India Where and How to Learn about Music (Information Literacy)
Jan. 30 Feb. 3
Feb. 6 10

What is a raga?

Workshop:
Constructing a raga

Activity:
South Indian vocal music

What is Bollywood?

*Guest Performer*
Allyn Miner, sitar
Activity:
Analysis of a Bollywood film

Unit 3: The Middle East Different Views of Music (Critical Thinking)

Feb. 13 17
Feb. 20 24

What is mugham?

*Guest Performer*
Jeffrey Werbock, mugham

The Quran and music

Halal or Haram?

*Guest Performer*
Joseph Alpar, drums/dance

Activity:
Music and authenticity
Workshop:
Musical censorship

Unit 4: Sub-Saharan Africa Music and Life (Civic Engagement)

Feb. 27 Mar. 3
Mar. 6 10

What kinds of music are

found in Africa?
A closer look at African
musical styles

Mar. 13 17

Workshop: Composing
music like a Ghanaian
Activity:
Music and politics

Ghanaian drumming
What role did music play in
decolonization?
Spring Break!

Unit 5: Latin America How Music Influences Culture (Contextualized Learning)

Mar. 20 24

Brazilian samba and

bossa nova

Workshop: Oye Como Va

phenomenon

Argentinian tango

Unit 6: Japan Music and Other Art Forms (Interdisciplinary Skills)

Mar. 27 31
Apr. 3 7

What is Noh theater?

What is gagaku?

Noh theater in film

Activity: Throne of Blood
Shakuhachi music
Activity: Aesthetics

Workshop:
Adapting Noh theater
Workshop:
Music and art

Unit 7: China Music as Communication (Communication Skills)

Apr. 10 14

How does music enhance

communication?

What is Chinese opera?

Apr. 17 21

What is program music?

Interpreting pipa music

Musical codes

*Guest Performer:
Junqing Li, Chinese Opera*
Workshop:
Analyzing musical codes

Unit 8: Final Project Presentations (Lifelong Learning)

Apr. 24 30
May 1 5

India presentations

Middle East presentations

Latin America
presentations

No class

Africa presentations
Japan / China presentations
10:30am 12:30pm
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