MU250:
Meeting Times, Location, & Course Delivery Details
Contact Information
The objective of this course is to gain a broader understanding and appreciation for rock music. Along with understanding its role on shaping our culture and society. Students will be able to not only explain rock and rolls historical and cultural impacts, but also be able to identify key musical selections from a wide range of artists of the many different genres. A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class work is expected for each hour of in-class time. This can range from listening and studying music assigned in class, to studying the lives of the key names in rock and roll.
DATES | READINGS | ASSIGNMENTS |
Week 1 | Post in the discussion section on Blackboard what 3 groups you think are the greatest when it comes to Rock and Roll? Comment on two other classmates selections. | |
Week 2 | Chapter 2: Roots of Rock | What was Tin Pan Alley and what effect did it have on rock and roll music? What are the main instruments that rock and roll was primarily made up of? What concert band instruments did we see in the rock and roll band? What is “the 12-bar blues?” |
Week 3 | Chapter 3: The Emergence of Rock and Roll | Define Rockabilly and Soft Rock. Was Elvis Presley the biggest influence on todays music? Defend your position in a few paragraphs. |
Week 4 | Chapter 4: Rock and Roll 1950’s Style | Which 1950’s musician brought the electric guitar into the mainstream and how did they do so? Who in the 1950’s do you think had the biggest influence on the next generation of musicians (excluding Elvis Presley). Defend your position. |
Week 5 | Chapter 5: Transition The Early 1960’s | In the early 1960’s we see more female solo singers begin to emerge. Why do you think it took all the way till the 1960’s for this to happen? Name 3 of these female artists and their big hit song. |
Week 6 | Chapter 6: The Beatles | What Beatles album do you think was the most influential on the music of todays musical artists? Defend your selection in 3 paragraphs consisting of 5 or more sentences. |
Week 7 | Chapter 7: The British Invasion | Do you find the Beatles led “The British Invasion” or do you think another group like the Rolling Stones did? Defend your thoughts in 3 paragraphs consisting of 5 or more sentences. |
Week 8 | Chapter: 8 Folk Music and Folk Rock | What do you think of the music of Bob Dylan? Would you describe his music style to be similar to the other musicians of folk rock? Who were Simon and Garfunkel? How would you compare them to Bob Dylan? |
Week 9 | Chapter 9: Soul and Motown | MIDTERM EXAM |
Week 10 SPRING BREAK | ||
Week 11 | Chapter 10: San Francisco | No Assignment Due |
Week 12 | Chapter 11: Jazz Rock | Blood Sweat and Tears, along with Chicago were influential in Jazz Rock. What other group do you believe was key in influencing Jazz Rock? What are some songs that are staples in this genre? Defend your thoughts in a few paragraphs. |
Week 13 | Chapter 12: Art Rock | During this time in rock and roll we see more artists teaming up with orchestras and other “classical music” groups. What are some of the rock operas to have been born during this time? Who is Leonard Bernstein and what did he have to do with Art Rock? |
Week 14 | Chapter 13: Mainstream Rock | This era of rock and roll is often referred to as the “Me Decade.” What does this mean? Who are some of the artists associated with this era and what do you believe to be their greatest hits? |
Week 15 | Chapter 15: Heavy Metal | Who do you believe to be the greatest Heavy Metal band of all time? Do you believe they were influenced by groups like Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Van Halen, etc? If you believe one of the groups mentioned in this chapter is the greatest, what makes you think that way? |
Week 16 | Chapter 16: Dance Music | The music video! Do you believe that this had a positive or negative impact on music and why? Do you think that this adds or takes away from music?
Dance music is more than your ballroom dancing swing band. It encompasses such huge names as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and more. Name one group from each decade (1970, 1980, 1990) who you think is the king/queen of dance music. Is there one artist you find stands above the rest? |
Week 17 | Chapter 17: Rap and Hip-Hop | Rap and Hip-Hop has had quite a lot happen in a short amount of time compared to other genres. Name 3-5 artists you believe are the biggest influences of Rap and Hip-Hop. Defend your response with a few paragraph. |
FINALS WEEK | FINAL EXAM |
All assignments are due Sunday 11:59pm the week of the unit.
The grading scale will be as follows:
Grades for this course will be determined based on attendance, class participation/discussion, assignments, and exams. The breakdown of the overall grade is as follows.
Grading will us a +/- scale:
- 20% - Attendance
- 20% - Class Participation/Discussion
- 25% - Assignments
- 35% - Exams/Presentations
Instructor Course Policies
Attendance for each class is highly encouraged, however there are events in life that happen and can not be avoided. Each student will be given 3 unexcused absences before they begin to affect their grade. There will be a sign in sheet by the door for the duration of class. In the case of planned absences, please email me 24 hours prior to class. If there is an emergency, please do what you must. I just ask you communicate it at your earliest convenience.
See the current Student Handbook for the college’s Academic Integrity policies as they pertain to examinations, plagiarism, classroom behavior, and the process for handling academic misconduct charges.
Institutional and Program-Level Policies
All exams will follow the Final Exam Schedule. Students scheduled to take three or more final examinations on one day may request to arrange their examination schedule, so no more than two exams occur on one day.
Requests for early or late exams are considered only under extreme circumstances. Prior to the exam period, the student must file a written request on the Early/Late Exam Form available in the Student One Stop Center, Academic Records, and on the WC portal. The form must be signed by the Instructor and the Academic Dean, approving the alternate exam time. This process must be completed prior to the scheduled exam period.
Undergraduate: SP25 Final Exam Schedule Graduate:
Out-of-class Work Expectation A minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work is expected for each hour of in-class time for traditional face-to-face courses. For online and hybrid courses, the combination of face-to-face time and out-of-class work should be equal to 3 hours per credit hour per week. |
Instructional Course Delivery |
Academic Integrity Policy The use of generative AI is prohibited except where expressly allowed in assignment instructions. |
Class Attendance Policy |
Accessibility and Disability Services
Accessibility and Disability Services
Wilmington College provides accommodations and services for student with a variety of disabilities, including chronic illnesses, psychological, physical, medical, learning, and sensory disability amongst others. If you anticipate or experience barriers based on disability and feel you may need a reasonable accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of this course, you are encouraged to contact:
Spencer Izor, Associate Vice President of Compliance - Title IX/ADA Coordinator at spencer.izor@wilmington.edu or 937-481-2365 or Nathan Flack, Academic Resource Manager at 937-481-2208 to learn more about the process and procedures for requesting accommodations, or by visiting College Hall Room 306a or the Robinson Communication Center, Room 103.
Religious Accommodations
Wilmington College strives for an inclusive climate and welcomes students from all backgrounds, faiths, and experiences. If religious observance impedes your ability to participate fully in classroom activities or a principal holiday from your religious tradition occurs during the semester and conflicts with class meetings or activities, please make the professor aware of this immediately to determine if a reasonable accommodation is possible.