Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: MUSI-1306 (Section: 71, CRN: 93431)
Music Appreciation 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6547
Office Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 126
Office Hours Office: 144.
Office Hours are Monday-Friday 8-9AM and 2-3PM. If you want to mmet with me you need to send me an email to set an appointment.
Additional Contact Information
Course Information
Description Understanding music through the study of cultural periods, major composers, and musical elements. Illustrated with audio recordings and live performances. (Does not apply to a music major degree.)
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

There is no obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

We will be using two digital books(open educational resources) with free access through the blackboard. 1. Understanding Music: Past and Present by N. Alan Clark (Author), Thomas Heflin (Author), Jeffrey Kluball (Author) 2. Music: Its Language, History, and Culture by Ray Allen, Douglas Cohen and others. ISBN: 978-0-9913887-0-7
Additional Materials/Resources None.
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will engage in active listening to identify, interpret, distinguish, and critique the elements of music in instrumental and vocal music (classical, popular music in the USA, music for the stage and screen). (PSLO 1abdcd; 3abcd; 4abc).  

  1. Students will be able to summarize the history and development of musical styles as connected to composers, musical terms, and music genres (PSLO 1abcd; 3abcd)  

  1. Students will be able to map, associate, and compare the development of music with the different periods of human history (PSLO 1abcd; 3abcd; 4abc)  

  1. Students will be able to describe and differentiate musical styles as related to cultural trends. (PSLO 1abcd; 2abc;3abcd) 

  1. Students will be able to debate, propose, and participate with personal responsibility. (PSLO 4)  

  1. Students will be able to appreciate music as an expression of social diversity, civic responsibility awareness of their own, and others' culture. (PSLO 5)  

  1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Identify musical works and elements in a variety of styles. 2. Analyze the elements and structures of music using appropriate terminology. 3. Critically evaluate the influence of social, political, technological, and/or cultural ideas on music. 4. Articulate the significance of music as an art form within historical, cultural and social contexts. 
Core Objectives

  1. Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication.  

  1. Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts, and constructing solutions.  

  1. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.  

  1. Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.  

  1. Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. 
Lecture Topics Outline

Lecture topics are presented in 4 modules throughout the course. Module topics are as follows: 

Module 1: Music Fundamentals, Music of the Middle Ages, and Music of the Renaissance 

Module 2: Music of the Baroque Period and of the Classical Period 

Module 3: Nineteenth Century Music and Romanticism and The Twentieth Century and Beyond 

Module 4: Popular Music in the United States 
Major Assignments Schedule

Students are expected to complete quizzes, assignments, and Listening Journals on a weekly basis. All assignments are due on Fridays at 11:59pm unless otherwise specified by the instructor.  

All Exams (Modules 1-3) will take place during class time on the given dates. Module 4 Presentations will be due on the date below, in lieu of a Module 4 Exam. Students will be given the exam at the beginning of the class period, and the exam will be collected for grading at the end of the class period.   

Students may use their books for in-class tests but are NOT permitted to use any electronic devices (phones, laptops, Chromebooks, watches, etc.).   

Students MUST notify the instructor if they will be late or absent for a test or presentation AT LEAST 48 hours before the test or presentation, otherwise they will receive a zero for the test or presentation. Exceptions will only be granted in extreme circumstances (illness, injury, death, etc.).  

The Major Assignments schedule is subject to change based on semester events and course pacing, at the instructor's discretion. 

The instructor will collect the Listening Journal for grading on exam/project dates.  

Module 1 Exam: Thursday, September 18th, (End of Week 4) 

Module 2 Exam: Thursday, October 16th, (End of Week 8) 

Module 3 Exam: Thursday, November 20th, (End of Week 13) 

Module 4 Project: Due by 11:59pm on Monday, December 8 on Blackboard (Middle of week 15) 
Final Exam Date December 5, 2025 - 10:00 AM   Through  December 8, 2025 - 3:00 PM
Grading Scale
Determination of
Final Grade
Final Exam 35%
Quizzes 20%
Class Participation 25%
Listening assignments 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies This is an online course and you are required to attend and actively participate in every week. Active participation is graded. Active participation means that you have to actively write on the discussion board, do your listening exercise, and follow up at least two times a week with every assignment posted on the blackboard. We will study different topics each week. You will have assignments every week and they count as your class participation grade as well. You will have one exam every month (Sept.,Oct.,Nov., and Dec.). In the last week of classes (December), you will not have a quiz but we will prepare you for the Final Exam.
Attendance Policy This is an online course and you are required to attend and actively participate in every week. Active participation is graded. Active participation means that you have to actively write on the discussion board, do your listening exercise, and follow up at least two times a week with every assignment posted on the blackboard. We will study different topics each week. You will have assignments every week and they count as your class participation grade as well. You will have one exam every month (Sept.,Oct.,Nov., and Dec.). In the last week of classes (December), you will not have a quiz but we will prepare you for the Final Exam.
Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Chair:CASP
Email:CASP
Phone:(409) 983-4921