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COURSE OUTLINE

TERM:
SPRING 2012
COURSE NO.:
JAZZ 310
INSTRUCTOR: ROB MCKENZIE
COURSE NAME: JAZZ PEDAGOGY
OFFICE: FR 201G
LOCAL: 2172
SECTION NO:
01
EMAIL: rmckenzi@capilanou.ca
CREDITS:
1.5
CLASS WEBSITE: https://moodle.capilanou.ca/
COURSE FORMAT:

Two instructional hours in a lecture/seminar format for 15 weeks (13 weeks


of lectures plus a 2 week exam period).

PREREQUISITES:

JAZZ 204, plus ENGL 100 or 102 plus one of ENGL 103, 104, 105 or 106
or equivalent with a grade of C minus or higher.
***It is highly recommended that this course be taken in the fourth year of
the Jazz Studies degree program after the student has developed strong jazz
performance skills and a good grasp of jazz theory, jazz history, and jazz
improvisation.

COREQUISITE:

JAZZ 411 Conducting II

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Capilano University Jazz Studies Program seeks to foster


students comprehensive abilities in jazz performance and composition
within the context of an enriched liberal arts education. Our goal is to
develop musicians who understand and value the rich history and traditions
of jazz, who will be prepared to contribute to the evolution and growth of
the art form in the future and who will be equipped to engage creatively
with current trends in music.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
General:

To provide prospective jazz educators with the opportunity to explore the


resources and methodology necessary for effective private jazz teaching,
public school group teaching, and university or college studio/group
teaching.

Instructional:

At the completion of this course students will have successfully


demonstrated an understanding of various pedagogical approaches as well as
an awareness of the literature, philosophies, and materials used in the
teaching of jazz.

REQUIRED TEXT:

None. Lecture notes and related homework assignments will be handed out
in class. Students are advised to take comprehensive notes. Readings may
be assigned from various texts on reserve in the Capilano University library.

COURSE CONTENT (subject to change*):

Dates
Jan. 8
Jan. 15

Jan.22

Topic
Class cancelled.
Course introduction.
Syllabus/evaluation process.
Definitions - jazz, pedagogy, and improvisation.
Careers in teaching jazz.
History of jazz education in US; Canada Banff School, School for Advanced
Musicianship.
Professional organizations IASJ, IAJE, MENC, BCMEA, BCRMTA.
Myths in jazz.

JAZZ 310, Section 01 Spring 2013

Dates

Jan. 29

Feb. 5
Feb. 12
Feb. 18-22
Feb. 26

March 5

March 12

March 19

March 26
March 29-April 1
April 2

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Topic
Questions: Can jazz be taught? Why should jazz be taught? Who should teach jazz?
COURSE OUTLINE & ASSIGNMENT DETAILS HANDED OUT.
Understanding the learning process
Learner Styles/Blooms taxonomy
Teaching nuts and bolts
The oral tradition.
Improvisation methodology, materials, and goals.
Rhythm section
LECTURE GROUP #1 Improvisation
Big Band
READING WEEK NO CLASSES
LECTURE GROUP #2 Rhythm Section
Vocal Jazz Ensemble/Small Ensemble Jazz
WEBSITE RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT due Bachelor and graduate degrees in Canada
and the U.S.
LECTURE GROUP #3 Big Band/Instrumental
Presentation of website research #1
LECTURE GROUP #4 Vocal Jazz
Presentation of website research #2
Theory, Ear Training, Arranging, Composition & History methodology, and goals
LECTURE GROUP #5 Small Ensemble Jazz
Private Teaching, Computers
LECTURE GROUP #6 - Theory, Ear Training, Arranging, Composition & History
High Schools, Festivals.
Easter Break
LECTURE GROUP #7- Private Teaching, Computers
Festivals, high school teaching.

April 9

LECTURE GROUP #8 High Schools, Festivals


The Future of Jazz Education.
Syllabus Project Due

April 18

Adjudication Project Paper Due 12 noon.

*NOTE: The topics above, their order, and the length of time spent on each may vary
depending on the interests, needs, and abilities of the class.
IMPORTANT DATES

February 11 Family Day University closed


February 18-22 Reading Break. University open.
March 29 Good Friday University closed.
April 1 Easter Monday University closed.
April 12 Last day of classes.
April 15-26 Exam Period.

EVALUATION PROFILE:

Group Lecture/Demonstration ............................................................. 30%


Adjudication Project ............................................................................ 20%
Website Research .............................................................................. 10%
Improvisation Syllabus ........................................................................ 30%
Instructors Evaluation ......................................................................... 10%
TOTAL .............................................................................................. 100%

GRADING PROFILE:
A+ = 95-100%
A = 90-94%
A- = 85-89%

B+ = 80-84%
B = 75-79%
B- = 70-74%

C+ = 65-69%
C = 60-64%
C- = 55-59%

D = 50-54%
F = below 50%

JAZZ 310, Section 01 Spring 2013

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A = excellent work, professional and of the highest standards.


B = above average work, superior quality.
C = work which fulfils assignment criteria.
D = unsatisfactory work, pass.
E = unacceptable work, fail.
EVALUATION DETAILS:
Group Presentation Each student will be assigned to a small group. Each group will cooperatively
select and teach a 30-minute lecture or lesson on a pre-approved topic related to jazz pedagogy.
The group will provide a study guide related to their topic.
Adjudication Project Students will adjudicate one recital for JAZZ 197 or JAZZ 295 in
conjunction with the course instructor. Students will write a 250-500 word reflective paper about
this experience.
Syllabus - Students will write a syllabus for private individual lessons, a high school, or a college
jazz improvisation course. This syllabus will contain a general educational philosophy, a philosophy
of music education, as well as a philosophy of jazz education (minimum 1500 words).
Website Research Students will research the website of one college/university jazz program and
prepare a one-page summary for presentation to the class.
Instructor Evaluation This portion of the grade is based on class preparation, participation, and
attendance.
OPERATIONAL DETAILS:
Professional Behaviour
Students must demonstrate a professional attitude and behaviour toward
work, fellow-students and their instructor. Each student should
demonstrate reliability, respect for and co-operation with colleagues. A
willingness to work calmly and courteously under difficult conditions as
well as a determination to achieve first-class work while meeting
deadlines is necessary in this course. Students should have respect for
equipment and systems, and constructive response to criticism.
Attendance:

Class attendance is both mandatory and necessary. Valuable ideas and


information are presented and shared during each class session, and it is to
your benefit as well as the benefit of your classmates to be present for each
and every class. In fact, it is your primary academic responsibility to attend
all classes.
Students who are unavoidably absent because of illness or disability should
report to the instructor upon return to class. Students should come to class
prepared with any assignments and/or readings completed, and ready to
cooperate in learning.
During the term, if you encounter medical, emotional, or personal problems
that affect your attendance or academic performance, please notify the
instructor.

Late Arrival/
Early Departure Policy:

It is the practice of the instructor to begin class at the scheduled start time
All students are expected to be seated and ready for instruction at the start of
each class. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class. Any student
who arrives late for a class should see the instructor at the end of that class
to change their absence to a tardy.

Attendance Penalties:

There will be an allowance of one unexcused absence during the semester.


Two instances of tardiness will be counted as one unexcused absence. Two
instances of leaving class early will be counted as one unexcused absence.
For each unexcused absence beyond one, the students final grade will be
lowered by 2%. Students who miss 6 or more classes will receive a failing

JAZZ 310, Section 01 Spring 2013

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grade for the course.


An excused absence requires: a doctors certificate of illness; a University
related activity requires written advance notice from the instructor in charge
of the activity; or any other documented emergency. No other excuses are
valid.
Responsibility for Material
Covered During a
Missed Class:

When a student is absent from class, she/he is still responsible for the
material covered during his/her absence, including announcements,
assigned readings, and handouts. The instructor is not responsible for
reminding students of missing work.

Assignment Submission
Time/Late Work:

All assignments must be presented at the beginning of class on the due


date. Late assignments will not be accepted and will be assigned a
grade of zero. Although late work will not be graded, all assigned work
must be submitted before the last day of regular classes in order to receive
consideration towards a passing grade in this course.

I Grades/Audit Status:

Incomplete or I grades will be given only if a doctors certificate of illness is


provided. In addition, the student concerned must submit a written request for
approval by the instructor prior to the last regular class in the course. No
auditors will be permitted, due to space and time considerations.

Computer Requirements:

None.

Policy for Use of Electronic


Devices in the Classroom:

All extraneous devices, including cell phones, blackberries, pagers, tablet


PCs, mobile presenters, wireless tablets, digital recorders, beepers, PDAs,
Ipods, MP3 players, texting calculators, camera phones, digital cameras or
laptops, are not to be used during class or exams unless the instructor
authorizes their usage for a class-related purpose. In particular, cell phones
are to be turned off and are not to be used during classes or exams.

English Usage

Jazz 310 is an upper-level music course. Enrolment in this course assumes


the mastery of prerequisite University-level skills in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing, and essay writing. This course provides
instruction in jazz pedagogy; it does not address remedial writing issues at
the sentence, paragraph, or essay level. This course assumes that students
already write with a command of standard English conventions, write
coherent and focused texts that convey a well-defined perspective and
tightly reasoned argument, and use clear research questions in conjunction
with creative and critical research strategies. Marks will be deducted for
incorrect grammar and spelling in written assignments.

Written Work Format

All essays or similar work submitted for grading must be machine


generated (done with a typewriter or computer). Handwritten work will not
be accepted or marked.
Please make sure the printout is dark. I won't grade anything that causes
eyestrain, and re-submissions will be subject to a 10% penalty. Essays
should conform to MLA style.

University Policies:

Capilano University has policies on Academic Appeals (including appeal of


final grade), Student Conduct, Cheating and Plagiarism, Academic
Probation and other education issues. These and other policies are available
on the University website.

Flexibility Clause:

The aforementioned requirements, assignments and policies are subject to


change. Students experiences and needs will be considered in modifying this
course syllabus. The instructor reserves the right to make changes as deemed
necessary,

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