HISTORY OF ROCK MUSIC

MUSC113 3 Credit Hours

Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12:00-12:50
School Of Music Recital Hall, 206
Instructor: Jeremy Polley
Email: polleyguitar@gmail.com

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A 14-week study of rock music from its sources in the early 1950s to the present. Class time
will include listening to lecture, audiotapes, CDs, and viewing DVDs. Because the aural recognition of rock styles and
certain rock artists is one of the course objectives, students will be encouraged to use online resources such as Spotify and
YouTube playlists.
TEXT: Whats that Sound? An Introduction to Rock and Its History (4th edition)- John Kovach
Supplemental Reading Materials (distributed via Blackboard)
LEARNING OUTCOMES: As a result of taking this course the student should be better able to:

Actively listen to and engage with various types of popular music.

Critically read, write, and otherwise express his/herself thoughtfully and creatively especially with regard to the
discussion of music.
Understand the historical, social, and political importance of popular music through the 20th Century to the current
day, and the relationship between popular music and these factors.
Cultivate ones own continued (hopefully life-long) relationship with musics of all types

ACADEIC INTEGRITY STATEMENT: You are expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic
integrity. Any deviation from this expectation will result in a minimum academic penalty of your failing the assignment, and
will result in additional disciplinary measures. This includes improper citation of sources, using another students work, and
any other form of academic misrepresentation. Bottom line DONT CHEAT.
http://www.housing.sc.edu/academicintegrity/default.html
SDS STATEMENT: The University of South Carolina provides high-quality services to students with disabilities, and we
encourage you to take advantage of them. Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations should:
(1) Register with and provide documentation to the Office of Student Disability Services in LeConte College Room
112A, and
(2) (2) Discuss with the instructor the type of academic or physical accommodations you need. Please do this as soon
as possible.
*All course materials are available in alternative format upon request*
You may contact the Student Disability Services Office at 777-6142.
(No consideration or special arrangements may be made with me without a letter from Student Disability Services).
TECHNOLOGY AND PERSONAL DEVICES: All cell phones and personal devices should remain silenced and out of
sight for the duration of each class period. The use of laptops, tablets, etc. may be used for note taking and other classrelated tasks. Be aware however, that the use of such devices for purposes not related to this course (Facebook, Twitter,
GCHAT, etc.) will jeopardize the privilege to use such devices for everyone in the course!
CODE OF CONDUCT: In addition to the above stated expectations, students while in class are expected to be attentive,
courteous, and participatory. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated at all. Additionally, no other food or drink (with the
exception of a water bottle) is permitted during class. This class will move at a quick pace. As a result it is my expectation
that you pay attention, take notes, and prepare yourself adequately for exams. This includes reading each assignment
thoroughly prior to each scheduled class meeting, attending lectures, and listening to the music for each chapter before the
class in which they will be discussed.
EXAMS: Two 100-point objective exams will be given at regular intervals. Exams will consist of multiple choice
questions, matching, and identification. Exams will be administered via Blackboard.

The final exam is not cumulative, and worth 100 points.

GRADES: The overall grade will be determined by the following:
1) Total of two exams and final exam 300 points
2) A book report -75 points
3) Concert Journal -75 points
4) Attendance/Participation 50 points
Total 500 Points.
Grading scale
A=450-500; B=400-449; C= 350-399; D= 300-349; F= 0-359
BOOK REPORT: 100 points
Each student will be required to read one approved book (excluding the text) on some aspect of rock. This can be a
biography, a survey of a particular era or scene, or a compilation of scholarly articles. Book proposals will be submitted via
SafeAssign by 5:00 pm September 23th. Students who fail to secure approval for their book will not be allowed to
submit a report. Students must then write a minimum 750 word report, containing the following information: author, title,
publisher, year published, edition, cost (if applicable), and overview of the book. Include in your report significant strengths
and weaknesses of the book, how the book relates to the lecture material, and your impression/opinion. Reports must be
typed, double-spaced, and will be due no later than November 4th. Late reports will not be accepted. Supply name, date, and
your class number on a cover page.
CONCERT JOURNAL: Each student should plan to attend, take notes on, and write critiques on three live rock
performances either in town, on campus, or elsewhere during the semester. These three critiques will be combined into one
750 word, double-spaced Journal that is due no later than Monday, November 30th. Submit proof of attendance for each
concert (be creative: if theres no ticket stub, bring back a signed napkin, or perhaps a playlist from the person mixing the
show, a selfie of you in front of the stage, etc.). Put your name, date, and class number on a cover page.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance will be tracked via an online password system. Each lecture will have an attendance
password that must be entered into Blackboard via a quiz in order for you to receive credit for attending. This quiz will be
available for 48 hours, and no more. Spelling will count. but case does not. Any failure to complete the Attendance Quiz
correctly will count as an absence. I will not reset or correct incorrectly submitted or missed Attendance Quizzes. More
than three absences will adversely affect your grade; starting with your fourth absence, your final grade may be docked by
half a letter grade. NOTE extenuating circumstances do exist, and the instructor will try to work with you, but DO NOT
ASSUME THIS. Always communicate any issues with me as soon as they arise. Communication with the instructor
will be crucial in this respect. Participation includes class discussion based around the assigned readings for the week.
INCOMPLETES: Incompletes will be given only in cases of certifiable extended illness, or documented severe personal
problems. No incompletes will be given if three or more class absences are unexcused.
EMAIL POLICY: You should only use email as a tool to set up a one-on-one meeting with me if office hours conflict with
your schedule. Use the subject line Meeting Request. Your message should include a proper salutation, grammar,
punctuation, at least two times when you would like to meet and a brief (one-two sentence) description of reason for the
meeting. Emails sent for any other reason will not be considered or acknowledged. I strongly encourage you to ask
questions about the syllabus and assignments during class time. For more in-depth discussions (such as guidance on
assignments) please plan to meet in person. Our conversations should take place in person rather than via email, thus
allowing us to get to know each other better and foster a more collegial learning atmosphere.
OFFICE HOURS: Office hours will be held Monday and Wednesday from 11 am until noon. The instructor has an office
in the Graduate Assistant Office, located next to room 210 in the School of Music. The instructor will also work with
students to schedule a time to meet that is mutually agreeable (see Email Policy)

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: This will change.

Week 1 Chapter 1: The World Before Rock and Roll
Week 2 Chapter 2: The Birth & First Flourishings of Rock and Roll
SRP Chapter 2
Week 3 Chapter 3: The Demise of Rock and Roll
SRP Chapter 3
Week 4 Chapter 4: Beatles & The British Invasion
SRP Chapter 4
Week 5 Chapter 5: American Responses
SRP Chapter 5
BOOK REPORT PROPOSAL DUE
Week 6 EXAM 1, Chapter 6: Motown Pop & Southern Soul
SRP Chapter 6
Week 7 Chapter 7: Psychedelia NO CLASS OCTOBER 5th
SRP Chapter 7
Week 8 Chapter 8: The Growing Rock Monster
SRP Chapter 8
Week 9 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS
Week 10 Chapter 9: Black Pop, Reggae & The Rise of Disco
SRP Chapter 9
BOOK REVIEW DUE
Week 11 EXAM 2, Chapter 10: Mainstream Rock, Punk & the New Wave
SRP Chapter 10
Week 12 Chapter 11: I Want My MTV!
SRP Chapter 11
Week 13 Chapter 12: Heavy Metal, Rap, and the Rise of Alt Rock
SRP Chapter 12
CONCERT JOURNAL DUE
Week 14 Chapter 13: Widening Gaps
SRP Chapter 13
Friday, December 11th, 12:30 pm FINAL EXAM (NOTE CHANGED TIME).