The Graduate School

Eastern Kentucky University

Department of Music
Syllabus for MUS 872
Seminar in Music History:
The History of Musical Theatre CRN: 14619

Professor’s Name: Matthew Johnson

Office: Campbell. 306
Email: matthew.johnson2eku.edu
Phone: (859) 622-1319
Virtual office hours: T/Th 10-11:30

Catalog Course Description:

MUS872 (3 credits, 16 week course) This course offers an intensive study of developmental
trends in the history of Western music. May be retaken to a maximum of six hours, provided the
subject matter differs.

Texts and Course Materials Include but are not limited to:

A Problem Like Maria: Gender and Sexuality in the American Musical (Triangulations:
Lesbian/Gay/Queer Theater/Drama/Performance), by Stacy Woolf ISBN-13: 978-0472067725

Our Musicals, Ourselves: A Social History of the American Musical Theatre, by John Bush
Jones ISBN-10: 0874519047

A History of the American Musical Theatre by Nathan Hurwitz ISBN-13: 978-0415715089

Additional reading, viewing, listening as assigned

Student Learning Outcomes:

 Student will delineate and classify Musical Theatre music into appropriate style periods
 Students will analyze and examine Musical Theatre literature through listening, research,
and collective discourse.
 Students will analyze the literature, compositional strategies, personalities, relevancy, and
reception of Musical Theatre and synthesize that information into developmental trends
that explain their historical significance.
 Students will develop a contextual understanding of developmental trends throughout the
history of Musical Theatre through examination, connecting them within the larger scope
 of world history, including socioeconomic and political influences and advancements in
technology.

Requirements and Expectations

 Students must have the appropriate technological equipment and abilities to participate in
a course that is taught completely online.
 Students are expected to purchase the texts and/or subscriptions required, if notified by
instructor
 Students are expected to study and outline the required reading, listening, and viewing
assignments.
 Students are expected to participate fully in class discussion boards and other interactive
online discussion platforms.
 Students are expected to complete all modules in the course in their entirety.

Technological Requirements

To be successful in this online course, you’ll need:

1. A working computer system with the latest version of Firefox. Blackboard will work with
other browsers, but EKU's IT only recommends (and supports) Firefox.
2. Access to a reliable moderate-to-high speed Internet connection for viewing the videos
and films.
3. Access to Microsoft Word. EKU provides Microsoft 360 Plus for students. If you haven't
accessed your version of the software, you can find instructions on how to install the
applications free on the EKU IT site using this link: Microsoft 360 Plus for EKU
Students
4. A PDF viewer. We recommend Adobe Reader. If you don't have the Adobe Reader
application, click here for access to a free download.
5. Basic computer skills, including word processing, emailing, navigating Blackboard and
the EKU library website, and viewing videos.

If your current computer/internet connection does not meet these requirements, please make
alternate arrangements to access the course through the EKU labs at the main or satellite
campuses, a public library, or a friend or family member's house. You will not be able to succeed
in this course without access to adequate technology.

If you have any technical problems, or need assistance improving your computer skills, contact
The Geeks at (859) 622-GEEK (4335) or geeks@eku.edu to get them resolved. Inform the
instructor via e-mail if these issues are interfering with your work.
Assessments and Evaluation

 Each week there is a different module, or unit. Within the module is all of the
assignments and assessments for the week. Some of the modules will require partner
work, some will require solo work.
 There will be weekly reading, writing, and/or listening/viewing assignments within the
modules and each of these will have prompts for you to respond to.
 The weekly wiki assignment allows you to do research and post your findings to a wiki
board. Students must post at least two reaction entries other’s wiki posts.
 The weekly essay will be launched from a prompt and is expected to show deep
consideration from the student. The essay’s length will fluctuate each week and be
defined within the prompt.
 Final project will be discussed midway through the semester and is expected to be
representatively cumulative of the knowledge acquired during the course.
 Assessment will be measured by quizzes, timely responses, and appropriate participation
in the online interactive discussion platforms. Students must remember that all online
examinations, assignments, and activities will be scheduled and administered in Eastern
Standard Time (EST). Please use this time zone when scheduling these activities in your
calendar.
 Grading and Assignments:

Assignment Due Points Total %

11pm Each 21%
Weekly Text/Listening Quiz (15) 5 75
Thursday
Weekly Wiki Assignment (15) 11pm Each 21%
5 75
(Main Entry) Thursday
Weekly Wiki Assignment 9%
11pm Each Sunday 2 30
(Reaction Entries)
21%
Weekly Essay 11pm Each Sunday 5 75

Supplemental Online 5%
TBA TBA 15
Assignments
Final Project 11p Thursday 12/14 80 80 23%
Total Points 350

Course Schedule

The first week, Module 0, is over the syllabus and intro video
8/26—9/1 Module 1 Early History to the 18th Century

9/2—9/8 Module 2 Early American Musical Forms

 9/9—9/15 Module 3 Minstrelsy

9/16—9/22 Module 4 Turn of the Century

9/23—9/29 Module 5 First twenty years

9/30—10/6 Module 6 The Jazz Age

10/7—10/13 Module 7 The Depression

10/14—10/20 Module 8 Coming of Age

10/21—10/27 Module 9 The Golden Age 1

10/27—11/3 Module 10 The Golden Age 2

11/4—11/10 Module 11 Social Consciousness

11/11—11/17 Module 12 New Forms

11/18—11/24 Module 13 Mega Musicals

11/25—12/1
Module 14 Corporate Model
T-giving

12/2—12/8 Module 15 New Millennium

12/9—12/15 Final project Due

Student Progress

Grades will be posted in Blackboard, students should check the Grade Book in Blackboard to see
their progress. Students will be notified by email if they are at risk of failing this course.
Attendance Policy

Not turning in work on time is considered an absence, not posting or replying to discussions on
time is considered an absence.

More than 7 absences are grounds for automatic failure.

Last Day to Drop This Course

8/25 end of drop add

10/14 deadline to withdraw without fee

11/10 withdraw deadline

UNIVERSITY LEVEL POLICIES

Accessibility Accommodation Statement

The University strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you are
registered with the Center for Student Accessibility (CSA), please request your accommodation
letter from the CSA. CSA will transmit your letter to the course instructor(s). It is recommended
that you discuss the accommodations needed with your instructor(s).

If you believe you need an accommodation and are not registered with the CSA, please contact
CSA in 361 Whitlock Building by email at accessibility@eku.edu or by telephone at (859) 622-
2933.

A student with a disability may be an individual with a physical or psychological impairment

that substantially limits one or more major life activities, to include, but not limited to: seeing,
hearing, communicating, interacting with others, learning, thinking, concentrating, sitting,
standing, lifting, performing manual tasks and working.

Additionally, pregnancy accompanied by a medical condition(s), which causes a similar

substantial limitation, may also be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Amendments Act (ADAAA).

Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in an alternative format.

Academic Integrity Statement

Students are advised that EKU's Academic Integrity policy will strictly be enforced in this
course. The Academic Integrity policy is available at the policy website. Questions regarding the
policy may be directed to the Office of Academic Integrity.
For current University policies and regulations, please go to EKU's Policy Website.

Non-Discrimination and Harassment, Title IX, and Prevention Statement

EKU is committed to a respectful and inclusive environment and thus prohibits discrimination,
harassment, or violence of any kind. The university supports and promotes a safe, violence-free
campus through Green Dot Prevention and Education programming. To learn more about Green
Dot, request a presentation, or get involved, go to http://greendot.eku.edu/.

EKU's commitment also requires faculty members to report any information that may indicate
that discrimination, harassment, or violence has affected any member of the University
community. If you would like to obtain confidential help from someone who does not have to
report the information, please go to http://titleix.eku.edu/resources for resources. The Non-
Discrimination and Harassment policy is available here and questions regarding the policy may
be directed to the Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion & Title IX Coordinator.

Official Email:

An official EKU e-mail is established for each registered student, each faculty member and each
staff member. All university communications sent via e-mail will be sent to this EKU e-mail
address.