Digital Audio Production for Music Syllabus

All electronic devices are to be turned off and kept out of sight while in the classroom or you will be asked to leave.
COURSE MUSI/COMM/FINA 110
TIME/LOCATION 1:25-2:20 PM Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays/Steinman 209/210/214
INSTRUCTOR Pandel Collaros
OFFICE 211 Steinman
HOURS by appointment
PHONES (office) 829-7331, (home) 740-264-5739
E-MAIL collaros623@comcast.net
WEB PAGE http://home.comcast.net/~collaros623/index.htm
RECOMMENDED
   MATERIALS

•    Nahmani, David. 2008. Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express 8. Apple Pro training series. Berkeley, CA:

Peachpit Press.

•    Huber, David Miles, Robert E. Runstein. c2010. Modern Recording Techniques. Amsterdam; Boston:

Focal Press/Elsevier.

•    Blank CDs and CD-RWs or appropriate portable hard drives
RATIONALE This course exists to address a need for instruction in a large segment of the ever-expanding field of digital technology.  Digital audio recording is of primary importance to musicians and the music, film, and television industries, as well as to the burgeoning variety of online digital platforms and services.  As such it has become a key component in arts education, the economics of mass media, and culture.
DESCRIPTION
 MUSI/COMM/FINA 110 is an introduction to the processes of digital audio production for music.  It is designed to be a "quick-start" process for those who want to learn how to record, edit, process, and mix musical materials of all types (e.g.:  acoustic, digital, electronic analog, and MIDI-controlled).  This course will provide the foundation for more in-depth and comprehensive study of the art of digital audio production.
ATTENDANCE
   POLICY
 Attendance is highly recommended.  Much of the course material presented requires physical familiarity with the equipment.  Quizzes missed for whatever reason may not be made up.  The instructor is the sole arbiter of whether an absence is excused or unexcused; the instructor will make such a determination in a fair and objective way on an ad hoc basis.  For quizzes missed because of such excused absence, no grade will be entered.  For quizzes missed because of an unexcused absence, the grade will be a 0 for the missed assignment(s).
ASSESSABLE
   LEARNING
   GOALS 		Proficiency with the course content and objectives will be assessed by quizzes in which the student will be given specific tasks to accomplish in a studio setting, and a major digital audio project designed and executed by the student (e.g.:  musical piece or short musical soundtrack).  Rubrics will be associated with these learning goals.
RUBRICS Quiz 1 Rubric, Quiz 2 Rubric, Quiz 3 Rubric, Project Part 1 Rubric, Project Part 2 Rubric, Project Part 3 Rubric, Classroom Management Rubric
OBJECTIVES

Cognitive and practical objectives
These include knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of digital audio processes, techniques, products and results.


Affective objectives
One of the affective objectives of this course is to appreciate the practical, economic, cultural, and social importance of digital audio technology.  The other affective objective is to develop the understanding that working with digital audio can be a path to lifelong learning, self-expression, confidence, open and precise communication, and critical thinking as well as a career goal.
PREREQUISITES
 Permission of instructor
GRADING
 •    30% Quizzes
•    60% Audio project
•    10% Classroom management

At the discretion of the instructor, grades may be lowered or raised according to classroom demeanor.

Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be turned off at all times when you are meeting with me. If I hear or see a cell phone when you are in the classroom, studio, or control room, you lose 1 point for each occurrence. An extended occurrence may result in a more than 1-point penalty. The points will first be deducted from your classroom management grade. If you lose all your classroom management points, subsequent point will be deducted from assignment grades.
SCALE
A 93-100% B- 80-82% D+ 67-69%
A-
90-92% C+ 77-79%
D 63-66%
B+
87-89% C 73-76% D- 60-62%
B 83-86% C- 70-72% 
F 00-59%
EVERYONE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A WORKING E-MAIL ADDRESS, AND RESPONSIBLE FOR MY HAVING IT, AND TO CHECK IT DAILY

FURTHER NOTES
  ON GRADING
  AND OTHER

 •    There is no extra credit.  Late assignments will result in a lowering of the grade at the discretion of the
      instructor.
•    Academic Honesty:  Each student is expected to abide by the Bethany College Policy on Academic
      Honesty (see College Catalogue section on Academic Honesty).  Any work submitted by a student in
      this course for academic credit will be the student's own work

•    Offensive language is prohibited in projects. You may request a guideline that lists some examples.

•    Additional Policies: <http://home.comcast.net/~collaros623/Pandel_Collaros_Policies.html>
In compliance with the Bethany College policy and equal access laws, I am available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made.
The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time.