Students will have access to the Music Computer Lab, 15 Music Building II, to complete course assignments.
To gain access to the lab, students must give the instructor their name and the last 10 digits printed on their PSU ID card (the 10 numbers directly above the 9-digit PDU ID number).
Some students may be able to complete assignments on their own computers, provided they have the software used in class (or an equivalent form of it).
Labs are not graded for quality, but checked off as having been completed. Each has a checklist of required elements. Part of the total will include housekeeping -- saving and naming things as instructed.
Similarly, digital debriefing questions have keywords to indicate what topics the report should cover. Answers should be in paragraph form, and should (at a minimum) address the keywords provided. All should be typed and free from grammatical and spelling errors. It should go without saying that answers should make sense, and that each sentence should follow logically from the one preceding it. These are to be submitted as hard copy. Electronic submissions and handwritten papers will not be accepted.
Project grades reflect a comprehensive understanding of the material covered in the labs and beyond. Professional quality audio productions are expected.
Students who feel they can meet the stated objectives in a way other than the options listed on the Assignments page may make special arrangements with the instructor.
Grades will be posted online via ANGEL's Gradebook.
This course has now been offered for some years. The instructor has observed three populations of students of students:
- those who are enthusiastic to learn this material and embrace each new challenge openly;
- those who have not particular interest in this material, but are taking the class because it's required;
- those who are computer music hobbyists, who are looking to get credit for their hobby
Of course, these are broad categories that do not describe each and every student. But the majority of students tend to fall into one of these three categories.
To those who are taking this class to get all they can out of it, you should find yourself equipped with a good set of basic tools by the time you finish the course. These will be transferrable to other hardware and software, and will give you the foundation you need to pursue more advanced topics.
To those who are taking this class reluctantly, and who feel that this is really not relevant to their career aspirations, give it ten years. If you have not found this material relevant in some way, come and talk to me then. Until then, trust us. The Music faculty has approved this course because they recognize that it trains you in certain fundamental skills. They've all been doing this longer than you have, and they are very smart people. Trust them. You're here for a reason.
To those of you who have prior experience and who simply want to continue what you are accustomed to doing, expect to encounter some new ways of working. Rather than resisting requirements that you try doing things in a new way, accept that these are techniques that many have found useful. You might find them useful as well, but you have to try them.
The assignments in this course all have certain constraints, and ask that you satisfy a list of criteria. These criteria are meant to ensure that you have a particular tool set. Being creative within criteria is part of what artists do, particularly musicians. You would be wise to view the criteria as a means of strengthening your skills, rather than as a way to hamper your creativity as you currently see it. True artists embrace opportunities for growth.
As far as grades go, marks in the A range are not awarded to the exceptionally talented, but to the exceptionally diligent. If you apply yourself, you can produce exceptional work with the tools provided in this class.
Students who are not particularly interested in what they are doing but apply a perfunctory observation of assignment requirements tend to get grades in the B range. Many students have interests other than this and other commitments, and do not have the time or inclination to excel in this area. This is to be expected; a grade of B is perfectly respectable for those who are simply trying to satisfy a requirement.
Grades of C and lower are given to work that is lackluster and negligent. The requirements for the assignments are clearly spelled out in the instructions. Inattention to the instructions will be reflected in your grade.
