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GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year) 
    
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GRCC Curriculum Database (2025-2026 Academic Year)
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MUS 183 - Introduction To Music Education

Description
Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of music education. They learn about music education philosophy, advocacy, and history. Students are introduced to best teaching practices through classroom observations, and imitate these practices through hands-on teaching experiences. The course is designed to prepare students to enter the field of music education.
Credit Hours: 2
Contact Hours: 2
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): Eligible for IRW 101 /EN 101  
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corequisite(s): None
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: No
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Course is a Requirement:
Associate of Music, A.M., Music, A.M. (Western Michigan University)
General Education Requirement:
None
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
NA
Course Learning Outcomes:
  1. Students will be able to write a statement of their personal philosophy of music education. (Michigan Music Education Teacher Standards 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4)
  2. Students will be able to advocate for the importance of music in a child’s formal education. (Michigan Music Education Teacher Standards 5.2, 5.3. 5.4, 6.3)
  3. Students will be able to write teaching objectives for music lessons that are demonstrable and measurable. (Michigan Music Education Teacher Standards 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7)
  4. Students will be able to describe and imitate excellent models of teaching as observed through class visitation. (Michigan Music Education Teacher Standards 5.5, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5)
  5. Students will be able to explain important contemporary issues in music and general education with respect to historical and psychological foundations. (Michigan Music Education Teacher Standards 5.9, 6.4.)
  6. Know and use active listening skills. 
  7. Make connections between academic learning at GRCC and the knowledge and skills necessary for careers of interest. 

Course Outline:
  1. Why Music Education? 
    1. Telling your own tale–why do you want to teach music?
    2. Developing a philosophy of music education
  2. The Role of Government in School Music
    1. History and context of the role of government in American schools and music education
    2. A generalized picture of the American Education Hierarchy
  3. The Music Curriculum for ALL Students
    1. Elementary General Music
      1. Elementary music teaching techniques
    2. Secondary General Music
    3. National and state standards for music
  4. The Music Curriculum for Vocal and Instrumental Performers
    1. Ensemble Curriculum
    2. Literature Selection
    3. The Rehearsal Structure
  5. The Music Educator’s Communities
    1. The School Community
    2. The Greater Community
    3. Professional Associations
      1. Explore professional music organizations
  6. What Music Teachers Need to Know to be Successful
    1. Child Development Theories
    2. Milestones of Musical Development
    3. The Teacher/Student Relationship
  7. Competencies that Music Teachers Need to be Successful
    1. Leson Planning
    2. Modeling
    3. Musicanship and Performance Skills
    4. Leadership Skills
  8. Challenges for New Teachers
    1. Classroom Management
    2. Business Matters and Organization
    3. Concert and Trip Planning and Preperation
    4. Budgeting
  9. Preparing for the Future of Music Education
Approved for Online and Hybrid Delivery?:
No
Instructional Strategies:
Lecture: 40-65%
Classroom Observation and Experiential Learning: 25-45%
Class Participation: 5-20%
Mandatory Course Components:
3 music classroom observations
Equivalent Courses:
None
Accepted GRCC Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit: None
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: NA

Course prepares students to seek the following external certification:
No
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with ARW/IRW Pairing: N/A
Mandatory Department Assessment Measures:
None
Course Type:
Program Requirement- Offering designed to meet the learning needs of students in a specific GRCC program.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 2
People Soft Course ID Number: 104645
Course CIP Code: 50.09
Maximum Course Enrollment: 25
School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Music
Discipline: MUS
First Term Valid: Fall 2019 (8/1/2019)
1st Catalog Year: 2019-2020
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details:
At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education plus at least five years public school music education experience.
Major Course Revisions: Prerequisite
Last Revision Date Effective: 20240229T11:38:51
Course Review & Revision Year: 2028-2029


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