James Hiller: Home

University of Dayton:  Fall 2008

Course Number:        MUS-340  (2 credits)

Title:                           Music Education for Special Needs Students

Instructor:                  James Hiller MMT, MT-BC

Office/Phone:             Music/Theatre Room 107           937-229-3985

eMail:                         james.hiller@udayton.edu

Web Page:                  http://academic.udayton.edu/jameshiller

Course Content

Course Objectives

Format

Required Texts

Grading Scheme

 General Classroom Policies

Academic Dishonesty

Tentative Schedule

Days/Times:               Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:20pm

Room Number:          Music/Theatre Rm. 120

Cluster/Gen Ed.:        No; Required course for music education majors

 

Course Content:        

Overview of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that aid teaching students with special needs in the music classroom. Review of the history and current status of school based education of students with special needs in the United States. Introduction to the field of music therapy and its relationship to music education. Definitions and classifications of prevalent diagnoses found among school aged children. Methods for planning and facilitating educationally meaningful music experiences for various special needs populations. Alternate approaches for evaluating and grading atypical and typical students.

Catalogue Description:

Introduction to issues affecting music education with students who have physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory challenges that affect the learning process.  Specific musical characteristics and needs of special learners will be presented along with methods and strategies for teaching.  Information and guidelines regarding regulatory issues related to music education will be addressed. Field experience required.

                                Prerequisite:  MUS 231: Introduction to Music Education

Return to the top

Course objectives:  

  1. Gain knowledge of historical, legislative, and regulatory issues related to music education with special learners including awareness of the nomenclature germane to the laws and processes of inclusion.
  2. Gain awareness of current literature and research resources related to music education of students with special needs.
  3. Gain awareness of attitudes of teachers and typical students toward students with disabilities as they pertain to successful inclusion experiences and explore approaches to improving attitudes.
  4. Gain knowledge of the diagnostic characteristics (i.e., sensorimotor, cognitive, emotional, social, communication, behavioral, medical domains), therapeutic and educational needs, and the abilities of special learners.
  5.  Increase knowledge of the musical potentials of special learners along with adaptive instructional strategies for addressing those needs in the music classroom.
  6. Practice planning and facilitating specific methods, procedures, and techniques effective with special learners in the music classroom or in the self-contained music class.
  7. Increase understanding of the field of music therapy as it relates to music education and of the collaborative and supportive possibilities for music educators and music therapists in school settings.

Return to the top

Format:           Lecture, in class demonstrations, role play, videotape review, guest lectures

Required Texts:                    

                        Adamek, M. & Darrow, A. (2005). Music in special education. Silver Spring, MD: American Music Therapy Association.

* The instructor will provide a course pack, for a modest printing fee.

Additional readings and library/online research may be assigned throughout the term.

Return to the top

Grading Scheme:      

Grading will occur through a 200 point system.

There will be three quizzes worth 25 points each (75 total). Quiz material will be taken from lectures, readings, in class videotape viewing, in-class music experiences, and discussions.  

There will be three video reflection papers worth 5 pts each (15 total)

There will be two writing assignments worth 10 points each (20 total). Written assignments may be based on self-reflection, readings and lectures, videotape viewing, or in-class experiences.

Students are required to perform 5 hours of field observation in area schools where students with special needs are served in music and non-music environments. Guidelines for observations will be provided. (10 points)

There will be a cumulative final examination worth 40 points that meets the standards of rigor mandated by the University of Dayton toward academic excellence.

Daily preparation and participation will be evaluated and will count toward 40 points of the final grade.

Grading Scale:

A

192-200

C+

152-159

A-

184-191

C

144-151

B+

176-183

C-

136-143

B

168-175

D

128-135

B-

160-167

F