Syllabus
Columbia College Chicago
600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605 School of Audio and Music Spring 2026: Fifteen Week Session
Course Information
Course Title: Applied Music II
Course Code: MUSC 175
Sections:
| Section | Day/Time |
|---|---|
| 04 | Monday/Wednesday, 2:00 – 3:20 PM |
| 05 | Monday/Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:50 PM |
Credit Hours: 2
Building and Classroom Location: 1014 S. Michigan Ave, Room 201 (Digital Music Lab)
Semester: Spring 2026 Fifteen Week Session
Important Dates
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Semester Start Date | Monday, January 26, 2026 |
| Add Deadline | Monday, February 2, 2026 |
| Drop Deadline | Monday, February 9, 2026 |
| Spring Break | Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, 2026 |
| Final Project Introduced | Week 9 (March 30, 2026) |
| Withdrawal Deadline | Friday, April 10, 2026 |
| Summer and Fall Registration begin | Monday, April 13, 2026 |
| Course Evaluations Open | Monday, April 20, 2026 |
| Pass/Fail Election Deadline | Friday, April 24, 2026 |
| Portfolio Draft Due | Sunday, May 3, 2026 |
| Course Evaluations Close | Sunday, May 10, 2026 |
| Semester End Date | Friday, May 15, 2026 |
| Final Project Due | Sunday, May 17, 2026 @ 11:59 PM |
| Grading Deadline | Friday, May 22, 2026 |
Faculty Information:
Faculty: Dr. Daniel Dehaan – Assistant Professor of Digital Music Technology Preferred Name: Dr. Dan Pronouns: he/him/his Website: www.danielrdehaan.com Faculty Office Location: 1014 S. Michigan Ave Suite 311 Chicago, IL 60605
Faculty Columbia E-mail: ddehaan@colum.edu Student (Office) Hours: By appointment only
School Information:
School Name: School of Audio and Music Location: 33 E. Ida B. Wells, 1014 S. Michigan Ave, and 1312 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60605 Phone: 312-369-6300 Building Hours: Building Hours
FAQ:
Where do I go, and Who do I talk to with an issue or opportunity related to my course?
Any questions, concerns, opportunities, or problems should first be directed to your instructor. If you have further questions or concerns about the course or the School, please contact the school as listed above or contact the Director of the School of Audio and Music, Ben Sutherland (bsutherland@colum.edu).
Canvas Notifications: Be sure to set up your Canvas notifications in your Canvas account (in global navigation) so you can receive and read announcements, emails, and other class-related messages in a timely manner.
Academic Policies and Resources Statement: Click on Academic Policies and Resources in the Canvas course page to access Undergraduate Policies, current Semester Dates and Deadlines and other information.
Columbia Core Curriculum information
Columbia College Chicago offers undergraduate students educational opportunities in the visual, performing, media, and communication arts within the context of a comprehensive liberal education. At Columbia, this liberal education occurs in the Columbia Core Curriculum - a set of curricula required for all undergraduate, degree-seeking students.
Columbia College Chicago DEI Mission Statement
Columbia College Chicago actively promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion as vitally important to its present and future success. These principles are essential to the educational experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. The present standing and history of systems of racial oppression permeate all levels of our society, and intersect with discrimination based on age, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, and sexual orientation, among others. We believe these structures of power and privilege need to be studied and understood by all members of our community. We are committed to dismantling these systems within Columbia College Chicago by creating policies, programs, and opportunities that will ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion thrive and are at the center of all that we do.
Columbia College Chicago Student Diversity and Inclusion:
Columbia College Chicago strives to create and promote a campus community that is inclusive and affirming of individuals of all gender identities/expressions and sexualities. (Please see Student Diversity and Inclusion for more information and resources.)
Land Acknowledgment
We collectively acknowledge that Columbia College Chicago occupies the stolen ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabeg—Three Fires Confederacy of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, as well as the Miami, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Illinois, Sac and Fox nations. Although the state of Illinois has only one federally recognized tribal land area, we acknowledge, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of all Indian nations, for the historic Indigenous communities in Illinois, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live in the Chicagoland area, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. By offering this Land Acknowledgment, we reaffirm our College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission statement, affirm Indigenous sovereignty, and will hold Columbia College Chicago more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples.
Course Information
Course Description:
This course provides an applied experience contemporary instrumental and vocal students need prior to enrolling in private lessons. Students will study technique, scales, chords, sight-reading and repertoire as appropriate to their discipline. Students will apply their Foundations of Music skills to begin developing an improvisational approach to their instrument.
Learning Outcomes:
Through this course, students will:
- Develop a technical understanding of their instrument/voice and related tools;
- Identify and reproduce essential musical patterns and styles;
- Apply foundational musical concepts through musical performance and improvisation;
- Establish core music technology skills and workflows as related to their instrument/voice;
- Cultivate a practice routine that will support them throughout their professional career.
Prerequisites or Other Requirements:
Concurrent Requisite MUSC 111 Foundations of Music II
Required Texts and Materials:
A laptop that meets the School of Audio and Music requirements and a pair of wired headphones or earbuds.
Course-Specific Policies:
Grading Policy:
-
Class Preparedness/Attendance (40%): The success of this class relies upon all its members taking active ownership of their own educational and creative goals. Everyone should arrive at each class prepared to engage with their peers. Students will be evaluated on their readiness for each class, including participation in Studio and Feedback sessions. See ATTENDANCE POLICIES below for more details.
-
Assignments/Discussions (40%): Weekly assignments include habit documentation and topic-specific work. These are designed to build skills progressively and document your growth over time. See each assignment for specific rubrics.
-
Final Project - Evidence Portfolio (20%): Your Final Project demonstrates the growth you’ve achieved through your semester-long habit practice. The portfolio includes written reflection, before/after evidence for each habit, process documentation, and a presentation. See 00.05-Final-Project-Guide for complete details.
Attendance and Participation Policies:
- Punctual attendance at each class meeting is mandatory.
- Each unexcused absence results in an automatic reduction of the final grade for the entire semester.
- An email notification must be sent to the instructor in case of illness. Failure to do so can result in an unexcused absence. A doctor’s note may be requested at the discretion of the instructor. If so, failure to provide one can result in an unexcused absence.
- Travel or similar non-emergency absences during the semester must be requested and approved by the instructor via email at least a week before the intended absences. Failure to do so results in unexcused absences for all classes missed. Approved travel or similar non-emergency absences result in one excused absence for each class missed. Please note that requests for excused absences can be denied at the instructor’s discretion. Classes missed despite a denied request for excused absence result in unexcused absences for all classes missed.
- More than three absences per semester, whether excused or unexcused, result in a failing grade for the entire course. Exceptions to this policy have to be requested from the class instructor via email and will be reviewed in a personal meeting with the instructor. Such requests may be denied at the instructor’s discretion.
- If such an exception is granted, it may carry additional conditions (such as a target grade and/or attendance record) and may involve substantial additional assignments and/or tests at the discretion of the class instructor and program director. These additional assignments and/or tests will be delivered and/or administered at a time set by the course instructor.
- The grade of these additional assignments and or tests will then make up a substantial portion of the final grade, with the exact proportion to be determined by the course instructor and the program director.
- Class begins promptly at the designated time. As is professional practice, students are encouraged to arrive early. Any arrival later than 20 minutes past the official class start time will be considered an excused absence; see attendance policy above. However, consistent late arrivals of less than 20 minutes will still adversely affect final grades, to an extent at the course instructor’s discretion.
Assignment Policy:
- Assignments are due at the date & time provided by your instructor.
- Due dates are available on the master schedule for this class and/or announced by the instructor.
- Late assignments will only be accepted with prior approval from the instructor for a 1% per day grade reduction.
- Requests for an assignment extension must be made 24 hours before their posted due date and time.
- Any unapproved late assignments will not be accepted and will automatically receive a zero grade (F).
- All assignments are to be submitted electronically unless otherwise stated by the instructor.
- Personal absence, whether excused or unexcused, is not an excuse for late or missed work.
- Exceptions to this policy must be requested from the class instructor via email. Such requests may be denied at the instructor’s discretion.
Religious Holiday Observance:
Columbia College Chicago respects the right of and encourages all students to observe the religious holidays associated with their faith. Students are expected to contact their instructor as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements to complete coursework. If you are unable to attend class because of a religious observance, please let me know as soon as possible to discuss and arrange appropriate accommodation.
Policy on AI:
AI may not be used for the completion of course-related work unless indicated otherwise by the instructor for specific assignments or projects. (see Columbia College Chicago’s AI and Current Academic Integrity Policies for more information).
Student Course Evaluations:
An important part of every semester is your evaluation of your courses and instructors. During this time, you will have the opportunity to provide your assessment of the course structure and content and my ability to help you meet the course learning outcomes and support your success in this course. Please take this opportunity to provide constructive feedback so that your instructors may make use of your ideas and experiences when planning for future semesters. Course evaluations are anonymous and reviewed by school directors.
Course Evaluations for the Spring 2026 15-week session open Monday, April 20, 2026 and close Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Course Calendar:
Weekly Structure
- Monday: Lecture/Demonstration
- Wednesday (Odd Weeks): Studio Session (Solo or Group)
- Wednesday (Even Weeks): Feedback/Presentation Session
- Sunday: Assignment Due (11:59 PM)
| Week | Date | Type | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Habits Phase | ||
| Mon 1/26 | Lecture | Introduction & Habits Framework | |
| Wed 1/28 | Studio (Solo) | Habit Exploration | |
| Sun 2/1 | Assignment | Design Two Weekly Habits | |
| 2 | Habits Phase | ||
| Mon 2/2 | Lecture | Refining Your Habits | |
| Wed 2/4 | Feedback | Habit Statements Review | |
| Sun 2/8 | Assignment | Habit Refinement | |
| 3 | Habits Begin + Imitation Introduced | ||
| Mon 2/9 | Lecture | Deliberate Practice & Learning Through Imitation | |
| Wed 2/11 | Studio (Group) | First Habit Practice + Reference Library | |
| Sun 2/15 | Assignment | Habit Check-In #1 + Reference Track Library | |
| 4 | Imitation: Sound Design | ||
| Mon 2/16 | Lecture | Sound Design — Recreate Iconic Sounds | |
| Wed 2/18 | Feedback | Habit Progress | |
| Sun 2/22 | Assignment | Sound Recreation Project | |
| 5 | Imitation: Mixing | ||
| Mon 2/23 | Lecture | Mixing — Deconstruct a Pro Mix | |
| Wed 2/25 | Studio (Solo) | Mix Deconstruction Workshop | |
| Sun 3/1 | Assignment | Reference Mix Analysis | |
| 6 | Imitation: Arrangement | ||
| Mon 3/2 | Lecture | Arrangement — Study Song Structures | |
| Wed 3/4 | Feedback | Mix Deconstructions | |
| Sun 3/8 | Assignment | Arrangement Study | |
| 7 | Imitation: Genre | ||
| Mon 3/9 | Lecture | Production Style — Genre Deep Dive | |
| Wed 3/11 | Studio (Group) | Genre Exploration | |
| Sun 3/15 | Assignment | Genre Study Project | |
| 8 | Imitation: Workflow | ||
| Mon 3/16 | Lecture | Workflow — How the Pros Organize | |
| Wed 3/18 | Feedback | Genre Projects | |
| Sun 3/22 | Assignment | Workflow Documentation | |
| 3/23-27 | Spring Break — No Classes | ||
| 9 | Mid-Semester Check-In | ||
| Mon 3/30 | Lecture | Final Project Introduction & Progress Review | |
| Wed 4/1 | Studio (Solo) | Portfolio Planning | |
| Sun 4/5 | Assignment | Mid-Semester Check-In | |
| 10 | Imitation: Sampling | ||
| Mon 4/6 | Lecture | Sampling — Learn from Sample-Based Producers | |
| Wed 4/8 | Feedback | Progress Reviews | |
| Sun 4/12 | Assignment | Sample Flip Project | |
| 11 | Imitation: Performance | ||
| Mon 4/13 | Lecture | Performance — Study a Live Set | |
| Wed 4/15 | Studio (Group) | Performance Workshop | |
| Sun 4/19 | Assignment | Live Set Study | |
| 12 | Imitation: Mastering | ||
| Mon 4/20 | Lecture | Mastering — Match a Reference | |
| Wed 4/22 | Feedback | Performance Setups | |
| Sun 4/26 | Assignment | Reference Mastering | |
| 13 | Imitation: Artist Study | ||
| Mon 4/27 | Lecture | Artist Study — Deep Dive on One Producer | |
| Wed 4/29 | Studio (Solo) | Portfolio Work | |
| Sun 5/3 | Assignment | Artist Study Project + Portfolio Draft | |
| 14 | Final Project | ||
| Mon 5/4 | Lecture | Portfolio Workshop | |
| Wed 5/6 | Feedback | Portfolio Feedback | |
| Sun 5/10 | Assignment | Portfolio Finalization | |
| 15 | Presentations | ||
| Mon 5/11 | Presentations | Final Presentations | |
| Wed 5/13 | Presentations | Final Presentations | |
| Sun 5/17 | DUE | Final Portfolio |