Abstract:

Founded in 1901, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is currently one of only two polytechnic universities in the 23-member California State University system. As a polytechnic university, the majority of students are enrolled in the engineering, agriculture and architecture colleges. However, students graduate with a mix of academic disciplines interwoven with workplace-type experiences and hands-on projects.

The undergraduate arena is the most important segment of the educational pipeline since it prepares teachers, invigorates students to pursue graduate studies, and produces the vast number of future employees for industry. In addition to courses in the major area of study and of significant impact in Cal Poly's curriculum are the comprehensive liberal arts requirements that expose students to new and challenging topics that can broaden their thinking and contribute to their enhanced citizenry. Research shows us that the most impactful way to present this material is through experiential activities … here at Cal Poly our signature Learn by Doing paradigm.

Since all undergraduate students, regardless of their declared majors, are required to pass general education courses in the arts, enrollment in these classes tends toward the polytechnic disciplines. In addition to the standard lecture format, music professors have designed unique and challenging activity projects for their beginning music theory courses that allow students to use information and skills already learned in their area of major study.

The main objective of this presentation is to highlight these innovative activity projects. The presenter will provide specific information about the implementation of several of these projects providing rubrics and assessment materials as well as closing with a discussion highlighting successes and challenges of delivering stimulating music courses at a polytechnic university.