Courses

MA 201—GeometryCredit Hours: 3

Geometry is the third course of the WCBC mathematics series. It is a fall semester course, followed by trigonometry in the spring semester. A background of two semesters of algebra is highly recommended. Concepts related to logical and methodical thinking skills will be addressed as applied to 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional space, primarily including relationships of lines, planes, polygons, and loci. Students will seek and summarize Scriptures dealing with logical thought in Romans. Prerequisite: None

Minor: Math

MA 210—TrigonometryCredit Hours: 3

This course focuses on giving the student a teaching understanding of trigonometry in preparation for teaching the same in a Christian high school setting. A review of algebraic and geometric concepts comprises the initial course portion, followed by trigonometric function definitions, related angle usage, identity derivations, inverse functions, trigonometric equation solution, special triangle solutions, and polar coordinate usage. Finally, a chapter focused on vector component resolution prepares students for Physics 1. Prerequisite: None

Minor: Math

MA 301—Calculus 1Credit Hours: 3

Calculus 1 is the fifth course of the WCBC mathematics series for secondary education majors. Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry are required prerequisites. Limits, differentiation techniques, applications of derivatives, related rates, extreme values, concavity, optimization, and basic theory and techniques of integration comprise the core concepts studied. A portion of most lectures will also draw attention to spiritual and practical applications of the concepts presented.

Minor: Math

MA 302—Calculus 2Credit Hours: 3

MA 302 (Calculus 2) requires MA 301 and is an advanced continuation of the same. Core concepts include extreme values, concavity, and optimization of functions. The basic theory and techniques of integration, integration techniques, indeterminate forms, and improper integrals will also be studied. A portion of the lecture time will highlight practical applications of the concepts presented. Prerequisite: MA 301 with a grade of a “C-” or higher

Minor: Math

MA 401—Teaching Elementary MathCredit Hours: 2

A systematic approach to teaching math in the Christian elementary school will be implemented in this course. Students will learn how to prepare operative lesson plans, present effective math lessons, successfully communicate math concepts, and incorporate Biblical principles into their daily lessons.

Major: Elementary Education Major

Minor: Math

MA 402—Teaching Secondary MathCredit Hours: 3

This is the eighth course in the WCBC mathematics series for secondary education majors having a primary mathematics concentration. Students will demonstrate an aptitude for teaching in lesson presentations and lesson plan creations from three different courses in secondary mathematics. Assignments include problem sets from algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. With the emphasis on education skills, there is a focus toward child age and development of abstract thought. Additionally, latter lectures center on US mathematics class methodology contrasted with other countries. Prerequisite: EN 102; 64 credits earned

Major: Secondary Education Major

Minor: Math

MI 101—Introduction to MissionsCredit Hours: 2

This course is an introduction to missions, to its biblical basis, and to the current challenges and needs on the mission field. The purpose is to give the student a sense of the great need for missions today. The lives of great missionaries will be reviewed.

Major: Pastoral Theology Major, Church Ministries Major, Missions Major, Office Administration Major, Elementary Education Major, Secondary Education Major

Minor: Missions

Terms: 2021 Fall B

MI 201—Philosophy of MissionsCredit Hours: 2

This course is designed to give the student a philosophy of missions patterned after the biblical model. Special emphasis will be given to the relationship between the local church and the missionary. It will prepare the student to develop an effective philosophy of missions as a pastor or missionary.

Major: Missions Major

Minor: Missions

Terms: 2021 Fall A

MI 301—History of MissionsCredit Hours: 2

This course studies the history of missions from the beginning of the church to this present day. The first half of the class will emphasize the apostle Paul's missionary journeys. The second half of the class will emphasize missions from the 1800s to the present.

MI 311—Biblical Theology of MissionsCredit Hours: 2

This missions elective is designed to teach the student the theology of missions found in the Scriptures. This elective may substitute for another required missions class.

MI 321—Missionary Practices and MethodsCredit Hours: 2

This course will teach biblical methods and principles as they relate to cross-cultural evangelism and church planting. It will discuss the missionary's life on the field and relationships with nationals.

MI 333—The Making of a MissionaryCredit Hours: 2

This missions elective is really a study of the life of the Apostle Paul and how God made him into one of the world's greatest missionaries. This elective may substitute for another required missions class.

Major: Missions Major

Minor: Missions

Terms: 2021 Spring B

MI 341—Cultural AnthropologyCredit Hours: 3

This course will give the student an understanding of the study of man in his culture. Because the culture of every society differs, and missions major must understand how to minister within that culture without sacrificing the core truths and beliefs of the Word of God. This course will give the student an understanding of himself within his or her culture and how others view us as "Americans." This class will help lessen some of the possible "culture shock" for the future missionary.

Major: Missions Major

Minor: Missions

Terms: 2021 Fall B

MI 444—Practical Missions PreparationCredit Hours: 2

This missions elective is designed to help a missionary learn how to design a display board, how to edit an appropriate video to introduce himself, and how to design prayer cards that communicate the vision God has given to him. This practical elective may substitute for another required missions class.

Major: Missions Major

Minor: Missions

Terms: 2021 Spring B

MU 100—Rudiments of MusicCredit Hours: 2

This course is an introduction to musical melody, harmony, rhythm, and music notation. Students with a sufficient music background may test out of this course.

Major: Church Ministries Major

MU 105—Music NotationCredit Hours: 1

An introduction to the principles of notation (including a brief history of the notation of melismas in hymnals) and Finale notation software designed to support required submissions in Music Theory 1-4.

MU 110—Freshman FifteenCredit Hours: 1

Freshman Fifteen is an audition ensemble accessible only to students entering their freshman year of college. Once selected, the student commits to weekly rehearsals, performances, and assignments related to the musical development and performance of the group.

MU 111—Private Music Lesson ElectiveCredit Hours: 1

These lessons are designed with the non-music major and non-music minor in mind. Lessons will be tailored to the individual ability of the student, and target improvement in personal musicianship. These lessons are not able to be substituted as a replacement for a private lessons requirement as part of the music program. Prerequisite: Instructor Approval

MU 113—Piano Lab 1Credit Hours: 1

This first-year piano class introduces the keyboard, basic elements of piano playing, sight reading, and the music theory skills that support piano playing at this level.

MU 114—Piano Lab 2Credit Hours: 1

A continuation of MU 113.

MU 117—College OrchestraCredit Hours: 1

The college orchestra prepares music to provide preludes and to accompany the College Choir for special events at the college as well as for church services.

MU 121—Music Theory 1Credit Hours: 3

This course is a study of the scales, diatonic chords, part writing, music typesetting, and arranging structured in a way to reflect the unique needs of church musicians. Students must demonstrate the ability to compose an original gospel song in the 19th-century style.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 123—Sight Singing and Ear Training 1Credit Hours: 1

Sight singing, aural training, dictation, rhythm, and keyboard skills coordinated with the curriculum of Music Theory 1.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 131—Music Theory 2Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of Music Theory 1, this course introduces a more detailed study of harmony, writing piano accompaniments, and an introduction to the ambiguities of analytical systems.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 133—Sight Singing and Ear Training 2Credit Hours: 1

A continuation of MU 123.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 150—Voice ClassCredit Hours: 1

Group work in the fundamentals of good singing, including breathing and posture, tone, pronunciation, repertoire, interpretation and stage presence are covered in this class. Students gain practical experience by singing several solos for a grade.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 202—Survey of Western MusicCredit Hours: 2

Developing listening skills and a basic understanding of Western music through the study of music literature. Students will be introduced to the basic instruments, structures, forms, and composers from the major style periods, with emphasis on the music from 1700-1950.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 211—Christian School MusicCredit Hours: 2

A systematic approach to teaching music in the Christian school is covered. Students will learn activities, music notation and singing skills that should be taught at each grade level from kindergarten through high school. Several popular music teaching programs that are available today will be demonstrated and discussed.

Minor: Music Education

MU 213—Piano Lab 3Credit Hours: 1

This second-year piano class will continue sight reading skills as well as present the music theory that supports piano playing at this level.

MU 214—Piano Lab 4Credit Hours: 1

A continuation of MU 213.

MU 221—Music Theory 3Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of Music Theory 2, this course continues a study of music theory from the church musicians' point of view, but introduces more complex harmonic vocabulary and the complex ideas associated with modulation and their implications for both arrangers and analysts.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 223—Music TechnologyCredit Hours: 2

Sight singing, aural training, dictation, rhythm, and keyboard skills coordinated with the curriculum of Music Theory 3.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 231—Music Theory 4Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of Music Theory 3, this course covers advanced work in part writing, analysis, arranging, composition, and music typesetting for the church musician. Included is a discussion of effective use of musical devices which seem to fall outside the parameters of traditional harmonic analysis.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 233—Keyboard HarmonyCredit Hours: 1

This course is a continuation of the musicianship courses accompanying music theory. This course focuses on developing key technical and analytical skills on the keyboard coordinated with the curriculum of Music Theory 4. These skills include, but are not limited to, playing from a lead sheet, playing from a figured bass, and properly voicing chords. Prerequisite: MU 221 and MU 223

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 240-3—Music SeminarCredit Hours: 1

These seminar courses are designed to explore professional topics relating to the music ministry, topics such as, but not limited to, copyright law, Alexander technique, and advanced topics in music theory.

MU 301—West Coast Choir and OrchestraCredit Hours: 1

This class prepares music for special events at the college as well as for church services. The choir has the opportunity to sing on West Coast Baptist College recordings as well as tour and sing at other churches.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Music Education

MU 302—History of Western MusicCredit Hours: 2

This course is a survey of the major historical trends that have defined Western music for the last 2,000 years. Through the study of music literature, students will be introduced to composers, music terminology, the basic structures, forms, and instrumentation and performance practices from the major style periods.

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 310—Vocal Diction and PedagogyCredit Hours: 2

An introduction to the fundamentals of vocal/physical anatomy, acoustics, and diction, with an emphasis on materials, methods, and procedures used in teaching basic principles of vocal production for both individuals and groups. Course will include regular listening and singing exercises, readings, in-class demonstrations, and presentations. Students will observe voice classes and private lessons.

Minor: Music Education

MU 315—Choral Conducting 1Credit Hours: 2

This course introduces the student to the art and mechanics of choral conducting. The course explores the basic conducting patterns, left hand technique, non-verbal communication, leadership, musical terminology, expressive gestures, and score study. This course will develop important conducting techniques necessary for choir directors and congregational song leaders in local church ministry. Prerequisite: None

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 316—Choral Conducting 2Credit Hours: 2

This course explores the essentials of choral rehearsal and performance, the role of the conductor in both, the effective use of rehearsal technique, the identification and correction of vocal faults, and the communicating of musical concepts to a volunteer choir with little or no formal music training. Prerequisite: MU 315 with a grade of a “C” or higher

Major: Church Music Major, Music Education Major

MU 320—Summer Ministry TeamsCredit Hours: 1

Students in these traveling ensembles represent West Coast Baptist College in local churches.

MU 334—Piano PedagogyCredit Hours: 3

This class is devoted to the profession of teaching students to play the piano. Various aspects of the profession are covered, from the practical (advertising, acquiring students, business practices) to the specific (teaching beginning students, surveys of several piano methods, technique and musicality).

MU 368—Teaching Elementary MusicCredit Hours: 2

This course is designed to help students learn principles of teaching elementary music in a classroom arena as well as how to prepare lesson plans and educational objectives. Students will teach sample lessons. Confidence in the classroom is emphasized in this course.

Major: Music Education Major

MU 371—EnsembleCredit Hours: 2

Students in the music department are required to participate in a performing group every semester during their studies. The student may choose to continue with the West Coast Choir and Orchestra to fulfill this credit. Otherwise, the student will be assigned with a performance group that will meet throughout the semester for rehearsal, development, and performance. Admission to this course is at the discretion of the Music Department.

Major: Church Music Major

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 401—Sacred Music LiteratureCredit Hours: 2

This course is designed to expose students to the variety of genres related to “sacred” music history. While not occupying too much time on historical events, this course will examine historical musical pieces from the early church to the present. The main activities will be musical listening, analysis and function for worship.

Major: Church Music Major

Minor: Church Music

MU 402—Philosophy of Church MusicCredit Hours: 2

This course explores the biblical teachings about music and worship and equips the Christian leader with the critical thinking, reasoning, and communication skills necessary to form a biblical philosophy of worship. Students will engage in a variety of readings and critiques as they explore difficult questions surrounding the topic of music and worship in the church music setting. Prerequisite: EN 102

Minor: Church Music, Music Education

MU 407—Piano Lab 7Credit Hours: 1

This is a group piano class designed to impart the basics of congregational hymn playing.

MU 408—Piano Lab 8Credit Hours: 1

A continuation of MU 407.

MU 411—Arranging and CompositionCredit Hours: 2

This course explores various composition and arranging techniques relevant to church music. Students will engage in stylistic analysis of both classical and modern forms, moving from analysis to style-specific arranging. Additionally, students will engage in “from scratch” composition in a variety of vocal formats. This course requires a working knowledge of Finale or other notational software and/or MIDI sequencing software. This course should not be attempted until successful completion of Music Theory 1-4.