Course Syllabus

MUSC 1010 Introduction to Music

Course Description

A general appreciation course designed to make music meaningful to the average listener. The relationship of rhythm, melody, harmony, and form will be demonstrated though selected recordings. The elements of music will be treated non-technically together with historical and biographical observations. Western art music will be discussed as well popular styles and music of other world cultures.

Justification

This course fills a general education requirement in the fine arts and similar course are taught at virtually all institutions of higher learning. The class will provide students with a rudimentary understanding of the elements of music. It will provide a broad overview of the evolution of Western Music throughout history with an emphasis on showing how various innovations have contributed to current practices and trends. Students will be required to listen actively to music and identify expressive and stylistic elements.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Each student will be required to read the textbook and demonstrate understanding through response writing and tests. They will demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which cultural context and historical events affect musical creativity. This will be assessed through written assignments, quizzes and tests.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the development of musical styles through history. This will require integrating general historical knowledge with understanding of musical innovations and innovators. Written assignments will require personal exploration of musical works and integration of analytical listening skills. This will be assessed through written assignments and response papers.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will learn how the evolution of Western music relates to broader artistic, cultural and historical movements. Full understanding of the core concepts will be contingent on multi-disciplinary interrogation. This will be assessed through written assignments, response papers and quizzes/tests.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will engage regularly in articulation of abstract concepts. Assignments will stretch creativity as they listen to sounds seeking to hear pattern, form, expressive intent, and other creative imperatives. This will be assessed through written assignments, response papers and quizzes/tests.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate an ability to articulate the dynamics of the creative process as it relates to the composition of Western art music through the submission of written response assignments, and quizzes/exams including listening response questions. Students will demonstrate an ability to articulate the dynamics of the creative process as it relates to the composition of Western art music through the submission of written response assignments, and quizzes/exams including listening response questions.
2. Provide an informed synopsis of the performing and/or visual arts in the contexts of culture and history through reading and interpreting pertinent information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students will demonstrate an ability to locate Western art music in the context of world history and culture from the Medieval period through the present day. This outcome will be assessed through the administration of quizzes/exams including listening response questions and through the submission of written assignments.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the conceptual and elemental principles fundamental to the creation of various forms of artistic expression. Students will demonstrate an ability to differentiate between the fundamental elements of music and the ways in which composers have leveraged those elements to create music that can today be classified according to style period. This outcome will be assessed through the administration of quizzes/exams including listening response questions and through the submission of written assignments.
4. Exhibit an ability to critically analyze artistic works using appropriate techniques, vocabulary, and methodologies. Students will demonstrate an ability to classify excerpts representative of Western art music by recognizing salient aspects of various style periods. This outcome will be assessed through the administration of quizzes/exams including listening response questions and through the submission of written assignments.

Course Content

Students will; 1) learn basic artistic and musical trends in each era from the middle ages to the present; 2) identify musical developments and important innovators from each historical period; 3) discuss how historic innovations influence our current musical culture; 4) develop an accurate and persuasive vocabulary for discussing and writing about music.It is acknowledged that this class primarily focuses on the history and development of the Western canon. As such, focus will be given to the ways in which non-centered contributors (members of historically oppressed groups and classes) and styles have been poorly represented historically. Musical influences from outside the narrow stream of Western European thought will be given special emphasis where possible, with the hope that students of all backgrounds can engage intuitively with the curriculum.