Course Syllabus

Required Materials
Text: Yudkin, Jeremy. 1996. Understanding Music, 3nd edition.
Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River

Course Objectives
Music 106 Is a survey course that explores the various musical styles, genres, forms, and developments that shaped, and continue to evolve, western music. In the course of this study we will explore, through active listening, lecture, discussion, and readings, how western music grew into the pluralistic phenomenon as we know it today. We begin by examining the music of our times and then jump back more than a thousand years to trace its multifaceted, labyrinthine development.

By the conclusion of this study you will:
? Be able to identify, by ear, music from any of the six periods
? Develop an appreciation of many forms and genres of western music
? Be exposed to music written by many great composers
? Be exposed to the various philosophical concepts, cultural events, and technological developments that resulted in the musics studied
? Comprehend the diverse elements of all music
? Be able to trace the history of western music
? Learn how to listen critically to music

Class Participation
Each class session will include a discussion section in which you are expected to take part. This includes asking questions, participating in discussions, and involving yourself in the class as the course evolves.

Quizzes
There will be pop quizzes, from time to time, which will include materials presented in class and in the handouts. These will not be announced in advance and will be administered during the first ten minutes of class so don’t be late!
 
 

Concert Report
You are required to attend and report on one approved concert during the course of the semester. This report will include the name of the performing organization, place, date, a program, and a typed two-page write-up that includes the period, genre, medium, musical elements, and your impressions of the music and the performance. Be sure to back up your impressions by explaining the why of your reasoning.
 

Reading Assignments
There will be specific reading assignments each week. You are responsible to know and be able to discuss the assigned material for each class session.
 

Listening Assignments
There are listening assignments for each week. The CD’s are on reserve in the MCC library. It is imperative that you complete each week’s listening so that you will be able to discuss the topic at hand.

Final Project
For this semester’s final project you will create a time-line that begins in the year 400 and runs through the current year. Your time-line will be comparative. That is, it will compare musical events and developments with cultural and technological benchmarks. More on this later.

Exams
There will be one midterm and one comprehensive final exam. See below for dates, topics, and grade points. These will be open-note exams. You will be able to use notes taken in class (but not the text). The final exam will be given only on the date listed in the final exam schedule in the MCC schedule of classes. Do not plan an early getaway for summer vacation. You may not make up the midterm or final exam without a note from your doctor.

Written Work
There will be graded homework and written class work from time to time (but not too often).

Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. If you absolutely must miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining the notes from a fellow student, not from the instructor. If you are ill, a note from your doctor is required at the next class meeting. I will take your attendance into consideration when calculating your final grade. No make-up quizzes will be given unless your absence is excused.
 
 

Work Completion Bonus
This bonus is awarded to students who complete all assigned work. Hint: You must have the bonus points to receive an “A” in the course.
 

Grading     Points   Grading Scale
 Class Participation   400   A = 1201 - 1300
 Quizzes      25 each  B = 1000 - 1200
 Concert Report   100   C =   900 - 999
 Final Project    200   D =   780 - 899
 Midterm    200    F =    779 or below
 Written Work    100
 Final Exam    200
Work Completion Bonus   100

The “N” grade will not be awarded.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tentative Course Calendar
Reading and Listening Assignments

Jan 10
 Course Introduction. What is Music? Worlds of Music.
Reading: Preface, Chapter 1, Music Around the World; Chapter 3, The Art of Listening
Listening: In class
Jan 17
 Elements of Music.
  Reading: Chapter 4, The Middle Ages
  Listening: CD# 50
Jan 24
 The Middle Ages
  Reading: Chapter 5, The Renaissance
  Listening: CD# 51 – 53 (any two)
Jan 31
 The European Renaissance
  Reading: Chapter 6, The Baroque Era
  Listening: CD # 54 & 55
Feb 7
 The Baroque Era
  Reading: Chapter 7, The Classical Era
  Listening: CD# 56 & 57
Feb 14
 The Classical Era
  Reading: Chapter 8, Beethoven
  Listening:  CD#26, and 67, 68, or 69 (your choice)
Feb 21
 Beethoven

Feb 28
 Review/Midterm Exam
  Reading: Chapter 9, The Nineteenth Century pages 220 – 265
  Listening:  CD# 58
Mar 7
 The Romantic Era I: Early Romanticism
Reading: Chapter 9, The Nineteenth Century  pages 266 - 298
  Listening:  CD# 58

Mar 14  The Romantic Era II: Mid Romanticism
  Reading: Chapter 9,The Nineteenth Century  pages 299 – 314
  Listening:  CD#58

Mar 21
 The Romantic Era III Late and Post Romanticism
  Reading: Chapter 10, The Twentieth Century pages 316 – 327
  Listening: CD#60

Mar 28
Spring Break
Apr 4
 The Twentieth Century I: Impressionism
  Reading: Chapter 10, The Twentieth Century pages 328 – 370
  Listening: CD#61

Apr 11
The Twentieth Century II: Music Before WW II
 Reading: Chapter 10, The Twentieth Century pages 371 – 404
 Listening: TBA

Apr 18
 The Twentieth Century III: Music After WW II

Apr 25
 Review

May 2
Final Exam