Syllabus
MUS 256
Music History III
Medieval and Renaissance Music
(Writing and Research in Music)
2 semester hours credit
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:25-10:40 a.m.
Aven Hall 406
Mississippi College
Dr. Edward Dacus, Class Instructor
Aven Hall 402A
925-3442
dacus@mc.edu
Prerequisites for course
MUS 202, MUS 206, MUS 257, MUS 258
Catalog course description
The third of three semesters tracing the general development of Western art music,
the first half of this course spans music from Medieval monophony through 1600. The
second half of this course introduces non-western music traditions.
Aim of the course
It is the aim of the course that students learn characteristics of select musical genres
of the Medieval (from c.600 A.D.) and Renaissance (to c.1600) periods, usual performing
mediums of those genres, major composers and examples of their compositions and in
what genres each composed, and other relevant material from the Medieval and
Renaissance periods.
Writing is a major component of this course, and it is the aim of the course to further
develop and improve scholarly writing skills within traditional Turabian style.
Rationale of the course
This course encompasses an academic study of the development of Western art
music. The course fits well into the mission of academic mindset at Mississippi College for
music majors as a historical overview of a primary art form within a liberal arts curriculum.
A primary focus of the course deals with church music throughout the period in question,
which also complements the mission of the institution.
Class attendance
Attendance is required at each class session. Roll will be taken at each class session,
and absences will appear on final semester grade reports. Eight or more absences will
result in an automatic grade of F, and is in keeping with the college policy that the number
of absences exceeding 25% of class sessions (eight in a class that meets twice a week)
results in an automatic grade of F.
1
Required text
Burkholder, J. Peter, and Claude v. Palisca. Norton Anthology of Western Music, sixth edition.
New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2010.
Class Procedure
Short research and/or writing assignments are required periodically through the
course of the semester in. It is the responsibility of each student to comprehend
assignments. Instructor is available and willing to clarify any assignment.
There will be a view of class discussions usually at the end of class session and/or
the beginning of a class session. Class discussion, research assignments, and music
presented in class may appear on tests. A schedule of the tests will be distributed.
Research assignments are also list on the schedule. Those assignments will not be
accepted late without penalty. An entire letter grade lower will be assigned to late
submissions.
Academic integrity
This class will strictly observe the policy of Mississippi College as regards academic
integrity, with can found in the Mississippi College Policies Manual or on the Mississippi
college web page at the following address:
www.mc.edu/publications/policies218.html
Students with Disabilities
In order to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, a student must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of
Student Counseling Services immediately upon recognition of the disability. If the
disability has been previously recognized, the student must come in prior to the semester
or immediately upon receipt of syllabi for the semester. Documentation from a physician
and/or licensed clinician must be provided. A student who has received prior
accommodations must bring current documentation (within 3 years) of those
accommodations (example: Individualized Education Plan from the school most recently
attended). Beyond the initial meeting with Student Counseling Services, two follow-up
sessions are required: one at mid-semester (before or after midterm exams), and one at the
conclusion of the semester. The student may schedule additional meetings as needed for
support through SCS. An Individualized Accommodation Plan is required for each semester
at MC. Student Counseling Services is located in room 4, Alumni Hall (basement). Email
christia@mc.edu or rward@mc.edu, or call 601-925-7790.
2
Summary of grading
Average of weekly tests
Average of two examinations
Average of essays and writing assignments
Research paper and assignments related to paper
Grading for the class
A= 100 - 90
B= 89 - 80
C= 79 - 70
D= 69 - 60
F= 59 - 0
3
25%
25%
25%
25%