MUSIC APPRECIATION COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2009
I.
Course Information
Course Title:
Music Appreciation
Course Number: MUSC& 104
Credit Hours:
3
Class Time:
T,Th 11 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
Class Room
MUS 104
II.
Instructor Information
April Duvic
Instructor of Music
Office Location: MUS 103
Phone:
(360) 992-2245
E-mail:
aduvic@clark.edu
Office Hours:
M 9-10 a.m., T/Th 10-11 a.m.,
W 9-10 a.m., 12-1 p.m. or by appointment
Web Address:
www.aprilbrookinsduvic.com
III.
Course Description and Purpose
This course is designed to acquaint students with the elements of music and the primary musical
periods of traditional Western European classical music. Students will have a brief overview of
the major composers and their music through class lectures, listening to musical examples in
class, reading the text, listening to musical examples provided on the student CD’s or recordings,
actively engaging in class discussions, attending live concerts of suggested performances, and
completing research papers and/or oral presentations pertinent to the course material.
IV.
Student Learning Objectives
Clark College has identified six campus-wide abilities that form the foundation of our educational
emphasis: 1) critical thinking/problem solving, 2) information/technology, 3) communication, 4)
life-long learning, 5) effective citizenship, 6) global/multicultural awareness. Although we will
involve aspects of most of these abilities during the term, both directly and indirectly, the primary
emphasis will be the communication ability, the life-long learning ability, and the critical thinking
ability.
The students who successfully complete this course will:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of music and how these elements relate to the
compositions presented in class, applying the knowledge of musical styles to composer and
composition identification (critical thinking).
2. a) Write 2 (two) research papers either on specified composers or as reviews of approved
concert performances, demonstrating an understanding of the elements of music, various
performing media, and the appropriate common style periods in a clearly organized,
literate written style (communication ability).
OR
b) Prepare 2 oral presentations covering the same material as 2a). Composer paper
presentations should incorporate audio or audio/visual components utilizing “Smart
Classroom” technology (i.e. Powerpoint, etc.) (communication ability).
3. Apply the course information to future classical music concerts the students may attend,
providing an outlet for expression, personal awareness, and aesthetic enlightenment (life-long
learning).
“The college also has developed 24 college-wide learning outcomes for our degree-seeking
students. Course level student learning outcomes should link to at least one appropriate college-
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Page 2
wide outcome explicitly in the syllabus.” This class is linked to “Global/Multicultural
Perspectives” and “Life-long learning.” The outcome is “Produce, create, interpret or critique
works from a discipline in the Humanities.”
V.
Text
Zorn, Jay D. Listening to Music. 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 2007
(This text comes in a package with a set of CD’s.)
VI.
Material to be covered
A. How to Listen to Music – the five levels of listening
B. Six Elements of Music
1. Rhythm
2. Melody
3. Texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic)
4. Dynamics (expression)
5. Form
6. Timbre (Performing media – Instruments, voices, ensembles)
C. Common Style Periods (as time permits)
1. Medieval Period (450-1450)
2. Renaissance Period (1450-1600)
3. Baroque Period (1600-1750)
4. Classical Period (1750-1820)
5. Romantic Period (1820-1900)
Impressionism (a sub-category, bridging end of Romantic to 20th C.)
6. Modern & Post-Modern Music (1900 to present, previously called Twentieth Century
Period)
VII.
Evaluation
1. Quiz #1
2. Listening Quiz #1
3. Paper #1
4. Quiz #2
5. Listening Quiz #2
6. Quiz #3
7. Listening Quiz #3
8. Paper #2
9. Listening Quiz #4
10. Final
15 pts.
15 pts.
30 pts.
15 pts.
15 pts.
15 pts.
15 pts.
30 pts.
15 pts.
35 pts.
200 pts.
(All dates are subject to change.)
(Thurs., April 23)
(Thurs., May 7)
(Tues., May 12)
(Thurs., May 14)
(Thurs., May 21)
(Thurs., June 2)
(Tues., June 4)
(Tues., June 9)
(Thurs., June 11)
(Tues., June 16)
* In-class oral presentations “due” on same day as written assignments.
A
AB+
B
BC+
= 186-200
= 180-185
= 174-179
= 166-173
= 160-165
= 154-159
C
CD+
D
DF
= 146-153
= 140-145
= 133-139
= 126-132
= 120-125
= below 119
(If you miss a listening test,
it will not be made up due to
time constraints.)
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Page 3
VIII. Attendance
Students with perfect attendance will receive a bonus of 10 points (including no tardies or leaving
class early.) The only excused absences are for college-required field trips (i.e. geology) or away
games/meets for athletes and will require authentification.
IX.
Academic Early Warning
I will be using the Academic Early Warning (AEW) system in my courses to let you know if I
have concerns about your academic performance early enough in the quarter to give you time to
address the concern. Academic Early Warning allows me to draw your attention to certain risky
academic behaviors that may pose threats to your success in my course. That information will be
merged into a hard copy letter that will be sent to your home address along with a list of free
campus services. The reporting periods for AEW are the third week and the middle of the fifth
week of each quarter. In addition to the following categories of reports I can submit, I may also
add an additional comment that will appear on your letter.
Excessive Absences
Low test/Assignment scores
Missed tests/Assignments
Tardiness
Satisfactory (Please note that you will not receive a hard copy letter if the report is
satisfactory.)
I encourage you to see me if you receive an AEW letter about this course and to utilize any of the
listed services.
X.
Withdrawal
You may withdraw from this course up until the end of the seventh week (Friday, May 22). After
that date, you may not withdraw and will receive a failing grade if you stop coming to class.
XI.
ADA Accommodations
If you have emergency medical information that should be shared, or if you require assistance in
case the building should be evacuated, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible
during the office hours indicated in this syllabus.
Any student with a disability who may require some consideration or assistance in order to fully
participate in this class should contact the Disability Support Services office at 992-2580 or 9922835 (TTY), or stop by the Penguin Student Union building.
XII.
Emergencies
In emergencies, students should do the following:
1. Inclement weather or emergency information – Go to www.clark.edu or call 360-992-2000 as
your first means of getting information. The College does send notices to radio and television
stations, but the College’s web site and switchboard are the official platforms for the most
accurate information.
2. Immediate emergency communication alert – To receive immediate notice on emergencies,
you can register your cell phone number to receive text pages and your email address to
receive email messages. To do this, go to www.flashalert.net . Select “Subscribe” on the left,
and follow the instructions. Mass communication will also be sent to all college employee
phones and computers.
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Page 4
3. Fire Alarm – Evacuate the building through closest exit; evacuation maps are located in the
hallways. Take personal belongings only if it is safe to do so. Remain at least 50 feet from the
building. Notify others of evacuation. Do not re-enter building until instructed to do so.
4. Parking Lot Identifiers – New parking lot identifiers using colors and numbers have been
assigned to all Clark parking lots. To help emergency or security personnel locate you, please
refer to these identifying features.
5. Security Escort – Security Officers are available for escorts please call 360-992-2133.
XIII. Schedule
All dates subject to change – students are responsible to keep current on the course schedule and
assignments.
Week 1
Tues., April 7
Thurs., April 9
Introduction, Chap. 1, 2, 3
No class (Students go to Cannell Library to watch DVD of
orchestra which is on reserve for this course. This DVD needs to
be viewed before taking Quiz #1)
Week 2
Tues., April 14
Thurs., April 16
Chap. 4
Chap. 4, 5
Week 3
Tues., April 21
Thurs., April 23
Chap. 5, 6; Review for Quiz #1
Quiz #1; Chap. 7
Week 4
Tues., April 28
Chap. 8, 9; (watch video excerpt of “For Unto Us a Child is Born”
and DVD opera scene from “Farinelli”)
Chap. 9, 10; Review for Listening Quiz #1
Thurs., April 30
Thurs., May 7
Listening Quiz #1; Chap. 10, 11 (watch video excerpt from “Don
Giovanni”)
Chapter 11, 12; review for Quiz #2; Paper #1 due
Week 6
Tues., May 12
Thurs., May 14
Quiz #2; Chap. 13
Chap. 14; review for Listening Quiz #2
Week 7
Tues., May 19
Thurs., May 21
Listening Quiz #2; Chap. 15
Chap. 15, 16
Week 8
Tues., May 26
Thurs., May 28
Chap. 16; review for Quiz #3
Quiz #3; Chap. 17; review for Listening Quiz #3
Week 9
Tues., June 2
Listening Quiz #3; Chap. 18, 19
Thurs., June 4
Paper #2 due; Guest artist to visit class: Josep Ferre from Spain
Sun., June 7, 7:30 p.m. Recommended concert attendance, Clark College Orchestra
Vancouver School of Arts and Academics, 32nd and Main, Royal
Durst Auditorium
Week 10
Tues., June 9
Thurs., June 11
Chap. 20, 21; Review for Listening Quiz #4
Listening Quiz #4; Chap. 22, 23, 24; review for Final
Week 11
Tues., June 16
FINAL EXAM - 10:00 – 11:50 a.m.
Week 5
Tues., May 5
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Page 5
MUS 128 PAPERS (paper or oral presentation #1 due May 12; paper or oral presentation #2 due
June 9)
PAPER/ORAL PRESENTATION #1 (Choose 1) – Palestrina, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn,
Schubert, Beethoven, Berlioz, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Tchaikovsky (composers
from Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Periods)
PAPER/ORAL PRESENTATION #2 (Choose 1) - Chopin, Puccini, Brahms, Mahler, Debussy,
Stravinsky, Schoenburg, Prokofiev (composers from Romantic and Modern Periods)
Students may choose other important composers not on this list, but must have pre-approval from the
instructor.
Listen to 2 (two) contrasting recordings of works by your selected composer not found in the text’s
representative recording(s) by this composer. After listening to your two selections, include commentary
within your paper to support why this composer is remembered, what innovative compositional
techniques he originated or excelled in using, what it is about the composer and his music that makes him
so important, and how he made a lasting impact on the history of classical music. Both recordings must
be cited in the paper’s bibliography.
All papers must be 4-5 pages in length, typed in Times New Roman, 12 point only, and double-spaced.
Margins should be standardized for the style of report you are using, and sources must be credited either
in the text or by footnotes at the bottom of the page, using standard MLA or APA style. See the college
library website http://www.clark.edu/Library/Instruction/citing_sources.html, under Citing Sources. In
addition to the two recordings, a minimum of three (3) sources should be used and only one may be an
encyclopedia (such as Grove’s, Baker’s, etc., but not Wikipedia) (for a total of 4 or 5 sources). You may
use only one non-encyclopedic source from the Internet and must give the complete URL address to be
used. Please do not use the class textbook or quote me via your class notes. A bibliography must be
attached in standard form. Grammar, spelling, and proper term paper form will count. Do not use terms
you do not understand. Do not include lists of the composer’s works in the body of the paper. Any
lists should be as an addendum and not counted as part of the 4-5 required pages.
Papers not turned in on time will be penalized one (1) letter grade (4 points). Papers will not be accepted
more than one (1) day late. All papers must be turned in as “hard copies;” no e-mail papers allowed.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE! Use quotations for direct quotes or paraphrase (use your own words), and
credit the source. All paraphrased resource material should be properly cited. Plagiarism will earn a
student a zero grade for the class, not just for the paper.
Successful completion of these papers fulfills all three of the course’s student learning objectives:
communication ability, life-long learning ability, and the critical thinking ability.
See next page for grading criteria for composer papers.
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Composer Paper Assessment Criteria:
1. General overview of the composer’s life
6 pts.
2. Discussion of their primary musical works (1 in each genre, such
as symphony, opera, concerto, mass, oratorio, etc.)
using appropriate music terminology/vocabulary
6 pts.
3. *Impact of composer’s influence on the musical period
6 pts.
4. Two recordings are cited and referenced appropriately in paper 4 pts.
5. Crediting of sources in text of paper using proper style
3 pts.
6. Correct form of bibliography (min. 3 sources)
2 pts.
7. Correct spelling, usage of words, overall neatness
3 pts.
Total
30 pts.
Page 6
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Additional points will be subtracted for lack of source citations or for insufficient paper length.
ORAL PRESENTATION GUIDELINES AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Presentations should include information:
*Information in your report should include why this composer is remembered, what impact the composer
had on music history, what innovative compositional techniques he originated or excelled in using, and
what it is about the composer and his music that makes him so important?
Students will turn in their presentation outline as well as a standard bibliography of materials used in the
presentation.
All oral presentations must include 2-3 audio examples (excerpts are acceptable) of the composer’s works
demonstrating key points in the presentation.
PAPER/ORAL PRESENTATION #1 (Choose 1) – Palestrina, Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn,
Schubert, Beethoven, Berlioz, Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Tchaikovsky (composers
from Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Periods)
PAPER/ORAL PRESENTATION #2 (Choose 1) - Chopin, Puccini, Brahms, Mahler, Debussy,
Stravinsky, Schoenburg, Prokofiev (composers from Romantic and Modern Periods)
Composer Oral Presentation Assessment Criteria:
1. General overview of composer’s life and position of
importance in his/her musical time period.
2. Discussion of composer’s primary compositional genres
with appropriate recorded examples as demonstration.
3. A bibliography with all materials and information cited correctly
is given to the instructor at the time of the presentation.
4. Quality of oral presentation including preparation, usage
of media, communication of content.
10 pts. _____
10 pts. _____
5 pts. _____
5 pts. _____
Presentations are to be 10-12 minutes in length, including audio/audio-visual examples.
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
Page 7
CONCERT ATTENDANCE CRITIQUES (Concert critiques must be turned in as papers, not oral
presentations.)
Concerts chosen should be classical and primarily feature music from any of the musical periods
studied this term.
All critiques must be 4-5 pages in length, typed, and double spaced. Include in your critique the
following:
1. What concert you attended, the date, the location, and why you chose this concert.
2. Observations on the physical aspects (concert hall, dress, lighting, design, kinds of people
present, etc.) and how it affected your listening experience.
3. Musical observations: quality of performance, type of music, i.e., orchestral, vocal, etc. Use
a minimum of ten (10) terms introduced in class lectures and/or the text to describe the
music and to demonstrate your understanding and appreciation of the music performed.
Underline or boldface the 10 terms.
4. Composer overview: Include a brief biographical sketch of each composer featured on the
program, citing all sources, and including a bibliography in standard form. See the college
library website http://www.clark.edu/Library/Instruction/citing-sources.html under Citing
Sources. A minimum of three (3) sources should be used and only one may be an
encyclopedia (such as Grove’s, etc., but not Wikipedia). You may use only one source from
the internet and must give the complete address to be used. The concert program or CD liner
notes can be used. Please do not use the class textbook or quote me via your class notes.
Grammar, spelling, and proper term paper form will count.
5. Tell if you enjoyed or did not enjoy the concert and why.
6. Describe how the information covered in class affected how you listened to this concert.
Include an observation on something you discovered or first learned about music and how
you listen to it as a result of attending this concert.
7. Include a ticket stub, receipt, or concert program along with your report.
8. Papers not turned in on time will be penalized one (1) letter grade (4 points). Papers will not
be accepted more than one (1) day late. All papers must be turned in as “hard copies;” no email papers allowed.
Concert Critique Assessment Criteria:
1. Concert attended represents a musical period
studied this term
2. Critique includes a brief biographical sketch of
each composer featured on the program
3. Critique includes a minimum of 10 correctly-used terms
introduced in class lectures and/or the text to describe the
music performed (underline or BF terms).
4. Crediting of sources in text of paper using proper style
5. Correct form of bibliography (min. of 3 sources)
6. Correct spelling, usage of words, overall neatness
7. Includes pertinent comments about how you felt or
discovered about music performed at the concert
Total
5 pts. ____
5 pts. ____
10 pts.
3 pts.
2 pts.
3 pts.
____
____
____
____
2 pts. ____
30 pts. ____
Additional points will be subtracted for lack of source citations or for insufficient paper length.
MUSIC APPRECIATION SYLLABUS
XII.
Page 8
Extra Credit
Up to 20 points can be earned by attending up to 2 concerts and writing a 2-3 page concert
review on each performance following the criteria below. Proof of concert attendance is
required. Due no later than Monday, June 15, 12 noon.
Extra Credit Concert Critique Assessment Criteria (papers should be 2-3 pages in length):
1. Concert attended represents a musical period studied this term.
1 pt. ____
2. Critique includes a brief biographical sketch of each composer
featured on the program.
2 pts. ____
3. Critique includes a minimum of 5 terms introduced in class lectures
and/or the text to describe the music performed (UL or BF terms).
2 pts. ____
4. Crediting of sources in text of paper using proper style.
1 pt. ____
5. Correct form of bibliography (minimum 2 sources, can include concert
program).
1 pt. ____
6. Correct spelling, usage of words, overall neatness.
1 pt. ____
7. Includes pertinent comments about how you felt or discovered
about music performed at the concert.
2 pts. ____
Total
10 pts. ____
Additional points will be subtracted for lack of source citations or for insufficient paper length.
MUSC& 104
CLARK COLLEGE
MUSIC APPRECIATION
NAME __________________________________
PHONE (best contact #) ____________________
E-MAIL __________________________________
1. What interests you about classical music?
2. What do you already know about classical music?
3. What would you like to learn about classical music this term?
4. Briefly describe your previous music experiences/education (preschool? elementary school?
church? family? etc.).
5. What was the most positive memory of your music experience/education?
6. What instruments do you play (or have you played in the past)?
7. Do you like to sing? If yes, what kind of music and where and when do you sing?
8. Do you read music? How well? Describe.
9. Why are you taking this class?
10. What is your major field of study or expected career goal?