Syllabus and Contract
Pasadena City College
Music Appreciation
Music 21-Section #1551
Fall Semester 2014
Instructor: Selina U. (Traylor) Perera
Room: Center for the Arts 210
Tuesdays 6:15pm-9:25pm
Office Hours (CA 312): see below
Email: superera@pasadena.edu
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the basics of music and the history of art music in Europe
from roughly the 15th century through the late 19th century.
Student Learning Outcomes: (Things you should be able to do by the end of the semester)
1. Describe the elements of music.
2. Recognize and identify common western instruments and voice types.
3. Discuss the historical and social context of western music.
4. Distinguish and analyze various eras, forms, genres, and composers of western music.
5. Communicate about western music using proper terminology.
Student Performance Outcomes: (Things you will do that will help you master the items listed above)
1. Define and explain the elements of music including vocabulary, forms, instruments and performers.
2. Recognize and identify the common instrument and voice types and their techniques of performance.
3. Recognize and distinguish various styles of music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic
periods.
4. Recognize the various forms and styles of vocal music, both secular and sacred, solo, ensemble and choral,
throughout the periods covered.
5. Understand and describe the various forms of instrumental music, including symphonic, program, and
chamber music.
6. Recognize the major composers of western classical music and representative works.
7. Successfully critique a live concert performance.
Course Requirements:
Reading Assignments
The required textbook for this course is The Enjoyment of Music, 11th edition, shorter version, by Joseph Machlis
and Kristine Forney. In addition to the text, you will be asked to use the website associated with the text. This
URL for this website is:
www.wwnorton.com/enjoy
Reading assignments for a particular day should be completed before class. There may be occasional reading
quizzes that will count toward your attendance and participation grade.
Written/Aural Assignments
Listening Reports
Students are required to submit two listening reports. Each report will contain about 10-15 entries, each one
based on listening examples in the textbook. You will hear listening examples in class, and you will study those
same examples in the music lab/library. Your lab hours should be dedicated to completing these
reports/studying for the listening portion of the exam. These reports will be submitted no later than the day of
the exams (mentioned below). The purpose of the listening assignment is to familiarize you with the music of
the era or eras being discussed. The listening reports will assist you in your preparation for the exam. Each
listening report will count for 5%.
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(2 reports, 5% each= 10%). Guidelines for the assignment are attached to this document (page 6), so they are
also available on my Pasadena web space (in the syllabus document).
Concert Reports
Students are required to attend two concerts in the European art music tradition and write two separate 2.53.5 page reports. You may attend a classical music concert, a recital, the opera, a symphonic band concert, etc.
If you are unsure about your choice of concert, please see me. Each concert report counts for 15% of your
overall grade. Please consult attached guidelines for more information (page 5).
(2 reports, 15% each=30%)
Exams
There will be two exams given during the course of the class. Exam #1 will evaluate your knowledge of
everything covered during the first portion of the semester, and Exam #2 will cover the second portion (in
other words, the final exam is not cumulative). There will be no make-ups! In case of an emergency, a
doctor’s note or evidence of a police report will be required. Any pop quizzes given will NOT count toward
your exam grade, but rather toward your “Attendance and Participation” grade (see below).
Exam #1, 20%, Exam #2, 25%=45%
Attendance and Participation
You are expected to attend every class, unless you have a written excuse. You are also expected to participate
when appropriate, including unannounced quizzes. Your attendance and participation will account for 15% of
your overall grade. If you do miss class, you are responsible for making up materials. That means finding out
from a peer or myself, what you missed during your absence. (Please note that although 18 hours of listening
are required, completion of this requirement will count toward 5% of your overall grade, leaving 10% for
attendance, participation and quizzes). Please note: Lab listening hours ARE REQUIRED and MUST be
completed by the time class starts on the day of the final to receive credit.
Office hours:
Location-Adjunct Lounge on the 3rd floor of the Arts building (room 312)
From 5:40-6:10 on most class dates (except for August 26, September 16, and November 4)
Course Schedule:
WEEK 1-August 26
Course Introduction
Log onto www.wwnorton.com/enjoy and explore the site.
Written Assignment due: Make a journal/log of your music listening practices for the entire week. Try to
observe the following: Where do you listen to music? When do you listen to music (study, work, over dinner)?
What music do you listen to and what music do you hear around you? (More details given in class)
(Due Tuesday, September 2)
WEEK 2- September 2
Introduction to the Elements of Music
Ch. 1-10 (pages 4-67-This is a lot of information, but provides a great general overview. Will be most essential
for non-musicians).
Log onto www.wwnorton.com/enjoy and explore the site.
WEEK 3- September 9
The Renaissance Era/Intro to Concert Reports
Ch 14, 15 (pages 89-103)
WEEK 4- September 16
Renaissance Era continued/Intro to Listening Reports
WEEK 5- September 23
Baroque Era
Introduction and Vocal music
Prelude 3, Ch 16, 17 (pages 106-129)
WEEK 6- September 30
The Baroque Era Continued
Instrumental music
Ch. 18-20 (pages 130-147)
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WEEK 7- October 7
Exam #1 review (Elements of music, Renaissance, and Baroque)
WEEK 8- October 14
EXAM #1 (LISTENING REPORT#1 DUE!!!)
WEEK 9- October 21
Intro to classical
Classical Era, Part I (18th Century Classicism)
Prelude 4, Ch. 21, 22 (pages 150-169)
WEEK 10- October 28
The Classical Era, Part II (18th Century Classicism)
Ch. 23, 24 (pages 170-185)
(CONCERT REPORT #1 DUE!!!)
WEEK 11- November 4
More Classical era
Ch. 25, 26 (pages 187-201)
AND
19th century Romanticism
Prelude 5, Ch. 27-29 (pages 204-229)
WEEK 12- November 11
No Class- Veteran’s Day Holiday
WEEK 13- November 18
More 19th century Romanticism
Ch. 30, 31 (pages 230-251)
WEEK 14- November 25
Choral and Dramatic Music in the 19th Century
Ch. 32, 33 (pages 252-281)
(CONCERT REPORT #2 DUE!!!)
WEEK 15- December 2
Exam#2 Review session (Classical and Romantic)
WEEK 16- December 9
EXAM #2 (LISTENING REPORT #2 DUE!!!)
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------USEFUL LINKS for class
1. Exploring the world of Music on Learner.org
http://www.learner.org/resources/series105.html
2. Los Angeles Philharmonic
http://www.laphil.com/
3. USC Thornton School of Music
http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/
4. Classical Music radio (91.5 fm)
http://www.kusc.org/new/index.php
5. UCLA Center for the Art of Performance
http://cap.ucla.edu/
6. UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
http://www.schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/index.php
7. Caltech Public Events
http://events.caltech.edu/
8. Classical Music Database
https://login.ezp.pasadena.edu/login?url=http://pasadena.
classical.com
A few other very important items:
1.
This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. (While I do not anticipate any
major changes, they may very well occur. In this case, I will do my best to accommodate the
majority of the students).
2.
PLAGIARISM is a serious crime.
This excerpt below comes from the PCC academic integrity bulletin at:
http://pasadena.edu/resource/accred_631.pdf
Responsibility of Students
The ultimate success of a policy on academic integrity depends largely on the degree to which the policy is
willingly supported by students themselves. Students are more likely to support a policy if they are informed
and understand the reasons for the policy (as succinctly stated above). Therefore, in an effort to encourage and
support academic integrity at PCC, the following recommendations are made for students:
• Study the Academic Integrity Policy and the Types and Definitions of Academic
Dishonesty.
• Be honest at all times.
• Act fairly toward others. For example, do not disrupt or seek an unfair advantage over others by cheating, or
by talking or allowing eyes to wander during exams.
• Take group as well as individual responsibility for honorable behavior. Collectively, as well as individually,
make every effort to prevent and avoid academic misconduct, and report acts of misconduct that you witness.
• Do not submit the same work in more than one class without the instructor’s permission.
All work submitted to fulfill course requirements must be work done by the student specifically for that course.
• Unless permitted by the instructor, do not work with others on graded coursework, including in class and
take-home tests, papers, or homework assignments. When an instructor specifically informs students that they
may collaborate on work required for a course, the extent of the collaboration must not exceed the limits set by
the instructor.
• Know what plagiarism is and take steps to avoid it. When using the words or ideas of another, even if
paraphrased in your own words, you must cite your source. Students who are confused about whether a
particular act constitutes plagiarism should consult the instructor who gave the assignment. Also, study the
types and definitions of academic dishonesty outlined in this policy.
• Know the rules - ignorance is no defense. Those who violate campus rules regarding academic misconduct
are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and dismissal.
Please also see the link below for more information:
http://www.pasadena.edu/ipro/policies/pcc_4520.pdf
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Music 21: Guidelines for the Concert Report
Students will attend a western art music performance of their choice and write a 2.5 to 3.5-page
(800-1000 words) report (double-spaced, 12 point times or times new roman font). The paper should
contain information regarding the performance as well as your own observations and analysis of the
performance. If the paper is too short, you will NOT receive full credit.
Section 1:Your first paragraph should provide the necessary information about the performance
(time, location, etc.)
-Where and when it occurred?
-Who performed?
Who attended?
-What type of venue did it take place in?
-What was the occasion?
-Pay attention to how the performers interact with one another and with the audience, and how the
audience responds to the music (dancing, socializing, sitting quietly). Consider the following
questions:
-How do the performers address the audience?
- When does the audience applaud (after the piece, during the piece, not at all) and why?
Section 2: You should write a few paragraphs describing the actual musical performance in detail.
This is the most important part of the report. Please be sure mention the title, composer and era
of all pieces played and describe at least 3 pieces in detail, being sure to answer the following
questions:
-Title?
-What era was it from?
-Composer?
-Instrumentation? (If different from other pieces)
-Any soloists?
-Musical Texture?
-Tempo?
-Dynamic contrasts?
-Language?
-Have we studied this piece in class? If not, does it remind you of anything we have learned in class
(what specific piece(s) and why)?
-Is it sacred/secular? (What is the music used for)?
-How long was the piece (approximately)?
Section 3:Your final two paragraphs should contain your opinions about the performance
-Was it good, excellent, sub-par? Why?
-Also include any information about your personal experience:
-Did you notice anything about the music or the context that you haven’t before?
-Was this a completely new experience for you?
-Has the experience changed or expanded your understanding of musical performance?
Your papers will be graded for both content and grammar. Be sure to read through these parameters
as you are writing to ensure that you are addressing all the criteria. Proof of attendance (ticket stub,
dinner receipt, photograph of yourself at the event, etc.) is required. Late papers will be penalized.
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Listening Report Template
NAME_________________
LG #:
CD# and Track number(s):
Title:
Artist(s)/Composer(s):
Year of Composition and Era to which it belongs:
1. Genre: What is the purpose of the music (social dance, religious, narrative (tells a story), dramatic, etc.)? How
do you think the sound achieves this purpose? (Please be specific)
2. Instrumentation: What kinds of things are used to produce the sound (one voice, 4 voices, drums,
chordophones, etc.)? Name as many as you can and be as specific as possible.
3.
Timbre/Tone color/style: How does the music sound (rough, smooth, loud, soft, energetic, chaotic,
meditative, percussive, etc.)?
4.
Rhythm/Time: How would you describe the rhythm: Fast or slow? Steady beat or fluctuating? Is the meter
duple, triple---does it change?
5. What characteristics will help you remember this piece and distinguish it from others? (BE VERY SPECIFIC
HERE!!!!)
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