MUSIC APPRECIATION
MUS 1030
Credit Hours: 3
Catalog Course Description: A history of the stylistic periods of Western Music with
emphasis on social and cultural implications as related to each period, with an emphasis on
developing listening skills and an understanding of Western music from the ancient world
through the 20th century.
How Program Site will be incorporated into the course: Music is ubiquitous in Brazilian
culture and everyday life. You see it being played in concert halls, taverns and everywhere
people gather socially. The students will greatly benefit from learning the music from its
primary source: Brazil.
Prerequisites: None
Textbooks and Other Course Materials: Kamien, Roger: Music, An Appreciation, sixth
brief edition.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
WEEK #
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
TOPIC
Sound, music, and the environment.
Transformative power of music.
Political power of music: Samba, tropicalia
Rhythm: Tala, clave, free rhythm, polyrhythm
Melody: Raga, Maqam
Test 1
Timbre: Brazilian instruments
Instrument classification systems, Symphony orchestra
India, Japan
Africa
South America
Texture
Harmony
Baroque
Test 2
Form
Classical period.
Romantic period.
20th century western art music.
Post 1950 musical styles: Cage, Zwillich, Adams
Latin American art music: Heitor Villalobos, Antonio Lauro, Astor Piazzolla
Jazz, Brazilian music.
Test 3. Journal, project due.
II. Course Goals:
The course will:
A. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the broad historical framework from medieval
music through the twentieth century and the attendant influences on the major
musical developments.
B. Evidence an understanding of the basic elements of music and associated
terminology.
C. Acquire and utilize knowledge concerning the major composers and their primary
contributions within each major school or historical period.
D. Develop a working knowledge of the instruments which make up a symphony
orchestra.
E. Apply course concepts in analyzing and understanding musical works and their
relationship to one's culture, environment, and time
III. Expected Student Learning Outcomes:*
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define basic terminology related to music and explain specific works in those
terms. (A,B,C,D,E)
2. Apply knowledge of terms and concepts to an artistic experience. (A,B,C,D)
3. Analyze works from the major style periods of music by comparing and
contrasting forms, styles, and genres. (A,B,C,D,E)
4. Recognize the timbres of instruments singly and in combination. (A,B,D)
5. Relate major works and movements to their composers, culture, and to the
historical context in which they lived. (A,C,D)
6. Infer correlations between historical context in which music is created and the
subsequent type of music produced. (A,C,D)
7. Apply criteria of judgment to selected musical works of various composers from
each of the historical periods. (B,C,D)
8. Compare the styles of various composers working within the same time frame.
(B,C,D)
9. Discuss the impact which instrument selection has upon the musical effect
achieved. (B)
10.Determine how each composer manipulates the raw materials to make his style
unique. (A)
11.Recognize the ways in which music is a reflection of society, culture, and time.
(A,B,C,D)
* Letters after performance expectations reference the course goals listed above.
IV.
Evaluation:
A. Grading System:
1. Tests: 3 tests will be given during the length of this course. These will constitute
60% of the student’s final grade
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2. Final project (optional video, or essay summarizing music in Brazilian society).
20% of grade
3. Listening Journal – on separate notebook. Document the music with which you
come in contact during your stay. 20% of grade
B. Grading Scale:
A = 92-100
B = 85-91
C = 75-84
D = 65-74
F = 64 and below
V. Policies:
A. Attendance Policy:
Attendance is of utmost importance in study abroad courses. There are no unexcused
absences permitted. Multiple unexcused absences are grounds for removal from the
program. Being in class on time is also very important. Frequent tardiness will be
considered an absence and appropriate action will be taken. Absences due to illness
must be reported immediately to the program director.
B. Academic Dishonesty:
Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is
subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the
following practices:
•
Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material,
people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or
reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments.
•
Plagiarism, including but not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly
quoting published or unpublished work of another person, including online or
computerized services, without proper documentation of the original source.
•
Purchasing or otherwise obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or
materials prepared by another person or agency that sells term papers or other
academic materials to be presented as one’s own work.
•
Taking an exam for another student.
•
Providing others with information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes,
homework or other assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor.
In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed as a result of
academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign either (1) an F or zero
for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
VI. Instructional Hours:
This course will consist of a minimum of 37.5 full hours of formal instruction. Excursions
related to the curriculum will also be a part of the course of studies
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