Prospectus: Music 111: Music History and Appreciation
(combined classes, section numbers: 0263, 1002, 3436, 4823)
(UC:CSU) – 3 Units; Instructor: Mr. Dutton
Open to all students, Required of Music Majors
“The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much
respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.” --Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)
Class Specifics:
Spring Semester 2015, February 9 through June 7, 2015
Section #0263, Tuesday/Thursday, 1:45 to 3:10PM; Clausen Hall, 140
Section #1002, Friday, 9:00AM to 12:10 PM; Clausen Hall, 140
Section #3436 and #4821 (honors), 6:50 to 10:00 PM, Clausen Hall, 140
Office Hours: Tuesday, 3:10 to 5:10 PM, location TBD, or by appointment (email)
Department phone: (323) 953-4000 x2880 or x2881
Email: duttonclan@sbcglobal.net (please do not use the LACC address)
Course Description:
Los Angeles City College Music Department’s offering, Music 111, titled, “Music
History and Appreciation I” is a survey course, designed for both music majors and
general elective credit, that covers the main elements of the musical art, and the major
monuments and works of Western music history, from the Medieval era through the
beginning of the Twenty-First Century. The presentation is largely, though not
exclusively chronological, and will include discussion of large historical epochs, major
composers an introduction to some of their more important works, the terms and
concepts necessary to an intelligent appraisal and evaluation of this work, and the aural
(heard) identification of these masterpieces. Concomitantly, there is the hope that
springs eternal in this instructor’s breast that some students will actually grow to love
this extraordinary body of work.
The goal of the course is to develop the important critical faculties that will
enable the attentive student to critically listen to music and attend music concerts, and
to have the demonstrable ability to evaluate them within an objective, historical,
philosophical, and rational context.
The class consists of lectures, listening sessions, video presentations (including
an opera), keyboard demonstrations, and analyses from the standard literature. As the
material is cumulative and dependent on prior knowledge, regular attendance is
imperative. Grading is done on the basis of a midterm test, final exam, quizzes
(scheduled and unannounced), four concert reports, and class participation/attendance.
Appropriate dates are provided in the course syllabus. There are no make up exams or
quizzes, but students are eligible and encouraged to write an additional concert report.
Music 111 fulfills the humanities requirement for graduation.
An Institutional (LACC) Statement of Exit Skills:
1. Successful completion of Music 111 will enable the student to define the
elements of music, including listening skills, rhythm, dynamics, melody,
texture, scales, harmony, musical instruments, and meter, and to describe the
history, define the terminology of and identify the music and primary
elements of the major periods of music history, and;
2. demonstrate a basic understanding of the elements of music by using
appropriate terminology, identifying musical instruments and varying
ensembles, analyzing and evaluating musical performances, and discussing
music in its historical context on a midterm and final examination
Student Learning Outcome
On completion of Music 111, the student shall demonstrate broad understanding and
critical judgment of the acknowledged masterpieces of western music from the Middle
Ages to the present day with an emphasis on perceptive listening. Topics include the
elements of music, form and style, discrete historic periods, and both music's and the
musician's place in the larger context of western history. This class fulfills the
humanities requirements for graduation.
1. Deadlines: The last day to:
add classes
drop/exclude classes with refund & no fee
file for Pass/No Pass grades
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, February 22
Friday, February 27
drop/exclude classes without a "W"
Sunday, February 22
drop/exclude with a "W"
Sunday, May 10
2. Financial Aid
If you need help paying for books and other college expenses, call the Financial Aid
Office at (323) 953-4000 extension 2010, or see them at Student Services Village, 117.
3. Students with Disabilities
Students with a verified disability who may need authorized accommodation(s) for this
class are encouraged to notify the instructor and the Office of Special Services (SSV 100,
323-953-4000, ext. 2270) as soon as possible, at least two weeks before any exam or quiz.
All information will remain confidential.
4. Cell Phone Policy
 Students may not use their cell phones to accept or make calls while in class;
 If cell phones are brought to class, they must be turned to “silent” mode, and put
away;
 Students who do not adhere to this policy will be asked to leave the class. If it
happens a second time, the student will be referred to the Vice President of
Student Services.
5. Attendance
Attendance is mandatory—if you miss more hours than the class meets per week, you
may be dropped from the class. If you stop attending class but do not drop the class, you
may receive a failing grade.
(dld: 020815rev.)
MUSIC 111
Music Appreciation—Instructor: Mr. Dutton
Syllabus, Schedule & Requirements
Spring 2015 Semester: LACC Music 111, Section 263
Tuesday/Thursday 1:45—3:10 PM, February 10–-June 2, 2015; CH 140
Music Department: (323) 953-4000 x2880, office: Tue 3:15—4:45 PM by appointment
Text/supplies: Listen by Joseph Kerman, most recent edition (required); Listen CDs
(required); a music dictionary (optional).
Final Examination: Tuesday, June 2, 2015, 2:30 to 4:30 PM.
Instructor email: duttonclan@sbcglobal.net
Class schedule, tentative, & subject to alteration due to pace, availability, scheduling:
Week 1: (2/10, 12) Orientation, course requisites; Lecture: Elements of Music
Week 2: (2/17, 19) Definitions, elements, notation and ensembles/instruments of music
Week 3: (2/24, 26) Overview Medieval/Renaissance music: forms, style, development
Week 4: (3/3, 5) Early to High Baroque, Monteverdi, Purcell, and others
Week 5: (3/10, 12) High Baroque: G. F. Handel and Antonio Vivaldi
Week 6: (3/17, 19) High Baroque: J. S. Bach, secular and sacred
Week 7: (3/24, 26) The Rococo & Classical era: Mozart and Haydn
Week 8: (3/31, 4/2) The world and music of Ludwig van Beethoven
Week 9: (4/7, 9) Spring Break (4/2 - 4/9), no classes.
Week 10: (4/14, 16) Midterm: written & listening exam; 2 concert reports due.
Week 11: (4/21, 23) Romanticism: scope, style, forms, virtuosity
Week 12: (4/28, 30) Romanticism continued, colors, textures, Nationalism
Week 13: (5/5, 7) Nineteenth-Century opera, and an opera
Week 14: (5/12, 14) Romanticism Schwanengesang: Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Mahler, Strauss
Week 15: (5/19, 21) Impressionism, modernism; Stravinsky and the Modern era;
Week 16: (5/26, 28) Modernism, high and post, and other “isms”; 2 concert reports due.
Week 17: (6/2) Final Exam (written and listening), 2:30 to 4:30 PM
Reading assignments from Listen:
Week 1: Unit I (all)
Weeks 3 and 4: Unit II, Chapters 5 and 6;
Weeks 5, 6 and 7: Unit II and III, Chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13;
Weeks 10 through 14: Unit IV, Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17, 18;
Weeks 15 and 16: Unit V, Chapters 19, 20, 21, and 22.
Students with verifiable disabilities who may need reasonable accommodations for this class are
encouraged to notify the instructor and the Office of Special Services (x2270) as soon as possible.
All information will remain confidential. The Listening Room is open to any student
enrolled in Music 111. Though it is a major part of the class, there is no additional credit
given for listening lab usage. See Music Department office attendants for times and
additional information.
Important dates and attendant information:
Last Day to Add Classes
Drop/Exclude Classes With Refund & No Fee
File for Pass/No Pass Grades
Drop/Exclude Classes Without a "W"
Last Day to Drop/Exclude with a "W"
Saturday, February 21
Sunday, February 22
Sunday, February 22
Sunday, February 22
Sunday, May 10
(rev. 020815dld)