MUS 111.001 Music Literature II
Spring Semester
Tuesday-Thursday 11:00am – 12:15pm
The music Department promotes excellence in music through the rigorous study of music history, literature, theory,
composition, pedagogy, and the preparation of music performance in applied study and ensembles to meet the
highest standards of aesthetic expression.
Dr. William Witwer
MUSIC 221
(903) 886-5284
Students with a disability requiring one or more accommodations must provide a letter to the instructor
from the Office of Disability Resources and Services PRIOR to receiving any accommodations. Many
accommodations take time to arrange, and retroactive accommodations are not made; therefore, students
are encouraged to self-identify with the DSR office as early as possible. If you need accommodations, you
should first come by the office which is located in the Halladay Student Services Building-room 303D;
phone Ms. Josie Davis-George at (903) 886-5835, or email: Jose_Davis-George@tamu-commerce.edu
Required Materials
1. Forney, Kristine. The Enjoyment of Music – 10th ed. W. W. Norton & Co., 2007.
2. Forney, Kristine. The Norton Scores, Volume II – 10th ed. W. W. Norton & Co., 2007.
3. Bellman, Jonathan. A Short Guide to Writing About Music. Addison-Wesley
Educational Publishers Inc., 2000.
4. Norton Recordings, Volume II, 4 CDs OR subscription to the Online Listening Lab
Course Description
This course presents the basic concepts and building blocks of music with a broad focus on
myriad styles – Western and non-Western, art and traditional/folk. MUS 111 continues the
application and understanding of acoustics and the seven essential elements as applied aurally
and visually to the music of the Romantic and Contemporary style periods.
Goals and Objectives
Students will have the opportunity to:
1. Develop critical listening skills which will promote greater enjoyment and
understanding of music.
2. Acquire an historical perspective of Western Art music with regards to:
a. the development of musical styles,
b. the development of musical forms,
c. music as it relates to other arts.
3. Learn the elements of music as applied to Western Art music
4. Become familiar with the great composers and works of Western Art music.
5. Develop a basic vocabulary of terms with which to discuss the elements of music and
musical performance.
6. Learn the common divisions of Western Art music into style periods and the factors
which distinguish them.
Student Expectations
All students are responsible for checking the eCollege class website regularly for instructor
messages. In order to accomplish the objectives for this course, it is necessary for all students to
prepare adequately for each class session and to participate in discussions and activities.
All students enrolled at the University shall follow the tenets of common decency and acceptable behavior
conducive to a positive learning environment (Student’s Guide Handbook, Policies and Procedures, Conduct).
Grading Criteria
Students are expected to attend all classroom sessions, participate in classroom and online
discussions, and complete a variety of activities and assessments. Each student is responsible for
contacting the instructor if and when an absence is unavoidable and will be the student’s sole
responsibility to contact the instructor for any material missed during that class. Assignments
will be uploaded to the eCollege website by each student. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS will be
accepted. Details of each assignment will be explained in class and available on the eCollege
website. The instructor will be available via email and/or phone to answer any questions. “I
didn’t understand the assignment” is not an acceptable excuse for failure to complete an
assignment. Only admission to a hospital will be an acceptable reason for late assignments (i.e.
written documentation by doctor).
Course Assessments
1. Written Exams
%
50
Students will complete two exams: one at mid-term and the other at the end of the
course. Exams will be mostly multiple choice questions covering the assigned
reading, class lectures and class discussions. Students are encouraged to use the
online tools available at the Norton StudySpace.
2. Listening Assessments
20
Students will work to develop listening skills related to their goal to
become music professionals. Periodic assessments will help students
evaluate progress toward that goal. A final listening exam will be given
the last day of class.
3. Composer Project
20
Students will complete a series of writing exercises leading to an essay on
a composer of their choice. The first six exercises will be turned in on
eCollege under the Journal site.
4. DailyQuiz/Assignments/Participation
10
Students are expected to attend class. Periodic quizzes will be given on
assigned readings. There will be NO make-ups for daily quizzes.
Grading Scale:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 0-59