Course Information
Course: MUS 111, Music Appreciation
Meetings: online
Credit: 3 units
Section: 1288
MUS 111 is an introduction to western art music from the Middle Ages through the twentieth century.
In this class, you will be introduced to a number of representative works by major composers from each major historical musical period.
We will discuss musical forms and styles associated with various genres in each musical period.
By the end of the course, you will have acquired a variety of critical listening skills that will enable you to listen to and understand
music from the historical periods. You will also build a musical vocabulary that will help you discuss and analyze many types of
music both in the class and beyond. Lectures and discussion are very important, therefore it is important that you keep up with the
work and that you join in the class forums and discussions online. Listening is extremely important for your grade.
Instructor Information
Instructor: Dr. C. Gengaro
Office: DH 312
Phone #: 323-953-4000 X2884
Email: gengarcl@lacitycollege.edu (for general questions and correspondence)
Email: clgteacher@gmail.com (send your concert reports in PDF form to this address)
Send text messages to: 818-254-9485 (questions will be answered within 24 hours)
Office hours: Mondays 1-1:45 and 4:30-6; Tues. and Thurs. 2-3:15; Wednesdays 1-1:30 and 4:30-5:30
Required Texts and Materials
Textbook: Listen (7th edition) by Joseph Kerman and Gary Tomlinson
Recordings: the set of CDs for Listen and access to the online version of the text
Online: Etudes password
You need access to a computer, and your computer should have Adobe Acrobat or some other program that allows you to
download PDF files.
Student Learning Outcome
Student Learning Outcome: Identify music aurally, define terminology, and contextualize musical works from various time periods.
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Define and explain the elements of music, including vocabulary, forms, instruments, and performers.
2.
Recognize and identify common instruments and voice types and their techniques of performance.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Recognize and distinguish various styles of music from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary p
Recognize various forms and styles of vocal music, both secular and sacred, solo, ensemble and choral, throughout the periods covered.
Understand and describe the various forms of instrumental music, including symphonic, program music, and chamber music.
Recognize the major composers of western classical music and their representative works.
Successfully critique live concert performances.
Class Requirements/ Grading policies
Attendance: This is an online class, so you may do the lessons at your own pace, however, you must adhere to due dates and to the
schedule put forth here. There are four quizzes and homework assignments for each module. Please make note of the due dates.
The quizzes and the tests will close down and links will not work after a certain date and time. Keep up with the work.
Quizzes (4) = 20%
Homework (14) = 20%
Concert reports = 20%
Midterm = 15%
Final exam = 15%
Online participation (live chat; discussion) = 10%
Assignments and Concert Report directions
Homework Assignments
For each module, I will give you some questions that you must answer in complete sentences.
These homework assignments can be found by clicking the "Assignments, Tests, and Surveys" tab on the side of the screen.
The homework questions are designed to help you read through the chapters with learning goals in mind, and will help
you make better use of your study time. You will see many of the chapter questions show up on quizzes and tests.
Each module's homework is due before midnight on the Sunday after the module is open.
This gives you about a week to work through the module.
Mod 1 homework is due before midnight on 2/16
Mod 2 homework is due before midnight on 2/23
Mod 3 homework is due before midnight on 3/2
Mod 4 homework is due before midnight on 3/9
Mod 5 homework is due before midnight on 3/16
Mod 6 homework is due before midnight on 3/23
Mod 7 homework is due before midnight on 3/30
Mod 9 homework is due before midnight on 4/20
Mod 10 homework is due before midnight on 4/27
Mod 11 homework is due before midnight on 5/4
Mod 12 homework is due before midnight on 5/11
Mod 13 homework is due before midnight on 5/18
Mod 14 homework is due before midnight on 5/25
Mod 15 homework is due before midnight on 6/1
Late homework assignments will not be accepted.
Concert reports
Due dates:
April 14
May 28
Send completed reports in PDF format to clgteacher@gmail.com
You must attend two live concerts during the course of the semester, and you must write three pages (typed, double-spaced) on each one.
If you are unsure of the suitability of a concert, please ask. There are plenty of free concerts in and around LACC so do some research to see
what performances are happening at nearby universities and colleges (see links below).
Using the terminology discussed in class, describe your reaction to the concert. Keep the following questions in mind when you
are writing your concert report. Your paper should not be a list of answers to the questions.
Try to incorporate the answers to these questions into an organized, well-written essay, but remember, these are just guidelines.
Don't be afraid to be honest about your opinions.
• Who is/are the performer(s)? What is his or her musical background?
(Often the program will have short biographies of performers or short histories of ensembles.)
• What kind of music is being played? From what time period does the music come?
• What are some stylistic characteristics of the music?
• What kind of audience is watching the performance?
• Do you feel the performer(s) did a good job? Did you notice any mistakes, any problems?
• Did you enjoy the concert? Explain why you did or didn't. Be honest and fair.
• Write about anything else that you think was interesting about the concert.
Your paper must follow all standard rules for grammar and spelling.
If you hand in a paper with interesting content but which is written with poor grammar and spelling, you will still receive a low grade.
No late papers will be accepted. Papers plagiarized in whole or in part are not acceptable.
If you don’t know what plagiarism is, please look it up!
Some suggestions for places to see concerts and/or local ensembles:
USC- http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/32
UCLA - http://www.arts.ucla.edu/calendar/
Cal State LA - http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/calendar/ (click music on the side)
LACMA - http://www.lacma.org/programs/music/sundays-live and http://www.lacma.org/programs/music/jazz-at-lacma
The LA Phil - http://www.laphil.com (don’t pay full price!! Get student rush tickets!)
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra – http://www.laco.org
Colburn School - http://www.colburnschool.edu/page.cfm?p=1606
Special Information
LACC Policy: "Students with a verified disability who may need authorized accommodation(s) for this class are encouraged to notify
the instructor and contact 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.
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/services/oss/index.html
The deadline to drop without a "W" is the last day of Week 2 (of the semester), which is February 23rd for Spring 2014 semester.
If you must drop a course, drop before the specified deadline for dropping a class without a grade of "W." Dropping after Week 2
will result in a "W" on your transcript. Effective July 1, 2012 students will only have 3 attempts to pass a class. If a students gets
a "W" or grade of "D", "F", "I", or "NP" in a class, that will count as an attempt. A student's past record of course attempts district-wide
will also be considered. Therefore, before the end of Week 2 you should carefully consider if you can reasonably manage this course
with other factors in your life (e.g. work, family, course load). If you think you will not be able to complete this course with a
C or better, drop by February 23rd If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to talk to me.
You may also see a counselor in the Counseling Center in AD 108.
If you need help paying for books and other college expenses, call the Financial Aid Office at (323) 953-400, ext. 2010, or see them at Student Ser
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/stusvcs/finaid/
Exam dates
Quiz #1 - open March 3 and 4 (covering Mods 1 through 3)
Quiz #2 - open March 24 and 25 (covering Mods 4 through 6)
Midterm - open April 2, 3, and 4 (covering Mods 1 through 7)
Quiz #4 - open April 28 and 29 (covering Mods 9 and 10)
Quiz #5 - open May 19 and 20 (covering Mods 11 through 13)
Final Exam - open June 3, 4, and 5 (covering Mods 9 through 15)
Additional course materials
If you purchase the book and the set of CDs, you will have full access to the resources on the textbook website.
Even if you haven't purchased these things, there are still plenty of free tools to help you learn the material.
Please check out: bedfordstmartins.com/listen.