Syllabus and Contract
Pasadena City College
Music 21: Music Appreciation
CRN 50854
Summer 2015 (6 week first session)
*This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. The instructor will keep you
informed of any changes in class and through the Canvas notification system.*
Instructor: Selina Perera
Room: Center for the Arts 210
MTW 1:30-4:30
E-mail: superera@pasadena.edu
Course Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the basics of music and the history of art (classical) 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 listed 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. 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 5). They are
also available on my Pasadena web space (in the syllabus document). DUE June 3 and June 25
Concert Reports
Students are required to attend two concerts in the European/western classical (art) music tradition and write
two separate 2.5-3.5 page reports. You may attend a classical music concert, a recital, an opera, a symphonic
band concert, ballet, 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 4).
(2 reports, 15% each=30%) DUE June 15 and June 24
Exams
There will be two exams given during this course. Exam #1 will evaluate your knowledge of everything covered
during the first portion of the summer session, 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. Lab hours are required, but they also count
toward your overall attendance grade.
Office Hours: TBA
Course Schedule:
WEEK 1:Intro to Course and Musical Elements
M
5/18
Introduction to the course and syllabus
(Log onto www.wwnorton.com/enjoy and explore the site).
Written Assignment due 5/26: 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)
T
5/19
Introduction to Musical Elements [Reading assignment pp. 4-38 (Prelude 1 and Ch. 1-7)]
W
5/20
More Musical Elements [Reading assignment pp. 39-67 (Ch 8-11)] Introduction to the
Renaissance [pp. 70-74 (Prelude 2) and pp. 89- 103 (Ch. 14- 15)]
WEEK 2: The Renaissance Era
M
5/25
Memorial Day- NO CLASS
T
5/26
Introduction to the Renaissance [pp. 70-74 (Prelude 2) and pp. 89- 103 (Ch. 14- 15)]
W
5/27
More Renaissance [pp. 89- 103 (Ch. 14- 15)]
WEEK 3: The Baroque Era
M
6/1
Introduction to the Baroque Era [pp. 106-129 (Prelude 3, Ch. 16-17)]
T
6/2
Baroque Continued- Vocal music, Bach [pp. 130-147 (Ch. 18-20)]
W
6/3
Baroque Continued- Review Session (LISTENING REPORT #1 DUE!)
WEEK 4: Midterm Exam and Classical Music
M
6/8
EXAM #1 (Midterm)
T
6/9
Introduction to the 18th century classicism [pp.150-169 (Prelude 4, Ch. 21-22)]
W
6/10
More classical music [pp.170-185 (Ch. 23, 24)]
WEEK 5: Romantic Music
M
6/15
Classical continued [pp. 187-201 (Ch. 25-26)] (CONCERT REPORT #1 DUE!)
T
6/16
Introduction to 19th century romanticism [pp. 204-229 (Prelude 5, Ch. 27-29)]
2
W
6/17
More romantic era music [pp. 230-251 (Ch. 30-31)]
WEEK 6: Course Wrap-up and Final Exam
M
6/23
Choral and dramatic music of 19th century [pp. 252-281 (Ch. 32-33)]
T
6/24
Review session
(CONCERT REPORT #2 DUE!)
W
6/25
EXAM #2 (Final)
(LISTENING REPORT #2 DUE!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------USEFUL LINKS for class
1. Exploring the world of Music on Learner.org
6. UCLA Live
http://www.learner.org/resources/series105.html
http://www.uclalive.org/
2. Los Angeles Philharmonic/Hollywood Bowl
7. UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
http://www.laphil.com/
http://www.schoolofmusic.ucla.edu/index.php
3. USC Thornton School of Music
8. Caltech Public Events
http://www.usc.edu/schools/music/
http://events.caltech.edu/
4. Classical Music radio (91.5 fm)
9. Classical Music Database
http://www.kusc.org/new/index.php
https://login.ezp.pasadena.edu/login?url=http://pasadena.
classical.com
5. Sunday’s Live at LACMA
10. Performing Arts Live
http://www.lacma.org/programs/music/sundays-live
http://www.performingartslive.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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NAME_________________
Listening Report
LG #:
CD# and Track number(s):
Title:
Artist(s)/Composer(s):
Year of Composition and Era to which it belongs:
1. 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. 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.
How does the music sound (rough, smooth, loud, soft, energetic, chaotic, meditative, percussive, etc.)?
4.
How would you describe the rhythm: Fast or slow? Steady beat or fluctuating? Is the meter duple, triple--does it change?
5. List as many characteristics that you can that will help you remember this piece and distinguish it from others.
(BE VERY SPECIFIC HERE!!!!)
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