MUSL 1324, Music Appreciation

Course Syllabus, Summer II, 2006

M-F 9:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Room 402

June 26th – July 24th

 

 

Instructor: Dr. Dena Kay Jones

Office: 436 Fox Fine Arts, Music

Email: dkjones@utep.edu

Ph# (915) 747 – 6625

Office Hours:  I am available to schedule conference times with any student via email or phone call.

 

 

Course Description

This class is a survey course of the materials, forms and styles of Western Art Music, with a focus on extensive listening.  After an introductory session for better comprehension of how music is basically constructed, the course begins its examination from the music of the Middle Ages and continues to encounter music of the twentieth century.  This course will also briefly open discussions of non-Western styles as they influenced art music.

 

 

Goals

The goals of the course are to prepare students to:

  • Investigate the elements from which music is built
  • Develop a deeper appreciation of music
  • Explore the lives and thoughts of some of the great composers
  • Learn more refined listening skills
  • Understand the basic concepts of musical style
  • Build a continued interest in concert-going

 

 

Objectives

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1.  Understand and use appropriate, professional terminology when describing music

2.  Listen to a piece of music and thereafter discuss key components regarding style

3.  Attend local concerts, using concert etiquette and comprehending all activity at the concert

4.  Discuss particular works in regard to structure, harmony, melody, rhythmic content, and other musical parameters

5.  Write concert reports, using critical thinking and providing written comparisons to topics discussed in class

 


 

Text (required)

 

Machlis, Joseph and Kristine Forney.  The Enjoyment of Music.  Ninth Edition, Shorter Version.  With 4 CDs or Cassettes (New York: W. W. Norton and Company, 2003).

      ISBN#: 0-393-97879-6

 

 

 

Course Type

Listening and lecture, group discussions, and in-class demonstrations

 

  

Expectations and Grading

Grades are based on

  • Attendance and punctuality for class; and if absence is necessary, the amount of effort shown toward notifying me if unable to attend.
  • Quality and quantity of reading as evidenced by progress from class to class.
  • Completing all assigned homework as required by class instructor.
  • Completing all tests/quizzes successfully.

 

“A”:   Consistent work and continued progress throughout the semester

“B”:   As above, but reflecting less than consistent work throughout the semester, poor preparation that has the potential for improvement

“C”:   Inconsistent work, poor attendance or punctuality, and/or lack of participation.

“D”:   Inability to produce any positive results regarding performance or homework assignments.

“F”:   Failure to attend class, or failure to show any work or preparation.

 

See point system outlined below

 
 

 

 

 


Grades will be earned through the completion of the following activities and assignments with the grade weighting designated:

 

Assignment                                                                 Grade Weighting

Quizzes                                                                        .20 (average of total amount of quizzes)

 

Section Exams (4)                                                        .40 (.10 each)

 

Final Exam                                                                   .10

 

Concert Reports (3)                                                     .30 (.10 each)

 

 

Grade Scale

A=100-90                 B=89-80                C=79-70                D=69-60                F=59-0


 

Grade Computation Example

Assignment                             Grade                           Weight                          Component

Quizzes (averaged together)    85%              x               .20              =                    17.0

Exams (4)

            Test One                         85                 x               .10              =                      8.5

            Test Two                         55                 x               .10              =                      5.5

            Test Three                       93                 x               .10              =                      9.3

            Test Four                        82                 x               .10              =                      8.2

Final Exam                                  77                 x               .10              =                      7.7

Concert Report #1                      75                 x               .10              =                      7.5      

Concert Report #2                        0                 x               .10              =                      0.0

Concert Report #3                       97                x               .10              =                      9.7      

 

Total of weighted grades                                                                       =                      73.4  C

 

Computers         All essays written outside of class must be done on a word-processor.  Please see the instructor if you have any questions.

 

 

Attendance Policy

Class will be held in Music 402, Fox Fine Arts Building.  Please arrive on time.

 

If you are ill, please notify me as early as possible by leaving a message at my email address, my office number, or at the Music Department Center Office (747-5606).

 

If I am ill, I will have the office post a sign on the classroom door in addition to contacting you as soon as possible.

 

Because of the nature of this music appreciation class, frequent attendance is a must for the successful student.  Most aspects of the final grade result from in-class activity and lecture comprehension throughout the summer semester.  Therefore, students cannot get a good grade if they are not in class and participating through listening and contributing to group discussions.  Nor can those students who miss out on class and group discussions or lectures expect to successfully complete assignments or exams.  Therefore, the student who is flourishing in Music Appreciation is the student who attends regularly.

 

When a student has compiled a total of four instances of unsatisfactory attendance, he/she will be dropped with a “W” from the course prior to the drop deadline or fail the course after the drop deadline.

 

This drop deadline date is: July 10, 2006.

 

The only excused absences will be absences from university-sanctioned events (athletic events, concerts, etc.), emergency illness, a religious-affiliated absence, jury duty, or a funeral for a member of your family.  Documentary proof of all five of these circumstances must be provided before or immediately after the fact.  If you know that


you will be absent from class, it is your responsibility to hand in assignments before your absence.  The instructor will not accept late homework, nor will quizzes be made up.  Make-up exams are highly discouraged and if necessary, will be given in essay format.

 

Students are expected to be in the classroom during the entire class period.  Excessive tardiness (coming in 10 minutes after the beginning of class) or leaving the classroom early—unless approved ahead of time with the instructor—will result in an absence.

 

Students not meeting the above attendance requirements will be dropped from the course.  Students dropped before the Course Drop Deadline of July 10th, will be dropped with a “W”; after the deadline, students will be dropped with an “F”.  Remember that your instructor cannot drop you after July 10th.

 

Your instructor may choose to make an exception to the above policies if she deems the circumstances warrant it.

 

 

Out of Class Work:

·   Daily reading assignments and listening to accompanying musical examples

·   Attending concerts and writing reports

·   Reviewing, memorizing and practicing all topics mentioned in class

 

 

NOTE:

You will also need 10 scan-tron sheets for quizzes and tests.  You can purchase these scan-tron sheets from the Miner Union Book Store.

 

It is not required, however, a 3-ring notebook with pockets, labeled on its outside cover and with paper will assist you in taking notes and recording important information for test preparation. 

 

 

OTHER NOTES:

www.utep.edu/music

www.wwnorton.com/enjoy

Library Hours: Monday – Friday; 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.*

(*Library may be closed or hours may be readjusted if limited summer staff has an emergency or illness).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tentative Schedule for Music Appreciation

Room 402, 9:20 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Modification Possible After First Class

 

Week One: June 26th - 30th  pp. 5 - 190

 

Monday, Introduction, Unit I                          Elements of Music

Tuesday, Unit I continued                              Elements of Music, Instruments

Wednesday, Unit II and III                            Instruments/Ensembles and the Middle Ages                   

Thursday, Unit IV, Transition I and Unit V     The Renaissance, the Organization of Musical       Sounds and Baroque and the Arts

Friday, Unit VI, VII, VIII AND IX                EXAM ONE

                                                                     Vocal and Instrumental    Music of the Baroque

                                                                     Transition to the Age of Enlightenment     

                                                                     Focus of Form

                                                                     How to Write a Concert Review

                                                                    

Week Two: July 3-7 pp. 190 - 253

Monday, Unit X and XI                                 The Classical Spirit and Classical Chamber Music

Tuesday, Unit XII                                          The Classical Symphony                         

Wednesday, Unit XII and XIII                       Cont. and the 18th Century Concerto and Sonata

Thursday, Unit XIV                                       The Choral/Opera Music of the Classical Era

Friday, Transition III                                      EXAM TWO

                                                                     Transition from Classicism to Romanticism

                                                                     First Concert Report Due

 

Week Three: July 10-14 pp. 254 - 385

Monday, Unit XV, XVI and XVII                 The Romantic Movement, Art Song and Piano Music

Tuesday, Unit XVIII and XIX                        Program Music and Absolute Forms-19th Century           

Wednesday, Unit XX, Transition IV               Choral and Dramatic Music and the Transition of the        Post-Romantic Era into Impressionism

Thursday, Unit XXI                                       Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

Friday, Unit XXII                                          EXAM THREE

                                                                     Early Twentieth Century

                                                                     Second Concert Report Due

 

Week Four: July 17-21 pp. 386 - 502

Monday, XXII                                              Early Twentieth Century Cont.

Tuesday, Unit XXIII                                      Nationalism in 20th C. Music       

Wednesday, Unit XXIV                                Popular Styles

Thursday, Unit XXIV and Unit XXV             Cont. and The New Music

Friday, Unit XXV                                          EXAM FOUR

                                                                     Unit XXV, The New Music Continued

                                                                     Third Concert Report Due

 

Final Exam                                   Monday, July 24th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.