Course
Title: MUSC 103:
Introduction to Music, General Education—Core 1
Instructor: Dr. Allen Howell, Alexander
114, Telephone 2507, [email protected]
Office
Hours: MWF 9-10, Th 1-2 & 3-4
Texts: The Musical Ascent of Herman
Being, 1995 Edition, Danziger.
The Revelation of Music, 2000 (Third) Edition, Danziger.
The purchase price of a ticket and transportation to a professional
orchestra concert, chamber music performance, or opera.
To
purchase books online, try http://addall.com or http://allbookstores.com.
Purpose: This course provides a
survey of musical elements, genres, forms, and styles. The growth and
development of music through history from early times to the present will be
studied.
Discussion Topics
An Approach to Listening
Materials of Music
Instruments
The Orchestra
Instrumental Forms
Opera
Voices
Vocal Forms
Styles
Composers
Recordings and Stereo
Equipment
Concert-Going
Historically Authentic
Performance
Grading: The final grade in this course will be an average of
those received in the following categories:
I. Journal 15%
II. Paper/Composer Report 15%
III. Exams 40%
IV. Class Discussion 5%
V. Concert Attendance/Report 25%
A 93-100%
B+ 88-92%
B 83-87%
C+ 78-82%
C 73-77%
D+ 68-72%
D 60-67%
F below 60%
Journal
Entries—There
should be 12 dated journal entries (1-3 paragraphs after each week) in which
students discuss some aspect of a class meeting, a reading assignment, or a
related topic (April 16 is the last journal entry—turn it in on April 23). The
first journal entry should be a brief autobiography. Please include (a) some of
your musical experiences, (b) your favorite recorded music, and (c) a digital
photo of yourself (send this first journal entry to [email protected] and attach the
photo). Journal entries should not be class notes but rather brief diary-type
entries (opinion pieces). Choose only one or two ideas to write about. Journal
entries should be stored in a loose-leaf notebook or folder so that individual
entries may be turned in separately from the rest of the journal. Entries must
be turned in on time to be accepted (see schedule).
Paper—Students will write a paper
about a character of their own invention. In the beginning, this character will
be only somewhat acquainted with Western art music. The rest of the paper will
describe the character’s initiation into the world of Western art music and
will include the character’s feelings about this initiation. Papers must be
written using a computer and should be 3-4 pages in length (10-12 point font
double spaced). Papers shorter than 3 pages, not including title or title page,
will be returned to students for revision. Papers should be in students’ own
words and may not include information/opinions from other sources (particularly
not from the Internet). Papers must be submitted on or prior to April 16 to be
accepted. Students will choose one composer and give a brief report in class
using recorded musical examples. Composer Report –Composer reports may
be scheduled throughout the semester on or before April 2.
Exams will follow the class
schedule. Exams will not be made up unless prior arrangements are made with the
instructor or under extreme circumstances (at instructor’s discretion). Old
exams are located here.
Class
Discussions
should be lively and relevant. It is important that students participate
regularly in class discussions.
Concert
Attendance:
Attendance at one professional orchestra concert, chamber music performance, or
opera between the beginning of the semester and April 23 will be required.
Reserve approximately $25.00 to $50.00 for this purpose. Students will write a
brief journal-type report (typed) of their impressions of the concert (include
the ticket stub). Visit http://geocities.com/musc103/concertinfo.html
for local concert venues.
Attendance—One absence (or two half absences) will be allowed
with no grade reduction. All subsequent absences will lower the final grade by
10 percentage points each. Missing half of a class will result in a reduction
of 5 points. The instructor is not obligated to
excuse more than one full absence regardless of the reason. These include medical problems with a physician’s written
description, appointment with a physician (or dentist, orthodontist,
veterinarian, chiropractor, etc.), death in the family, car trouble, repair
people who are later than they say they will be, child care concerns, campus
activities, field trips, fraternity/sorority functions, back surgery,
appointments with your advisor, medical problems/appointments of
parents/relatives, weddings, funerals, airline reservations, housing
emergencies, military functions, sports events, etc. There are, of course,
legitimate reasons to miss class and some absences will be unavoidable. The
bottom line, however, is that it is necessary to attend class regularly to
receive its full benefit. Your coursework needs to be a priority during the
time you are enrolled.
Calendar
January
16 Journal I due next
time (Journal 1 should be a brief bio
of yourself that includes the above-mentioned information)
January
23 Read pp. 4-48 of The
Musical Ascent of Herman Being
Read pp. 13-
48 of The Revelation of Music
Journal I due
Exam I
January
30 Read pp. 48-108 of
ROM; Journal II due
February
6 Read pp. 109-138 of
ROM; Journal III due
Exam II
February
13 Read pp. 48-72 of
MAHM; Journal IV due
Read http://geocities.com/musc103/dickinson.htm
February
20 Read pp. 139-192 of
ROM; Journal V due
Exam III
February
27 Read pp. 73-105 of
MAHM Journal VI due
March
5 Read pp. 193-211
of ROM; Journal VII due
Exam IV
March
19 Read pp. 211-246
of ROM; Paper due; Journal VIII due
March
26 Read pp. 246-276
of ROM
Journal IX due
Exam V
April
2 Read http://geocities.com/musc103/rauscher.html
Read pp. 276-310 of ROM
Deadline Composer Reports
Journal X due
April
16 Paper, Journal
XI due
Exam VI
April
23 Journal XII due
Concert Report due;
April
30 No journal
May
7 Final Exam
Note—All written or typed
assignments should be saved after they are returned so that you will have a
record of your work.
Note—If you need special accommodation in
testing or presentation of class materials, please contact the instructor
during the first week of classes to file a written request for a reasonable
accommodation plan. Course requirements will not be waived but accommodations
may be made to assist you to meet the requirements, provided you are timely in
working with the instructor to develop a reasonable accommodation plan.
Note—If
you need special accommodation regarding the observance of a religious holiday
or holidays, please contact the instructor during the first week of classes to
file a written request for a reasonable accommodation plan. Course requirements
will not be waived but accommodations may be made to assist you to meet the
requirements, provided you are timely in working with the instructor to develop
a reasonable accommodation plan.
Note—Cheating
is prohibited. Any acts of cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the
course. The disruption or prevention of the peaceful and orderly conduct of
classes, lectures, and other University functions is prohibited. Disruptive
students will be requested to leave class and will be counted absent. Please
refer to the University Policy Manual at http://www.edinboro.edu/cwis/studaff/judicial/code_conduct.htm
NOTE—The disruption or prevention of the peaceful and
orderly conduct of classes, lectures, and other University functions is
prohibited. Disruptive students will be requested to leave class and will be
counted absent. N.B. Cell phonesand pagers are disruptive. Turn them off. Do
not leave class to take/return a call. Please refer to the University Policy
Manual at http://www.edinboro.edu/cwis/studaff/judicial/code_conduct.htm.
NOTE: Only work that has been evaluated by me
will be used in grade calculation.
CAVEAT: The above schedule and procedures are
subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.