Introduction to Music Literature I Syllabus

Revision date: January 16, 2006

Music and Humanities Department

San Antonio College / 1300 San Pedro Ave. / San Antonio, TX 78212-4299

Course number and title: MUSI 1308. Introduction to Music Literature: Middle Ages – Classical.

Credit Hours: 3 Hrs/wk lec.: 3 Hrs/wk lab: 1 Lec/Lab: 3

Office: McAllister Fine Arts Building, Room 105 Phone (210) 733-2731 Fax (210) 733-2985

Web Address: www.accd.edu/sac/music

I. Catalog Description

MUSI 1308. Introduction to Music Literature: Middle Ages – Classical.

Prerequisite: None.

Introduction to Music Literature: Middle Ages – Classical, a course designed for music majors, presents a survey of vocal and instrumental literature, including musical forms and representative styles. MUSI 1308 is offered only in the fall semester.

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements

While it is not a requirement, MUSI 1308 should be taken back-to-back with MUSI 1309: Introduction to Music Literature: Romantic – 20^th Century. These two courses complete this topic at the lower division level. While it makes sense to take MUSI 1308 prior to taking MUSI 1309, this is not a requirement and these courses may be taken in either order.

III. Text and other materials students are required to provide

A. Machlis, Joseph A. The Enjoyment of Music, Chronological Version, Ninth Edition. W. W. Norton & Co., New York, NY.

B. Machlis, Joseph A. The Enjoyment of Music, 4 CDs Basic, Ninth Edition. W. W. Norton & Co., New York, NY.

IV. Instruction will consist of:

A. Lecture and demonstration

B. Audio/visual assisted instruction

1. Audio recordings

2. Video tapes/DVDs

3. Transparencies

4. Computer-assisted multimedia presentations

5. Live performances

C. Class participation and discussion

D. Listening to representative works in a self-directed listening laboratory

E. Relating classroom material to the department’s regular series of concerts and recitals.

V. Course Content

This course covers the elements of music, including melody, textures, harmony, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, timbres, form, style, notation, tonality, and thematic development. It provides an overview of the music from the Medieval and Renaissance Periods, and surveys the major composers, their compositions, genres and structures from the music of the Baroque, Rococo, and Classical Periods. It also makes connections to popular, modern, and non-Western musics and cultural practices as a way to enhance understanding, perspective, and critical thinking.

VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students’ mastery of those outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

Students will understand the various elements and Western instruments of music and possess an overview of Western music history up through the music of early Beethoven. They will engage in intelligent and informed listening of representative music from this time, and be able to articulate the historical and stylistic characteristics of music in the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and Classical periods.

Performance Objectives:

By the end of the semester, students will be able to:

A. identify assigned musical works by composers, names of works, and other appropriate parameters after hearing excerpts. Specific works will be taken from the current segment of a list distributed at the beginning of the semester and studied in class.

B. supply style period characteristics for the periods studied. The characteristics are given in the text and in the supplementary material.

C. identify and define musical terms as discussed in class, the textbook, or supplementary material.

D. demonstrate knowledge of musical instruments, elements, style period backgrounds, composers, specific musical works, and other material given in the text and in the supplementary material by answering objective questions.

E. write short essays and/or give classroom presentations on previously announced topics.

Methods of Measurement: Students will have achieved mastery of Learning Outcomes with at least a 70% of the final grade:

· Listening quizzes in the classroom, assessed by the instructor and factored into the students’ grade;

· Exams, assessed by the instructor and assigned a grade;

· Assignments, assessed by the instructor and factored into the students’ grade;

· Class participation, factored into the students’ grade;

· A comprehensive (“capstone”) Final Exam, worth at least 15% of the students’ final grade.

VII. Course Requirements and Grade Computation

A. College Requirements

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B. Departmental Requirements

Retention Means Completing the Course

The faculty members of the Music/Humanities department are committed to your successful completion of our classes without lowering the college’s academic standards. As a department, we have set a goal to increase the number of students who finish our classes with a performance grade (A, B, C, or D). As faculty (and former college students), we have discussed the many pressures (work, financial, family) that our students must face. Certainly, some of these issues are beyond your control. However, there may be something that can be done that would make the difference in whether you complete the course. If we are made aware of circumstances that impact your participation in class, we can be of assistance. Although this syllabus is full of requirements and policies, we are not inflexible. Please do not stop coming to class or drop the class without first talking to the instructor. Dropping a course should be your last step. Be aware that dropping may impact your grade point average, financial aid, and health insurance policies (some require you to be a full time 12 hour student). As experienced instructors, there may be options that we can point out that have not occurred to you. We are here to help you, but you must be willing to help yourself. Do not wait until the end of the semester to ask for advice. Your success matters to your instructor and it is a top priority in the department.

C. Instructor Requirements

(Customized by each instructor – see Faculty web page, then select Course

Information)

VIII. College Policies

A. San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B. Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C. ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D. A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E. Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F. Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/2000.

G. San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each. Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W” (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H. San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I. ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone (210) 208-8189 (for information on college closures)

J. Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the

“Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sac/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf