Introduction to Music Appreciation

Introduction to Music Appreciation

  1. Module Title: Introduction to Music Appreciation
  2. Module Prefix/Number: MUS 100
  3. Credit Hours: Three (3)
  4. Catalog Description: This course provides an introduction to musical elements, forms and stylistic periods from the Middle Ages through the popular music of today. While concentrating primarily on Western Art Music and its representative composers, the course also touches on the increasing importance of different forms of popular music in the last century and its roots in various ethnic musical expressions. Attention will also be given to historical events, sociological influences and encounters with non-European cultures within each historical period and their effect on musical development.
  5. Student Learning Outcomes: At the end of this course students will have:
    • Define the major elements of Western music (pitch, dynamics, timbre, composition, texture, rhythm, melody, harmony, form)
    • Interpret music notation at an elementary level & recognize the following types of musical form: (binary, ternary, variation, sonata, and rondo)
    • Compare and contrast each of the major style periods of Western music history
    • Listen to selected musical excerpts and distinguish between style periods & discuss the development of polyphony
    • Write a basic analysis of a major musical composition, and an informed critique of a live music performance
    • List several major composers in each of the style periods of Western music
  6. Grading Scale: Your letter grade in this course will be determined by calculating your score on all assignments and exams as a percentage of the total possible score, on a standard grading scale:
    Your Letter Grade Your Score as % of Total
    A 90–100
    B 80-89
    C 70-79
    D 60-69
    F 0-59

    Assignments 40%

    As part of the requirements, students must complete short assignments based on these studies. There will be 2 assignments, each attracting 20% of total course grade.

    Assignment (Essay) 20%

    Students are also required to turn in an essay assignment.

    Guidelines for the essay assignment:

    • Word limit: 1500 – 2500
    • The assignment should be typed using Times New Roman, 12-point size, double spaced, and 1″ margins.
    • The assignment should be edited for spelling and grammar.
    • References to be provided using the APA guidelines.

    Exam 40%

    There will be a Final exam. The exam will be based on material covered in the textbook readings and lecture notes.