Catalog Description

Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Foundation course recommended for all students seeking a basis for the understanding and enjoyment of music. Discussion of music elements, orchestral instruments, vocabulary, and historical styles and periods using time-proven masterworks. (C-ID MUS 100) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Identify and describe 4 main properties of musical sound: pitch, dynamics, tone color and duration (rhythm).
  • CSLO #2: Analyze style characteristics of each musical era in terms of instrumentation of the orchestra and identify at least one representative composer from each of the four eras: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary.
  • CSLO #3: Describe various purposes music has in society at different eras through time.

Effective Term

Spring 2021

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:
1. Appraise music in terms of its specific purpose (ceremonial, art music, recreational).
2. Aurally recognize instrument families in the modern orchestra.
3. Recognize aural examples from different style periods.
4. Evaluate concert performances through critical listening for musical elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration and historical style period.
5. Identify genres of art music: sonata, concerto, symphony, opera, art song, chorale.
6. Analyze style characteristics of each musical era in terms of instrumentation of the orchestra and identify at least one representative composer from each of the four eras: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Fine Arts
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
      • IGETC - 3A Arts

    Articulation Information

    • CSU Transferable
    • UC Transferable

    Methods of Evaluation

    • Classroom Discussions
      • Example: Present and discuss in class an example of Sacred music of the 19th century, for example Verdi's Requiem or Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah.
    • Essay Examinations
      • Example: 1. Write a brief essay after viewing a video of Hildegard of Bingen addressing various prompts. Rubric Grading. 2. Write a short essay to compare and contrast genres such as the concerto, symphony, ballet music, tone poem and/or opera.
    • Objective Examinations
      • Example: 1. Listen to four examples of art music studied in this course and categorize the style periods, probable composer and genres. 2. Outline the structure of sonata allegro form.
    • Projects
      • Example: Choose three compositions, each from a different era and describe their distinct style features as evidenced from listening to a recording.

    Repeatable

    No

    Methods of Instruction

    • Lecture/Discussion
    • Distance Learning

    Lecture:

    1. Instructor will present characteristics of three different compositions in class and include style period, genre and composer. Instructor will then present three different compositions for the students to listen and correctly identify their style period, genre, and possible composer.

    Distance Learning

    1. Instructor will assign a chapter from the text plus links to appropriate articles about a specific composer. Students will read required text and research articles on a given composer and write a report outlining the composer's life using MLA style.

    Typical Out of Class Assignments

    Reading Assignments

    1. Read about Beethoven in the textbook, on the internet, or journals and write a summary of findings including musical influences, the major events in his life and the music for which he is most famous. 2. Select an advertised concert to attend and listen to a recording of one of the pieces heard at the concert. Read the program notes which come with the recording and the program notes at the concert. Write a three-page report which compares and contrasts both the program notes and the performances.

    Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

    1. Attend at least two live performances of fine art music and write a critical comparison of the concerts applying musical terms and concepts studied in class. 2. After viewing a video about Hildegard of Bingen in class write a 1-2 page reaction paper answering four questions given at the beginning of class.

    Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

    1. Write an extended concert report type written, double spaced, three to five pages which includes detailed research on the composer and work(s) selected. 2. Write a Repertoire Project of 5 full pages which includes both research and listening critically to three compositions, each chosen from a different time period, e.g. Baroque, Classical, 20th C. to compare and contrast stylistic features based on terms and concepts explored in class.

    Required Materials

    • Listen to This!
      • Author: Bonds, Mark Evan
      • Publisher: Prentice Hall
      • Publication Date: 2017
      • Text Edition: 4th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • The Enjoyment of Music
      • Author: Machlis, Joseph; Forney, Kristine
      • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Co.
      • Publication Date: 2018
      • Text Edition: 13th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Listening to Music
      • Author: Wright, Craig
      • Publisher: Cengage Learning
      • Publication Date: 2013
      • Text Edition: 7th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:
    • Listen
      • Author: Kerman, Joseph; Tomlinson, Gary
      • Publisher: W.W. Norton & Co.
      • Publication Date: 2016
      • Text Edition: 8th
      • Classic Textbook?: No
      • OER Link:
      • OER:

    Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.