Catalog Description

Advisory: Completion of MUS 10 with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 54 lecture
Description: Study of the history of European American art music from the 18th century Enlightenment through the present. Students use selected musical recordings and readings to study classical music traditions, from Europe and elsewhere, within their historical and cultural contexts. (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Evaluate and describe major eras and compositional styles in European music history since 1750.
  • CSLO #2: Critique historical and sociopolitical events that influenced the evolution of art music in Europe and the United States since 1750.
  • CSLO #3: Identify and compare the works of various composers from Classical, Romantic, and 20th Century periods of music.
  • CSLO #4: Identify and differentiate between various musical examples using analytical listening skills.

Effective Term

Fall 2025

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

54

Outside of Class Hours

108

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

1. Identify influences of The Enlightenment in the musical life of European artists and audiences.
2. Compare and contrast Classical-era "comic opera" and "serious opera" traditions.
3. Identify and describe the musical forms used during the Classical era.
4. Compare and contrast a symphony and concerto.
5. Describe the major contributions Beethoven made to the development of 19th century music.
6. Compare and contrast "programmatic music" to "pure music."
7. Analyze the evolving roles of composers and performers within European art music from the Classical to Romantic eras.
8. Discuss the evolution of European opera through the Classical and Romantic eras. 
9. Describe the influences of vernacular music on art music in the twentieth century.
10. Analyze the "Impressionistic" traits and influences of the music of Debussy.
11. Compare and contrast the philosophies, styles, and aesthetics of classical music traditions from around the world with the European classical tradition.
12. Analyze the impact and influence of global culture and technology on art music composers, musicians, and audiences.

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)
    • Cal-GETC 3A - Arts
  • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)
    • IGETC - 3A Arts

Articulation Information

  • CSU Transferable
  • UC Transferable

Methods of Evaluation

  • Objective Examinations
    • Example: 1. Instructor will design a listening examination covering compositions from the 19th Century Romantic Era asking students to identify specific compositions’ name of the piece, composer, genre, style features. For example: Erlkoenig—Schubert—Lied/Art Song—piano accompaniment imitating horse’s galloping hooves as part of word painting. Instructor will assess the accuracy of answers. 2. An exam consisting of multiple choice, true or false, matching and short answer covering material for a specific era' music, history, composers and performance practice. For example: Multiple Choice: The first 18th century repertoire to be absorbed into a permanent canon of admired works in the 19th century was: a. Chamber music of Corelli b. Keyboard music of Couperin and Rameau c. Keyboard music of J.S. Bach d. Oratorios of Handel and Haydn e. Operas of Vivaldi and Scarlatti Short Answer: Beethoven’s resolve to persevere in 1802 as a composer despite his deafness was affirmed in a document now known as_______________. (The Heiligenstadt Testament)
  • Projects
    • Example: 1.Students will form groups of three and present as a group a project assigned by the instructor. The project will be a specific opera from either the 19th or 20th century (Puccini’s La Bohème or Adam’s Dr. Atomic for example). Plot, historical circumstances of the opera, contributions to the genre should be included. Instructor will create a grading rubric for evaluating accuracy of content, use of technology in presentation and thoroughness in presenting specific details of the opera and composer. 2. Class presentation on various composers' approach to the 19th Century art song. Instructor will create a rubric for evaluating accuracy of content, use of technology in presentation and thoroughness in presenting specific details, for example: evaluating the different approaches to piano accompaniment between Schubert and Schumann and the impact on the song text.

Repeatable

No

Methods of Instruction

  • Lecture/Discussion
  • Distance Learning

Lecture:

  1. Instructor will present a recording of a piano concerto by Brahms and guide the class through an examination of the characteristics of a 19th century concerto. Instructor will then ask questions about the difference between the 18th and 19th century concerto to reveal student understanding of stylistic and formal differences.
  2. After presenting a lecture on the 20th Century opera Wozzeck of Alban Berg, instructor will have the class form small groups, assign specific operas from the 19th and 20th century for each group to compare, contrast and prepare a presentation to the class on their findings.

Distance Learning

  1. The same lesson will take place via video lecture, and students will discuss the differences in 18th and 19th centuries concerto in a quiz/short answer format.
  2. The same lesson will take place via video lecture, and students will be split into small groups to participate in a discussion forum to compare and contrast specific operas.

Typical Out of Class Assignments

Reading Assignments

1. Read the Chapter on Romantic Era: Song and Piano Music and discuss the impact on musicians and composers of the decline of aristocratic patronage. 2. Research a selected topic studied (for example: minimalism in the music of Philip Glass and John Adams) and include findings for discussion in class.

Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

1. Write a comparison of the social influences in the Classical period and the Romantic Period with regards to the function and characteristics of each musical era. 2. Write an essay showing how the expansion of the size of the orchestra reflected or influenced the evolution of art music in the 19th century.

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

1. Prepare a research paper of at least five pages (typed, double spaced) which compares a type of composition, such as a concerto or art song, written in different eras.

Required Materials

  • A History of Western Music
    • Author: Burkholder, Grout and Palisca
    • Publisher: W. W. Norton
    • Publication Date: 2018
    • Text Edition: 10th
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER:
  • Concise History of Western Music
    • Author: Barbara Russano Hanning
    • Publisher: W.W. Norton
    • Publication Date: 2020
    • Text Edition: 5th
    • Classic Textbook?: No
    • OER Link:
    • OER:

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