MUS 101: Introduction to Western Music (HC) Course Syllabus Fall 2017 Course Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Location: Patterson Hall (PH) Mezzanine Credit Hours: 4 Professor: Dr. Timothy Winfield Assistant Professor of Music, Trumpet and Music Education Office: Patterson Hall Studio B Office Phone: 724-946-7274 E-mail: [email protected] Office hours: MW 9:20 – 10:20am TR 6:00 – 7:00pm Or by appointment Course Description: A historical study of the basic elements and major periods of 2,000 years of western music, major composers and their works, with emphasis on the development of listening skills. Satisfies IP credit in Humanity and Culture. Course outcomes: By the end of Intro to Western Music, students will be able to: • Speak intelligently on the primary composers and events of western music history. This will be achieved through weekly lectures, listening activities, and interactive discussions. (Assessed via research paper, presentations, and class discussion) • Understand the form and simple theoretic bases of western music. (Assessed via quizzes and exams) • Understand the basic principles and qualities of instruments, ensembles, and the “classical” genres of which they are a part. (Assessed via quizzes and exams) • Be an active and critical listener through attendance of various concerts and application of concepts covered in class. (Assessed via concert reviews) • Understand connections between “classical music” and music of the present day. (Assessed via class discussion and research paper, and presentation) Textbooks and Course Materials: • Wright, Craig, Listening to Western Music, 8th edition 1 Assignments: Concert Reviews Students will attend at least two concerts of their choice. Concerts may include but are not limited to Westminster ensembles and recitals. Concert reviews must be turned in on D2L. The deadline for submitting your concert review is the beginning of the last class of the semester. Each concert review must contain the following and should be at least 500 words 1. A program of the event (a ticket stub is adequate for off campus events if a program is unavailable.) The program should state the date, time, place, and group, ensemble, and/or soloist(s) who are performing. 2. Provide your own reactions to the performance based on the content of this course. Do not use program notes. Describe the event and music using the elements, concepts, and vocabulary described in daily lectures and presentations. 3. Provide the reception the audience gives the performance. 4. Provide any unexpected or unusual occurrences. One additional concert review may be submitted for extra credit. All the previous criteria must be meet on order to receive extra credit. Exams and Quizzes Students will complete three exams and three quizzes consisting of multiple choice, short answer, true and false, and chronology questions, which will be generated from daily lectures, presentations, and reading. Music Style/Musician Presentation Presentation topics can be chosen in one of two ways. Please see descriptions A and B below for guidance in choosing a topic. Presentations must be at least 6 minutes in length, and no longer than 8 minutes. Individuals should use PowerPoint, Prezi, or another professional presentation software. The presentations should contain text, pictures, audio, and video (if applicable). A. Students will choose and research a popular style of music and present it to the class. This presentation must include at least: 1. The brief history of the style 2. Most influential artist(s) of that style 3. Typical instrumentation including an explanation of any non-standard instruments or techniques 4. Provide three or four 20-30 second audio or video examples. List why you choose these samples, and provide a specific element or elements for which the class should listen. If the clip is longer than 20-30 seconds, be sure to play only the 20- 30 second clip. 5. Provide any other information pertinent to your style of music. 2 B. Student may opt to present a composer of the “classical” genre. If you choose this option, you will select one of the composers we will discuss in class, and present the following information on the date the composer is listed on the syllabus. 1. Biographical information: date of birth and death (if applicable), place of birth and death (if applicable), era, places and dates of employment, and major achievements. 2. What are the most significant influences the composer you have chosen had on Western music. 3. List composer’s most influential works. 4. Provide three or four 20-30 second audio or video samples, list why you choose these samples, and provide a specific element or elements for which the class should listen. If the clip is longer than 20-30 seconds, be sure to play only the 20- 30 second clip. Music Style/Musician Paper Students will write a 4-5 page paper on the topic discussed in your presentation. A bibliography of at least 5 academic/scholarly sources (books and/or peer-reviewed articles) must be attached to the 4-5 page paper as well. Be sure to adhere to Chicago Manual Style throughout your paper and bibliography. Check the course calendar for due date. Interest on Music Influences Students will write a paper explaining how their interests influence the way they perceive music, what type of music to which they listen and why, and when they listen to music. (Between 500 and 800 words.) Grading: Assignment Percent of Grade Class Participation 15 Exams 30 Concert Reviews 10 Music Style/Musician Presentation 10 Music Style/Musician Paper 10 Interest on Music Influences 10 Quizzes 15 Grading Scale: 93-100 A 73-76 C 90-92 A- 70-72 C- 87-89 B+ 67-69 D+ 83-86 B 63-66 D 80-82 B- 60-62 D- 77-79 C+ Below 60 F 3 Note on due dates and late work: All assignments that are turned in are due at the beginning of the class period unless I say otherwise. Late assignments are not accepted, unless the student has missed class due to an excused absence. In addition, assignments will not be accepted after class. A missed quiz will count as a zero percent, unless the student has missed due to an excused absence. This course follows the policy regarding exams and excused absences that is outlined in the Westminster College Undergraduate Catalogue. Important Note on Discussion of Grades: If students have a concern about grades of any sort (handed back papers, course grade, etc.), they are encouraged to discuss their grades with me during office hours. I will not discuss grades of any sort in class or in front of other students. Grades are strictly a private matter. Attendance Policy: The attendance policy in this course follows the College policy, which is outlined in the Westminster College Undergraduate Catalogue. Students are expected to attend all classes. Every unexcused absence after three unexcused absences will result in the student’s final grade being lowered one third of a letter grade. If you have extenuating circumstances, please talk to me so we can try and resolve your problem. I may excuse absences for the following reasons: course-related field trips; illness that is documented by a doctor’s note (not including the “self-reported sick in room” notice from the Student Health Center); death or serious illness in the immediate family as is verified by someone other than the student; appearance in court; co-curricular and extracurricular activities recognized and/or sponsored by the College; or another extraordinary reason as deemed appropriate by me. Students must make arrangements with me regarding the completion of missed work from excused absences. E-mail and Computer Use: My preferred method of contact, outside of class is through the Westminster email system. Please make sure to correspond via your Westminster account only, or you may have your Westminster emails forwarded to another account. The bottom line is to make sure you check and receive your Westminster email frequently. Class materials will also be posted to Desire to Learn (D2L). Please make sure you have proper access. Academic Honesty: While students are encouraged to study and work in groups on homework assignments, copying work for the sake of turning in assignments on time is a breach of the College’s policy on academic integrity. In addition, the standards in this course conform to the College’s policy, which states: “Academic dishonesty is a profound violation of the expected code of behavior. It can take several forms including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, misrepresentation of facts or experimental results, unauthorized use of or intentional intrusion into another’s computer files and/or programs, intentional damage to a computer system, and unauthorized use of library materials and privileges. Academic dishonesty in any of these forms will not be tolerated. Students who engage in academic dishonesty face penalties such as failure in the course involved or expulsion from the College. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of the College.” 4 Student Support Services and Special Accommodations: Students who have special needs that may affect their academic or personal life should seek resources on campus to assist them, such as Disability Support, the Learning Center, Diversity Services, and Library Instruction. In this course, accommodations consistent with college policy will be made for students who are utilizing appropriate support services. After consulting with the appropriate support service, students are encouraged to speak with me in a confidential appointment about necessary accommodations. Note on Cellphone Use: Cellphones must be silenced and stowed during class. Course Outline and Schedule (Subject to change) DATE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT CLASS *Additional reading or listening assignments may be made in class.