MUSI1201 Music Appreciation

Credit Hours: 3 semester hours

Course Description

A survey of musical highlights including pieces, composers, forms, styles, and performance media from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the emergence of the music video. The course is conveniently divided into 7 modules, each addressing a distinct period of music. The introductions to concurrent movements across the arts as well as the sociopolitical conditions of each era offer students a unique window into the broader social history of Europe, and the United States. Global and cross-cultural musical introductions are also offered for several key genres.

Goals and Objectives

The goals of this course are as follows:

• Students will be able to identify and discuss the elements of musical art with greater confidence.

• Students will articulate the history, development, and cultural significance of major works across variety of musical styles using appropriate terms and making meaningful comparisons.

• Through guided listening and learning experiences involving a carefully curated collection of pieces from history’s most imaginative composers, students will deepen their connection to familiar music while also discovering new favorites to enjoy.

• Examining, challenging, confirming, and expanding one’s individual musical tastes promotes greater self-awareness, and offers the student an enhanced perspective along with access to new cultural opportunities.

Books Needed

• Book: Music: An Appreciation by Roger Kamien

Recommended Texts and Other Readings

• Tickets for a concert of live classical or jazz music in your area.

• Admission to an art museum in your region. Free or inexpensive options may exist.

• Other readings will be provided via Blackboard as necessary.

Materials Needed

• A computer that can access the Internet, load and properly display course resources, and access documents in [specify programs or applications such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat for PDFs. See Shawnee State Hardware and Software Standards for information about computer specifications. FYI, the university offers Microsoft Office at a substantial discount. See SSU-Microsoft EES Agreement Overview for more information.

• An Internet connection (DSL, LAN, or cable connection desirable)

  • To access the Internet from off-campus, use a commercial provider such as your telephone company’s DSL or cable company’s Internet service OR a free dial-up access provided by the university. Please be aware that the university dial-up is via a local Portsmouth area phone number and is considerably slower than DSL or cable modem services and therefore will probably be frustrating to use when downloading any large files such as PowerPoint or Flash presentations. If interested in the free dial-up service, go to UIS (Massie 005b) to register for an account.

• Access to a good pair of headphones, preferably not earbuds.

  • Good headphones DO NOT have to be really expensive