MUSC 230 History of Western Art Music I: Ancient Worlds to the Baroque

This course will begin by introducing musical practices and thoughts of the ancient Greeks. Through a systematic and organized presentation of historical events, theoretical thoughts, musical practice, representative composers and their works, the students gain a comprehensive overview and knowledge in the unfolding stylistic development of Western Art Music through the Medieval Period to the middle of the Eighteenth century, commonly recognized as the end of the Baroque Period. Students enrolled in this class will be required to demonstrate a listening comprehension of the representative musical compositions covered in this class by completing an aural proficiency assessment successfully.

Credits

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121

Hours Weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify major stylistic periods and representative musical genres within each period.
2. Define the major elements of Western art music (melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, form, timbre) from
each stylistic period covered.
3. Recognize and understand how interactions with outside European cultures have influenced
development of European music tradition.
4. Identify and describe how major political, philosophical, social or economical development across
European nations shaped the musical language of a period.
5. Understand the roles and functions of music and musicians in a given society.
6. Identify representative composers and works of each period and genre.
7. Define music terminologies and identify characteristics essential to a style.
8. Compare and contrast stylistic periods in music history.
9. Recognize and Identify up to 50 major works correctly by style, genre and composer upon hearing the
entire or parts of a piece.
10. Write informed critiques of live music performances.
11. Demonstrate active listening skills by objectively restating, in his/her own words, material which has
been verbally transmitted.
12. Effectively deliver formal oral presentations to the class base on selected topics.
13. Demonstrate the physical ability to speak effectively so that the receiver(s) can understand.
14. Communicate an abstract or concrete idea so that the receiver(s) clearly perceives the intended message
15. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using appropriate language.

Course Objectives

1. Identify major stylistic periods and representative musical genres within each period.
2. Define the major elements of Western art music (melody, rhythm, harmony, texture, form, timbre) from
each stylistic period covered.
3. Recognize and understand how interactions with outside European cultures have influenced
development of European music tradition.
4. Identify and describe how major political, philosophical, social or economical development across
European nations shaped the musical language of a period.
5. Understand the roles and functions of music and musicians in a given society.
6. Identify representative composers and works of each period and genre.
7. Define music terminologies and identify characteristics essential to a style.
8. Compare and contrast stylistic periods in music history.
9. Recognize and Identify up to 50 major works correctly by style, genre and composer upon hearing the
entire or parts of a piece.
10. Write informed critiques of live music performances.
11. Demonstrate active listening skills by objectively restating, in his/her own words, material which has
been verbally transmitted.
12. Effectively deliver formal oral presentations to the class base on selected topics.
13. Demonstrate the physical ability to speak effectively so that the receiver(s) can understand.
14. Communicate an abstract or concrete idea so that the receiver(s) clearly perceives the intended message
15. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using appropriate language.