HomeMy WebLinkAboutMUS-108Bergen Community College
Division of Business, Arts and Social Science
Department of Performing Arts
Course Syllabus
MUS-108 History of Western Music after 1750
Basic Information about Course and Instructor
Semester and year:
Course and Section Number:
Meeting Times and Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary: [optional]
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Course Description
MUS-108 History of Western Music after 1750. [3.00 cr.] This course is a study of the historical and
stylistic development of music from the Classical period to the present. General Education Course –
Humanities Elective 3 lectures, 3 credits No prerequisites
Recommended Texts
Listening to Music, 5th ed. by Craig Wright. Thomson Schirmer Publishing. ISBN 13-978-0-495-18973-2
Music the Art of Listening, 7th ed. by Jean Ferris. McGraw Hill Publishing. ISBN 978-0-07-312213-7
Learning Assessment
Student Learning Objective Suggested Means of Assessment
1. develop an understanding of the selected period in
history through the avenue of music.
Essay examinations
Quizzes and objective tests
Writing assignments
2. develop a working vocabulary of musical terminology
Essay examinations
Quizzes and objective tests
Writing assignments
3. recognize distinctive musical characteristics of each of
the historical periods covered during the course
4. Identify significant historical events from the Classical
Period to the present and apply aspects of critical
thinking by writing a term paper on a selected topic
Essay examinations
Quizzes and objective tests
Writing assignments
5. utilize library and online resources and research tools
to retrieve primary and secondary sources, in order to
present an individual perspective on the role of music
in contemporary society;
6. critique live and recorded music representing music
reflective of the historical periods considered during
class and show a work use of the vocabularies
mastered during coursework.
Writing assignments
The course is intended to introduce students to the academic study of music, including music analysis
and the historical and sociocultural issues regarding music of that period. The course includes studying
the musical elements of timbre, rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, and form. The course studies the
historical and sociocultural context of music through the time periods considered. Because MUS-108 is
a General Education course, it requires students to complete a variety of critical thinking and writing
assignments. These assignments may include class discussions and the application of critical thinking
skills, short essays, and examinations containing essay writing.
Grading Policy
EVALUATION:
Class Involvement = 20%
(Based on responses and reactions concerning the week’s assignments, discussions, responses and
descriptions of recordings)
Three tests = 60%
(Based on assigned readings and listening assignments)
One Major Paper = 20% DUE DATE IS FIRM.
This term paper must be created during THIS semester.
GRADING: Letter grades evaluating course work as required by the college.
90-100 = A
86-89 = B+
80-85 = B
76-79 = C+
70 -75 = C
65-69 = D
Below 64 =R
Official Withdrawal
Incomplete (N) will typically not be given without permission from
the instructor
Any late assignments or papers will be evaluated one letter grade
lower. There are no extended dates for exams unless students contact the instructor directly and
explain the circumstance.
Grading of homework assignments: Your homework assignments will be received by me through the
moodle e-mail. I receive all assignments via the moodle system. There is no need to write me to ask if I
received your homework. All homework is recorded through moodle and BCC e-mail automatically. I
will grade and return quality responses to some of the assignments. NOT ALL will have a comment, but
may have a rubric response that most closely describes my evaluation and responses to your
work. Some assignments may be graded without comment after the first 8 assignments of the
course. An internet course is for those that learn best in a solo circumstance. If you need added help,
please consider one of the music tutors…Call the tutoring center and ask for one of our proficient music
tutors! Also just give me a call if you are in panic mode.
Student and Faculty Support Services
The Distance Learning Office – for
any problems you may have
accessing your online courses
Room C-
334
201-612-5581
psimms@bergen.edu
Smarthinking Tutorial Service On Line at: http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/Pages/4787.aspx
The Tutoring Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/pages/2192.aspx
The Writing Center Room L-125 201-447-7908
http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/Pages/1795.aspx
The Office of Specialized Services
(for Students with Disabilities)
Room S-131 201-612-5270
http://www.bergen.edu/oss
BCC Library – Reference Desk Room L-226 201-447-7436
The Henry and Edith Cerullo Learning Assistance Center encompasses the Tutoring Center, the
English Language Resource Center, and the Writing Center. The website of the Learning Assistance Center
is located at www.bergen.edu/pages/2192.asp. Tutoring services are available for this course in the
Tutoring Center. I strongly recommend that you make use of those services as we progress through the
course. As listed above, the Tutoring Center is located in Room L-125, and its phone number is 201-447-
7908.
All examples used for assignments can be found on YOU TUBE or the BCC Library website.
Directions for BCC library: Go to the library home page, under Electronic Server click on Full list of
Databases. Click on subject, go to Classical Music. (type in composer and title) Call the BCC library help
desk if you are having trouble.
SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE
Each week a topic will be explored through readings, listening activities, and the completion of
assignments. Discussions will also be included.
Primary readings: Music: The Art of Listening 7th ed. By Jean Ferris. McGraw-Hill Publishers.
Week Date Topic/Activity/Assignments Student Learning Objectives
1 Jan. 19-21 Intro. to Course and overview
What are the major stylistic/historical eras
Appendix pages 392-399: C. Wright assign. 1-6
2 Jan. 26-28 Quiz. Intro. To musical terminology, concepts
and listening skills C. Wright assign. Pages 1-14
3 Feb. 2-4 Intro. To musical terminology, concepts and
Listening skills. Toward Classicism. Chp. 15 1-6
4. Feb. 9-11 Toward Classicism: General Characteristics, Chp. 16 1-6
5. Feb. 16-18 Formal Design in the Classical Period, Chp. 17 1-6
6. Feb. 23-25 Vocal music of the Classical Period, Chp. 18 1-6
7. Mar. 1-3 Toward Romanticism: General Characteristics
Chapter 19 and Chp. 20 1-6
8. Mar 7-10 Orchestra, Solo instrument Chp. 21, 22 1-6
9 Mar 21-24 Voice and Dramatic Music, Chp. 23 1-6
10 Mar 28-31 Music of 19C America, Chap 24 1-6
11 April 5 – 7 Toward New Music, Chp. 25 1-6
12 April 12-14 20th C. Arts: General Characteristics, Chp. 26 1-6
13 April 19-21 Music Revolutionaries, Chp. 27 1-6
14 April 26-28 Music Evolutionaries, Chp. 28 1-7
15 May 3 – 10 Music for Stage and Films, Chp. 29: Exam 3 1-7