Course Description:
This course aims to deepen students’ understanding and appreciation of music across various genres and time periods. Using the textbook “Listen” by Joseph Kerman and Gary Tomlinson as a foundation, students will explore different musical styles, learn to analyze compositions, and gain insights into the historical and cultural contexts of music. Through active listening, discussions, and hands-on activities, students will develop critical listening skills and a broader appreciation for music as an art form.
Course Objectives:
Develop an understanding of the elements and structures of music.
Identify and describe different musical styles, genres, and periods.
Analyze and interpret musical compositions, including their musical elements and forms.
Explore the cultural, historical, and social influences that shape music.
Foster active listening skills and an appreciation for the aesthetics and emotional impact of music.
Course Content:
Unit 1: Introduction to Music Appreciation
The elements of music: melody, harmony, rhythm, dynamics, and form
Developing active listening skills and critical thinking about music
Unit 2: Early Music
Medieval music: Gregorian chant and early sacred polyphony
Renaissance music: motets and masses by composers like Josquin des Prez and Giovanni Palestrina
Unit 3: Baroque Music
Baroque instrumental music: concertos, fugues, and suites by composers like Bach and Handel
Baroque vocal music: operas and oratorios by composers like Monteverdi and Purcell
Unit 4: Classical Music
Classical symphonies, chamber music, and sonatas by composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven
Classical vocal music: art songs and operas by composers like Schubert and Mozart
Unit 5: Romantic Music
Romantic symphonies and programmatic music by composers like Beethoven, Berlioz, and Tchaikovsky
Romantic instrumental music: piano works and character pieces by composers like Chopin and Liszt
Unit 6: Impressionism and 20th Century Music
Impressionistic works by composers like Debussy and Ravel
Innovation and experimentation in 20th-century music, including composers like Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Copland
Assessment Methods:
Listening quizzes and tests
Analysis and interpretation of musical compositions
Class discussions and participation
Written assignments, including listening reflections and research papers
Group projects, such as creating presentations on specific musical styles or composers
Note: This syllabus is based on the textbook “Listen” by Joseph Kerman and Gary Tomlinson, and specific course content may be adjusted based on the instructor’s preferences and pace of the course.