Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

MUSA 202 Music Literature in Context II

Previously MUSC 203. This course will blend both theoretical analyses of specific representative musical masterworks with an investigation into the works' historical and stylistic context from the classical through the Middle to Late Twentieth Century. To this end, there will be 1) study of specific historical readings, 2) analytical and historical study of certain pivotal masterworks of music and their composers, 3) student analyses of these works with an aim to understanding their architectural and organic lifeblood, how the works functioned within their composers' oeuvre, and their historical context, and 4) student presentations of their findings.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

MUSA 201 or MUSC 202

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

  1. Define the major elements of Western music (pitch, dynamics, timbre, texture, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form)
  2. Explain how a composer has manipulated each of the elements of music in a given composition and propose a theory concerning the reasons for each of the changes.
  3. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analyzing the form of a composition through either listening or study of the score and correctly identify the form of a musical excerpt.
  4. Compare and contrast each of the major style periods of Western history music.
  5. Recognize the composer and composition title of 25-50 major works.
  6. List several major composers from each style period and describe the essence of their approach to composition and/or the uniqueness of their contribution to music.
  7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze creative and aesthetic activity by writing informed critiques of live music performances.
  8. Write a research paper on a detailed aspect of a composer or work.
  9. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creativity with social and cultural contexts by discussing the primary philosophical thrusts of each style period and relate those forces to specific musical examples.
  10. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetic and creativity, by summarizing the tonality crisis of the 20th century and discuss the specific composers and works that relate to the solution of that crisis.
  11. Summarize the tonality crisis of the 20th century and discuss the specific composers and works that relate
    to the solution of that crisis.
  12. Demonstrate active listening skills by objectively restating, in his or her own words, material which has
    been verbally transmitted.
  13. Demonstrate the physical ability to speak effectively so that the receiver(s) can understand the ideas
    being expressed.
  14. Communicate an abstract or concrete idea so that the receiver(s) clearly perceives the intended message.
    This will include the ability to express a point of view that is not the student’s own.
  15. Effectively deliver a formal oral presentation in front of a group.
  16. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using appropriate language.

Course Objectives

  1. Define the major elements of Western music (pitch, dynamics, timbre, texture, rhythm, melody, harmony, and form)

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  2. Explain how a composer has manipulated each of the elements of music in a given composition and propose a theory concerning the reasons for each of the changes.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  3. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analyzing the form of a composition through either listening or study of the score and correctly identify the form of a musical excerpt.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Exam

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

    Creative Process

    • CP2
  4. Compare and contrast each of the major style periods of Western history music.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  5. Recognize the composer and composition title of 25-50 major works.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  6. List several major composers from each style period and describe the essence of their approach to composition and/or the uniqueness of their contribution to music.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze creative and aesthetic activity by writing informed critiques of live music performances.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Exam

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

    Creative Process

    • CP4
  8. Write a research paper on a detailed aspect of a composer or work.

    This objective is a course Goal Only

  9. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creativity with social and cultural contexts by discussing the primary philosophical thrusts of each style period and relate those forces to specific musical examples.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Essay

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

    Creative Process

    • CP3
  10. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts related to enduring and contemporary issues of aesthetic and creativity, by summarizing the tonality crisis of the 20th century and discuss the specific composers and works that relate to the solution of that crisis.

    Learning Activity Artifact

    • Other (please fill out box below)
    • Essay

    Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

    • Creative Process and Humanistic Inquiry Rubric

    Creative Process

    • CP1
  11. Summarize the tonality crisis of the 20th century and discuss the specific composers and works that relate
    to the solution of that crisis.
  12. Demonstrate active listening skills by objectively restating, in his or her own words, material which has
    been verbally transmitted.
  13. Demonstrate the physical ability to speak effectively so that the receiver(s) can understand the ideas
    being expressed.
  14. Communicate an abstract or concrete idea so that the receiver(s) clearly perceives the intended message.
    This will include the ability to express a point of view that is not the student’s own.
  15. Effectively deliver a formal oral presentation in front of a group.
  16. Demonstrate the ability to communicate using appropriate language.