MUS 1030 – 004

Music Appreciation

Fall 2016 Syllabus

Instructor: Marco Schirripa

Room / Time:Bryan Fine Arts Building 374 / TR1:30 – 2:50

Email:

Office Hours: By appointment only

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Required Materials:

  • Hauser, Kristin and Michael Clark. Exploring Music: Sound Ideas(2015).
  • Publisher: Great River Learning
  • ISBN: 9781615498659

Note: This is not a book, but a personal access code to online materials. Students must have access to the required materials as soon as possible! The textbook, recordings, and most assignments exist only online.

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1. Course Description

This course will provide a broad overview of various musical styles, genres, and composers throughout history, fromthe Middle Ages through the 21st Century. Students will explore the musical aesthetics and defining characteristics of each era, tracing the history and development of western music.

2. Course Objectives

  • Students will gain an understanding of basic musical elements and terminology.
  • Students will become familiar with variousmusical time periods and be able to recognize and define the key characteristics of each era.
  • Students will be exposed to masterworks of influential composers throughout history

3. Course Policies

Concert Requirements:

Students are required to attend at least two concertsduring the semester. For each concert, please submit the concert program and a two-page paper (12 pt. font, double spaced) describing the instrumentation, basic musical elements, and style/genres. Feel free to include comments what you did or did not enjoy, or other observations you feel may be worth mentioning. Please use correct terminology in your observations, drawing upon the topics and examples covered in class.

The TTU School of Music concert schedule can be found at:

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance is essential for success in this course. Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Each subsequent unexcused absence will lower the finalgrade by 5%. Habitual tardiness will also result in a deduction, handled on an individual basis.

The following are defined as acceptable reasons for excused absences:

  • Serious illness or injury
  • Serious illness, injury, or death of a family member
  • University-related trips
  • Major religious holidays
  • Other situation deemed acceptable in advance by the instructor

Absences related to illness should be verified by a doctor’s note or by University Health Services. Absences related to major religious holidays should be communicated electronically at the beginning of the semester.

Make-up Exams:

Tests, quizzes, and other in-class evaluations missed as a result of an unexcused absence may be made up, however, the resulting grade will be lowered by 50%. In the event that a test, quiz, or in-class evaluation is missed as a result of an excused absence, a make-up will be arranged.

Online Assignments:

Readings will be evaluated through onlineassignments.These assignments are generally due the week following lectures on the material, except some short assignments that will benefit the next lecture. All due dates are listed in the schedule below. Assignments submitted late will be penalized by 10% for each day (not class period) they are late.

Cheating/Plagiarism:

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Any occurrence will result in 0 for that particular assignment or exam and will be reported to the University for appropriate discipline.

Grading Policy:

Final averages will be assigned a letter grade, as listed below:

A 90% and above

B 80% and above

C 70% and above

D 60% and above

F Below 60%

Final grades will be determined by the following:

Online Assignments30%

Concert Reviews10%

Exam 1 20%

Exam 220%

Final Exam20%

Statement on Disability and Course Access:

Students with disabilities who need special assistance during registration should contact: The Office of Disability Services located in Room 112 of the University Center, or call (931) 372-6119. (

Class Schedule (subject to change):

Date / Material
8/23 / Syllabus, Textbook Resources, Course Overview/Objectives
8/25 / Module 1.1 Rhythm
8/30 / Module 1.2 Melody, 1.3 Texture(“Musical Tastes” Assignment due 9/6)
9/1 / Module 1.3, 1.4 Form
9/6 / Module 1.4 (“Listening for Form” due 9/13)
9/8 / Module 1.5 Expressive Elements and 1.6 Timbre
9/13 / Module 1.6 (“Emotion and Musical Elements due 9/15)
9/15 / Module 1.7 Ensembles (“What Does a Conductor Do?” due 9/20)
9/20 / Module 1.8 Attending a Concert
9/22 / Exam 1 Review
9/27 / Exam 1 (Module 1)
9/29 / Module 2.1 Medieval
10/4 / Module 2.1 Medieval (“Music of the Medieval Period” due 10/11)
10/6 / Module 2.2 Renaissance
10/11 / Module 2.2 Renaissance (“Music of the Renaissance” due 10/18)
10/13 / Module 2.3 Baroque
10/18 / Module 2.3 Baroque
10/20 / Module 2.4 Classical (“The Superstars” due 10/25)
10/25 / Module 2.4 Classical
10/27 / Module 2.5 Beethoven (“Beethoven” due 11/1)
11/1 / Module 2.6 Romantic(“Pictures at an Exhibition” due 11/8)
11/3 / Module 2.6 Romantic/Exam 2 Review
11/8 / Exam 2 (Modules 2.1 – 2.6)
11/10 / NO CLASS
11/15 / Module 2.7 20th and 21st Century (Video Game/Movie Soundtrack Analysis due 11/22)
11/17 / Module 2.7 20th and 21st Century (“Modern Art Music due 11/29)
11/22 / Module 3.1 Physical Basis of Music and Sound
11/24 / NO CLASS – THANKSGIVING
11/29 / Module 3.2 Music and Behavior (“What Makes Music Beautiful?” due 12/3)
12/1 / Final Exam Review
12/6 / FINAL EXAM – 1:00–3:00 PM

Modules should be read prior to the class for which they are listed.