MUMH 4770: Choral Literature
Spring 2016, MW11:00-12:20, Music Building 293
University of North Texas, College of Music
Instructor:Dr.J. Cole RitchieOffice: Music Building 260
Email: ffice Hours: Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Course Description
4770. Masterpieces of Choral Literature. 3 hours. Choral masterpieces from the Renaissance to the present.
Course Website
This course will rely on Blackboard Learn for the communication of announcements, assignments, submissions, grades, etc. You can access the course website by logging in to
Prerequisites
MUMH 1600
Course Description and Materials
This course is designed to provide a guided exploration intochoral music and the issues surrounding its development and performance. It will also feature a detailed, but by no means exhaustive, study of the composers, philosophies, and traditions that influenced the creation of this musical tradition.
Objectives
- To examine a wide range of significant people, trends, and works from throughout the choral canon.
- To read and discuss a collection of primary materialsthat will contextualize the choral repertory.
- To critically examine choral music’s historiography and canon
- To explore the place of choral music within the Western art music tradition and its current significance in modern culture
- To be able to recognize the significant musical characteristics of historical and national choral traditions
- To be able to converse about current and historical questions regarding choral music
Readings
Shrock, Dennis. Choral Repertoire. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
———, ed. Choral Scores. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2015.
Individual reading assignments will be given throughout the course. These readings will be either posted on Blackboard Learn or distributed in class.
Powerpoints
You will have access to the powerpoints from each day’s lecture on Blackboard Learn after class. The powerpoints are designed to support the lecture and facilitatereview of significant information, not to substitute
for the readings.
Recordings
Recordings for each lecture may be made available through a variety of sources:attached directly to the powerpoints, as a link on the weekly assignment sheet, on Blackboard Learn, or through the online course reserves. You can access the online course reserves through the library website. I will provide a link for you if you need to access this site.
Class Procedures
Each week, we will investigate a particular topic or historical use of choral music. The two days of the course will be divided according to theirpurpose: on Monday, I will present the historical discussion for the material and we will look at major concepts and points from the assigned weekly reading; Wednesday is designated for the exploring the music selections for the week in greater detail and will dive deeper in the weekly reading. On Wednesday, we will also have a student-lead discussion regarding the weekly reading and one of the primary musical selections for the week.
Format and Types of Assessment and Evaluation
Total Score Grade
Short Writing Assignments 450-500A
Analytical Paper 50400-449 B
Program Notes 50350-399 C
Research Paper 100300-349 D
Group Project 100000-299 F
Source Reading Discussion Leader 50
Professionalism 75
Final Exam 75
Total 500
Short Writing Assignments
During the semester, you will be given two prompts for short writing assignments. Each of these papers will need to be between 750-1000 words (3-4 pages) and will be submitted online via Blackboard. After you are given the prompt, you will have three weeks to submit the assignment. There will be two of these short assignments this semester, each designed to examine different aspects of talking about choral music.
The first short writing assignment requires your analysis of a choral work with regards to form, harmony, and various other performance considerations. The second asks that you create program notes for a hypothetical concert of works similar to those studied in this course. Writing program notes can be tricky as you must simultaneously condense a significant amount of information about a piece of music and provide suggestions for how an audience unfamiliar with these works can approach this music all while writing in a way that is engaging (neither overly casual nor overly academic).
Research Project
During the first half of the semester, you will also write a 5-7 page (1250-1750 words) research paper on a topic of your own choosing, though there will be some guidelines regarding what types of topics are available. The specifics regarding topic and assessment criteria will be distributed at a later date. As this paper is longer and requires individual work, I require the submission of two preparatory components: a proposal/abstract and an outline/bibliography. See the tentative weekly schedule for all due dates pertaining to this assignment.
Group Project
In small groups (3-4 students), you will be responsible for creating an audio/visual project relating to a topic of discussion similar to those discussed in this course. Depending on the number of people in your group, you are to record a free-flowing 15-20 minute conversation that will then be posted on Blackboard Learn. You may use any audio recording program available to you. Before the final project is due, you will submit your primary topic (e.g. an expansion of something we touched on class or an issue that fascinates your group but that we will not address) and a general outline of the points you wish to discuss. The project should demonstrate both a connection to the material discussed in class as well as your individual thoughts and further research of material from outside of the classroom. Your final project should be edited with a clear sound quality and have no breaks/restarts/etc. While factual information is vital, building clear, well-reasoned arguments and using creative thinking will also be rewarded. There are no specific requirements for the formatting and presentation other than the stipulation that each group member should contribute equally to the preparation and the recorded discussion. You will each individually submit a group evaluation regarding the group dynamic upon the completion of the project. Finally, after the projects are submitted and posted on BBL, you will need to individually view/listen to the projects created by your peers and write a short reaction commentary for each other project. These comments could include your thoughts on the larger topic, something that you learned from the project, something about the production that helped with the transmission of the ideas, etc.
***If you choose to go the audio route, I have had good luck with Audacity, an audio editing program which is free and available for all operating systems. Link to download site:
Class Discussion Leader
In addition to readings from your textbook, each week I will provide a short reading selection from historical, journalistic, or academic sources. While you are expected to read and be able to discuss the selection for each class, I will ask that one time during the semester, you will lead the discussion of the reading material and its relationship to one of the musical selections. These discussions will take place on Wednesdays of the week. You will volunteer to lead the presentation when the weekly assignment sheet is distributed, though you may select your presentation date early. When leading class discussion you should be able to answer the questions provided on the assignment sheet and should develop questions and observations of your own. You will be assessed by the quality of your responses but involving other students in the discussion will be looked upon favorably.
Oral Exam
This will serve as the final exam for the course. During finals week, you will individually sign up for a twelve-minute meeting time in my office.During your meeting, you will randomly select one of four musical selections and discuss the musical and historical elements of that selection as well as how the issues discussed in class can be applied to the performance and understanding of that work. You must reference specific topics and ideas discussed throughout the class. You will know what the musical selections will be one week in advance.
Professionalism
This grade is determined through a range of factors including:
- Arrival in the room by the time class begins with all of your materials
- Being prepared for and actively contributing to class discussion
- Submitting assignments on time
- Addressing the instructor and your classmates with respect
- Contributing to a positive classroom environment
Late Assignments
Written Assignments and the Group Project are due on the date specified in your syllabus. I will accept these assignments up to one class period late for half credit on the assignment. Submissions after one week will not receive credit. Leading a Class Discussion, because tied to the day’s topic, cannot be made up. Unless there is an emergency that qualifies as an excused absence (see Attendance Policy below), missing class the day you volunteer to give a presentation results in an automatic zero for that assignment.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is required for this course.
In order to receive credit for attendance, you must be in your seat and ready to begin class by that timeand remain in class for the duration of the lecture. Class begins at 11:00; late arrivals may lead to a deduction from your professionalism grade. As class participation influences a substantial portion of your professionalism grade, it is essential that you attend regularly.Failure to do so will negatively affect that part of your grade and will likely affect your ability to perform on other class assignments as well.
You are permitted 4 unexcused absences. These absences are available in case of short-term illness, unavoidable obligations, or any other absence that would not be excused under University Attendance Policy ( Excused absences under this policy include University-sponsored events, religious observances, or serious emergencies. You have one week to obtain proper documentationin order to have an excused absence expunged from your record. If you need to miss this course due to appropriate professional obligations, please speak with me as I will consider working with you as long as your reasons are legitimate and you have approached me beforehand.
You will receive a warning after afourth absence. It is your responsibility to know your total number of absences, and you can track your absences on your grade sheet on Blackboard Learn. If you have a question about your absences, please speak with me as soon as you notice an issue.If you accumulate a5thabsence, you have 48 hours to contact me directly with a legitimate reason and documentation for this absence. If I do not hear from you in 48 hours, you will be dropped from the class with a WF.
Classroom Etiquette
This class is designed to be split between lecture and class discussion. You are expected to come prepared to participate each day with thoughtful questions and commentary.
You are not expected to enjoy all of the music presented in this course or to agree with all of the opinions of the instructor, the readings studied, or your peers. You are, however, expected to be respectful to the instructor and your classmates in answering questions and expressing your opinions.
You should also be respectful of other students’ attention. Please do not hold private conversations during the lecture or when other students are speaking as this can be distracting.
Though electronic devices (cell phone, laptop, iPad, etc.) can be equally beneficial and distracting in the classroom, for now I will allow their use during class time. However, if at any point in the semester I sense that they have become more of a distraction, I reserve the right to restrict their usage during class time both on an individual and a class-wide basis.
Classes may be recorded only with prior permission from the instructor and only with a valid reason.
University Policies
Academic Dishonesty
Students caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a "0" for that particular assignment or exam. Additionally, the incident will be reported to the Dean of Students, who may impose further penalty. According to the UNT catalog, the term “cheating" includes, but is not limited to: a. use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; b. dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; c. the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member of the university; d. dual submission of a paper or project, or resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructor(s); or e. any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to: a. the knowing or negligent use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment; and b. the knowing or negligent unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
Acceptable Student Behavior
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Dean of Students to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found atdeanofstudents.unt.edu/conduct.
Access to Information – Eagle Connect
Your access point for business and academic services at UNT occurs atmy.unt.edu. All official communication from the university will be delivered to your Eagle Connect account. For more information, please visit the website that explains Eagle Connect and how to forward your e-mail:eagleconnect.unt.edu/
ADA Statement
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website atdisability.unt.edu. You may also contact them by phone at(940) 565-4323.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial aid. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number of credit hours based on total registered hours per term. Students cannot exceed attempted credit hours above 150% of their required degree plan. If a student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose their financial aid eligibility.
If at any point you consider dropping this or any other course, please be advised that the decision to do so may have the potential to affect your current and future financial aid eligibility. Please visit more information about financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. It is recommended that you to schedule a meeting with an academic advisor in your college or visit the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office to discuss dropping a course being doing so.
Important Dates for Spring 2016
Jan. 19–Feb. 1Student may drop without instructor approval
Feb. 2–Feb. 26Instructor approval required to drop, student will receive an automatic W
Feb. 27–Apr. 5Instructor approval required to drop, instructor may assign either a W or a WF
Feb. 27–Apr. 22Instructor may drop students with WF for nonattendance
For more information, see the Spring Semester Academic Schedule: spring_2016
Grade of “I” (Incomplete)
An incomplete Grade (“I”) is a non-punitive grade given only during the last one-fourth of a term/semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course and (2) has a justifiable and documented reason, beyond the control of the student (such as serious illness or military service), for not completing the work on schedule. The student must arrange with the instructor to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements.
Retention of Student Records