Topics in Music History: The Western World • FAMH-455E • Syllabus: Fall 2008

Tuesday & Thursday, 9:25-10:40am, Room #137 (Main Hall)

 

Professor: Dr. Mark Davenport                          Office Hours: Tue. & Thurs., 8:15-9:15am/1:30-2:30pm

Office: #123C (Main Hall)                                                                                     (other times by appointment)

Office Phone: (303) 964-3609                                                                       Website: www.regis.edu/music 

E-mail: mdavenpo@regis.edu

 

 

Course Objectives:

Topics in Music History: The Western World, is designed for Music Majors as an in-depth investigation of Western European Art Music. Through a historical study of the style, structure, and function of music, students will discover the rich variety of Western European Art Music while continuing to develop and extend their musical vocabulary and understanding of musical terms. By examining the music itself, the scores and accompanying recordings, students will learn to identify the musical characteristics of each of the six musical eras.

 

Required Course Materials:

1. J Peter Burkholder, Donald J. Grout, and Claude V. Palisca. A History of Western Music,       7th ed. (New York: W. W. Norton, 2006)

2. Norton Anthology of Western Music, vol. 1: Ancient to Baroque, 5th ed., J Peter            Burkholder and Claude V. Palisca, eds. (New York: W. W. Norton, 2006)

3. Norton Anthology of Western Music, vol. 2: Classic to Twentieth Century, 5th ed., J Peter         Burkholder and Claude V. Palisca, eds. (New York: W. W. Norton, 2006)

4. Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music Volume 1: Ancient to Baroque

5. Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music Volume II: Classic to Twentieth Century

 

Recommended Course Material:

                1. Jonathan Bellman, A Short Guide to Writing About Music (New York: Longman, 2000)

 

Concert Attendance/Concert Reviews :

Students will attend at least five concerts outside of class. Concert attendance is one of the requirements of all music classes. All of the required concerts in this course take place on the Regis campus and are free and open to the public. Students enrolled in this class should check the concert dates to make sure they do not have conflicting schedules that prevent them from attending. You will be asked to write two short concert reviews (2-3 typed pages) covering performances attended over the semester.

 

Research Project/Presentation:

The major written project for this class concentrates on the research and writing of a music paper (12-15 pages), due at the end of the semester. Abbreviated versions of the paper will be presented during the last day of class and final exam period. Students will choose their own research paper topic that must be approved by the instructor. Specific guidelines for written assignments will be distributed early in the semester.

 

Exams, Class Reading, Listening and Analysis Presentations:

There will be a midterm and final exam, each consisting of short answer, listening, and essay questions. In place of quizzes, each student will lead the class in pre-assigned weekly 20-minute topic presentations that demonstrate the student’s comprehension of the reading material and musical scores.

 

 

Special Topics:

Students in this class will work individually with the instructor to prepare special assignments related to their overall music course work. Topics may include preparation of recital program notes, writing music reviews for the Highlander, preparing performing scores or editions of music for performance, and/or working with music notation software or music analysis.

 

Class Participation and Attendance Policy:

The course will follow a lecture/listening/analysis format. Classroom discussion will play an important part of the activities that take place. Because students will be leading the class on a weekly basis, regular class attendance is imperative.

 

Make-ups and late hand-in policy: Late written assignments are accepted but a full letter grade will be deducted for each class period assignments are handed in late. Medical and/or family emergencies can be excused with documentation.

 

Grading System:

An additive point system will be used to determine the final grade with a 1000-point maximum possible score.

 

Class Topics and Analysis Presentations (32%):

8 Topic Presentations @ 40 points each     = 320pts.

 

Research Paper & Presentation (20%):     = 200 pts.

 

Class Discussion (8%):                                   = 80pts.

 

Concert Reviews (10%):

2 Concert Reviews @ 50 points each           = 100pts.

 

Special Topics (10%):                                      = 100pts.

 

Midterm Exam (10%):                                     = 100pts.

 

Final Exam (10%):                                            = 100pts.

 

Total Score                                                          = 1000pts.