Exploration of how and why we listen to music. Examination of the many roles that music plays in various world cultures. Musical examples drawn from Asia, Africa, Indonesia, North and South America (including Native American tribal groups), jazz, blues, and the Western classical tradition. No prior musical experience is necessary. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)
Course Outcomes
- Demonstrate a deeper emotional and intellectual understanding of the various musical elements (melody, harmony, rhythm, meter, form, instrumentation) though listening, attending lectures, reading the text and participating in class discussions.
- Identify, in a general way, where a piece of music might have originated by applying the knowledge of the musical elements listed above.
- Recognize the different societal uses for which music has been employed in various cultures and at various time periods. These will include art music (concert music); functional music (music for dance, films, and theater); work songs; ceremonial music; protest music; spiritual music; and background music.
- Identify his/her own physical/cognitive/emotional/spiritual responses to a given piece of music and be able to compare how those responses might differ from the responses of the performers/composers/listeners of that musical work in its original incarnation. This should also provide an increased enjoyment from, and connection to, music of all kinds.
- Identify, in a general way, the historical periods in Western art music (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern). Also, he/she will gain an appreciation for the context of historical events and parallel developments in non-Western music, jazz and folk music of North America.
- Write and speak clearly and intelligently about the following topics: the elements of music, the societal implication of music, types of individual responses to music, and significant identifying characteristics of selected musical cultures of the world.