Course Outline for Music Literature 1
Introduction to Music

Effective: Fall 2020
SLO Rev: 12/09/2016
Catalog Description:

MUSL 1 - Introduction to Music

3.00 Units

In this course significant works of human imagination and intellect are studied as students encounter a wide range of music from the Medieval period to American music of the 20th and 21st century, including American jazz. This course is designed to enable students to understand music as an art form within its historical context, primarily in Western Europe and the United States. Students will approach music as a form of expression that reflects personal creativity as well as social, political, religious, and cultural change. Further study includes the relationship of music to other forms of human expression, including art, architecture, philosophy, religion, and politics. Students will experience music through recordings, online video performances, and attendance at three concerts outside of the classroom.
1004.00 - Music
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Laboratory 0.00 18.00 0.00 18.00
Total 3.00 72.00 108.00 180.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. analyze and aurally learn to recognize the processes of composition, improvisation, performance, and listening;
  2. hear and verbally identify technical components (cognitive response) of those processes;
  3. hear, discuss, and/or write about elements of sound (melody, harmony, sonic resources, volume) time, (as the canvas, rhythmic characteristics), structures (form, growth), textures (foreground, background, density);
  4. visually understand and discuss or identify systems of written notation (where appropriate) and relate, on a very basic level, what they see on paper with what they hear in performance;
  5. be able to communicate orally or on paper affective responses to music and whether those responses change with more intellectual knowledge about the process or for any other reason that might spark a change in attitude;
  6. identify style periods in the western European musical canon and/or country or cultural origin of works studied or similar works.
Course Content:
A. The elements of Music
          1.  Pitch
          2.  Rhythm
                   a. Meter
                   b. Tempo
                   c. Organizatin of patterns
          3.  Melody
                   a. Characteristics
                   b. Nature
                   c. Structure
          4.  Timbre
          5.  Texture
                   a. Monophonic
                   b. Polyphonic
                   c. Homophonic
          6.  Form - Structure
                   a. Binary
                   b. Ternary
                   c. Sonata
           7.  Harmony
                   a. Function
                   b. Organization
                   c. Consonance and dissonance
                   d. The major-minor system
          8.  Medium
                   a. Vocal
                   b. Instrumental
                   c. Electronic
B.  Musical Periods
          1.  The Medieval Period
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
          2.  The Renaissance Period
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
          3.  The Baroque Period
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
          4.  The Classic Period
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
          5.  The 19th Century & Romanticism
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
          6.  The 20th Century & Beyond
                   a. Historical influences
                   b. Musical trends
                   c. Masterworks of the period
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Audio visual presentations
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Demonstration/Exercise
  4. Distance Education
  5. Live performances by Chabot ensembles
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Prepare written assignments and oral discussions of general characteristics of the major stylistic periods and the constructional devices that assume major proportions in developing significant musical forms.
  2. Prepare for discussion and assignments on the elements and materials of music.
  3. Attend live art music performances and prepare written concert reports on your experience and the performance.
  1. Quizzes
  2. Midterm Examination
  3. Final Examination
  4. Papers
  5. In-class discussion and demonstration
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Describe the elements and materials of music.
  2. Identify compositions from various period in Western music.
  3. Synthesize factual information and historical evidence through informed listening, analysis, evaluation and discernment of musical elements, forms and repertoire
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Clark, N. Alan; Heflin, Thomas; Kluball, Jeffrey; and Kramer, Elizabeth (2018). Understanding Music: Past and Present (2). Fine Arts Open Textbooks.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
A survey of art music in western civilization. Topics studied include but are not limited to elements of music, basic musical forms, music periods, styles, and the role of music and musicians in the western world. Attendance at concerts and listening to a variety of music is required.