Welcome to

Music Appreciation ONLINE

 

Please look at these web sites!

MUSIC in the NEWS recent items from the world of music

Current Events concerts here at Virginia Tech

Professor Cole's Classical Listening Choices What I am listening to these days

On-Line Music Dictionary The never-ending project

Cool Links! Strange and interesting stuff about music

 

MUSIC 1104 on-line SYLLABUS

MUSIC APPRECIATION - M 1104

PROFESSOR RICHARD COLE, 242 E SQUIRES; PHONE 231-6116

e-mail: richard.cole@vt.edu

WWW Site: http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/cole/Homepage.html

OFFICE HOURS:

My office hours are at 8:00 A.M. daily and, unless I am in class or a meeting, I will be there. Other times are available by appointment.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL ME AT HOME

STUDENTS REQUIRING SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH PROFESSOR COLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

You MUST own a current computer and have the ability to access the internet to complete this course

 


 

TESTS

All tests and assessments are to be completed on-line and will be graded as soon as you submit them.

It is your responsibility to keep up with the schedule.

ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments must be completed and submitted online by the due date (which will be sent to you on a regular basis).
Late assignments will
NOT be accepted. I will not accept assignments submitted on paper.

EXTRA CREDITS

There are NO extra credit assignments available for this class.

GRADES

 

Grades are based on assessments, test scores, and assignments and are reported to you as a standard percentage. You must complete all assigned work. Failure to complete ANY of the assignments will result in a 0 being averaged into your grade for assignments missed. Plusses and minuses are used but grades are NOT rounded up (not even if you are only 0.01 points from a higher grade). Although the assignments have their own unique due dates, you have until midnight on the last day of classes to complete the assessments and tests. No exceptions. Please remember that my computer registers the actual time your assignment arrives.

Grading Scale

A: 94-100 A-: 90-93.99 B+: 88-89.99 B: 84-87.99 B-: 80-83.99 C+: 78-79.99 C: 74-77.99 C-: 70-73.99

D+ : 68-69.99 D: 64-67.99 D-: 60-63.99 Fail: 0-59.99

 

 

 


HERE IS WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT BY THE END OF THE SEMESTER:

1. The ability to recognize the standard literature presented in the text.

2. The ability to recognize the standard orchestral and band instruments by sight and sound.

3. The ability to correctly pronounce the names of the composers presented in the text. The Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary is an excellent resource.

4. The ability to correctly pronounce and define the termonology as presented the text. The Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary is an excellent resource.

5. The ability to correctly place the composers and compositions presented in the text in the correct historical/style period.

6. An understanding of the historical times and circumstances under which the composers worked.

  "You are a subscriber to an opportunity to learn, to learn to think, to learn to learn, and to stretch the limits of your capacity to work."


 

Course Purposes

Music Appreciation is designed to acquaint students with the basic art music of Western society that is necessary to thrive in today's world. In the process of achieving this result, selected goals of Areas 2 and 6 of the University Core Curriculum will be addressed. Please refer to the booklet: University Core Curriculum / A Guide for Students / 1996-97 for a complete list of these goals.

Area 2

Goal # 1

"Examine some of the formative ideas and cultural traditions that have shaped Western experience."

Western traditions, such as music notation, formal concerts, composition and advanced study will be studied to determine what sets Western music apart from other traditions.

Goal # 2

"Study classic and contemporary texts that have influenced or exemplified currents in Western thought and imagination."

An examination of music from the various style periods illustrates how this art form has developed along the lines of Western thought and imagination - from the development and use of notation (theory) to the examination of ancient cultures as source material for composition.

Goal # 3

"Gain an understanding of some aspects of human achievement and experience that have been persistently overlooked in mainstream Western culture, including those of women, minorities, and non-Western peoples."

A substantial percentage of creative works under consideration in this course are those created by women, minorities, and non-Western people beginning with the compositions of Hildegard of Bingen and moving through works by William Grant Still and Chou Wen-Chung.

Goal # 4

"Analyze creative works of various mediums both in the arts and technology from the viewpoints of cultural meanings and influence."

Some 42 creative works will be studied in detail.

Goal # 6

"Consider the contributions of philosophical, ethical, or religious systems to human life"

Under consideration are various masses, sacred vocal and instrumental works as well as works directly influenced by philosophies.

Goal # 9

"Study the life, thought, and creative activity of men and women of achievement in various fields of human endeavor."

As part of the examination of the great works in Western music, a brief look at the lives and creative process of the composers is included. Here one can observe how various cultural influences have been at work shaping the creative output of the great minds of Western culture.

Area 6

Goal # 1

"Participate in cultural events and activities on campus, in both popular and classical arts"

While not required, attendance at cultural events is strongly encouraged to reinforce the knowledge gained in class.

Goal # 2

"Understand how the artists or designers who produce these events and works have shaped their ideas"

What is in the mind of the performer or conductor? Why are various tempi chosen? Why does the orchestra sit in this pattern? These and other questions will be answered.

Goal # 4

"Explore the interaction of art and society, including the contributions of diverse groups to cultural life, such as women and members of minority groups".

The making of the "Fortune 500", Blacksburg's "Steppin' Out" festival, and various summer arts festivals are examined to illustrate the interaction of art and society.

Goal # 5

"Study selected works of fine and applied arts"

This course will define fine and applied arts and take a close-up look at many creative works.

Each test will devote several questions to the criteria stated above to assess the student's understanding.


It is very important that you maintain a regular listening and study schedule. Scheduling your time effectively may be one of the most important learning experiences you will receive at the university.


The Professor reserves the right to make minor alterations in the

syllabus and assignments as necessary.