Music 2116 FAQ

MUSIC 2116: SURVEY OF MUSIC FROM c. 1750 TO c. 1990
Index #14491--Spring Semester 2009--Prof. John R. Howell

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Frequently Asked Questions about Music 2115 & 2116

This page is updated for Spring, 2009.

Do they have to be taken in order? No. You can start with either one, and there are advantages both ways. And you don't have to take them both; you can take one or the other.
How hard are they; or what if I don't have much musical background? These are history courses, the subject of which is music. Like any history course, there are lots of terms and names and dates to learn, and in this case a lot of the terms and names are in other languages. The two courses together cover the history of European & American art music from pre-Roman times up through 1998, and do it over a period of two semesters.
Do I have to be able to read music? No, although it can help. The musical scores suggested for the course contain lots more information than just the musical notation itself. That book of scores is required for Music Minors, and you should follow the scores as you listen to the music.
Can I audit or take these courses pass/fail? Yes, but if you do they will not satisfy the Core Curriculum (General Education) requirements, or the requirements for the Music Minor.
How have other students done in these courses? Grades are not curved. You will get out of it what you are willing to put into it. It is possible to flunk, but you'd really have to work at doing nothing. The class average is usually in the B minus range, with plenty of As and Bs.
What other music courses should I consider that fulfill the Area 2 or Area 6 requirements? (1) Music Appreciation (Music 1104, offered fall, spring, & summer), which covers the same time period in one semester but concentrates on more recent music that you will actually hear when you go to concerts. (2) Music In America (Music 3115 & 3116), which concentrates on American Classical Music fall semester and American Jazz spring semester.
If I took 2115 in the Fall, can I expect 2116 to be taught the same way? Basically, yes, but there are just a few differences.
- Listening assignments are handled diffently. Each example will have 4 questions to answer: Title, Composer, Type of piece, and National Origin (or Time Period on the Final Exam). This holds true for Blackboard quizzes, Unit quizzes, and the Final Exam.
- There are 5 Units rather than 6 (it's the way the textbook divides itself), and therefore 5 Unit Quizzes rather than 6.
- And the Option to write research papers is handled differently, with specific required subjects and with different deadlines; see the Written Assignments page on this website.
What do I need to know the first day I come to class?
- Read the Syllabus and Course Calendar on this website
- Pick up a "getting started" handout and fill out a Student Information Form
- Buy the textbook and CDs for the course (see Syllabus, but note the statement about the CD set)
- Find the Blackboard website for this course
- Choose one Grading Option and let me know by email by 23:59:59 Wed Jan 28 (see Syllabus)
- Sign up for a Due Date for your required Concert Review on the signup sheets posted outside my office (157 Squires) as early as possible in order to have a choice
- Find 3 extra credit assignments in the first couple of weeks of class on the Course Calendar page, and plan to do them; they can add up to 8% to your final grade--80% of a full letter grade. The first one is due Thursday, Jan 29.
- Find the Writing Assignments page on this website and make sure you understand the Due Dates, the available Extra Credit, and the penalties for late submission. Mark YOUR deadlines on your calendar. Free extra credit for completing the assignments early!

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