Music Appreciation

(2-4 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

This course will offer a general study of the musical vocabulary, genres and musical forms, periods in the History of Western Music, study of some of the most relevent composers of the past 400 years, and the analysis of some of their works. At the end of the semester, the student will be able to locate a work according to the musical period in which it was written, considering its stylistic characteristics. He or she would have developed a capacity for criticism in order to appreciate in a deeper sense a wide variety of musical works. The student will also place a musical sytle and compositional characteristics within the context of the other arts, and within social, political, and philosophical movements. Course not approved for University core requirement credit when taken at less than 2.5 credits. SC - Santiago, Chile (Undergrad): The course focuses on developing analytical skills and aesthetic sensitivity in musical performance through the experience of regularly attending live concerts on dates and at venues assigned by the instructors. Classes cover expressive resources related to musical interpretation and listening techniques, the process of assimilating a musical work, form, style, and genre, among other topics. Activities are organized into thematic modules delivered in a blended format: one weekly in-person class session with practical listening and group discussion activities, and other sessions requiring in-person attendance at live concerts. Regular readings of selected texts on course topics are also required. Learning is assessed through brief written reports analyzing observations made at live musical performances (either individual works or complete concerts).