Syllabus for HUM-103
INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMANITIES III: MUSIC
This course discusses and helps students appreciate representative works of Western music in relation to their historical contexts. The course takes a three-pronged approach. First, it examines the historical, social, political, and religious environments that shaped the composers under study and their musical styles. Second, it focuses on certain representative works as examples of their times and as objects of art unto themselves. Finally, it develops listening skills and a musical vocabulary that allows students to isolate and identify certain types of musical phenomena. Students will emerge from the course with an expanded appreciation of the language of music. Course content is drawn from the Teaching Company's “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music” by Dr. Robert Greenberg.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
CO 1 Discuss the political, religious, and social events that shaped great composers and works of Western music.
CO 2 Explain ways that music is a mirror of its time.
CO 3 Differentiate between different genres of music.
CO 4 Compare different musical eras.
CO 5 Discuss music using correct terminology.
CO 6 Demonstrate appreciation of music through informed discussion of musical works.
You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.
There is no textbook for this course. Video programs are being provided via streaming video technology through the course website. See the Video Playlist in the top section of the course space.
Introduction to the Humanities III: Music is a three-credit, online course consisting of eleven modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 3, CO 5
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 5
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 6
For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online discussion forums, complete brief module papers and reflection assignments, submit one concert review, and complete a final paper. See below for more details. In addition, the course includes ungraded self-tests designed to help you assess and build your music vocabulary.
Consult the Course Calendar for assignment due dates.
One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in SafeAssign.
You are required to participate in 10 graded discussion forums as well as an ungraded Introductions Forum. The online discussions are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.
Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the rubric used to aid in the grading of online discussions.
You are required to complete 12 brief module papers. The papers are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules.
Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the rubric used to aid in the grading of module papers.
In this course you will be asked to reflect upon what you have learned in each module. You'll begin your reflections in Module 1 and continue through Module 11. Optimally, you will be writing your reflections as you watch the course videos.
Students please note: You will use passages from your reflections in your final paper, so it is important that you keep up with your weekly submissions.
In Module 10 you will be required to write a review of a vocal or orchestral concert you have attended live, watched on television or listened to on the radio, or viewed via the Internet. Because you must complete this review by the end of Module 10, be sure to make arrangements to attend the concert several weeks in advance of that time.
The description of the review in Module 10 gives guidelines for choosing a concert. Many communities and colleges/universities have free or low-cost concerts that are of a high quality and are well worth attending.
Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the rubric used to aid in the grading of the concert review.
There is no midterm or final examination in this course. A paper of 2000 to 2500 words acts as your final assessment and is worth 20 percent of your grade. You may begin work on this paper at any time during the course, but you must submit it by the last day of the semester.
The final paper will allow you to demonstrate your mastery of course objectives and concepts. You will use parts of your reflective/diary blog in your paper as well. A full description of the paper is provided in the Final Paper section of the course website.
Located within the Evaluation Rubrics section of the course website is the rubric used to aid in the grading of the final paper.
Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:
All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:
A | = | 93–100 | C+ | = | 78–79 | |
A– | = | 90–92 | C | = | 73–77 | |
B+ | = | 88–89 | C– | = | 70–72 | |
B | = | 83–87 | D | = | 60–69 | |
B– | = | 80–82 | F | = | Below 60 |
To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or better (for an area of study course) or D or better (for a course not in your area of study), based on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., exams, assignments, discussion postings).
To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:
Consider the following study tips for success:
To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.
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