MUSM 305 – MUSIC of the 20th and 21st CENTURIES

Spring 2009

MF 11:00 - 11:50

 

Professor: Dr. Scott L. Miller (PAC 222; 308-3291; slmiller@stcloudstate.edu)


Credit Hours: 2 cr.


Attendance: Critical, but not monitored


Office hours

 

TEXT and COURSE MATERIALS

All students enrolled in MUSM 305 must purchase Understanding Post-Tonal Music, by Miguel Roig-Francoli, and Anthology for Musical Analysis, 6th edition, by Charles Burkhardt. Bring both texts to ALL classes. Recordings of selected works we will analyze and which will constitute the listening exam material are in the MUSM 305 course folder at Classical Music Library (access through SCSU Library here: http://research.stcloudstate.edu/rqs.phtml?subject_id=70 - m8). Supplemental scores are available through Course Folders, which you can access directly when logged on to a campus computer or from off-campus via Huskynet File/Webspace.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES subject to change according to the needs of the class

Regarding Western music of the 20th and 21st centuries that demonstrates the use of the following compositional elements: various scale systems (including Pentatonic, Whole Tone, Diatonic Modes, Octatonic, Non-Diatonic Seven Note Scales, Modes of Limited Transposition, Chromatic Scale), non-tertian harmonic structures, twentieth century voice leading techniques and practices, non-functional tonal practices, mixed meters, asymmetric rhythms, twentieth century rhythmic organization, set theory, classical serial practices, minimalism, and sound mass, texture, and process as form defining procedures, the student will be able to:

¥ Analyze the micro-, meso-, and macro-level structural aspects of such music

¥ Articulate their ideas about a compositionÕs use of these elements using terminology appropriate to the discipline

¥ Present their analyses in scholarly writing

 




ASSESSMENT

Mastery of the material will be monitored and evaluated by the completion of written and aural analyses, and focused exercises drilling each concept. Evaluative materials will be in the form of listening exams, a mid-term exam and a final exam. Each will be weighted and letter grades assigned according to the chart below.

 

20% Listening Exams

30% Mid-term Exam 06 March 2009, 11:00 - 11:50 AM

50% Final Exam Monday 04 May 2009, 10:15 AM - 12:45 PM

 

Grading Scale:

A = clear mastery of all material in work


B = above average work

C = average work

D = minimally acceptable work

F = unacceptable work

 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

19 January                    No Class

20 February                 No Class

02 March                       No Class

06 March                       Mid-term Exam

09 March                       No Class (Spring Break)

13 March                       No Class (Spring Break)

17 April                          No Class

04 May                           Final Exam

 

ABSENCE

If you know ahead of time that you will be unable to attend a quiz or hand in a homework assignment, let me know and the reason why as soon as possible, prior to the class you will miss. If this is not possible and you miss either a quiz or a homework due date, speak with me about the reason at the beginning of the NEXT class meeting. If you do not speak to me about the absence by the following class meeting, it will be unexcused, and you will incur a zero grade. If the absence is excused, the missed quiz or assignment will be represented by the average of the prior grades.

 

LEARNING DISABILITIES

If you have any special needs or requirements, especially as they may pertain to test-taking, notify me during the first week of classes so appropriate adjustments in procedures can be made. No student will be excused from any component of the course.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Any instance of cheating will result in automatic failure in the course and a report to the Office of Student Scholastic Conduct. This includes handing in work that is neither original nor unique from other studentsÕ work.

 

INCOMPLETES

Incompletes are awarded only when a calamity or major illness prevents you from completing the term's work on time, and will be awarded only if you have a reasonable prospect for passing the course (based on your record at the time you request an Inc.). If you receive an Incomplete, you must prepare on your own any missed assignments or quizzes, and MUST FULFILL THE INCOMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER. If you do not fulfill the Incomplete within one quarter, you will automatically receive an F grade for the course. None of the scores you earned prior to the Incomplete will be erased, and will count towards your fulfillment of the Incomplete.

 

© 2009 Scott L. Miller