MCCCD Program Description

Survey of Music History

Course: MHL140

First Term: 2013 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Study of composers, compositions, styles, and periods in music history.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. List and define six elements of music. (I) 2. Describe the concepts of key and tonality in music. (II) 3. Describe sacred and secular music during the Middle Ages. (III) 4. Describe sacred and secular music during the Renaissance period. (IV) 5. Describe vocal and instrumental music of the Baroque period. (V) 6. Define and describe the Age of Enlightenment. (VI) 7. Describe vocal and instrumental music in the Classical Era. (VI) 8. Identify the three stylistic periods of Beethoven`s life. (VII) 9. Describe vocal and instrumental music during the Romantic Era. (VIII) 10. Define nationalism as it applies to music. (IX, X) 11. Define Impressionism in music. (IX) 12. Compare musical styles in the early Twentieth century. (X) 13. Identify prominent early contributions to popular styles. (XI) 14. Describe recent trends in music. (XII) 15. Describe how composers from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary periods were influenced by social, cultural, and religious conditions. (III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Elements of Music A. Pitch B. Dynamics C. Tone color D. Scales E. Rhythm F. Tempo II. The Structures of Music A. Melody B. Texture C. Key/Tonality D. Harmony III. Middle Ages A. Music and the church 1. Mass 2. Rise of polyphony a. Notre Dame School 3. Early Medieval Motet 4. Gregorian Chant 5. Organum 6. Motet B. Secular music 1. French Ars Nova 2. Early instrumental music IV. Renaissance A. Role of the musician in the Renaissance period B. High/Late Renaissance style C. Early instrumental music D. Sacred Music 1. Motet 2. Mass a. Reformation b. Counter Reformation E. Secular Music 1. Chanson 2. Instrumental dance music 3. Italian Madrigal 4. English Madrigal F. Music as expression V. Baroque Period A. Absolutism and the age of science B. Social and cultural changes C. Vocal Music 1. Opera 2. Cantata 3. Lutheran Chorale 4. Oratorio D. Baroque instrumental music 1. Concerto Grosso 2. Suite 3. Sonata 4. Passacaglia 5. Overture 6. Fugue VI. Classical Period A. Social and cultural changes B. Role of the musician C. Rococo D. Viennese Classical Style E. Vocal Music 1. Choral Forms 2. Classical Opera 3. Comic Opera 4. Opera reform F. Instrumental Music 1. Sonata form 2. Sonata Cycle 3. String Quartet 4. Classical Orchestra 5. Classical Symphony 6. Concerto 7. Minuet 8. Theme and variations 9. Rondo VII. Beethoven A. Between Classicism and Romanticism B. Beethoven and the Symphony VIII. Romantic Period A. Social and cultural changes B. Role of the musician C. Vocal Music in the Romantic Period 1. The Lied/Song Cycle 2. Choral music 3. Romantic Opera a. Italian b. Wagner and music drama 4. Late Romantic Opera D. Instrumental Music 1. Character Pieces 2. Symphony in the Romantic Period 3. Program Music 4. Romantic concerto 5. Ballet E. Nationalism IX. Impressionism A. Debussy X. Early Twentieth Century A. Industrialization and process B. Reaction against romanticism C. Social and cultural changes D. Role of the musician E. Literature and art before WWI F. Expressionism G. Nationalism H. Between the world wars I. Second Viennese School J. Neo-Classical Style K. American music L. Music after WWII M. New elements of Musical Style XI. Popular Styles A. Blues and Early Jazz B. Musical Theatre C. Popular music in our time XII. Trends in New Music A. Minimalism B. Electronic/Computer Music C. Indeterminacy D. Contemporary Composers

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/11/2001

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.