Course Syllabus

Course Information
MUSI 1306. 002 Understanding Music, Spring 2010
Hours: 1- 2.15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. AH2 1.204
Final Project: Live concert review is due April 29 2010
Final Exam: Thursday May 6th, 11. a.m.
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Professor Contact Information
Dr. Jamila Javadova-Spitzberg, DMA
Arts and Humanities JO 5.712
Office Hours: By appointment only.
Email: jxj093000@utdallas.edu. Phone: 972-821-1627
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Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions
Prior musical knowledge is helpful but not necessary for this class and there are no pre-
requisites or co-requisites.
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Course Description
This course is an introduction to music terminology, history, and literature. It is designed
to help students critically listen, understand and enjoy music. Students will develop an
understanding of a variety of musical forms, life and works of significant composers and
renowned musicians. The course will be solely focused on Western Music covering the
following major style periods: Middle Ages (400-1400), Renaissance (1400-1600),
Baroque (1600-1750), Classical (1750-1825), Romantic (18201900), and Post
Romanticism, Impressionism, and Early Twentieth Century (1900-1940).
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Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Students should demonstrate an understanding of the course of Western Music and its
relationship to the social, political, literary, and cultural thought of the time-- more
specifically, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, 20th century
periods. Students will be expected to identify and discuss the major elements of Western
Music such as harmony, melody, form, timbre, interpretation, texture, and dynamics.
Students will be expected to compare and contrast the fundamental characteristics of the
styles and elements of music and will be evaluated through tests, quizzes, class
participation, and analysis of musical performances. This should result in a better
understanding, and in turn, a greater appreciation of all types of music and the society
and culture from which this art is derived.
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Required Textbooks and Materials
Text: Jeremy Yudkin, fifth edition of “Understanding Music” Prentice Hall.
Accompanying 3-CD set***
Notebook for in-class information
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Assignment Schedule for Spring 2010
Week 1: TR-January 12th & 14th
• Syllabus Handout. Introduction and Course Overview.
• The Elements of Music including melody (pitch), harmony, rhythm, form, timbre,
texture, dynamics - fundamentals of notation, key centers, and musical form.
Read pp. 25-41.
Week 2: TR-January 19th & 21st
• The Elements of music continued.
• Musical Instruments, String, Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Instruments.
Musical Ensembles: Choral groups and the Orchestra. Read pp 44-52.
Week 3: TR-January 26th & 28th

• Historical Periods and Individual Styles. Listening Techniques. Listening

Guide: Stylistic principals of Handel’s Water Music and Paul Dukas; Fanfare
from La Peri. W. A. Mozart: Minuet and Trio from Symphony n 18 in F major.
K 130.
• The Middle Ages. Main characteristics, musical context. Medieval Modes. Rise
of Polyphony. Listening Guide: Beatris de Dia: “A chantar.” Read Chapter 4.
Week 4: TR- February 2nd & 4th
• The Middle Ages Continued. Polyphony and Late Medieval Polyphonic Song.
Listening Guide: Perotinus: “Viderunt Omnis” & Machaut: Secular Song
(Rondeau) “Doulz Viaire Gracieus.” Read pp. 88-92.
• The Renaissance. Major Changes in the Renaissance. General Characteristics of
Renaissance Music.. Listening Guide: “Pange Lingua” Mass by Josquin Desprez.
Read Chapter 5
Week 5: TR-February 9th & 11th
• The Renaissance continued. The Late Renaissance. The Counter Reformation and
Music of Palestrina. Listening Guide: Motet “Exultate Deo” by Pierluigi da
Palestrina. The rise of instrumental Music. Listening Guide: “Canzona
Duodecimi” by Giovanni Gabrieli. Read pp. 105-114
• The Baroque Era. General Characteristics of Baroque Music. Baroque Vocal
and Instrumental Forms. The Early Baroque and Opera. Opera in Italy.
Listening Guide: Orfeo’s recitative, Euridice’s recitative, chorus of Nymphs and
Shepherds from “Orfeo” by Monteverdi. Opera in England: Henry Purcell.
Listening Guide: Dido’s Lament from “Dido and Aeneas.” Read Chapter 6.
Week 6: TR-February 16th & 18th
• The Baroque continued. French Baroque Dances. Baroque Instrumental Music.
Instrumental Concerto: Listening Guide: First movement from Violin Concerto
Op. 8 “Spring” by Antonio Vivaldi. Read pp. 134-139.
• Music of J.S. Bach. Bach’s Keyboard, Instrumental and Orchestral Music.
Listening Guide: First Movement from Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major.
 Organ Music: Listening Guide to Prelude and Fugue in E minor “Wedge” as well
as ‘Passacaglia in C minor.” Read pp. 138-146.
Week 7: TR-February 23rd & 25th
• Music of Bach continued. Bach’s Vocal Church Music: Excerpt from “ St
Matthew’s Passion.” Bach’s Musical Offerings. George Frideric Handel.
Handel’s Music. Art of Castrati. Listening Guide to Act III, Scene 4 from “
Giulio Cesare” by George Handel. Read pp. 146-153. “Halleluyah” chorus from
Messiah. The Baroque Era Style. Summary. Read pp. 154-158

Week 8: TR-March 2nd and 4th

• T-March 2nd: Exam #1

• R-March 4th: The Classical Era. From Absolutism to Enlightenment. General

Characteristic of the Classical Era. Genres and Forms of Classic Music.
Listening Guide: Duet from Act 1 from Opera “La Serva Padrona” by Giovanni
Pergolesi. Read pp. 160-175. Symphony and Chamber Music in the Classical
Era Forms of Classic Music. (Sonata-Aria-Minuet and Trio). Read pp. 170-175

Week 9: TR-March 9th & 11th

• The Classic masters: Franz Joseph Haydn. Read pp. 175-182. Listening Guide:
Haydn: Surprise Symphony 2nd movement. Minuet and Trio and Finale from “
Farewell” Symphony N 45. Fourth Movement from String Quartet, Op. 33, No.
2, in E flat major.

• The Classic masters: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. . Listening Guide: Second

Movement from Piano Concerto N 21 in C major, K 467. First movement from
Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550. Read pp. 182-195. Ludwig van
Beethoven. Listening Guide: The Piano Sonata No. 21 in C major, Op.53.
Sonata Op. 2, No. 3 in C major. The Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (Op. 55) as
well as Finale from Symphony N 9 in D. Read pp. 198-206.

• The First Concert Review is due March 11th. Student presentations.

• Spring Break from March 15th through 20th.

Week 10: TR - March 22nd & 24th.

• Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and his late works. Listening Guide: Symphony
No. 5 in C. Read pp. 206-224.

• The Nineteenth Century. Romantic Era. New Artistic spirit. General

Characteristics: Dynamics, Tempo and Expression, Melody, Harmony and Form.
 Program Music and favorite genres. Read pp. 226-232

Week 11: TR- March 30th & April 1st.

• Early Romantic Music: Franz Schubert. Listening Guide “Gretchen am

Spinnrade, ”“Die Forelle” and Fourth movement from Quintet in A major. Read
pp. 232-246.

• Hector Berlioz and his music. Listening Guide First Movement from “
Symphonie Fantastique” and Felix Mendelssohn and his music. Listening
Guide: First Movement from Concerto in E minor for Violin and Orchestra. Op.
64. Read pp. 247-256.

Week 12: TR-April 6th & 8th

April 6th: Exam # II

• Frederic Chopin and his music: His music style and miniature piano forms.
Listening Guide: Prelude in E minor, Op. 28. Waltz in D flat Major, Op. 64, No.
Robert and Clara Schumann and their music. Listening Guide: “Traumerei”
from “Kinderszenen.” Read pp. 259-271

Week 13: TR-April 13th & 15th

• Mid-to Late Romanticism. Franz Liszt, his music and Symphonic Poem.
Listening Guide: Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F minor and Symphonic Poem
‘Hamlet.” Richard Wagner and Musical Drama. Listening Guide: “Prelude”
and “Libestod” from “Tristan and Isolde.” Read pp. 274-292.

• Late Romanticism. Johannes Brahms and his music. Listening Guide:

“Wiegenlied” (“Lullaby”), Op. 49, No. 4. Fourth Movement from Symphony N 4
in E minor. Gustav Mahler and his music. Listening Guide: Fourth Movement,
“Urlicht” (“Primeval Light”) from Symphony No. 2 in C minor. (Resurrection).
Read pp. 300-317

Week 14: TR- April 20th and 22nd

• General Characteristics of Twenties-Century Music. The replacement of tonality.

melody, rhythm, tone, color and sound. Impressionism –Symbolism and Claude
Debussy. Listening Guide: “Prelude a l’ après-midi d’un faune.” Stravinsky
and his music: Three periods of his creative life. Listening Guide: “Le Sacre
du Printemps” (“The Rite of Spring”). First movement from Concerto in E flat
(Dumbarton Oaks) for Chamber Orchestra. Read pp. 319-3
Week 15: TR-April 27th -29th

• Expressionism. Arnold Schoenberg, his music and students: Alban Berg and
Anton Webern. Listening Guide: ‘Madonna” from Pierrot Lunaire and Theme
and Sixth Variation from Variations for Orchestra, Op. 31. Read. pp. 337-352

• Composers active before World War II. Bela Bartok his music. Listening
Guide: Fifth Movement (Allegro Molto) from String Quartet N 4. Dmitri
Schostakovitch and his Music. Listening Guide: First Movement from
Symphony No. 7. Read pp. 353-356

• April 29th: Final Live Concert Review is due

Week 16th: TR-May 4th-6th

• The American Scene: Charles Ives and his music. Listening Guide: Second
Movement from Three Places in New England (“Putnam’s Camp and Redding,
Conn”). Aaron Copland and his Music: Listening Guide: Fanfare for Common
Man. George Gershwin and his music. Listening Guide: “Bess, You Is My
Woman Now” Read pp. 360-368.

• May 6th: Final Exam

Check the UTDallas Academic Calendar for Drop/Withdrawal Deadlines.

http://www.utdallas.edu/student/registrar/calendar/

Grading Policy

Students will be required to come to class prepared to discuss reading and listening
assignments. The final grade will be evaluated from class participation/attendance,
three exams (including the Final exam), quizzes, two projects (Concert Reviews) as
follows:

Class Participation: 5%
Exams (2): 35%
Quizzes 10%
Concert Review #1: 10%
Concert Review # 2 Final Project 15%
Final Exam 25%

Exams/Quizzes
There will be three scheduled exams (including the Final exam) worth 60% of the final
grade. Exams and quizzes will include written and aural content and will be derived from
reading assignments in the text, listening assignments, and class discussions. Quizzes will
be unannounced.

Projects/Concert Reviews
Concert Review #1 will be based on recorded performance is due March 11th 2010. The
piece that you will critique must be written by a composer mentioned in our text, or one
approved by the instructor. A suggested resource for this assignment can be found in
the UTD Library Music Data Base: You can get to the Naxos Music Library by going
to the library’s webpage (www.utdallas.edu/library). Under Collections, click on “Find
Articles (Databases);” then click on “P” for Performing Arts. Scroll down to the Naxos
Music Library. If you’re off-campus, you will be prompted for your student number and
last name.

Concert Review # 2 is a Final Project is due April 29th 2010.

This work will be based on live performance and must include a description,
interpretation, and evaluation of all applicable musical elements that we have
studied in the class.

This course requires at least 2 live concert attendance. You can find all our concerts
on our website here: Go for a complete listing:

http://www.utdallas.edu/ah/events/events-music.html

Additionally, the full-time music faculty and several of UTD adjuncts are
performing a special 40th anniversary concert. You are required to attend this
concert. Date 29th of January, 8 p.m. at UTD Conference Center. Students are
admitted free.

Extra credit policy:

There will be a limited number opportunities presented during the semester. Students
can complete two extra credit assignments and earn up to two points per extra credit
opportunity. The points earned will be applied to the overall accumulated points. The
Class presentation of the Concert Review is a good opportunity to own an extra credit.

Grading Policy
98 – 100 A+
93 – 97 A
90 – 92 A-
88 – 89 B+
83 – 87 B
80 – 82 B-
78 – 79 C+
73 – 77 C
70 – 72 C-
68 – 69 D+
63 – 67 D
60 – 62 D-
Below 60 F
Course & Instructor Policies
Attendance and Class Participation
Attendance is mandatory and roll is taken at each class. An absence or lateness will only
be considered if excused by email prior to the class, except in cases of emergency or as
noted below. Reading assignments (from the text, handouts) and listening assignments
(from the required 3-CD set) will be discussed in class. Reading and listening
assignments are sequential and therefore must be completed before each class. Also, there
will be in-class written assignments. This syllabus is subject to change at the
instructor’s discretion.
.
Decorum, Classroom Citizenship, and Extra-curricular matters
All written work and class discussion for this course must employ gender-neutral,
nonsexist language, and rhetorical constructions. Such practice is part of a classroom
environment according full respect and opportunity to all participants by all others.
There will be no make-up quizzes or exams without prior consent except as noted.
Students may request to do one extra credit assignment at the instructor’s discretion. Late
assignments will be accepted no later than the next class and the grade will be reduced by
10%.

Field Trip Policies

There will a possibility of scheduled off-campus field trip to Meyerson Symphony
Center/Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Students are encouraged to attend this off-campus
concert.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of
each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and
discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered
students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3,
and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’
Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for
violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or
whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done
by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work
or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some
issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The
university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T.
Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of
confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal
requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must
do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if
you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other
fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious
effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with
whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members
retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be
resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy
of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided
by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the
grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal
to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of
the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
 Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed
at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete
grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long
semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is
not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a
grade of F.

Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be
necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of
dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be
substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be
rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities
for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship
are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will
be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the
absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student
who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized
for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed
period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution,
or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the
legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of
the chief executive officer or designee.
 These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the professor
Course Syllabus