MUSI 1306 Understanding Music

Section 001 (Monday/Wednesday 8:30 am – 9:45 am)

(Fall 2010)
The University of Texas at Dallas
Course Syllabus
Professor MaryAnn Young Office: JO 5.308
Email: maryann@utdallas.edu Office Hours: TR 1:15-2:15pm or by appt.
Phone: (972) 883-2230

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will introduce students to an overview of elements and basic forms of music in global music-
cultures. The focus of this class will be to listen to music with an understanding of musical elements
within the cultural context. Methods of analytical and aesthetic appreciation will be applied to musical
examples, with corollaries in literature, history, performance, and the visual arts.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & MATERIALS

World Music. Custom Edition. ISBN-10:1-111-47034-0
Online Material through eLearning

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

1. Students will be able to examine and respond critically to a variety of artistic forms in at least
one and possible multiple forms of expression drawn from either the visual or performing
arts or some combination thereof.
2. Students will be able to demonstrate an appreciation for artistic expression and ability to
analyze specific works of art within a cultural or social context.
3. Students will be able to develop a critical approach to a given form or forms of arts and will
be able to articulate a response in an intelligent and informed manner.

GRADING POLICY/ASSIGNMENTS/DUE DATES/EVALUATION

The final grade will be evaluated from the following:
 Attendance Each Class 10pts
 Participation Each Class 10pts
 Music-Culture Blog Posts Each Class 20pts
 Performance Report (2) 10/4, 11/1 20pts each (40 pts total)
 Musical Ethnography 12/13 20pts
100pts Total
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class in some way, shape, or form. Absences are excused only
in the case of illness (doctor's note required) or death in the family. All information must be submitted in writing
within one week (or within 24 hours if missing the last day of class). Arriving late and/or leaving early are
documented as an unexcused absence unless excused with proper written documentation. Anticipated absences
require the student to turn in assignments or complete exams before the deadline. Arriving late or early
leave is also considered an unexcused absence at the instructor’s discretion.

Course Syllabus Page 1

Participation grades may include but are not limited to: verbal participation, group work, response to readings,
and additional music-related blog posts.

Late Assignments will incur at 1 point off of your grade per 15 minutes late penalty with the exception of
excused absences as excused by the discretion of the instructor.

Off-Campus Event Attendance: Your attendance to an off-campus event is required to complete some
assignments for this class.

COURSE GRADE:
A 94-100 B+ 87-89 C+ 77-79 D 60-69
A- 90-93 B 84-86 C 74-76 F 0-59
B- 80-83 C- 70-73

ACADEMIC CALENDAR:
8/19 Classes Begin
8/26 Last Day to Add a Course
9/3 Census Day for Full-Term Session, Last Day to drop a class without a “W”
10/25 Last Day to Drop with Signature with WP/WF
12/6 Last Day of Classes
12/7-8 Reading Days (No Classes)
12/9-15 Final Exams

Other Important University Information can be found at

http://provost.utdallas.edu/home/syllabus-policies-and-procedures-text

Course Syllabus Page 2

 COURSE SCHEDULE:
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the professor.
Date Reading/Class Agenda/Assignments Due
8/23 Introduction to the Course (Review Assignments/Syllabus)
8/25 Music Cultures: Chapter 1 (Titon) The Music-Culture as a World of Music
Film: Language You Cry In
Discuss Performance Reports
8/30 Music Culture Blog Post 1 Due (8am)
Music Terminology 101
9/1 Ethnography: Chapter 9 (Titon) Discovering and Documenting a World of Music
Discuss Musical Ethnography Project
9/6 NO CLASS – Labor Day Holiday
9/8 Music Culture Blog Post 2 Due (8am)
Brazil: Chapter 15 (Alves) Latin America, eLearning
9/13 Music Culture Blog Post 3 Due (8am)
Mexico (Mariachi): Chapter 15 (Alves) Latin America, eLearning
9/15 Latin America in Texas (Tejano): Chapter 15 (Alves) Latin America, eLearning
9/20 Music Culture Blog Post 4 Due (8am)
European Classical Music from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century: eLearning
9/22 European Classical Music Tradition in the US (Behind the Scenes of the Dallas Symphony
Orchestra): eLearning
Sounds of Class: September 25
9/27 Music Culture Blog Post 5 Due (8am)
Classical Guitar: eLearning
9/29 Opera: eLearning
10/4 Performance Report Due
Drumming of the Ewe in Ghana: Chapter 6 (Alves) Sub-Saharan African
10/6 Senegalese Popular Music (Didier Awadi and Youssou N’Dour): eLearning
10/11 Music Culture Blog Post 6 Due (8am)
Persian Classical Music: Chapter 7 (Alves) The Middle East and North Africa, eLearning
10/13 Iranian Popular Music (Googoosh): Chapter 7 (Alves) cont., eLearning

Course Syllabus Page 3

10/18 Music Culture Blog Post 7 Due (8am)
Arabic Classical Music: Chapter 7 (Alves) cont., eLearning
10/20 Arabic Popular Music (Umm Kulthum): Chapter 7 (Alves) cont., eLearning
10/25 Music Culture Blog Post 8 Due (8am)
Hindustani Classical Music: Chapter 9 (Alves) India
10/27 Hindi Film Music: Chapter 9 (Alves) cont., eLearning
11/1 Performance Report Due
Hindi Film (cont.)
11/3 Japanese Noh: Chapter 5 (Fujie) Japan, eLearning
11/8 Music Culture Blog Post 9 Due (8am)
TBA
11/10 NO CLASS
11/15 Music Culture Blog Post 10 Due (8am)
Japanese Enka: Chapter 5 (Fujie) cont., eLearning
11/17 American Festivals: eLearning
11/22 Music Culture Blog Post 11 Due (8am)
Nashville Sound: eLearning
11/24 NO CLASS – Happy Thanksgiving
11/29 Music Culture Blog Post 12 Due (8am)
Blues (Urban vs. Electric Blues): Chapter 4 (Titon) Black America, eLearning
12/1 Rock: eLearning
12/6 Music Culture Blog Post 13 Due (8am)
Musical Ethnography (Chamber Music in the Barn): eLearning
12/13 Musical Ethnography, Presentations
8:00am

Course Syllabus Page 4