✦Syllabus
MUL 2010H CAH-PERFMGARTS 3(3,0) Honors Enjoyment of Music: PR: Consent of Honors. In this course, students will survey the history of classical music from antiquity to the modern period, focusing on Western music. The curriculum may also integrate a variety of popular and global styles where appropriate, with Honors content.
See WebCourses (Simple Syllabus) for the full syllabus; highlights of policies are below.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss and analyze music using terminology appropriate for the course.
- Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the works of various composers.
- Identify connections between music and the other arts.
- Identify historical styles and periods based on instruments and performance practices utilized.
| Component | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Writing Portfolio ✍ SWR | 35% | Annotated Playlist 10% · Song Analysis 10% · Concert Report 15% — three writing assignments building across the semester. The playlist introduces analytical listening; the Song Analysis adds a full draft-and-revision cycle; the Concert Report applies both skills to a live music event. |
| Capstone Essay ✍ SWR | 25% | Topic Proposal 5% · Revised Final 20% — a 6–7 page revised essay on a work of your choice, developed across Weeks 10–15 through proposal, drafting, peer review, and revision. |
| Peer Review 🏛 In-Person | 10% | Song Analysis 5% · Capstone Essay 5% — two mandatory in-class peer review sessions. Complete a feedback worksheet, submit one copy, and give the other to the author. Graded for completion. |
| In-Class Activities 🏛 In-Person | 20% | Listening labs, workshops, and other in-class activities throughout the semester · graded for completion |
| Quizzes 💻 Online | 10% | Periodic quizzes on readings and listenings on WebCourses · lowest scores dropped |
Writing-graded components total 60% of the final grade, satisfying UCF's 60% SWR minimum. (Writing Portfolio 35% + Capstone Essay 25%)
Writing
This class fulfills the State Writing Requirement (SWR). We focus on developing analytical and argumentative writing skills, as applied to music.In-Class Activities
In-class assignments (e.g., listening labs, workshops) are graded for completion and make up 20% of your grade. This is how your attendance and engagement are recorded. Assignments cannot be made up without excused documentation.Concert Report
You must attend one live music event this semester. Any ticketed or free performance qualifies — on or off campus, at least 30 minutes. See Canvas for the full guidelines.Peer Review
Peer review days are mandatory in-class sessions. You will complete a worksheet and submit one copy; the other copy goes to the author. Missing peer review day without prior notice and excused documentation results in a zero for that assignment.Required Text
Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context — Morgan-Ellis, ed. (University of North Georgia Press). Free PDF via the textbook website.AI Policy
AI tools may assist with brainstorming and basic copyediting, but they may not generate your work. See WebCourses for the full policy.Accessibility
Students requiring accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services and notify the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.✦Schedule
15 weeks · M/W. Current week highlighted. Readings due before class. Week pages unlock one week in advance.
| Week | Dates | Topic | Readings & Notes | Week Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aug 24 & 26 | What is music? How do we analyze music? | Resonances, Ch. 1, section "What is Music?" (pp. 2–4) | 📄 Week 1 |
| 02 | Aug 31 & Sep 2 | Elements of music I — pitch, melody, harmony | Resonances, Ch. 2 (part 1) | 📄 Week 2 |
| 03 | Sep 9 (Wed only) | Elements of music II — rhythm, timbre, texture, form 💻 Quiz |
Resonances, Ch. 2 (part 2) · No class Sep 7 (Labor Day) | 📄 Week 3 |
| 04 | Sep 14 & 16 | Form & aesthetic experience — Haydn, Sgt. Pepper's | Resonances, Chs. 2 & 8 | 📄 Week 4 |
| 05 | Sep 21 & 23 | Text & music — Schubert, ballads, word painting Annotated Playlist 💻 Quiz |
Resonances, Ch. 5 (selective) | 📄 Week 5 |
| 06 | Sep 28 & 30 | Song Analysis drafting + intro to ethnographic writing | No new reading | 📄 Week 6 |
| 07 | Oct 5 & 7 | Peer review + what is good music? Song Analysis Peer Review |
Resonances, Ch. 13 (selective) | 📄 Week 7 |
| 08 | Oct 12 & 14 | Film music & leitmotif — John Williams, Star Wars Concert Report |
Resonances, Ch. 3 | 📄 Week 8 |
| 09 | Oct 19 & 21 | Program music — Vivaldi, Berlioz, Chinese solo repertoire 💻 Quiz |
Resonances, Ch. 6 | 📄 Week 9 |
| 10 | Oct 26 & 28 | Interactive & theatrical narrative — opera, musical theatre, video games Topic Proposal |
Resonances, Ch. 4 (selective); Grasso article | 📄 Week 10 |
| 11 | Nov 2 & 4 | Spiritual & functional music — Hildegard, Bach, Sousa 💻 Quiz |
Resonances, Chs. 11 & 12 | 📄 Week 11 |
| 12 | Nov 9 (Mon only) | Evaluating music + capstone argument workshop | Resonances, Ch. 13 · No class Nov 11 (Veterans Day) | 📄 Week 12 |
| 13 | Nov 16 & 18 | Capstone — thesis workshop & outline | No new reading | 📄 Week 13 |
| 14 | Nov 23–27 | 🦃 Thanksgiving Break — no classes | — | — |
| 15 | Nov 30 & Dec 2 | Capstone peer review, share-out & final submission Capstone Draft Peer Review Capstone Final |
No reading · Draft due Tue Dec 1 · Peer review in class Wed Dec 2 | 📄 Week 15 |
✦Assignments
| Assignment | Due | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Annotated Playlist ✍ SWR Curate a playlist (of at least 4 tracks) that tells a story. Write a brief introduction explaining the story, then 2–3 sentences per track addressing its musical features and how it fits the narrative. Provide a Spotify playlist, or links to each track. Submit as a discussion board post on WebCourses. |
Sep 25 | 10% |
| Song Analysis — Draft 300–400 words. Submit on WebCourses before class on Oct 5. Submit a printed copy for the peer review session. |
Oct 3 | Required |
| Song Analysis — Peer Review 🏛 In-Person Complete a feedback worksheet on your assigned classmate's draft. Submit one copy; the author keeps the other. Graded for completion. Missing peer review day without prior notice results in a zero. |
Oct 5 | 5% |
| Song Analysis — Revised Final ✍ SWR 300–400 words. Revised in response to peer and instructor feedback. Submit on WebCourses by 11:59 PM. |
Oct 9 | 10% |
| Concert Report ✍ SWR 2–3 pages. Ethnographic + analytical write-up of a live music event. |
Oct 16 | 15% |
| Capstone Topic Proposal 150–200 words. Identify your chosen work and include a one-sentence preview of your argument. |
Oct 30 | 5% |
| Capstone Essay — Full Draft 6–7 pages. Submit on WebCourses by Tuesday, Dec 1 for peer review. Bring a printed copy of your intro and one body section. |
Dec 1 | Required |
| Capstone Essay — Peer Review 🏛 In-Person Complete a feedback worksheet on two classmates' drafts. Submit one copy of each; authors keep the others. Graded for completion. Missing peer review day without advanced notice and excused documentation results in a zero. |
Dec 2 | 5% |
| Capstone Essay — Final Submission ✍ SWR 6–7 pages. Revised in response to feedback. Submit on Canvas during finals week — exact date TBD. |
Finals wk · TBD | 20% |
| In-Class Activities Listening labs, workshops, and other in-class activities throughout the semester. Graded for completion. |
Ongoing | 20% |
| Quizzes Periodic quizzes on readings and listenings on WebCourses. Available Wednesday through Friday EOD. Lowest scores dropped; see WebCourses for the exact number and drop policy. |
Periodic | 10% |
✦Contact & Office Hours
Instructor
Dr. Melissa J. Scott
Lecturer, School of Performing Arts
Contact
via WebCourses only
There is another Melissa Scott on campus. Please message me via Canvas/WebCourses to ensure your message reaches the correct person.
Office Hours
Tue & Thu, 12:30–2:30pm, in person
Students are encouraged to reserve a slot in advance on the sign-up sheet posted next to my office door. Drop-ins are welcome during this time when available.
Office
Location posted on Canvas
To meet outside regular office hours, send a Canvas message at least 48 hours in advance with two or three available times. For feedback on writing in progress, please send your draft along with your message.