✦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% | Three writing assignments building across the semester: Annotated Playlist, Song Analysis, and Concert Report. 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 | 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% | Two mandatory in-class peer review sessions, for the Song Analysis and the Capstone Essay. 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 🏛 In-Person | 15% | Three quizzes on course units: Musical Concepts (Wk 4), Topics in Western Art Music (Wk 8), and Blues/Jazz/Rock (Wk 11) |
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.Textbook
Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context — Morgan-Ellis, ed. (University of North Georgia Press). A free reference — free PDF via the textbook website. Chapter readings follow our lecture topics, not the book's order.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. Resonances readings follow our lecture topics, not book order. Week pages unlock one week in advance.
| Week | Dates | Topic | Readings & Notes | Week Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Aug 24 & 26 | Intro — how to listen, and music terms Academic Activity |
Resonances, Ch. 1, section "What is Music?" (pp. 2–4) | 📄 Week 1 |
| 02 | Aug 31 & Sep 2 | Elements of music I — pitch, melody, rhythm | Resonances, Ch. 2 (part 1), pp. 23–32 | 📄 Week 2 |
| 03 | Sep 9 (Wed only) | Elements of music II — timbre, texture, form | Resonances, Ch. 2 (part 2) · No class Sep 7 (Labor Day) | 📄 Week 3 |
| 04 | Sep 14 & 16 | Quiz #1 + Writing Portfolio launch & Annotated Playlist Quiz #1 Annotated Playlist |
No new reading | 📄 Week 4 |
| 05 | Sep 21 & 23 | Bach & fugue | Resonances, Ch. 11 (Bach, fugue) | 📄 Week 5 |
| 06 | Sep 28 & 30 | Sonata form — Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven Song Analysis |
Resonances, Chs. 7 & 8 | 📄 Week 6 |
| 07 | Oct 5 & 7 | Leitmotifs & film music — John Williams, Star Wars Song Analysis Peer Review |
Resonances, Ch. 3 | 📄 Week 7 |
| 08 | Oct 12 & 14 | Quiz #2 + Blues Quiz #2 |
Resonances, Ch. 7 (blues scale, selective) | 📄 Week 8 |
| 09 | Oct 19 & 21 | Blues & jazz | Resonances, Ch. 13 (Ellington, Marsalis) | 📄 Week 9 |
| 10 | Oct 26 & 28 | Jazz Topic Proposal |
Resonances, Ch. 11 (Coltrane, modal jazz) | 📄 Week 10 |
| 11 | Nov 2 & 4 | Quiz #3 + Concert Report workshop Quiz #3 Concert Report |
No new reading · Concert Report due Mon Nov 9 | 📄 Week 11 |
| 12 | Nov 9 (Mon only) | Academic argumentation + Michael Jackson: King of Pop? | No class Nov 11 (Veterans Day) | 📄 Week 12 |
| 13 | Nov 16 & 18 | Video game music + writing-structure workshop | Grasso article (optional) | 📄 Week 13 |
| 14 | Nov 23–27 | 🦃 Thanksgiving Break — no classes | — | — |
| 15 | Nov 30 & Dec 2 | Capstone workshop, peer review & 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 |
|---|---|
| Annotated Playlist ✍ SWR 4+ tracks that tell a story, with a brief intro and 2–3 sentences per track. Include a Spotify playlist or track links. Submit as a WebCourses discussion post. |
Sep 18 |
| Song Analysis ✍ SWR 300–400 words, with a draft-and-revision cycle. Draft due Oct 6 on WebCourses (bring a printed copy to class). In-person peer review Oct 7, graded for completion; missing it without prior notice is a zero. Revised final due Oct 9 by 11:59 PM. |
Oct 6–9 |
| Concert Report ✍ SWR 2–3 pages. Ethnographic + analytical write-up of a live music event. Announced in Week 1 — attend a live event by early November. |
Nov 9 |
| Capstone Essay ✍ SWR 6–7 page essay developed in stages. Topic proposal (150–200 words) due Oct 30. Full draft due Dec 1 on WebCourses; bring a printed intro and one body section. In-person peer review Dec 2, graded for completion; missing it without documentation is a zero. Revised final due on Canvas during finals week (date TBD). |
Oct 30 – Finals wk |
| In-Class Activities Listening labs, workshops, and other in-class activities. Graded for completion. |
Ongoing |
| Quizzes Three in-class, on-paper quizzes: Musical Concepts (Wk 4), Topics in Western Art Music (Wk 8), and Blues/Jazz/Rock (Wk 11). |
Wk 4, 8, 11 |
✦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.