MUHI - Music History (MUHI)

A survey of Western art music from Gregorian chant to music of the present day. Characteristic pieces, styles, and composers from the Medieval Era until the 21st century will be examined. A major component of the course is learning to listen analytically and write critically about music.

This course will explore American music as an agent and reflection of social change in American society. The study, which begins with the occurrence of hybridization between colonial British and West African cultural musical elements in the United States, will reveal the continual cultural impact that is brought to the United States by new immigrants, new ideas, and social movements. The course will follow the ongoing cultural evolution of American music, which creates an entry toward greater diversity and inclusivity within American society. Included among the topical studies in the course are European and West African folk music traditions, Latino musical traditions, Blues, Jazz, Rock, Broadway, and the artistic contributions of diverse American musical artists.

Survey of the music presented on the “Great White Way” from 1750 to the present, including a look at the minstrels, operettas, reviews, follies, vaudeville and musical plays, as well as the famous musicals that have appealed to Americans since 1939.

Students will trace the course of Western art music from its origins in plainchant c. 800 A.D. up until 1750. They will study the history, culture, and music repertoire of various time periods and identify composers and their works within a historical context. Score analysis.

Students will trace the course of Western art music from 1750 up to the present day. They will study the history, culture, and music repertoire of various time periods and identify composers and their works within a historical context. Score analysis.

This course explores music from around the world in order to learn how music reflects and interacts with the culture from which it springs. Musical traditions studied might include, for instance, North India, West Africa, Brazil, and Native American music of the Southwest. Ability to read music is not required.

Selected topics in music history. May be repeated for credit (under different number as topics change).

Selected topics in music history. May be repeated for credit (under different number as topics change).

Selected topics in music history. May be repeated for credit (under different number as topics change).

Exploration of how music interacts with images, dialogue, and other elements to create meaning in films. Readings introduce students to the field of film studies and to the analysis of film music. Assigned films, to be viewed before each class, cover a spectrum of genres. Independent research leading to a culminating paper. The ability to read music is not required.

Study and research in individual areas selected by the student in consultation with adviser and department chair.

Study and research in individual areas selected by the student in consultation with adviser and department chair.

Study and research in individual areas selected by the student in consultation with adviser and department chair.

Students will learn how to discover various bibliographic resources in music, including important music encyclopedias, domestic and foreign historical journals and newspapers, important manuscripts, and other sources. Students will learn how to write a paper about a specific topic based on this research, which will involve conceptual and critical thinking skills as well as deductive thought processes in order to come up with a sophisticated thesis statement. The student will then learn how to write a paper based on this process. In writing the paper, the student will include organizational skills, correct methods in citing sources, proper grammar and syntax, as well as an effective style. These writing issues will be geared specifically towards writing about music.