Reading and Listening Required Text: Yudkin, Jeremy Understanding Music, Seventh Edition. NJ: Pearson Education.

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1 Conrad Grebel University College University of Waterloo Department of Music MUSIC Understanding Music Winter 2014 Mondays & Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 pm, CGR 1111 (Great Hall) Instructor: Prof. Maisie Sum Office: CGR 1113 Office Hours: Mon. & Wed. 3:00-4:00pm or by appointment Office Phone: x Course Description This course is a survey of Western music presented within a broader historical and cultural context. Musical styles, forms, techniques and terminology from the medieval period to the twentieth-first century are studied through lectures and listening in class and reading and guided listening at home. Neither an ability to read music nor any other background in music is required. The first part of the course will be devoted to learning the fundamental concepts of music, which will provide a foundation of vocabulary and ways of listening to music that will be used for the remainder of the course, and enhance your listening experience in general. Reading and Listening Required Text: Yudkin, Jeremy Understanding Music, Seventh Edition. NJ: Pearson Education. For a more economical option purchase the unbound text (Books a la Carte) or the etext Recommended: Text PLUS MySearchLab -- Access Card Package Yudkin, Jeremy Understanding Music, Books a la Carte Plus MySearchLab with Pearson etext --Access Card Package, 7/E. NJ: Pearson Education Look for the textbook at the campus bookstore or purchase it online at It's important you buy this book because: There will be required reading from the book. I will test on material from the book. It will help you get a better grade in my course. Buy the text only and not the accompanying CD set. It is recommend that you buy an access card to MySearchLab, an online program that will help you save time and assist in preparing for classes, quizzes, tests and exams. Musical examples and interactive listening guides are available on MySearchLab. The older edition of the musical examples is available on CD at the UW Conrad Grebel Milton Good Library Different performances of the same musical examples may be found online in the

2 Classical Music Library accessible from the UW Library website or LEARN. Go to the Music (Maisie Sum) folder. If you bought a new book at the bookstore, it came with an access code to MySearchLab If you wish to buy access to MySearchLab separately (a less economical option, unless you already have the text), you may purchase access at There is a course website on LEARN. Additional information about assignments, lectures, reading and listening, test results and other important items will be posted there. Evaluation Music Fundamentals Quiz 15% Jan. 20 Midterm Test 25% Feb. 24 Concert Reviews (2) 20% #1 due by March 19, #2 on day of Final Exam Final Exam 35% TBA Participation, Attitude 5% Coursework Bring the text to each class. The listening guides and illustrations shall be referred to frequently. Assigned readings should be completed before each class begins. It is important that you listen to the pieces/excerpts actively at least once before the class in which they will be discussed. Follow along with the listening guide and listen again as necessary. After all, the primary subject matter of this course is music. Writings about music (the textbook), while crucial, are supplemental to the listening experience. 1. Music Fundamentals and Listening Quiz (15%). You are responsible for Chapters 1 to 3. It will cover terms, concepts, and listening, in the form of multiple-choice questions. 2. Midterm Test (25%). This is a multiple-choice midterm that covers Chapters 4 to 8. You are also expected to apply your knowledge of the elements of music (Ch. 2) and demonstrate the art of listening (Ch. 3). 3. Final Exam (35%). This is a comprehensive multiple-choice exam, however, the focus will be on the material after the midterm test; that is, Chapters 9 to 13. It will be scheduled during the final exam period. Note: Both the Midterm Test and Final Exam will include a significant listening component. You may be required to identify music listened to in class that is not in your text. These excerpts will be uploaded to LEARN. You may also be asked general, descriptive questions about music you have never heard before. 4. Concert Attendance and Reviews 10% each = 20%). In order to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge to live listening, you will attend at least two concerts during the term of classical or world music and write short reviews for each. Concerts of popular music, dance with recorded music, or informal concerts without programs are not appropriate for this assignment. If you are in doubt about the appropriateness of a particular concert, please come see me BEFORE you attend the concert. Brochures, 2

3 pamphlets and posters about performances in the Kitchener-Waterloo region and beyond can be found outside the Music Office. On campus (at Conrad Grebel), there are noonhour concerts of chamber and vocal music performances. Remember to be a considerate audience member: turn off cell phones, beeping watches; arrive on time; and do not talk or make noise during the music. Each review should discuss musical elements and apply concepts discussed in class to each of the compositions/pieces of the concert, and include your personal reaction to the compositions/pieces and overall concert. Summarize the basic information (who, what, when, where) in the opening paragraph. Staple the concert program to the review. Proofread your reviews carefully to avoid typos, grammatical errors, and other problems relating to writing mechanics. Format your papers to Times New Roman, 12-pt font, double-spaced and please respect the 500-word limit. Do not include a title page. The deadline for the first review is March 19. The second one is due the same date as the final exam. You may, however, submit your reviews before the deadlines, in class or at the Music Office. Note: Each review should be written within a week of the concert, while the event is still fresh in your mind. 5. Class Participation and Attitude (5%). As a student, you play a significant role in what you learn and how much you learn. Your attendance and participation engaging in class discussion (asking/answering questions, offering opinions), musicking (listening actively, clapping, humming, tapping), listening attentively to lectures is crucial not just for your own experience (and success) but also for everyone else s. Therefore each unexcused absence after the first will result in reduction of the final grade.* First missed class: no penalty Second missed class: -2% on final grade Third missed class: -3% in addition (total -5%) Fourth missed class: -4% (total -9%) etc. (except those explained by doctor s note or other official excuse) * Unexcused absences include travel for spring break, clinic trips, athletic trips, and trips to graduate schools. Examples of excused absences include illnesses and religious holidays. For more information, see Accommodation Due to Illness (p. 4). 6. Guest Artists. In order to enrich your understanding of music, I will arrange, when possible, lecture demonstrations to discuss the basics of performance in a certain style (and culture). I will also try to bring in guest performers to demonstrate and perform on their instruments Café. You are welcome to bring in music that you enjoy during the term. You are encouraged to say a few words about your selection, though it is not required. The time shall be limited to five minutes. me by the second week of term if you wish to participate. Depending on the numbers, an entire class may be dedicated to sharing music with each other. Otherwise, time will be allotted at the end of some classes. 8. Missed Tests and Assignment Deadlines Assignments must be submitted in class by the due date indicated on the Course Calendar (p. 5). There will be no extensions. See details for each under Coursework. See Accommodation Due to Illness for exceptional cases. 3

4 Laptop, Tablet and Phone Policy The use of laptops and tablets in the classroom is a privilege. Laptops and tablets should only be used for taking notes and consulting course materials. Phones should be silenced and kept out of sight for the duration of the class period. The instructor reserves the right to modify this policy as needed throughout the term. Academic Integrity In order to maintain a culture of academic integrity, members of the University of Waterloo community are expected to promote honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. See the UWaterloo Academic Integritity Webpage ( and the Arts Academic Integrity Office Webpage ( and for more information. Discipline A student is expected to know what constitutes academic integrity to avoid committing academic offenses and to take responsibility for his/her actions. A student who is unsure whether an action constitutes an offense, or who needs help in learning how to avoid offenses (e.g., plagiarism, cheating) or about rules for group work/collaboration should seek guidance from the course professor, academic advisor, or the undergraduate associate dean. For information on categories of offenses and types of penalties, students should refer to Policy 71, Student Discipline ( For typical penalties check Guidelines for the Assessment of Penalties ( Grievance A student who believes that a decision affecting some aspect of his/her university life has been unfair or unreasonable may have grounds for initiating a grievance. Read Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances, Section 4 ( When in doubt please be certain to contact the department s administrative assistant who will provide further assistance. Appeals A decision made or penalty imposed under Policy 70, Student Petitions and Grievances (other than a petition) or Policy 71, Student Discipline may be appealed if there is a ground. A student who believes he/she has a ground for an appeal should refer to Policy 72, Student Appeals ( Access Ability Services - Accommodation for Students with Disabilities The University of Waterloo and Grebel share a commitment to support the participation and access to university programs, services, and facilities by persons with disabilities. Note for Students with Disabilities Contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at ext or visit Needles Hall Book an appointment to meet with an advisor to discuss the available services and supports. The Office for Persons with Disabilities (OPD) collaborates with all academic departments to arrange appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities without compromising the academic integrity of the curriculum. If you require academic accommodations to lessen the impact of your disability, please register with the Office at the beginning of each academic term. Accommodation Due to Illness From time to time students become ill or have ongoing medical conditions that prevent them from meeting academic obligations. The University is committed to assisting students who are ill and has established the following policy: Documentation Students in on-campus courses who are ill and unable to meet assignment due dates or write a term test or final examination should seek medical treatment and provide confirmation of the illness to the instructor(s) within 48 hours by submitting a completed uwaterloo Verification of Illness Form to support requests for accommodation due to illness. The uwaterloo Verification of Illness Form is normally the only acceptable medical documentation and is available on line at: Students who consult their physician or use the services of an off-campus walk-in clinic must provide this form to the attending physician for completion. Doctor s notes and forms created by the physician or clinic are normally not acceptable. Although not compelled to do so, instructors may accept medical documentation that contains the same information specified on the UW Verification of Illness Form. Health Services charges a $10 fee for completing the Verification of Illness Form, which is not covered by OHIP/UHIP. Fees for this service levied by off-campus practitioners are the student s responsibility. 4

5 Course Calendar: Wk Date Topic/Reading due Assignment due / Test 1 Jan. 6 Jan. 8 2 Jan. 13 Jan Jan. 20 Jan Jan. 27 Jan Feb. 3 Feb. 5 6 Feb. 10 Feb Feb. 17 Feb Feb. 24 Feb March 3 March 5 10 March 10 March March 17 March March 24 March March 31 April 2 Introduction, Music Around the World - Ch. 1 The Elements of Music - Ch. 2 The Elements of Music - Ch. 2, cont d The Art of Listening - Ch. 3 The Art of Listening - Ch. 3, cont d The Middle Ages - Ch. 4 The Renaissance - Ch. 5 The Baroque Era - Ch. 6 The Baroque Era - Ch. 6, cont d The Baroque Era - Ch. 6, cont d The Classical Era - Ch. 7 The Classical Era - Ch. 7, cont d Beethoven - Ch. 8 READING WEEK Midterm Guest Artist: Steafan Hanvey / Q&A Session The 19 th C: Early Romantic Music - Ch. 9 Early Romantic Music - Ch. 9, cont d Mid- to Late- Romantic Music - Ch. 10 Mid- to Late- Romantic Music - Ch. 10, cont d The 20 th C & Beyond: The Classical Scene - Ch. 11 The Classical Scene - Ch. 11, cont d The Classical Scene - Ch. 11, cont d Jazz - Ch. 12 Jazz - Ch. 12 Popular Music - Ch. 13 TBA Fundamentals & Listening Quiz Midterm Test Concert Review #1 (in-class) *The above schedule may change from time-to-time to reflect the pace of the course and to better refine the course schedule. Changes to this schedule will be announced in class and by announcement on LEARN. 5