Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1110
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Music Theory I
Semester Approved: Spring 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
End Semester: Fall 2029
Catalog Description: This course includes the study of the fundamental elements of music. Content will focus on part writing, composition, and analysis. This course is required of all music-majors and minors and is recommended for serious students of voice, piano or other instruments. This course must be taken in sequence, and concurrently with MUSC 1130. During the first week of class, a placement exam will be administered - - a score of 70% or better must be achieved on this exam, or the student will be placed in MUSC 1100 Fundamentals of Music. If students receive a score of 4 or higher on their high school Advance Placement (AP) Music Theory exam, they may choose to waive this course.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: Students must pass a placement examination that is administered the first week of class with a 70% or higher to continue in this course. Students who do not pass will be placed in MUSC 1100 for remediation.
Corequisites: MUSC 1130
Justification: This course, required of music majors in all NASM-accredited music programs, prepares music majors for transfer with full junior status to music programs of the four year colleges and universities. It will also serve to develop musical literacy in the non-majors. Similar courses are offered in most USHE university music programs. MUSC 1110 is the common number in the USHE system for this course.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the basic elements of music. This will be demonstrated by one or more of the following: Completing and submitting weekly notation, part writing, and analysis assignments; Attendance and participation in class discussions and problem solving activities; Periodic timed quizzes; Comprehensive mid-term and final examinations.
Students will be able to write and analyze four part choral common practice period style. This will be demonstrated by one or more of the following: Completing and submitting weekly notation, part writing, and analysis assignments; Attendance and participation in class discussions and problem solving activities; Periodic timed quizzes; Comprehensive mid-term and final examinations.
Students will be able to analyze basic musical forms and define musical terms. This will be demonstrated by one or more of the following: Completing and submitting weekly notation, part writing, and analysis assignments; Attendance and participation in class discussions and problem solving activities; Periodic timed quizzes; Comprehensive mid-term and final examinations.
Content:
Students will develop knowledge and skills relating to the following concepts:• staves; • keys; • scales; melody;• rhythm;• harmony;• meters; • intervals; • tempo;• dynamics. Music literature will be chosen from a variety of sources and styles, including various nations, ethnic groups, time periods, genders, etc.. Discussions during class will address said musical styles and their importance. Musical topics that relate to diversity and inclusion in music will be discussed in a safe and understanding environment. All students in the course will be treated with respect and fairness.
Key Performance Indicators:
Completing and submitting weekly notation, part writing, and analysis assignments 25 to 30%
Attendance and participation in class discussions and problem solving activities 15 to 20%
Periodic timed quizzes 20 to 25%
Comprehensive mid-term and final examinations 30 to 35%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Tonal Harmony by Stefan Kostka and Byron Almen. Ninth Edition. McGraw Hill. 2024
Pedagogy Statement:
Materials and skills for this course are presented in a fairly active setting. Class activities and discussions will incorporate short lectures, individual and group work, problem solving by students and faculty at the board, singing, and regular written problems and examples. Students will be asked to participate in class activities and receive group, and sometimes personalized instruction, from the instructor on a weekly basis during class. All students will be treated with fairness and respect during class activities and when getting individual feedback.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 30
Optimum Class Size: 20
