MUS 221 History of Western Music pre-1750
MUS 221 History of Western Music pre-1 ..
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MUS 221 History of Western Music pre-1750

MUS 221 History of Western Music pre-1750

Course Title:  MUS 221: History of Western Music pre-1750

Course Description

Presents the chronology of musical styles and significant composers from Antiquity through the Pre-Classical era. Relates the development of music from a socio-historical perspective including parallel movements within the arts. Develops techniques for listening analytically and critically to music.  MUS 221 and 222 may transfer as the same course.   Lecture 3 hours. 3 credits.

General Course Purpose

Provide a detailed understanding of the evolution of Western music from Antiquity through Pre-Classical eras.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites 

None

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course, the student will be able to:

Communication

  • Effectively communicate music observations through written and/or oral communication

Critical Thinking

  • Identify how various social, political, economic, religious, and historical events may influence a composer and the style of music from a given historical period

  • Evaluate artistic movements within an era and any corresponding interrelationship with music

  • Identify and understand how instruments and music ensembles evolved from the Medieval Period through the Pre-Classical era.

  • Identify the development, evolution, and use of the elements of music

  • Identify various music forms and understand how those forms influenced the creation of compositions and the listening experience

Personal Development

  • Augment listening skills through assignments/assessments designed to listen analytically and critically to music

  • Demonstrate proficiency in the development of receptivity to music from different historical periods

  • Demonstrate the development of receptivity to compositions of composers representative of a given historical period

  • Cultivate personal goals related to music listening, participation, or performance attendance

Medieval Period

  • Identify significant historical events 

  • Identify parallel movements within the arts

  • Describe the evolution of notation during this period

  • Name significant composers and their works

  • Describe the evolution of sacred and secular music styles

  • Identify key aspects of sacred and secular music

  • Visually identify and recognize the soundscape of instruments and ensembles of this period

  • Identify the basic structure of forms and recognize that form while listening to music of this period

Renaissance Period

  • Identify significant historical events

  • Identify parallel movements within the arts

  • Name significant composers and their works

  • Describe the evolution of sacred and secular music styles

  • Identify key aspects of sacred and secular music

  • Visually identify and recognize the soundscape of instruments and ensembles of this period

  • Identify the basic structure of forms and recognize that form while listening to music of this period

Baroque/Pre-Classical Period

  • Identify significant historical events

  • Identify parallel movements within the arts

  • Name significant composers and their works

  • Describe the evolution of sacred and secular music styles

  • Identify key aspects of sacred and secular music 

  • Visually identify and recognize the soundscape of instruments and ensembles of this period

  • Identify the basic structure of forms and recognize that form while listening to music of this period

Major Topics to be Included

Personal Development

Medieval Period

Renaissance Period

Baroque/Pre-Classical Period

Applicable School(s)
All Virginia Community Colleges
Category/Topic
Course Content Summaries