Music 170s, Summer II, 2001

BEYOND THE END:

Music and Culture in the Twentieth Century

Assignments

Our central question

Is the Western culture of the past five centuries over? If so where are we now?

The Five Questions

What is the question being asked?

What are the concepts in terms of which the question is asked? What assumptions are being used?

What are the procedures being used to answer the question? What is the method?

What conclusions are reached?

What is the relevance of the question? Why does it matter?
 
 

Class discussion and Films (15%)

There are two kinds of readings: biography and primary sources:

For most of the classes there is material to read online about a specific composer - follow the link for Biography. You should read this material for general background, so I won't need to cover where the composer is from or when he was born, or what he wrote.

For most classes there is also primary material - ideas of composers, or people of the time. Often this will be divided among the class. For this reading you should consider how these writings help in understanding the assigned music or contribute to the central question of this course. The five questions should be a framework for your study. You should be prepared to comment in class on any material specifically assigned to you or on at least one of the suggested readings if the materials were not divided.

Films

While for most classes students will read and listen in preparation and part of the class will often be discussion of this material, for some classes we will reverse this:  we will view videos of class material and students will respond in the on-line discussion area within the next week.  The video material will be available in the library before and after the viewing.

Quizes (10%)

Weekly 5-10-minute quizes identifying music from the assigned listening list, including full name of composer, title and movement (if any) of work and date.

Oral Presentation (25%)

A presentation on music or art related to music of the twentieth century. Outline notes of presentation, answers to the Five Questions, and bibliography to be turned in.

Your presentation should contribute to the central question of this course. Use the five questions as a framework for your study. Your comments should help the class to understand the music.

Tests and Final exam (50%)

Using material from the course answer the following question:

Was Spengler right that Western culture ended in the nineteenth century?

When writing these open-book, take-home tests and the open-book, take-home exam use specific examples of composers, pieces, and readings from this course.  When grading these exams I will look for evidence that you are familiar with the materials studied in this course and will evaluate your arguments answering the central question.

I recommend that after each class you write a page about that day's topic. When the "tests" are due, you should write general opening and closing paragraphs and do some editing that will make your daily writing into a cohesive essay.

The Final Exam is cumulative and should summarize material submitted for the previous tests as well as discussing the last portion of the course and your conclusions for the course.