MUS-Music

Lower Division Collegiate

MUS101 (3 credits)
Music Fundamentals I

Focuses on reading and writing basic music notation including note names, scales, key signatures, intervals, basic rhythms, meters, and the spelling of triads and seventh chords. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS105 (3 credits)
Music Appreciation

Introduces the history and repertory of Western classical music. Through guided listening, students will develop both an aural and an intellectual understanding of music while emphasizing the political, cultural, and scientific values that have shaped the history of Western music. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS108 (4 credits)
Music in World Cultures

Introduces music from various cultures with an international and cross-cultural perspective. Explores both commonalties and differences in how music is defined, valued, and utilized in many cultures around the world. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS111 (4 credits)
Music Theory I

Examines the fundamentals of tonal music including the key signatures, scales. circle of fifth, modes, rhythm, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. Emphasizes terminology and basic musical concepts. MUS111/112/113 courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: MUS101 and WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS112 (4 credits)
Music Theory II

Continues the examination of tonal music including harmonic analysis in a key/tonal context, harmonic progressions, realizing a figured bass, part-writing procedures, and introduction of cadences. MUS111/112/113 courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: MUS111.

MUS113 (4 credits)
Music Theory III

Continues the examinations of tonal music including non-chord tones, diatonic seventh chords, and harmonization of melodies using all diatonic chords. Emphasis is on concepts of contextual analysis. MUS111/112/113 courses must be taken in sequence. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS114 (1 credit)
Aural Skills I

This first of a three-term sequence of courses provides instruction and practice in beginning sight-reading, sight-singing, and ear-training. It includes melodic and rhythmic dictation as well as intervallic recognition. It covers the fundamental concepts of rhythm, meter, major and minor tonalities, diatonic and modal scales, triads and seventh chords, and cadences. MUS114/115/116 must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisites: WR115 or designated placement score; and completion of MUS101 or equivalent knowledge. Co-requisite: MUS111.

MUS115 (1 credit)
Aural Skills II

This second of a three-term sequence provides instruction and practice in intermediate sight-reading, sight-singing, and ear-training. It includes melodic and rhythmic dictation as well as intervallic recognition. It covers more variety of rhythm, meter, major and minor tonalities, diatonic and modal scales, triads and seventh chords, and cadences. MUS114/115/116 must be taken in sequence, unless instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS114. Co-requisite: MUS112.

MUS116 (1 credit)
Aural Skills III

This third of a three-term sequence provides instruction and practice in more advanced sight-reading, sight-singing, and ear-training. It includes more complex melodic and rhythmic dictation as well as wider intervallic recognition. It covers a variety of rhythm, meter, major and minor tonalities, all diatonic scales, triads and seventh chords, and cadences. Non-chord tones and secondary dominant chords will be explored. MUS114/115/116 must be taken in sequence, unless instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS115. Co-requisite: MUS113.

MUS131 (2 credits)
Class Piano I

Provides group instruction for beginning and intermediate piano. Focuses on the development of basic piano skills, note-reading, rhythm, scales, chords, and the introduction to related musical concepts. Contents and expected learning proficiencies of this course may vary from term to term. Not for music majors. No previous piano experience required. May be repeated for up to six credits.

MUS132 (2 credits)
Class Piano II

Provides group instruction for beginning and intermediate piano. Focuses on the development of basic piano skills, note-reading, rhythm, scales, chords, and the introduction to related musical concepts. Contents and expected learning proficiencies of this course may vary from term to term. Not for music majors. Prerequisite: MUS131 or equivalent piano experience.

MUS133 (2 credits)
Class Piano III

Provides group instruction for beginning and intermediate piano. Focuses on the development of basic piano skills, note-reading, rhythm, scales, chords, and the introduction to related musical concepts. Contents and expected learning proficiencies of this course may vary from term to term. Not for music majors. Prerequisite: MUS132 or equivalent piano experience.

MUS135 (2 credits)
Beginning Hand Drums

Provides students hands-on experience with a variety of hand percussion instruments from around the world. Emphasis is on basic techniques and rhythms to facilitate musical performance in a group setting. May be repeated for up to four credits.

MUS137 (2 credits)
Group Guitar: Beginning

Covers the basic construction of the guitar, principles of tuning, maintenance, and treatment of the instrument. Also covered are key signatures, scales, primary chords and their structures, as well as fingering methods, right hand picking styles and techniques specific to the guitar. Students will learn how to accompany solo and group singing, and learn skills needed to translate music and methods for solving problems common to guitar players. May be repeated for up to four credits.

MUS138 (2 credits)
Group Guitar: Intermediate

Enables students to create more complicated common style arrangements to folk, blues, and popular song styles by adding melody notes and bass runs to open chords. Students will also learn accompanying styles to a much broader range of song types, the use of more sophisticated chords and voicings, and the use of barre chords affording the guitarist the ability to play in any key. May be repeated up to six credits. Prerequisite: MUS137.

MUS158 (1 credit)
Chamber Music Ensemble

Provides an opportunity for instrumentalists to explore, practice, and perform chamber music repertoire. Includes conducted and coached rehearsals for public performance. Covers repertoire for chamber group (duo-octet), small ensembles, and chamber orchestra. Requires the ability to read music. Must play a musical instrument. Singers considered. May be repeated for up to 12 credits.

MUS199 (variable credits)
Special Studies: Music

Serves a variety of needs and interests, and is used to develop a music course focused around various themes, in keeping with the department mission to increase students' literacy, awareness of cultures and different cultural values, critical thinking, and self-awareness. The course is offered in a number of formats: workshop, seminar, or independent study and may be repeated for up to six credits. Prerequisite: Varies by course.

MUS201 (4 credits)
Exploring Music: Introduction to Music History

Explores the history of Western European music from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. It is an overview of musical genres, styles, forms, and practices that were embraced in each period. Examines the way historical events, cultural trends, or technical inventions affected the musical trend in each era. Emphasis is on cultivating critical listening and comprehension skills through musical examples, learning from lectures, documentaries, recordings, and reading of the textbook. No musical background is required. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS205 (3 credits)
History of Jazz

Surveys jazz styles from its origins to the present as revealed through the study of the most innovative and influential artists of this uniquely American musical form. Emphasis is placed on building critical listening and comprehension skills through listening to musical examples, in-class discussion, quizzes, class assignments, research, and reading of the text. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS206 (3 credits)
Introduction to Rock Music

Offers a survey of history of rock music as the unique and prominent musical genre of the United States from its origins to the present. Explores the most innovative and influential artists of rock music as well as their performing and compositional style. Emphasis is placed on building critical listening and comprehension skills through listening to musical examples, in-class discussion of the music, quizzes, assignments, research, and reading of the text. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS207 (3 credits)
Songwriting

Studies examples of songwriting techniques used and recommended by successful songwriters. Students will compose original songs for peer and instructor review. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS208 (3 credits)
Film Music

Explores the capacity of music to enhance drama and affect our emotions in the medium of film. Examines different ways in which music has been used in film since the birth of cinema to the present. No prior knowledge of music is necessary. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS211 (4 credits)
Music Theory IV

Continues MUS111, 112 and 113. Offers students a clear and thorough introduction to the resources and practice of Western music with a focus on chromaticism and analysis. Includes more advanced chord progressions, cadences, phrases, and forms as used in the music of the masters. MUS211/212/213 courses must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisites: MUS113 or equivalent knowledge.

MUS212 (4 credits)
Music Theory V

Offers students a clear and thorough introduction to the resources and practice of Western music with a focus on chromatic harmony. Includes continued analysis and part-writing, secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords, Neapolitan chords, augmented sixths chords, and enharmonic spellings and modulations. MUS211/212/213 courses must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS211 or equivalent knowledge.

MUS213 (4 credits)
Music Theory VI

Expands upon the elements of the practice of Western music harmony and introduces concepts, styles, and techniques of post-tonal theory of the 20th century music. MUS211/212/213 courses must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS212 or equivalent knowledge.

MUS224 (1 credit)
Aural Skills IV

This first of a three-term sequence provides instruction and practice in advanced sight-reading, sight-singing, and ear-training. Explores chromatic harmonies, secondary dominant chords, and modulations to closely related keys. MUS224/225/226 must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS116. Co-requisite: MUS211.

MUS225 (1 credit)
Aural Skills V

This second of a three-term sequence solidifies chromatic harmonies involving secondary dominants and modulations. Instruction is provided in exploring and identifying by ear various musical forms including binary, rounded-binary, ternary, rondo, and sonata-allegro form. Covers dictation exercises written in asymmetrical meters, Neapolitan 6th chords, augmented 6th chords, and diminished 7th chords. MUS224/225/226 must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS224. Co-requisite: MUS212.

MUS226 (1 credit)
Aural Skills VI

This third of a three-term sequence solidifies the comprehensive understanding of both tonal and chromatic harmony as well as one’s ability to identify complex musical forms with remote modulation. Students will be introduced to strategies for listening and dictating atonal and modal music of late 19th and early 20th century. MUS224/225/226 must be taken in sequence, unless Instructor permission is granted. Prerequisite: MUS225. Co-requisite: MUS213.

MUS261 (4 credits)
History of Western Music I: Ancient to Baroque

Studies the history of Western music with a focus on the development of music from the antiquity, the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque Period. It will examine musical genres, forms, styles, and practices that were embraced in each period. It will also explore the way that historical events, cultural trend, and/or technical inventions affected the musical trend of each era. The emphasis is on cultivating critical listening and comprehension skills through musical examples, learning from lectures, documentaries, recordings, and reading of the textbook. Prerequisite: MUS101 or knowledge of music fundamentals and the ability to read music, and WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS262 (4 credits)
History of Western Music II: Classical and Romantic

Studies the history of Western music with a focus on the development of music from Classical period to Romantic period. It will examine musical genres, forms, and styles that were embraced in each period. Explores the way that historical events, cultural trend, and/or technical inventions affected the musical trend of each era. Emphasis is on cultivating critical listening and comprehension skills through musical examples, learning from lectures, documentaries, recordings, and reading of the textbook. Prerequisite: MUS101 or knowledge of music fundamentals and the ability to read music, and WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS263 (4 credits)
History of Western Music III: 20th Century to Modern Day

Studies the history of Western music with a focus on the development of music from Late Nineteenth Century, Twentieth-Century Modernism, and Postmodernism (Mid-Twentieth Century and Beyond). Examines innovative compositional techniques, musical genres, forms, and styles that were embraced during each period. Explores the way that historical events, cultural trends, and/or technical inventions affected the musical trend or climate in each era. Emphasis is on cultivating critical listening and comprehension skills through musical examples, learning from lectures, documentaries, recordings, and reading of the textbook. Prerequisite: MUS101 or knowledge of music fundamentals and the ability to read music, and WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS264 (3 credits)
History of Rock I: The Roots of Rock

Provides students with an opportunity to explore the musical, social and cultural aspects of rock music from its pre-rock influences and its development through c.1963. Emphasis is placed on building listening and comprehension skills through listening to rock music, in-class discussion of the music, class assignments, research, and reading of the text. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS265 (3 credits)
History of Rock II: Rock's Golden Age

Provides students with an opportunity to explore the musical, social and cultural aspects of rock music from its pre-rock influences and its development from 1964-1975. Emphasis is placed on building listening and comprehension skills through listening to rock music, in-class discussion of the music, class assignments, research, and reading of the text. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.

MUS266 (3 credits)
History of Rock III: Heavy Metal to Hip-Hop

Explores the musical, social and cultural aspects of rock music from c.1975 through the present day. Emphasis is placed on building listening and comprehension skills through listening to rock music, in-class discussion of the music, class assignments, research, and reading of the text. Prerequisite: WR115 or designated placement score.