1

Old Dominion University

College: Arts and Letters
Department: Academic Affairs
Course ID and Title: FALL MUSC 264 MUSIC IN HISTORY AND CULTURE 201410
CRN: 12212

MUSC 264 MUSIC IN HISTORY AND CULTURE 12212

1 Meet The Professor
1.1 Instructor Contact Information
Title
Name
Office Location
Office Hours
Email Address

Professor
Marie Elena Bliss
Room #2108 Diehn Fine and Performing Arts
Building
By appointment only
mbliss@odu.edu

1.2 Contact Policy

Contact me only through mbliss@odu.edu. Music Department Office 683-4061.

1.3 About The Professor

Teaching and Education Background
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Navy Chapel Music Director /Accompanist /Organist,
Received MME with emphasis in Choral Conducting from ODU, Certified Kodaly Level I,
Retired Navy Chief Musician serving 24 years in Navy Music Program. Hobbies: Golf,
International Travel, Sailing and Motorcycles.
Personal Website
www.yellowbirdstudios.com

1.4 Teaching Philosophy

Never stop learning.

2 Student Help Resources

3 Course Readings
3.1 Required Materials
The Enjoyment of Music, 11th ed; shorter version; Kristine Forney & Joseph Machlis)
CD 4-Pack
(Optional) Purchase The Enjoyment of Music E-book at this website:
http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/enjoyment-of-music11/shorter/

4 Course Description
4.1 ODU Catalog Description
Course Number
Section Number
Pre- or Co-requisites
Lecture Hours
Location
Credits

201410
MUSC 264
N/A
Monday, Wednesday, Friday12:00 - 12:50pm
Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Building.
Room #1102 (first floor in DFPA bldg.)
3

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4.2 Instructor Course Description
This course is designed to be an introduction to the appreciation and understanding of music
through music listening activities and a survey of music history. Basic principles and
elements of music are discussed in relation to contexts within a variety of musical styles
including medieval, classical, jazz, popular, and World music. Regular and repeated listening
is an important part of the course in addition to required concert attendance.

4.3 Electronic Devices Policy

All electronic devices, cell phones, MP3 players, etc. must be turned off and put away during
all classes except for those devices taking class notes or accessing E-book for instructional
purposes.

5 Course Objectives and Expectations

5.1 Course Objectives
To develop students' understanding of the perspectives, contribution, and concerns of
minorities.
1.To foster students' appreciation of aesthetic experiences.
2.To enhance students' ability to write and speak about musical experiences.
3.To foster the ideals of the creative endeavor, scholarship, and service.

5.2 Course Expectations

Exams: Complete 4 Exams; (80 multiple choice, True/False questions, 10 Listening portion
questions and essay portion). Bring a blue Scantron and extra notebook paper for essay
portion.
(Optional): For more practice, complete any of the online chapter practice diagnostic quizzes
found at http://www.wwnorton.com/college/music/enjoyment-of-music11/shorter/

Discussion Board Questions: Listed in the Assignment Folder on

Blackboard are eight assignments that include 5 questions each. Please complete these
questions. These questions will be included on exams.

Concert Attendance: Students are required to attend 2 music concerts during

the semester. One concert report will come from one of the required Diehn Series Concert.
There is a student fee (usually $10 or less) for Diehn concerts. Please check with the box
office (757)683-5035 for price details or get tickets online.
(5 points will be deducted from Final Exam if a Diehn Series Concert Report is not
completed.)
Concert Reports should be stylistically different from each other. Concerts must be viewed in
this semester.

Please attach program and/or tickets securely to back of report.

After attending a concert performance, students will complete a 2-3 page concert report.
Instructor comments are based upon:

Accurate use of terms - shows understanding of concepts

Considers many different elements of music (melody, meter, harmony, form,
dynamics, tempo, instrumentation); shows understanding that elements change as a
piece progresses
Narrative style makes clear which piece/movement is being discussed

Discussion of the entire concert, recognizing differences in styles

Some information about work from lecture/book/program notes included

Attempts to describe the music in his/her own terms, with genuine reaction

No offensive language in reports

Extra Credit Concert Report: Students may view a 3rd concert of their choosing and turn in
an Extra Credit concert report worth 10% which will be added to Exam #4.
Extra credit report deadline is December 5, 2014.
*Failure to complete 2 concert reports in the semester will result in automatic course failure*

Late Papers: Any late reports will receive an automatic zero 0.

Grading/comments rubric for reports as follows:
50 points = Content

25 points = Use of Music

Concepts
15 points = Organization
and Form of report
10 points = Grammar

Discussion of the entire concert, recognizing differences in styles. Considers many different elements of music
(melody, meter, harmony, form, dynamics, tempo, instrumentation); shows understanding that elements change
as a piece progresses. Narrative style makes clear which piece/movement is being discussed. Some information
about work from lecture/book/program notes included. Attempts to describe the music in his/her own terms, with
genuine reaction.
Accurate use of terms demonstrates comprehension of textbook music concepts and terminology.
Concert Report will contain no less than 2-3 pages, 12-point type with margins no less than 1 inch and Times
Roman font. Black ink only.
Proper grammar use and label titles of music pieces correctly. Link to correct musical capitalization website

NOTE***The Department Chair of the Diehn Music Building expects the following concert
etiquette be observed when attending concerts in Chandler Hall:

No texting or cell phone calls. (This is distracting to stage performers. Please be

respectful to performers that have worked very hard to bring you these
performances.)

no talking during performance

no ball caps
proper dress attire
no use of laptops or rustling papers during performance

If disrespectful behavior during any ODU music department performance is reported to

your instructor, a student's report may result in a grade of 0 (zero).

6 Teaching and Learning Methods

6.1 Delivery Method
Blackboard: Students are required to have a University login and Blackboard access.
Media files, Course documents, Grades will be available on Blackboard. Students should
check their ODU email account and Blackboard frequently for important announcements.

6.2 Instructional Approach

Lecture outlines, sample concert reports and outlines available on Blackboard. Instructor
will use various forms of multi-media formats to include PowerPoint, educational movies
and various approved internet sites.

7 Course Schedule
Week
Class
1
MONDAY

Date
8/25/2014

Topics
Introduction of Course MUSC 264A
Prelude 1 Listening to Music Today

Assignments

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Ch. 1, Melody: Musical Line
Ch. 2, Rhythm and Meter: Musical Time
Ch. 3, Harmony: Musical Space
Ch. 4, The Organization of Musical Sounds
Ch. 5, Musical Texture
Ch. 6, Musical Form
Ch. 7, Musical Expressions: Tempo and
Dynamics
Ch. 8, Voices and Musical Instrument
Families
Ch. 9, Western Musical Instruments
Listening:
Ch.10, Musical Ensembles
Brittens Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra
Ch. 11 Style and Function of Music in
Society
Exam review 1
EXAM 1: Chapters 1 through 11
(80 multiple choice, T/F questions and 10
Listening and essay portion)
Listening:
================================ Hildegard of Bingen: Alleluia, O virga mediatrix
Prelude 2 The Culture of the Middle Ages (Alleluia, O meditating branch)
and Renaissance
Notre Dame School of Organum: Gaude Maria Virgo
Ch. 12, Sacred Music of the Middle Ages
(Rejoice Mary, virgin)
Ch. 13, Secular Music of the Middle Ages Anonymous: Sumer is icumen in

MONDAY

9/1/2014
Holiday

MONDAY

9/8/2014

MONDAY

9/15/2014

MONDAY

9/22/2014

MONDAY

9/29/2014

MONDAY

10/06/2014 Ch. 17, Baroque Cantata and Oratorio

Ch. 18, Baroque Instruments and the Suite
Ch. 19, Baroque Concerto, Sonata, and
Fugue
Ch. 20, Other Baroque Instrumental Music
Exam review 2

MONDAY

10/13/2014

MONDAY

10/20/2014
Concert
Report #1
Due:
10/20/14

Ch. 14, Renaissance Sacred Music

Listening:
Ch. 15, Renaissance Secular Music
Josquin, Ave Maria virgo serena
Ch. 16, Baroque Opera and Its Components Palestrina, Pope Marcellus Mass, Gloria
Arcadelt: Il bianco e dolce cigno
Farmer, Fair Phyllis
Susato, Three Dances

Listening:
Henry Purcell, Dido and Aeneas, Act III, excerpts
Barbara Strozzi, Amor Dormiglione (Sleepyhead, Cupid!)
J.S. Bach, Cantata No. 140, Wachet auf (Sleepers, Awake), I
and IV
Georg F. Handel, Messiah, No. 18 Rejoice Greatly,
44 Hallelujah Chorus
Georg F. Handel, Water Music, Suite in d major, Alla hornpipe
Mouret: Rondeau, from Suite de Symphonies

FALL BREAK
EXAM 2 Chapters Prelude 2 through 20 Listening:
(80 multiple choice, T/F questions and 10 Vivaldi: Spring, from The Four Seasons ( La Primavera)
Listening and essay portion)
J.S. Bach, Contrapunctus 1, from The Art of the Fugue
Prelude 4 Classicism in the Arts
Ch. 22, Classical Chamber Music
Ch. 23, The Classical Symphony

10

MONDAY

10/27/2014 Ch. 24, The Classical Concerto

Ch. 25 The Sonata in the Classical Era
Ch. 26, Classical Choral Music and Opera

Listening:
W.A. Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525, I and III
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op.67 MVT I IV
Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata in C# minor, Op.27, No.2
Moonlight Sonata

11

MONDAY

11/03/2014 Ch. 27, Song in the Romantic Era

Ch. 28, Romantic Piano Music
Ch. 29, Music in Nineteenth-Century
America

Listening:
W.A. Mozart, Don Giovanni, Act I, Scene 2
Franz Schubert, Erlking
Chopin, Mazurka in B-flat minor, Op. 24, No.4
Stephen Foster: Jeanie with the light Brown Hair

12

MONDAY

11/10/2014 Ch. 30, Romantic Program Music

Listening:
Ch. 32, National Schools of Romantic OperaHector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, IV
Ch. 33, Late Romantic and Post-Romantic Edvard Grieg: Peer Gynt, Suite No. l, Op. 46, excerpts
Music
Giuseppe Verdi: Rigoletto, Act III, excerpts
Exam review 3
Richard Wagner, Die Walkure, Act III, Opening
Giacomo Puccini: Un bel di, from Madame Butterfly, Act II

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13

MONDAY

11/17/2014
Concert
Report #2
Due:
11/17/14

14

MONDAY

11/24/2014 Ch. 41, Musical Theater

Ch. 42, Music for Films
Ch. 43, The Many Voices of Rock

15

MONDAY

12/01/2014 Ch. 46, Technology and Music

Ch. 47, Some Current Trends
Exam review 4
12/01/14

16

EXAM 3 Chapters 21 through 33

Listening:
(80 multiple choice, T/F questions and 10 Claude Debussy, Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun
Listening and essay portion)
Carl Orff: O fortuna from Carmina burana
Ch. 34, Impressionism and PostCharles Ives: Country Band March
Impressionism
William Still: Suite for Violin and Piano, III MVT
Ch. 39, Nationalism in the Americas
Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring, excerpts
Ch. 40, Ragtime, Blues, and Jazz
Scott Joplin, Maple Leaf Rag
Billie Holiday, Billie's Blues
Billie Strayhorn: Take the A Train, by the Duke Ellington
orchestra
Listening:
George Gershwin: Summertime, from Porgy and Bess
Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story, excerpts
Various Contemporary Artists discussed

Listening:
George Crumb, Caballito negro (Little Black Horse)
John Cage, Sonata V, from Sonatas and Interludes
Jennifer Higdon: blue cathedral, excerpt
Last Day to accept Extra Credit Reports. John Corigliano: Prelude, from Mr. Tambourine Man:
Seven Poems of Bob Dylan John Adams: Doctor Atomic,
excerpts

WEDNESDAY 12/12/2014 EXAM 4 Chapters 34 through 47

(80 multiple choice, T/F questions and 10

Listening and essay portion)
12:30 3:30pm in room #1102

8 Grading Criteria
Grading: Grades will be weighted according to the scale below:
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Exam 4
Concert Reports (2)

20%
20%
20%
20%
20%

Grading Scale: The following scale will be used to determine grades:

100

94

93

90

A-

89

87

B+

86

83

82

80

B-

79

77

C+

76

73

72

70

C-

69

67

D+

66

63

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62

60

D-

59

Please note: Even though attendance and class participation is not a numerical factor in
calculating final grades, both elements will have a positive or negative effect on final grades
based on the instructor's discretion.

9 Student Responsibilities
9.1 Understanding the Syllabus Requirements
Students are responsible to read and comprehend the syllabus thoroughly and completely.
Please do not hesitate to ask your instructor any questions and/or concerns regarding the
syllabus.

10 Course Policies
10.1 Tests and Make-ups
Purchase a blue scantron for exams. Exams will be administered according to date/time on
syllabus in the classroom. If a student misses an exam for any reason, only one makeup
exam will be offered on the final exam day. Bring an extra scantron for makeup exams.

10.2 Course Disclaimer

Every attempt is made to provide a syllabus that is complete and that provides an accurate
overview of the course. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the
instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester. This may depend, in part, on the
progress, needs, and experiences of the students.

11 University Policies
11.1 College Classroom Conduct
The following standards are intended to define acceptable classroom behavior that preserves
academic integrity and ensures that students have optimum environmental conditions for
effective learning.
1. Students must turn off cell phones and pagers during class or have them set to vibrate
mode.
2. Classes are expected to begin on time, and students will respect the time boundaries
established by the professor.
3. Instructors may require that cell phones and other electronic devices be left on their desks
during tests or examinations.
4. Students must not engage in extraneous conversations during classes. Such acts are
considered to be violations of the Code of Student Conduct.
5. Students will activate their Old Dominion email accounts and check them before each
class. If the student chooses to have his/her messages forwarded to another account, it is the
student's responsibility to take the necessary steps to have them forwarded.
6. Consumption of food and drink during class is prohibited, except when the professor has
specifically approved of such acts.
7. Offensive language, gestures and the like are disrespectful and disruptive to the teachinglearning process. [http://studentservices.odu.edu/osja/ccc_pamphlet.pdf]

11.2 Honor Pledge

"I pledge to support the honor system of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form
of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a
member if the academic community, it is my responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of
the honor system. I will report to Honor Council hearings if summoned." By attending Old
Dominion University you have accepted the responsibility to abide by this code. This is an
institutional policy approved by the Board of Visitors. For more information please visit Honor
Council]

11.3 Special Needs

Old Dominion University is committed to ensuring equal access to all qualified students with
disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Office of Educational
Accessibility (OEA) is the campus office that works with students who have disabilities to
provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.
If you experience a disability which will impact your ability to access any aspect of my class,
please present me with an accommodation letter from OEA so that we can work together to
ensure that appropriate accommodations are available to you.
If you feel that you will experience barriers to your ability to learn and/or testing in my class
but do not have an accommodation letter, please consider scheduling an appointment with
OEA to determine if academic accommodations are necessary.
The Office of Educational Accessibility is located at 1021 Student Success Center and their
phone number is (757)683-4655. Additional information is available at the OEA
website: http://www.odu.edu/educationalaccessibility/

11.4 University Email Policy

The Old Dominion University e-mail system is the official electronic mail system for
distributing course-related Communications, policies, Announcements and other information.
In addition, the University e-mail user ID and password are necessary for authentication and
access to numerous electronic resources (online courses, faculty Web pages, etc.) For more
information about the policy, please visit: Electronic Messaging Policy for Official University
Community Policy 3506 (pdf). For more information about student email, please visit
http://occs.odu.edu/accounts/studemail/

11.5 Withdrawal
A syllabus constitutes an agreement between the student and the course instructor about
course requirements. Participation in this course indicates your acceptance of its teaching
focus, requirements, and policies. Please review the syllabus and the course requirements as
soon as possible. If you believe that the nature of this course does not meet your interests,
needs or expectations, if you are not prepared for the amount of work involved - or if you
anticipate that the class meetings, assignment deadlines or abiding by the course policies will
constitute an unacceptable hardship for you - you should drop the class by the drop/add
deadline, which is located in the ODU Schedule of Classes. For more information, please visit
the Office of the University Registrar.

11.6 Student Acknowledgement

I, _______________, have completely read this syllabus and understand and agree to the
course requirements.