Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 1120
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New MediaDepartment: Music
Title: Music Theory II
Semester Approved: Spring 2020
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Fall 2025
Catalog Description: This course is the second semester of the music theory series, continuing the study of the fundamental elements of music. Content will focus on part writing, composition, improvisation and analysis. It 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 1140.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: MUSC 1110
Corequisites: MUSC 1140
Justification: This course, required of music majors throughout university systems, 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-major. The first year of theory is taught at all Utah universities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
The students will be able to write and analyze four-part choral common practice period style with chromatic and modulator harmonies. This outcome is assessed through weekly written assignments, mid-term and final exams.
Students will be able to compose in assigned styles. This outcome will be assessed though the submission, performance, and evaluation of student compositions.
Students will be able to to recognize more complex masterworks formally and harmonically. This outcome is assessed through weekly written assignments, mid-term and final exams.
Students will be able to to analyze and write in basic 20th century harmonic practices. This outcome is assessed through weekly written assignments, mid-term and final exams.
Content:
Lectures will advance the students' knowledge of
• 18th century part writing practices;
• major and minor scales;
• key signatures;
• principles of rhythmic notation;
• fundamentals of 18th century harmony;
• Analysis of musical excerpts;
• Writing an original composition.
Key Performance Indicators:
Students in this course will be assessed using the following methods:
Quizzes 20 to 35%
Exams: Written midterm and final 30 to 40%
Written Assignments: Workbook 20 to 30%
Student Composition 20 to 30%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Music in Theory and Practice, vol. I. Bruce Benward and Marilyn Saker. Current edition.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is taught through direct instruction, group activities and student presentations.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 35
Optimum Class Size: 20