AUMUS 226: Romantic and Twentieth Century Music

Course Description and Objectives:

This course is a historical survey of the major composers, works, and stylistic developments in Western art music from early Romanticism to the post-Modern era. Our class will begin with the music and overarching cultural impact of Beethoven and conclude with the musical and compositional techniques that emerged in the late 20th century. We will explore how composers, and their compositional output, interact with relevant social, cultural, intellectual, and political contexts. 

Throughout the course, students will develop critical thinking, critical listening, score analysis, and research skills. By the end of the course, students will be able to discuss a variety of definitions of—and approaches to—understanding music of the 19th and 20th centuries. This course is designed as a quasi-seminar and therefore I expect each student to come to class prepared and ready to discuss the required readings and musical examples. Your active participation will form the core of our weekly class meetings, and your engagement with the class material is crucial for success.

 

Core Skill Development: 

Students will expand and develop their musical vocabulary by engaging with academic scholarship, primary-source readings, score analysis, and listening skills. Students will also develop their analytical, research, and communication skills through written assignments, classroom discussion, and a brief oral presentation. Assignments and classroom activity will aid in developing connections between the larger historical contexts and the stylistic changes in music during Romantic and 20thcentury music.

 Thinker

  • read, view, listen, and reflect carefully and extensively;

  • engage in course material from historical, cultural, and stylistic perspectives. 

 Researcher

  • research, analyze, and synthesize concepts and ideas;

  • combine personal understandings and perspective on a topic through argument, presentation, or interpretation; and

  • employ critical thinking and listening skills to assemble and evaluate the most suitable materials.

 Communicator

  • clearly convey ideas and research in a scholarly manner, including proper citation style;

  • present information confidently with a command of oral, written, visual, or artistic expression;

  • employ effective presentation strategies to specific audiences; and write logically and grammatically.

Terms Taught:

Winter 2018

University of Alberta, Augustana Campus