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ACE 004: Studies in Visual Arts and Music

Richard Adams

(Submission #154)


Course Description

This course meets once a week for three hours. The musical component corresponds to Music 1, which is an introductory course in Music Appreciation. The first three sessions are devoted to the elements of music such as melody, harmony, meter, musical instruments and the orchestra, musical styles and notation. Following a quiz on the elements of music, a survey of masterpieces of Western music covers the Medieval period through the twenty-first century. The music of the last three centuries is stressed (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist and Contemporary) as these are the most likely works to be encountered in the concert hall today and on the radio or television broadcasts from Lincoln Center or elsewhere. Towards the latter part of the semester, particularly with Impressionism and Contemporary trends, the art and music components are in tandem. The historical, cultural and stylistic elements of the musical works are discussed, and in addition to an introductory text (Joseph Machlis, The Enjoyment of Music), the students have four compact discs with representative compositions which they can listen to as often as they wish. The music component stresses the European scene (mostly Italy, German, France and England) and the United States (in the twentieth century). With regard to vocal works, either the textbook is used (which has the original text and translation side by side) or sheets are distributed in class. The goal of the music component is to give the student a basic appreciation of Western music, and the listening skills with which to enjoy it.

Art history in the ACE curriculum is more than giving students an exposure to the fine arts, and making them aware of the broader cultural contexts of works of art in general. The ACE curriculum seeks to generate an interest in inquiry, both scholastic and personal, so that the student can understand some of the basic concepts behind exploring great works of art, and then use these tools for further development; the works become an approach to personal discovery.

The course is constructed as an active dialogue between teacher and student, in which the students are encouraged to participate in the meaning of works as they were originally intended to be seen, and as they are interpreted today. The works chosen for each lesson illustrate a particular culture: i.e. Byzantine Greek, ancient Rome, France during the Romantic period, etc. Works are studied in their own right, as well as reflections of the societies that gave birth to them.

Category

Area of Knowledge and Inquiry: Appreciating and Participating in the Arts (AP)
Context of Experience: United States (US)
Extended Requirement: Not Applicable

Additional Course information

Credits: 6
Prerequisites: None
Existing Course: Existing
Existing Course Number: ACE 004
Course Anticipated to be offered: Every Semester
Other (if specified): 
Number of Sections: 1-2
Number of Seats: 35

File(s)

[Justification, Materials, Assessment, Administration (DOC)]   [Syllabus/Syllabi (DOCX)]  

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