Writing Through Music

Course Description

Introduction to the basic tools of musicological inquiry, including music vocabulary, reading in the discipline, basic library research, and a variety of styles of writing; cultural awareness; attentive listening to music from around the world.

Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

MAC:

  • Analyze written texts to understand how they relate to particular audiences, purposes, and contexts as a way to inform one’s own writing and/or revision.
  • Create and revise written texts for particular audiences, purposes, and contexts.
  • Through oral or written reflection, demonstrate awareness of one’s writing choices as well as how one’s own writing contributes to ongoing conversations.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure Percentage/Points
In-class and online writing and listening activities45%
Live concert review essay7.5%
Personal music essay7.5%
Ethnographic paper – Annotated Bibliography2.5%
Ethnographic paper – Outline2.5%
Ethnographic paper - Introduction5%
Ethnographic paper – Final draft10%
Musicological paper – Annotated bibliography2.5%
Musicological paper – Outline2.5%
Musicological paper – Rough draft5%
Musicological paper – Final draft10%

Grading Scale

Percentage Letter Grade
≥ 93.0A
90.0-92.9A-
87.0-89.9B+
83.0-86.9B
80.0-82.9B-
77.0-79.9C+
73.0-76.9C
70.0-72.9C-
67.0-69.9D+
63.0-66.9D
60.0-62.9D-
<60.0F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are allowed 3 unexcused absences over the course of the semester. Each subsequent unexcused absence may result in the lowering of the final grade by 3 percentage points. Use them wisely.

Written documentation (either paper or email) must be presented for all excused absences, which may include but are not limited to UNCG functions (including concerts and rehearsals), contagious or severe medical illness with a note from a provider, and other extenuating circumstances.

If you know you are going to miss class, please communicate with YOUR GRADUATE ASSISTANT by email before the missed class, or as soon as possible after the missed class.

If you are experiencing symptoms of an illness (sneezing, coughing, runny nose, etc.) and choose to come to class, please wear a mask to prevent potentially spreading the illness to others. If you have a fever, please do not come to class; if possible, please seek medical care.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

  • Looseleaf paper, a notebook, or a journal
  • Pen or pencil

Scholarly Perspectives

This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.