SRJC Course Outlines

12/4/2024 12:49:37 AMMUSC 2A Course Outline as of Fall 2020

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  MUSC 2ATitle:  MUSIC THEORY 1  
Full Title:  Music Theory 1
Last Reviewed:12/12/2022

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  MUS 2A

Catalog Description:
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An introductory course in music theory designed for Music majors. Topics include music notation and terminology, basic properties of sound, rhythm and meter, scales and modes, key signatures and the Circle of Fifths, intervals, transposition, chords and chord progressions, figured bass, Roman numeral analysis, phrases and cadences, and basic song structure.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:
Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 3A AND concurrent enrollment in MUSCP 11A or another appropriate piano course

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An introductory course in music theory designed for Music majors. Topics include music notation and terminology, basic properties of sound, rhythm and meter, scales and modes, key signatures and the Circle of Fifths, intervals, transposition, chords and chord progressions, figured bass, Roman numeral analysis, phrases and cadences, and basic song structure.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 3A AND concurrent enrollment in MUSCP 11A or another appropriate piano course
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Fall 2006
Inactive: 
 Area:E
Humanities
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 1981Inactive:
 
C-ID:
 CID Descriptor: MUS 120 Music Theory I SRJC Equivalent Course(s): MUSC2A

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Identify, construct, and utilize the fundamental elements of music including rhythm, scales, modes, intervals, chords, and chord progressions.
2. Perform elementary harmonic, melodic, and structural analysis of music in various styles.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
The student will be able to:
1.   Explain the four basic properties of sound: pitch, duration, intensity (dynamics), and
       timbre (overtones).
2.   Read and write musical notation on all clefs (G, F, and C).
3.   Identify, interpret, and utilize all meter signatures in simple, compound, and irregular meters.
4.   Identify, construct, and utilize key signatures and the Circle of Fifths.
5.   Identify and construct all diatonic major and minor scales and the church modes.
6.   Identify and construct synthetic and non-diatonic scales including whole-tone, pentatonic,
      diminished/octatonic, chromatic, and non-Western scales.
7.   Identify and construct all simple and compound intervals.
8.   Transpose music from one key to another.
9.   Identify and construct triad chords (major, minor, augmented, and diminished) in root
       position and inversion in all keys.
10. Identify and construct dominant seventh chords in all keys.
11. Analyze and construct chord progressions in Roman numerals and figured bass in all keys.
12. Analyze a diverse body of songs and compositions in a variety of styles with attention to
       key, phrase and cadence structure, rhythmic motives, and melodic design.

Topics and Scope
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I. Music for Study and Analysis
     Although the emphasis of this course is on the Euro-American Western tradition, musical
      examples will be drawn from a wide variety of folk, "art", and popular music reflecting a
      diversity of cultures (both Western and non-Western) and the contributions of all musicians
      including women and minorities. Includes a discussion of aesthetics and the role that
      music plays in society.
II. Notation
     A. Basic properties of sound: pitch, duration, intensity (dynamics), and timbre (overtones)
     B. Notation of pitch (the staff and clefs)
     C. Rhythm, meter, and rhythmic notation
     D. Basic musical terminology
     E. Application to musical examples
III. Scales, Tonality, Key, and Modes
     A. Diatonic scales
        1.  Major scales
        2.  Minor scales (natural, harmonic, and melodic forms)
        3.  The diatonic modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian,
              and Locrian)
        4.  Other diatonic (including non-Western) scales
     B. Key signatures and the Circle of Fifths
     C. Nondiatonic scales
        1.  Pentatonic major and minor
        2.  Whole-tone
        3.  Diminished/octatonic
        4.  Chromatic
        5.  Other synthetic and non-Western scales
     D. Application to musical examples
IV. Intervals and Transposition
     A. Melodic and harmonic intervals
     B. Interval inversion
     C. Simple and compound intervals
     D. The overtone series, tuning, and temperament
     E. Transposition and transposing instruments
     F. Application to musical examples
V. Chords
     A. Basic principles of harmonic construction
     B. Major, minor, augmented, and diminished triads
     C. The dominant seventh chord
     D. Other seventh chords
     E. Working with chords (inversion, doubling, voicing, and arpeggiation)
     F. Harmonic analysis of chords in Roman numerals and popular symbols
     G. Principles of harmonic motion and chord progressions
     H. Introduction to four-part chorale writing principles
     I. Application to musical examples
VI. Musical Form and Structure
     A. Melodic construction (phrases and melodic design)
     B. Harmonic cadences (Perfect Authentic, Imperfect Authentic, Plagal, Half, and Deceptive)
     C. Introduction to nonharmonic tones
     D. Basic musical form
      E. Analysis of short songs and compositions

Assignments:
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1. Reading assignments (10-15 pp./week) in the text, handouts, and/or online
2. Worksheet assignments (2-5 pp./week) in handwritten music notation
    a. Musical notation (pitch and rhythm)
    b. The construction of scales, intervals, and chords
    c. Roman numeral harmonic analysis of chord progressions
    d. Analysis of songs and compositions in relation to key, phrase and cadence
         structure, and melodic/rhythmic design
3. Online exercises to reinforce concepts learned in class (ungraded)
4. In-class quizzes and/or exams (2-4) and a comprehensive final examination

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
0 - 0%
None
This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course.
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
25 - 55%
Worksheets in hand-written music notation
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 60%
Quizzes/exams; Comprehensive final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
5 - 15%
Attendance and class participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Music in Theory and Practice, Volume 1. 9th ed. Benward, Bruce and Saker, Marilyn. McGraw-Hill. 2015 (classic)
 
Tonal Harmony. 8th ed. Kostka, Stefan and Payne, Dorothy. McGraw-Hill. 2017
 
Instructor-prepared materials

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