Irwin Ray

Core 103, Section 3: MUSIC AND CULTURE

Fall, 2004

Dr. W. Irwin Ray, professor

GENERAL

Music, like all art, has been a universal element in the human experience from time immemorial, and as such has been a primary component in the life lived fully.  In the hierarchy of human needs, the experience of beauty (i.e. aesthetic sensitivity) and expression through creativity has always been near the top.

With music so much a part of human life, musical art is at the core of a truly liberal education – and has been for centuries.  Music enables us to know others and ourselves from a unique vantage point – one of sound.  That knowledge comes through not just word-based language or ambiguous aural stimulation, but rather through the culture-specific yet trans-cultural organization of sound and silence.

By considering music as a cultural signature, we may gain insight into the way methods of understanding each other evolve, how we determine, set and express value, and how we choose to live our lives.

OBJECTIVES

            (1) To begin listening to music, both objectively and subjectively, utilizing the intellect, the emotions and the soul

            (2) To initiate a broad understanding of music in the western world and that of other cultures as well

            (3) To gain insight into artistic expression through music

            (4) To recognize the reflection of culture, as well as the anticipation of cultural directions through the musical arts

PROCEDURES

            (1) Examining primary sources utilizing focused listening experiences both in and out of class

            (2) Readings in the text and related sources

            (3) Presentations, discussions, and demonstrations

            (4) Writing about music experiences, both objectively and subjectively, using standard research protocols and individual syntheses.     

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

C103, Section 3 meets Monday and Wednesday 1:30-2:45pm.  Since attendance is positively correlated with performance, participation in class is an essential element in learning.  The cumulative nature of the material requires consistent involvement; consequently, attendance will be recorded and lateness will be noted.

Excessive absences (four or more) will lower the grade; six or more will result in automatic failure (FA). No excuses will be asked for or considered except in the case of prolonged illness or family crisis; these

will require written and signed documentation.  Attendance will be taken

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at the beginning of each class.  If you arrive later than 1:35 pm, you must notify the professor after class, otherwise, you will be considered absent.

PREPARATION

Preparation for each class is an important element in your success.  The average student should expect to spend an average of eight hours per week in order to earn an average grade.  Much of this will be needed in repeated, concentrated listening experiences and preparation for writing. 

EXAMINATIONS

There are three unit exams each of which will consist of two sections: aural (25%) and written (75%). The written portion will be prepared out-of-class and the aural portion completed in-class.  The aural portion of the exam will occur promptly at 1:30 pm on the scheduled date.  Exams will be comprehensive and drawn from all lectures, discussions, presentations, readings, concerts, listening and ancillary assignments.  There will be no make-up exams; late submissions will incur an academic penalty.

CONCERT ATTENDANCE AND REPORTS

There are two concerts at which attendance is required.  Each will be followed by a formal written report utilizing proper form and style, and requiring research.  Supportive citations from a variety of documents (books, periodicals, recordings and internet) are assumed.  These are due at 1:30 pm on the date indicated in the calendar.  Each report must be submitted with the printed program and your concert ticket attached.  If a ticket or reservation is required, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange for such.  The cost of such is factored into the total cost of the course (i.e. textbook, etc.)

RESEARCH PAPER AND PRESENTATION

Each student will prepare a research paper either individually or in a small group (max. of 3), the purpose of which is to explore one of the many forms of non-western music.  The topic should be one of interest to the student(s) and must be approved by the professor between Sept. 1-20.  Suggested topics may be found in your textbook (pp. 385-425), as well as the document Research Paper and Presentation Guidelines.  The written research must utilize proper style and form and be based on research from various outside sources (see above) with proper documentation to support the work.  The results will be shared in a very brief presentation to the class in the form of an “abstract of findings”. Minimally the presentation will include a one page synopsis of the paper distributed to the class; ideally it will include brief audio examples and visual aids as well.  The full research paper will be submitted to the professor at the time of the presentation.  A single, combined grade for the presentation and written report will be earned by all involved.

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GRADING

            All written materials submitted for grading must be word-processed.  Late submissions incur an academic penalty.  The grade earned in the course will be based on the following items in the indicated proportions:

            Three exams @ 20% each = 60%

            Two concert reports @ 10% each = 20%

            One research paper @ 20% = 20%

Final grades of A, B, C, D, or F may have a plus or minus added in accordance with University policy set by the faculty.  (See The Oglethorpe University Bulletin)  The University’s policy on incomplete grades also may be found in this location.

HONOR CODE

The University’s honor code will be strictly observed and each student is expected to be thoroughly familiar with the policy as detailed in The Oglethorpe University Bulletin and current O Book.  This constitutes a mutual pledge to uphold a high standard of academic honesty – a pledge to which you commit yourself each time work is submitted for this class.  With out-of-class exams, you must do your own work.  With concert reports and collaborative research, you may, however, confer with one another concerning content or theoretical nature of sources.  You may not read other student’s papers or ask what will be written.  

In all cases of reference or research, the work of others (books, articles, recording liner notes, internet sources, and especially recordings, etc.) must be fully and accurately cited with author’s or composer’s/arranger’s or performer’s  name, source (publisher, etc.) and location information so it may be verified and credit for intellectual properties given. Copyrighted material downloaded illegally from the internet and/or materials used without full citation will be considered theft of intellectual property and plagerism.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

            Jean Ferris: Music: The Art of Listening. Sixth Edition. Includes supporting materials in cd-rom at no extra charge.

OPTIONAL AID

            A four-compact disc set of primary listening examples

GENERAL INFORMATION

The professor is generally available for phone or personal consultation M-F 9:00 am-4:00 pm; specific hours will be posted.  The office is located on the lower level of the Emerson Center next to the Singers Room.  Phone- 404.364.8429 / E-Mail- iray@oglethorpe.edu

Special Notes

Food, beverages and cell phones are not allowed in the classroom.

If the University is closed, or the class does not meet for any reason, all assignments will be due at the next class period.