MUSI 108 Survey of Jazz & Pop Music
A primary objective of this course will be to broaden the student's awareness of jazz music as an art form and to help him/her become a more discerning listener. Emphasis will be placed on the wide variety of cultural influences that have been assimilated into the many diverse styles found in jazz and popular music. The student will also be introduced to fundamental music concepts and vocabulary as applied to the music studied.
General Education Competency
GEM Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing
MUSI 108Survey of Jazz & Pop Music
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
II. Course Specification
Course Type
General Education
General Education Competency
GEM Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
45
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
A primary objective of this course will be to broaden the student's awareness of jazz music as an art form and to help him/her become a more discerning listener. Emphasis will be placed on the wide variety of cultural influences that have been assimilated into the many diverse styles found in jazz and popular music. The student will also be introduced to fundamental music concepts and vocabulary as applied to the music studied.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate how jazz has reflected and shaped American society throughout its brief history.
- Analyze major artists and movements within the jazz tradition.
- Understand and recognize the cultural diversity present in jazz music.
- Through listening & written quizzes, class discussion, written critiques and live & taped demonstrations students will be exposed to the historical periods of jazz. The instructor will then monitor students’ comprehension of the material presented through the use of critical writing assignments and active listening quizzes.
- Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Identify characteristics (aurally & verbally) of the seven major jazz style periods.
- Realize how jazz has reflected and shaped American society (with particular emphasis on black/white race relations in the United States) and American popular music.
- Name at least five iconic figures in jazz history and speak briefly on their style and contribution to American popular music.
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Lectures on the historical jazz periods with an emphasis on the cultural, racial and social aspects of the music.
Live demonstrations on the musical materials presented in the textbook.
Documentary films focusing on five iconic jazz figures (Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis & John Coltrane) with an emphasis on their individual contributions to American music.
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Listening quizzes. These monitor the development of the student’s ability to discern the differences in the seven major jazz style periods.
Live music reviews. These allow the instructor the opportunity to observe if the curriculum has been assimilated effectively by the student. Additionally, they provide the student with feedback on their writing skills.
Video/DVD worksheets. These ask the student to think critically about the subject matter being presented in the film and allow the instructor the opportunity to observe the critical thinking skills of the student.
Required Exams
Midterm Exam (written) over the first seven units of the textbook.
Two written live music reviews utilizing terminology, techniques & styles presented during the semester lectures/demonstrations.
Final Exam (written & listening quiz) over the last seven units of the textbook and listening quizzes covering all seven of the jazz style periods.
Required Text
Survey of Jazz Handbook by Brent Jensen (Kendall Hunt Publishing Company)
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Listening quizzes. These monitor the development of the student’s ability to discern the differences in the seven major jazz style periods.
Live music reviews. These allow the instructor the opportunity to observe if the curriculum has been assimilated effectively by the student. Additionally, they provide the student with feedback on their writing skills.
Video/DVD worksheets. These ask the student to think critically about the subject matter being presented in the film and allow the instructor the opportunity to observe the critical thinking skills of the student.
Midterm Exam (written) over the first seven units of the textbook.
Two written live music reviews utilizing terminology, techniques & styles presented during the semester lectures/demonstrations.
Final Exam (written & listening quiz) over the last seven units of the textbook and listening quizzes covering all seven of the jazz style periods.