MUS 872 Syllabus Summer 2006

MUS 872 Seminar in Music History: from Swing to Bebop
Course Syllabus

Updated 6/17/07

Course: (51393) MUS 872-001; 212 Foster Music Building; 2:00-3:50PM Mon.-Thurs. June 18-29
(52079) MUS 872-001; 212 Foster Music Building; 2:00-3:50PM Mon.-Thurs. July 9-20

Larry Nelson, Instructor
Office: Rm. 207 Foster Music Bldg.
Telephone: 622-5006
Office Hrs. by appointment
Email: larry.nelson@eku.edu

Required Text: DeVeaux, Scott. 1999. The Birth of Bebop: A Social and Musical History. Bekeley: University of California.

Course Description:
According to Ralph Ellison, the term "bebop" is “a most inadequate word” that “throws up its hands in clownish self-deprecation before all the complexity of sound and rhythm and self-assertive passion which it pretends to name.” The transition from Swing music to Bebop in the history of jazz is more than a change in the music; it also marks a fundamental change in the way that musicians, jazz scholars, and critics, and the listening public thought about jazz. This course examines stylistic elements of jazz from the 1920s to 1950s, the perception of jazz as a popular music and an art music, and various social trends that influenced or were influenced by the music.

Learning Goals:

to develop (or improve) critical listening ability, being able to differentiate between the various style characteristics and compositional traits of jazz in the swing and bebop eras.
to be able to identify significant jazz performers from the 1920s to the 1950s..
to understand the musical and social/historical processes which influenced the transition of jazz from Swing to Bebop.

Educational Outcomes:

students will demonstrate a working knowlege of the stylistic periods and major jazz performers of the Swing and Bebop Eras.
students will develop a greater understanding of how social, political, and historical events influence music (and how music influences them).
students will consider how to talk about, analyze, or otherwise study a music based on improvisation rather than written notation..

General Class Procedures

This class will be conducted in a seminar style - it is expected that students will read and work toward an understanding of the material as assigned. Students will participate in class discussions and present material as assigned.

Grading:

The grade percentages in this class are:

90-100 - A.
80-89 - B.
70-79 - C.
60-69 - D.
59 or below - F.

The main assessment opportunities for each of the classes will be:

class preparation and participation - 30 percent.
a paper, approximately 4-5 pages in length, over a topic relevant to the class - 35 percent.
a final exam.

Please note - it is possible that unforeseen situations may arise during the semester which may cause the instructor to abbreviate or cancel class. Every effort will be made to avoid conflicts, and - when this not possible - the instructor will inform students about these situations as soon as possible.

"Disability Statement:"
If there is any individual in this class who is in need of academic accomodations and who is registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities, please make an individual appointment with the course instructor to discuss accomodations. Upon individual request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms. If any individual is not registered with the Office of Services for Individuals with Disabilities but has need of academic accomodations, please contact the Office directly either in person on the first floor of the Turley House or by telephone at (859)622-1500 V/TTY.

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