Courses
Smith College reserves the right to make changes to all announcements and course listings online, including changes in its course offerings, instructors, requirements for the majors and minors, and degree requirements.
Fall 2012
MUS101 Introduction to World Music
A survey of the world's musical traditions, usually including areas of Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, and East Asia. Ability to read music is not necessary. 4 credits.
MUS102 First Nights
This course serves as an introduction to the history of western music by studying in detail important works in the western tradition including Orfeo, (Monteverdi), Messiah (Handel), the Ninth Symphony (Beethoven), the Symphony fantastique (Berlioz), and Le Sacre du printemps (Stravinsky).Students will come to understand musical monuments as aesthetic objects and as manifestations of the artistic cultures that engendered them. 4 credits.
MUS 110 Analysis and Repertory
An introduction to formal analysis and tonal harmony, and a study of familiar pieces in the standard musical repertory. One hour of ear training per week outside of class. Prerequisite: ability to read standard pitch and rhythmic notation in treble and bass clefs, major and minor key signatures, time signatures, and to name intervals. 4 credits.
MUS 205 Topics in Popular Music: Improvising History: The Development of Jazz
The course will combine exploration of jazz music with examination of topics in the social and cultural history of jazz. Some previous knowledge of African American music and history or permission of the instructor required. Enrollment limited to 20. 4 credits.
MUS 220 Topics in World Music: Popular Music of the Islamic World
In this course, we will engage with Islamic debates on popular music, explore a broad range of case studies, and examine the ways each illuminates different themes. No prerequisites, though MUS 101 will be helpful. 4 credits.
MUS 233 Composition
Basic techniques of composition, including melody, simple two-part writing, and instrumentation. Analysis of representative literature. No previous composition experience required. Prerequisite: 110 or permission of the instructor. 4 credits.
MUS 305 Music of the High Baroque
The music of Bach and Handel, concentrating of their vocal works. Prerequisite: 110 or permission of the instructor. 4 credits.
MUS 345 Electroacoustic Music
Introduction to musique concrète, analog synthesis, digital synthesis, and sampling through practical work, assigned reading and listening. Prerequisite: a semester of music theory or composition and permission of instructor. 4 credits.
MUS 903 Conducting
Baton technique, score reading, problems of conducting choral and instrumental ensembles. Ability to read bass and treble clefs required. Permission of the instructor. 2 credits.
