History of Western Music, Part I: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque

Music is a mirror that can reveal the interior life of an individual or the worldview of an entire culture. But, why does music sound the way it does in its particular time and place? Who creates it, performs it, and listens to it? What does music mean for composers, performers, and listeners in its original context? And, what does music mean to us today? As a public and private art form, a careful look at music can help us understand who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. In this course, we will delve into the historical roles and contexts of music in Western Civilization. We will emerge with a greater understanding of the significance of music in culture and, in so doing, gain critical insights into what it means to be human.

In Part I, we examine music from the Medieval to the Baroque periods. Part I continues chronologically into History of Western Music, Part II, and uses the same text.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, a diligent student will be able to:

1. Understand and discuss the basic elements of music
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the flow of music history in Western Civilization
3. Listen analytically to music

Texts

• The Enjoyment of Music, 13th Edition. E-book with all internet features. Forney, Dell’Antonio, and Joseph Machlis.
• Computer with internet access