Course Content and Outcome Guide for MUS 111 Effective Winter 2016

Course Number:
MUS 111
Course Title:
Music Theory I (part one)
Credit Hours:
Lecture Hours:
Lecture/Lab Hours:
Lab Hours:
Special Fee:

Course Description

Covers music theory as exhibited in the works of the great composers of the 17th and 18th centuries. Includes notation, pitch, meter, tonality, modality, harmony and diatonic function. Basic music analysis focusing on harmonic function and figured bass notation. Includes written composition. Part one of three-term sequence. MUS 111C recommended for music transfer students. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores, and MUS 110. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Students will receive basic instruction in MIDI and computer skills to facilitate learning and the completion of compositions.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion students should be able to:
Exhibit developing musicianship (good tone production, stylistically proper phrasing, execution of dynamics and articulations) by beginning the application of the components of music theory through musical expression.
Attain musical literacy in order to consciously observe the musical practices of the masterworks of the western world through listening, harmonic analysis and basic music composition in order to appreciate simultaneously the uniqueness of a work, its origins and precedent, its potential as an influence and inspiration on other works, and its relationship to a particular cultural moment.
Develop a personal musical language in the composition of basic musical works

Outcome Assessment Strategies


Qualitative examinations
Quantitative examinations
Homework assignments
Music presentations
Class participation
Composition projects
Small group work/problem solving
Concert reports

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

    Pitch and its notation
¦ Clefs
¦ Intervals
¦ Diatonic and chromatic half steps
¦ Solmization (aural recognition)
¦ Meter
¦ Borrowed divisions
¦ Syncopation
¦ Rhythmic performance
¦ Notational guidelines
    More on pitch
¦ The keyboard
¦ Scales
¦ Keys and key signatures
¦ Intervals
    Harmony I
¦ Triads
¦ Dominant seventh chords
¦ Chord inversions
¦ Chord symbols (sonority)
¦ Figured bass
    Harmony II
¦ Diatonic triads in major keys
¦ Diatonic triads in minor keys
¦ Functional tonal principles
¦ Roman numeral function designation
¦ Dominant-type function
¦ Predominant function
¦ Harmonic variants
    Harmony III
¦ Harmonic cadences
¦ Nonharmonic tones
¦ Embellishing tones
¦ Principles of harmonization
Introduction to music technology

Examine an example of diatonic music and identify key.
Aurally and visually identify meter for basic musical works.
Provide a detailed harmonic analysis of a diatonic musical work using roman numeral function and sonority (chord symbol).
Notate and perform a basic musical idea (melody).
Apply functional principles and harmonize preexisting melody.
Identify, create and utilize common harmonic cadences.
Identify, categorize and label nonharmonic tones.