Online Class: Introduction to Music Appreciation

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16Lessons
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24Exams &
Assignments -
16Hours
average time -
1.6CEUs
Course Description
Music is an exquisite tapestry, interwoven with the threads of human emotion, history, and culture. Delve into the rich tapestry of musical evolution with our course, "Music Appreciation." Discover how music has mirrored our triumphs, lamented our tragedies, and shaped the very essence of human existence.
Embarking on this musical odyssey, we begin with the fundamental building blocks of music. By grasping these foundational elements, you'll cultivate a refined vocabulary that illuminates the nuances of musical compositions, helps discern the distinctive attributes of various genres, and offers insights into the choices that composers and performers make.
For instance, Jazz, a vibrant genre birthed within the African-American milieu in the U.S., is a captivating fusion of African syncopated rhythms, the haunting call-and-response patterns echoed in spirituals, and the delicate influences of European harmonies. This rich legacy continuously evolves, pushing the boundaries of Jazz to new, exhilarating heights.
We'll traverse the shifting sands of Classical music, observing its metamorphosis since the illustrious eras of Beethoven and Brahms. The twentieth century bore witness to a tapestry of innovative styles and audacious composers from both sides of the Atlantic. Visionaries like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel set a provocative tone for the century, while Arnold Schoenberg's avant-garde techniques heralded a seismic shift in the musical landscape.
Our exploration doesn't halt at the Western world. We'll voyage into the vibrant heartbeats of Sub-Saharan Africa, the melodic tales of India, and the rhythmic whispers of Japan. The enchanting legacies of these regions have left indelible imprints on European and American compositions, offering a diverse and illuminating musical journey.
During this course, your auditory senses will be treated to a diverse array of music, from the ethereal Gregorian Chants of yore to contemporary chartbusters. Unearth answers to intriguing questions like:
- Which maestro orchestrated the suspenseful notes that accompany a film's most tense moments?
- Who envisioned the rousing call-and-response rhythms that march soldiers forward?
- How did maritime melodies synchronize sailors' efforts on towering ships?
- Which tracks became unlikely symbols of liberty for escaping slaves?
- How did an ancient musical form resurge to modern-day fame in the 1980s?
- What role did music play in kindling the flames of the Civil Rights movement?
Enroll now to traverse time with melodies and rhythms, celebrating the luminaries whose musical masterpieces have been the ever-evolving soundtrack to humanity's journey.
Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Harmony and Melody: The Intersection of Emotion and Sound
Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: Introduce Yourself
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam
Lesson 2. From Plainsong to Polyphony: Medieval Musical Evolution
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam
Lesson 3. A Symphony of Change: Unveiling Renaissance Music Dynamics
Lesson 3 Video
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam
Lesson 4. Baroque Melodies Explored
Lesson 4 Video
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam
Lesson 5. Classical Music Unveiled
Lesson 5 Video
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam
Lesson 6. Romanticism in Music: Expressive and Transformative
Lesson 6 Video
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam
Lesson 7. From Impressionism to Expressionism: Bridging the Musical Chasm
Lesson 7 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam
Lesson 8. Modernism's Emergence in Post-WWII Classical Music
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam
Lesson 9. Jazz: Origins and Evolution (1890-1945)
Lesson 9 Video
Complete: Lesson 9 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam
Lesson 10. Bebop and Beyond
Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
Lesson 11. Opera: A Dynamic Fusion of Music and Storytelling
Lesson 11 Video
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam
Lesson 12. The World of Opera: A Timeless Art Form
Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
Lesson 13. The Chronicles of Broadway: From Gaslights to Spotlights
Lesson 13 Video
Complete: Lesson 13 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam
Lesson 14. From Crooners to Rock Stars: A Historical Overview of Pop
Lesson 14 Video
Assessment: Lesson 14 Exam
Lesson 15. The Timeless Tapestry of Folk Music: Voices Across Generations
Lesson 15 Video
Complete: Lesson 15 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 15 Exam
Lesson 16. Cultural Harmony: The Many Roles and Rhythms of Non-Western Music
Lesson 16 Video
Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Lesson 16 Activity
Assessment: Lesson 16 Exam
Assessment: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define and explain the fundamental elements of music, such as rhythm, melody, and harmony, and their roles in composing a musical piece.
- Demonstrate an understanding of musical texture by identifying different types within a given piece, such as monophonic, homophonic, or polyphonic textures.
- Analyze the evolution of medieval music notation from neumes to rhythmic notation, demonstrating its influence on modern musical composition techniques.
- Identify the defining characteristics of Gregorian Chant and explain its impact on contemporary music through examples such as film scores and video game soundtracks.
- Define polyphony and demonstrate its application in Renaissance music through analyses of compositions by Jacob Obrecht.
- Describe the evolution of secular and religious music during the Renaissance, citing examples of forms such as the madrigal and Masses.
- Analyze the influence of key Baroque composers, such as Handel, Bach, and Vivaldi, by describing their contributions to the development of opera, oratorio, and instrumental music.
- Define the characteristics of Baroque music by identifying its key features, including counterpoint, harmony, and the significance of melody in compositions.
- Define the key musical innovations of the Classical period, including the emergence of the symphony and advancements in musical notation.
- Identify the contributions of pioneering composers like Haydn and Mozart to the development of new musical forms and styles.
- Describe how technological advancements during the Industrial Revolution influenced the development and complexity of Romantic era compositions
- Identify the key characteristics of Romantic music by analyzing examples of emotion and innovation in works from the era
- Identify key characteristics of Impressionism, Neoclassicism, and Expressionism by examining selected compositions from 1900 to 1945.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

Student Testimonials
- "Course was informative and this instructor was polite and professional and helpful and I would take another course with her again!" -- Emily L.
- "The instructor was very punctual in letting you know your course progress. Very informative course." -- Robert B.
- "Then complete details of the lessons and the background presented was most helpful. The instructor's examples were very helpful." -- William B.
- "Great course. Great instructor. Assignments and quizzes/tests were all graded in a timely manner with helpful feedback." -- Faith L.
- "The instructor was very helpful to complete the course. Thank you very much." -- Toru H.
- "I loved all of it." -- Kelley S.
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