SYLLABUS MUS 240 Music of the Americas FALL 2006
Cañada College at EPAHS

Professor: David Meckler, Ph.D.

office hrs: MWF 9-11, room 3-242

Email: mecklerd@smccd.edu (not for assignments; start subject header with “240” to get my attention)

Voice-mail: (650) 306-3439

The course will present a variety of music from North, Central and South America. The music will be of different styles and purposes. Objectives: (1) listen to music (2) think about music analytically, relating it to its cultural purposes, context and history. (3) Enjoying the music while being aware of its connections to society is the ultimate goal. Assessment will be through in-class activities, worksheets, presentations, listening exams, and brief essays.

Required recordings & text: Music in Latin American Culture; Regional Traditions, John M. Schechter, editor. (book). Handouts and other material will be posted on the course website http://www.smccd.net/accounts/mecklerd/MUS240/MUS240.htm.

Grading and Assignments

Assignments, 45%; exams, 25%; presentation, concert review, final, each = 15%. Exact percentage weights may change. Standard grading percentages apply (A = 90%). The lowest assignment score will be dropped.

There may be a final exam; questions will be drawn from the study questions on worksheets used throughout the term.

Extra Credit

Recognizing that life events interfere with perfect class attendance, extra credit may be earned by attending performances, lectures, concerts, etc. The extra credit activity must be approved by me in advance, and written & oral reports will be required. Limit ONE.

Schedule

Introduction and definition of course coverage: what is "Latin American music"?

Multicultural Mexico – Two examples: Mariachi, and Conjunto Jarocho of Veracruz.

Central American Marimba music

Cuban and Caribbean music

Andean music

Student Presentations, Round 1 [October]

Other national styles (Colombian and Cumbia)
[driven by on student interests]

Classical music, from Baroque to contemporary choral music; Golijov

Sex, Class, Race, Music and Politics – Brazil and Argentina

Bringing it home – Spanish-language pop music in the USA

Student Presentations, Round 2

Academic Integrity = Personal Integrity

You must do you own work unless specified. Severe penalties, outlined in the Student Handbook, will be used in case of cheating or copied work without proper attribution. Plagiarism on minor assignments or exams will lower the final grade by one letter; cheating or plagiarism on the final exam or a concert review will result in an F in the course.

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