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MUS 461
THE HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF JAZZ
11:00 A.M. - TR
3 Credit Hours
Instructor: Prof. Mark Lanter
Moody Music Building, Room 248
205-348-7110, 205-348-1473 (fax)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this course is to examine the logical musical development of jazz as well as the important elements which comprise the individual styles of Jazz. The class will focus on the important musicians and literature of each era. Attention will also be brought to social aspects of the times as it directly relates to the development of jazz history.
COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
The primary objective of this course is to instill in the student a clear understanding of the development of jazz. The student will be expected to know the important figures of Jazz and why they are important to the music. Furthermore, the student will also learn to recognize styles, musicians, and pieces aurally. The ultimate goal of the course is to familiarize the student with the aspects of the music, thus enabling the student to appreciate the truly personal experience of the music known as "Jazz."
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Jazz Styles: History and Analysis, 7th Edition, Mark Gridley.
Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: 1998.
Musical examples will be derived from the Smithsonian Collection
of Classic Jazz and other landmark recordings
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS:
Weekly reading assignments will be given. The student is also responsible for a term paper (7-10 pages in length, footnoted, with bibliography) about a jazz artist of his/her choice. The paper is due on the last day of class.
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be a mid-term and final examination in this course. The final will be comprehensive. There will also be 3 quizzes during the course of the semester. Each quiz and examination will contain a listening component. There will be no make-up quizzes or examinations.
GRADING PROCEDURES & POLICIES:
Assessment of the student's work is based on the following criteria:
- Comprehension and command of material covered in the course.
- Class participation is expected and welcome.
- Command of terminology, stylistic and musician recognition.
- Examinations, quizzes, research paper.
GRADING SYSTEM:
The student's final grade will be drawn from grades received for each component
of the course:
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Grades: |
| Quiz #1 |
10% |
95%-100% = A |
| Quiz #2 |
10% |
90%-94% = A- |
| Quiz #3 |
10% |
86%-89% = B+ |
| Mid-Term |
25% |
82%-85% = B |
| Final Exam. |
30% |
79%-81% = B- |
| Term Paper |
15% |
75%-78% = C+ |
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71%-74% = C |
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68%-70% = C- |
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64%-67% = D+ |
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60%-63% = D |
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57%-59% = D- |
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0%-56% = F |
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance of all classes is expected. Three absences from class
will result in lowering the final grade by one letter. Any extenuating
curcumstances must be immediately discussed with Mark Lanter.
COURSE OUTLINE:
This is subject to change, dependent on the needs and progress
of the class.
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| Week 1: |
Chapters 1 & 2 |
What is Jazz? |
| Week 2: |
Chapter 4 |
Origins of Jazz |
| Week 3 & 4: |
Chapter 5 |
Early Jazz
Quiz #1 |
| Week 5: |
Chapter 7 |
Duke Ellington |
| Week 6: |
Chapter 6 & 8 |
Swing & Count Basie
Quiz #2 |
| Week 7 & 8: |
Chapter 9 |
Bop
Mid-Term Examination |
| Week 9: |
Chapter 10 |
Cool Jazz |
| Week 10: |
Chapter 11 & 12 |
Hard Bop & Miles Davis |
| Week 11: |
Chapter 12, 14, & 15 |
Miles Davis Continued
Free Jazz
Evans, Hancock, Corea, and Jarr
Quiz #3 |
| Week 12: |
Chapters 11, 12, 13, & 15 |
Hard Bop
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Evans, Hancock, Corea, and Jarrett |
| Week 13: |
Chapters 14 & 15 |
Avant-Garde
Evans, Hancock, Corea, and Jarrett |
| Week 14: |
Chapter 16 |
Jazz Rock Fusion |
| Week 15: |
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Jazz Artists not covered in text.
Term Paper Due. |
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