MUSC 235 Music of East Asia: China, Japan, and Korea

Open to all interested students, this course is an introductory course to the music of East Asia with focus on the music of China, Japan, and Korea. The course will emphasize traditional music and its relations to dance and theatre, and to its social, religious, and historical contexts. Surveying of contemporary musical landscapes in these three countries, including popular and popularized traditional music, will also be included. Students will learn through lectures, guided viewing and listening to selected video and music examples, readings, and in-class discussion.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL-121

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts to classify instruments of the world using the Sachs/Hornbostel Classification System.
  2. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of Asian musical terms, forms, and pitch organization.
  3. 3. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creativity, describing musical development in China, Japan, and Korea within the historical, political, and cultural contexts, specifically its relationship to philosophy, dance, theatre, and religious ceremonies.
  4. 4. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into comparing and contrasting Asian music and Western music with respect to tonal structure, historical development, and aesthetic values.
  5. 5. Describe major trends and developments as seen in the contemporary musical landscape of China, Japan, and Korea.
  6. 6. Identify representative East Asian composers and their major contributions.
  7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of music of West and East Asia, and how they have influenced each other in their developments.
  8. 8. Apply correct musical terms in oral and written discussion on topics in Asian music.
  9. 9. Discuss a current East Asian music event/development and relate what kind of impact this event/development will have on the lives of people it touches.

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Identify and apply critical theories and concepts to classify instruments of the world using the Sachs/Hornbostel Classification System.
  2. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of Asian musical terms, forms, and pitch organization.
  3. 3. Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creativity, describing musical development in China, Japan, and Korea within the historical, political, and cultural contexts, specifically its relationship to philosophy, dance, theatre, and religious ceremonies.
  4. 4. Incorporate innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into comparing and contrasting Asian music and Western music with respect to tonal structure, historical development, and aesthetic values.
  5. 5. Describe major trends and developments as seen in the contemporary musical landscape of China, Japan, and Korea.
  6. 6. Identify representative East Asian composers and their major contributions.
  7. 7. Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of music of West and East Asia, and how they have influenced each other in their developments.
  8. 8. Apply correct musical terms in oral and written discussion on topics in Asian music.
  9. 9. Discuss a current East Asian music event/development and relate what kind of impact this event/development will have on the lives of people it touches.