CCOG for MUC 102 Winter 2025
- Course Number:
- MUC 102
- Course Title:
- Contemporary Music Theory II
- Credit Hours:
- 3
- Lecture Hours:
- 30
- Lecture/Lab Hours:
- 0
- Lab Hours:
- 0
Course Description
Covers music theory as exhibited in contemporary musical styles such as jazz, blues, rock, hip hop, funk, electronic dance music, folk, etc. Includes harmonic function, 12-bar blues, non-chord tones, asymmetrical meter, modes, and applied (secondary dominant-functioning) chords. Includes basic music analysis focusing on diatonic and chromatic harmonies, lead sheet notation, and Roman numerals. Includes written composition. This is the second course in a three-course sequence. Prerequisites: MUC 101 or instructor permission. Audit available.
Intended Outcomes for the course
Upon completion of the course students should be able to:
- Recognize and notate rhythms in asymmetrical (odd) meters.
- Identify the blues scale, modes, and other collections.
- Voice and manipulate secondary dominants and seventh chords in root position and in inversion.
- Aurally recognize phrase structures.
- Analyze, explain, hear, and generate non-harmonic tones in melodies.
- Write and provide a score for required compositions.
- Exhibit more developed musicianship by applying music theory components through musical expression.
Course Activities and Design
Material for the course will be presented in a lecture format but also includes question and answer sessions as well as discussion of recorded musical examples.
- In-class written and aural exercises
- Homework assignments (written exercises, analysis, listening)
- Aural skills training (singing and dictation)
- Composition projects
- Brief in-class quizzes (written and aural)
- Class participation, small group work, and discussion
- Providing constructive critique and feedback to in-class performances
Outcome Assessment Strategies
- Participation in class discussion and group activities
- In-class and homework assignments
- Exams and quizzes
- Composition project performances
Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
- Roman Numerals, Chord Function
- Blues Scales and 12-Bar Blues Progressions
- Phrases, Cadences
- Non-Harmonic Tones
- Tuplets
- Polyrhythms, Polymeter
- Asymmetrical (Odd) Meter
- Modes and Other Collections
- Secondary Dominants
- Secondary Leading-Tone Chords
- Final Projects, Final Exam