Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for MUS 205 Winter 2025


Course Number:
MUS 205
Course Title:
Introduction to the History of Jazz
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces the American art form of jazz music with a focus on cultural contexts, traditions, and musical elements. Traces the cultural and societal impacts and connections of the music. Includes an examination of improvisation and musical practices of the style using musicological techniques. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  1. Analyze musical works from the canon of American jazz music for form, texture, and content through listening.
  2. Apply approaches to musicological research to describe jazz music.
  3. Discuss the historical and sociopolitical contexts for the major developments in jazz music.
  4. Describe the diverse cultural communities that developed jazz music through a deeper knowledge of each group's musical expressions.

Integrative Learning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to reflect on one’s work or competencies to make connections between course content and lived experience.

General education philosophy statement

The study of music provides the opportunity to experience the art form both as listeners and as creators. It (music) is an expression of culture developed from rich historical traditions, each with unique aesthetic and artistic values reflected through organized sound. Musicological research projects give students the opportunity to apply theoretical aspects of musicology to research and analysis. Students will better understand, think and communicate critically the aesthetic, historical, cultural, social and contemporary aspects of the music and the peoples they are studying.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. These methods may include one or more of the following tools: Qualitative and/or quantitative examination, quizzes, listening assignment, and class participation

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

  • Basic elements of:
    • Melody
    • Harmony
    • Rhythm
    • Form
    • Improvisation
    • Rhythm Section and Front Line
  • Pre-jazz roots
  • African and European components
  • Ragtime and City Blues
  • New Orleans Hot Jazz
  • Stride and boogie woogie piano
  • Early Big Band and Swing
  • Melodic and harmonic improvisation
  • Bebop
  • Cool and hard bop
  • Third Stream
  • Modal jazz
  • Free jazz and fusion

COMPETANCIES AND SKILLS
The following skills are expected to meet the minimum requirements ("C" or "Pass") for the course:

  • Identify the African and European elements of jazz.
  • Describe and identify the roles of the rhythm section and front line instruments.
  • Identify song forms including city and country blues.
  • Recognize and appreciate the contributions of key innovators.
  • Describe the evolution of styles within their social and cultural contexts.
  • Identify musical styles from recorded examples.

SA will be added to this course for General Education application. Please see example SA for details of what the assignment should contain.