Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2023 - CA 140 OL01

Contexts in Creative Music and Sound Practice (3)

Class Number: 3934

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Aug 11, 2023
    Fri, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Looks at the issues involved in being a creative musical artist in the 21st century. Topics include historical context, race and gender, the role and influence of politics, music and identity, appropriation, art music, functional music, and hybrid practices. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Contexts in Creative Music and Sound Practice looks at the issues involved in being a creative musical artist in the 21st century. By creative musical artist, we begin from the understood term of “composer”, but expand it to include those organisers of sound that deal directly with sound (i.e. sound artists), as well as composer-performers who present their music directly to their audience.

It is important to note that the focus is outside the realm of popular music; although it does include serious considerations on the influence of popular music on composers and sound artists today, the course is not about writing, recording, or performing popular music.

The course is intended for incoming students into the School for the Contemporary Arts’ music program, presenting issues we feel are important for young aspiring musical artists to consider; however, the course has no pre-requisites, so it is open to any student in the university.

Topics include:

  • Historical context dating back one thousand years, and including popular music;
  • how race and gender can be considered;
  • the role and influence of politics;
  • music and identity;
  • appropriation and how “borrowing” has been considered;
  • art music, and its role in contemporary society as well as historical perspectives;
  • functional aspects of musical use (i.e. music for film, dance, and games);
  • and finally performance: what does it mean to play someone else’s music, or your own?

CA140 might be considered a music appreciation course of 20th/21st century art music (itself a tenuous term).

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will learn to differentiate important musical styles through listening and to discuss the main formal elements and attributes that define those styles. They will understand and be able to explain the social and political forces that led to the formation of new styles and formal approaches, as well as the contributions of different nations to the development of contemporary musical language.

Grading

  • Bi-weekly assignments (7) 35%
  • Midterm exam 10%
  • Weekly quizzes 10%
  • Final Exam 15%
  • Bi-weekly Group Assignments (6) 30%

NOTES:

Independent Activities

The independent graded activities in this course consist of a seven assignments; weekly quizzes; a midterm (10%); and final (15%).

Group Activities

Additionally, there are a number of group projects required for this course, including six assignments worth 5% each. All individuals in groups will not be assigned the same mark; instead, peer evaluation will determine how the group mark is dispersed amongst the group.

You will be assigned to a group during the first day of classes - this will be your group for the remainder of the term. Group membership will be re-evaluated in the 3rd or 4th week of classes to balance groups due to enrolment changes.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All music is available as video+audio (i.e. not notated musical scores) via SFU's Media server.

REQUIRED READING:

There is no required text. All readings are included in the course material found in the individual study units within the course website. This website, Canvas, is accessible only to you, other CA 140 students, your TA, and the course instructor.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.