Bess Xintong Liu

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of Asia and the Middle East within the context of the global humanities. It serves as a sampler, which exposes students to the rich diversity of Asian and Islamicate humanities. The seminar explores a wide range of primary sources from different places and historical periods. These may include such diverse materials as the memoirs of the medieval Muslim traveler Ibn Battuta, "The Analects of Confucius," readings from the "Vedas" and "Upanishads," Farid ud din Attar's "The Conference of the Birds," Kurosawa's "Rashomon," Rabindranath Tagore's "The Home and The World," short fiction from the modern Palestinian author Ghassan Kanafani and examples of contemporary Chinese science fiction. This interdisciplinary course does not count toward the completion of any diversification requirement. Only open to first-year students.

This course provides a concise chronological overview of music from the Middle Ages through the postmodern period and an introduction to the research methods used in the fields of historical musicology and ethnomusicology. Emphasis is placed on learning to listen analytically to and write about music, and on understanding the role of music within society. Some concert attendance may be required. Readings from primary sources supplement the basic texts. This counts as a prerequisite for upper-level courses offered by the music department. Suggested for first-year students or those new to the department. MUSC 102, 105 and 107 all serve as introductory courses in music history and satisfy the same prerequisites. Students may enroll in only one of these courses. This counts toward the history requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every year.

This course is a writing-intentional survey of Western art music from the Middle Ages through the post-modern period that includes an introduction to music of non-Western cultures. It has been designed for first-year students who have some background in music theory and the ability to read a musical score. While the composers and their compositions are central to the course, social, artistic, political, religious, philosophical and literary forces that shaped each era also be explored. Readings from primary sources supplement the basic text, and students are introduced to the research methods used in the fields of historical musicology and ethnomusicology. This course fulfills the music history prerequisite for upper-level courses offered by the music department and is recommended for students who are considering the music major or minor. This counts as a prerequisite for upper-level courses offered by the music department. Suggested for first-year students or those new to the department. MUSC 102, 105 and 107 all serve as introductory courses in music history and satisfy the same prerequisites. Students may enroll in only one of these courses. This counts toward the history requirement for the major. Prerequisite: AP music theory score of 4 or 5 or music theory placement exam. Offered every year.

This course is a survey of major trends of 20th-century Western art music, from Mahler's late Romanticism and Debussy's rejections of 19th-century practices to today's musical eclecticism. While the stylistic development of music is central to the course, other issues to be discussed include aesthetics, philosophy, performance practice and cultural/social/political influences that significantly affected music. Primary and secondary source readings augment the basic text. MUSC 121Y-122Y is recommended. This counts toward the history requirement or as an elective for the major. Prerequisite: MUSC 101 or placement by exam and MUSC 102, 105 or 107. Offered every other year.

This course provides study of the music of the Sundanese gamelan degung, a traditional ensemble incorporating different types of tuned bronze percussion, drums, flutes and vocals. Students are introduced to basic and advanced instrumental techniques for several individual gamelan instruments and receive coaching in musicianship and ensemble skills. A variety of repertories is covered. Each semester culminates in one public performance. No musical experience is required. This course can be used to satisfy diversification requirements in anthropology as well as music. This is not a yearlong course, and registration is required each semester. Permission of instructor required. No prerequisite.