MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Student Learning Objectives in the Music Department (February 2008)

During 2007-2008 academic year, the faculty in the  Music Department conducted a department-wide evaluation and invited an external reviewer to look at the music curriculum and procedures.  An important outcome of that review has been the identification of specific learning objectives related to the major programs and courses offered. The following six learning objectives were identified as supporting the core philosophy of the department.  Associated with each objective are specific tasks within the curriculum in which the department will look to assess essential aspects of our disciplines.

Objective I: Real World Experience in Music

bullet Build skills in individual music performance through private and group instruction leading to public performance on and off campus.
bullet Build skills in group music performance through small ensemble and large group ensemble instruction leading to public performance on and off campus.
bullet Develop an overview of the kinds of jobs available to those with music management training.
bullet Develop practical work skills in a music-related field.
bullet Preliminary observation and integrated student teaching as a capstone requirement for music education.

Objective II: Critical Thinking and Aural Analysis

bullet Learn to examine pieces within specific historical and cultural contexts, and learn to ask questions about the style, context, and function for historical understanding, performance or transmission of ideas to others.
bullet Develop the ability to compare and contrast major works in history of music.
bullet Learn to read primary source texts and secondary works critically, and to question the assumptions of scholars.
bullet Be able to integrate aural analysis with a variety of theoretical approaches.
bullet Develop skills to integrate critical evaluation of source material into performance.
bullet Develop skills to integrate critical aural and analytical skills for the development of musical material into improvisation, new musical arrangements and original composition.

Objective III: Breadth of Knowledge

bullet Learn basic terminology associated with Music.
bullet Develop approach to performance skills through knowledge of piano as a learning tool. Required for BA in Music, BMus in Music Education and BA in Music with a concentration in Musical Theatre.
bullet Learn basic terminology and procedures associated with music technology.
bullet Understand and demonstrate music technology knowledge within context of departmental courses and performances, including student responsibility for organizing and presenting material electronically and recording of department concerts.
bullet Learn to integrate singing, dancing and acting in performance for musical theatre.
bullet Learn the names, time periods and characteristics of major historical periods and styles.
bullet Learn a basic overview of music industry and career opportunities.
bullet Identify specialized areas of the music industry, including the recording and broadcast industries, music publishing, copyright law, and legal issues.
bullet Investigate deeper knowledge base in specialized fields; develop tools for building advanced level of knowledge.
bullet Demonstrate broad, generalized knowledge of repertoire, formal procedures, and chronology of style.
bullet Students are generally encouraged to study foreign languages, and are required to complete one year of language study for the BA in Music and the BMus in Music Education.

Objective IV: Information Retrieval and Literacy

bullet Learn to locate and retrieve information from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary.
bullet Learn to evaluate information and its sources critically.
bullet Understand the legal, economic and ethical issues of information access in the music industry.
bullet Learn to demonstrate how research can support ideas when presenting an argument.

Objective V: Analytic and Research Writing Skills

bullet Develop a clear and grammatically-correct writing style.
bullet Learn to identify and cite sources properly, and to understand the standards of integrity in the pursuit of academic work.
bullet Learn to write effective comparative essays, including discussions of style, image function, and historical context.
bullet Develop effective thesis statements and/or topic sentences for advanced research papers and build arguments using both primary and secondary sources.

Objective VI: Develop a Global Outlook

bullet Develop a basic familiarity with international musical cultures in popular and art traditions in Western and non-Western cultures.
bullet Understand the role of religion, socio-economic, and political factors in influencing music.
bullet Understand the role of socio-economic and political factors in influencing music industry.

 

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