Modernism

DESCRIPTION:
In this course students will develop an understanding of the stylistic diversity that emerged in the revolutionary time of Modernism, at the beginning of the 20th century, and will explore the incorporation of the “new” into the traditional continuum in music and other forms of cultural expression. The heterogeneous reactions that resulted to a plurality of musical and aesthetic construction will be captured through selected works and scores and will be discussed in relation to independent texts, literature and visual arts of the time.

RATIONALE: 
The time known as the fin de siecle fascinated musicians, writers and other artists as it characterized the end of an era and the dawn of a new one. The possibilities of the new means of expression, the new techniques and aesthetics created a cultural turmoil. The origins of 12-tone music and serialism in addition to new tonal paths, historical, cultural and aesthetic approaches of musical Modernism will be discussed in the wider perspective of art and culture. A selection of works, a variety of texts and additional material will enhance the understanding of the musical revolution, placing it in a broader cultural context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After successfully completing this course students should be able to:
1. demonstrate an understanding of the classical forms and the meaning of Modernism as an age of revolt and radical change
2. identify, distinguish and discuss the styles of Expressionism, Primitivism, Polytonality, Atonality, 12 tone music, Neoclassicism for the selected works through listening and score reading
3. relate the stylistic trends of twentieth-century music to the equivalent ones in other forms of cultural expression.
4. discuss in which way, and to what extent, composers challenged and honoured at the same time, traditional methods and values.
5. apply fundamental analytical skills, and demonstrate the necessary criteria when discussing a musical work in the context of an independent project.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Class lectures with demonstrations of musical examples
- Listening and score reading, aided by audio-visual media performances
- Oral Presentation of a written assignment supported by audio/audio-visual media
- Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of their instructor’s office hours, where they can ask questions, see their assigned work results and/or go over lecture material
- Use of a learning management system (Blackboard) where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, announcements and additional resources
- Support from the Student Academic Support Services (SASS), who offer one-to-one and group workshop sessions to support the development of academic and study skills.