Intro to Post-Tonal Theory & Analysis
Dr. Amy Bauer
Tu/Th 11:00-12:20 pm Winter 2022, MM 316
Office: CAC 3043 email: abauer@uci.edu
TA Atticus Reynolds ajreynol@uci.edu
Office Hours Tu/Th 1:00-2:00 and by appointmentCourse website and weekly schedule: http://music.arts.uci.edu/abauer/5.1/index.html
Post-Tonal Theory is an introduction to the theory and analysis of twentieth century music. The repertoire under consideration includes atonal and serial music as well as centric music from a wide variety of composers (among them Bartók, Berg, Debussy, Ligeti, Messiaen, Schoenberg, Scriabin, Stravinsky, Vivier and Webern). The analytical tools employed include pitch-class set analysis, modal analysis, rhythmic analysis, transformational theory, and extensions of chromatic harmony.
All students will do six theoretical and analytic assignments, midterm and final exams, and receive a class participation grade. The text is mandatory, but scores, streaming audio and additional reading will be available online at the course website. Additional extra credit quizzes can be accessed at your canvas site.
Text: Joseph N. Straus, Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory, 4th ed. (W.W. Norton, 2016) [ISBN: 978-0-393-93883-8] (Available in the UCI bookstore, and at most online merchants)
Can be purchased as an ebook at https://digital.wwnorton.com/tonaltheory
Exams:
Midterm: Thursday, Feb.3 (during class)
Final: Tuesday, March 15, 10:30-12:30, MM 316
Assignments: Read all assigned materials before class, do preparatory analysis, and listen to the pieces we study. There will be six theory & analysis assignments, due on the day specified in your schedule (check the class website for recent changes). All assignments are available for download in MS Word or pdf format; you may hand in hard copies in class, or email electronic versions by 5 pm on the date due. Extra credit quizzes will be available online at the canvas website, with a set window for participation (visit quiz help for more information). (All questions are available for download prior to the quiz.) Please contact me by email at any time you have any questions, visit my office hours, or make an appointment for help. Note that the midterm and final are of equal importance (the final is not cumulative).
Grade breakdown:
| Assignments: 6 theory and analysis | 45% |
| Class participation: | 5% |
| Midterm Exam: | 25% |
| Class presentation: | |
| Final Exam: | 25% |
| Total grade | 100% |
Tentative Schedule available online:http://music.arts.uci.edu/abauer/2.2/posttonal.html
Attendance and conduct: Attendance is expected at every class, as you will be learning skills by progressively building on previous knowledge, and exams will incorporate material from student presentations as well as your text and classroom examples. You are responsible for material you miss. After 3 unexcused absences, any further absence will result in the drop of one full letter grade. All work on exams or assignments must be your own; please visit the Academic Honesty website for information on how academic dishonesty is treated at UCI.
Late homework will not be accepted. If for some external reason you cannot complete an assignment by the due date, please make arrangements with me ahead of time. I will not accept a paper after a graded copy has been returned to the class. If you need special arrangements for an exam, please provide the appropriate paperwork to me 10 days prior to the scheduled exam.