Course Syllabus

MUSC 2D Music Theory 4

Spring 2025

Monday/Wednesday 8:00–9:15AM
Forsyth Hall room 189

Dr. Mark Anderman

Email:  manderman@santarosa.edu
Phone: (707) 527-4330
Office Hours: In-person M T Th 11am–12pm; Online T 4–5pm, W 11am–12pm

Course Description

A study of advanced chromaticism in common-practice harmony with an introduction to Impressionist, Post-Romantic, Modern (Post-Tonal), and Postmodern musical techniques. Topics include: borrowed chords and mode mixture; chromatic mediants; Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords; enharmonic reinterpretation and modulation; ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords; pandiatonicism and polytonality; set theory; 12-tone serialism; and advanced concepts of meter and rhythm. (Grade only) Transfer Credit: CSU/UC.

Prerequisite: Completion of MUSC 2C or (MUS 2C)

Recommended: Concurrent enrollment in MUSC 3D and MUSCP 11D or another appropriate piano course.

Textbooks & Materials

• Instructor handouts and downloaded worksheets
• Supplemental: Hutchinson, Robert, Music Theory for the 21st-Century Classroom. Open Textbook Library, 2021.
• Music staff paper

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Write four-part (soprano/alto/tenor/bass) arrangements with extended harmony and advanced chromatic techniques in the common-practice style.
2. Analyze and explain the use of modal interchange, augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan chords, and other advanced chromatic devices found in common-practice music.
3. Analyze, compare, and contrast the fundamental concepts and musical techniques of the Romantic, Post-Romantic, Impressionist, Modern (post-tonal), and Postmodern styles.
4. Compose short pieces utilizing the techniques mentioned above.

Course Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Analyze and utilize borrowed chords, mode mixture, and chromatic mediants.
2. Identify, construct, and utilize Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords.
3. Analyze and explain enharmonic spellings, reinterpretation, and modulation.
4. Identify, construct, and utilize ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth chords.
5. Analyze and utilize common-tone-diminished-seventh chords, simultaneities, coloristic chord successions, and other harmonic devices.
6. Realize a figured bass line into a complete four-part arrangement utilizing these harmonic devices.
7. Harmonize a given melody in four parts utilizing these harmonic devices.
8. Analyze, compare, and contrast the musical techniques of the late 19th and 20th centuries including pandiatonicism, polytonality, set theory, serialism, and advanced concepts of meter and rhythm.

Guidelines for Assignment Submission

Assignments will be submitted online through Canvas. You may scan or take a digital photo of your page(s). Please upload only PDF or JPG files unless the directions say otherwise.

1. Turn in assignments on time!
2. Late work may be accepted for partial credit if turned in within one week of the original due date. (Later submissions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)
3. Please write legibly—if I can’t read your writing, I can’t grade it!
4. Please turn in all parts of an assignment together. Incomplete work will be returned without a grade.
5. Assignments may be redone once for additional credit if they are turned in before the next test.
6. Any work to be graded must be turned in by the last day of the course. I will not accept any homework during final exams week.
7. Due to the high volume of work that needs to be processed each week, I typically do not accept “extra credit” assignments.

Final Project

The final project for this course will be an original composition that demonstrates understanding and mastery of the core concepts of the course. The final project must be submitted in a computer-published score and is to be performed in-class during the last two weeks of the semester (recordings are acceptable), along with an oral presentation about the piece.

Attendance and Grading Policy

1. Points will be deducted for each unexcused absence or tardy.
2. If you are tardy, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure you are not marked absent.
3. If you wish to drop this course, it is YOUR responsibility to do so before the deadline.
4. Exams must be taken at the time they are given. Make-ups may be allowed with an excused absence (such as a doctor’s note). Make-ups without an excused absence will only receive partial credit. Missing the final exam will result in failing the course.

Incomplete Grades

In some extreme circumstances, arrangements can be made for an incomplete (I) grade. Incomplete grades are appropriate when a student has been making satisfactory progress in a course, but is unable to finish for reasons beyond their control. Consult the District Grading Policy for more information.

Music Notation Software

Writing music is an important component of this course, and in today’s world nearly all music publishing is done on a computer. Certain assignments in MUSC 2D will need to be submitted in computer-published notation. You can download MuseScore for free here: MuseScore Links to an external site.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need disability-related accommodations for this course, such as a note taker, test-taking services, special furniture, use of service animal, etc., please provide the Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to me as soon as possible. You may also speak with me privately during office hours about your accommodations. If you have not received authorization from DRD, it is recommended that you contact them directly.

Physical and Mental Health

Should you experience any physical or mental health issues, know that all of us at SRJC care about your well-being. SRJC’s Student Health Services (SHS) has nurse practitioners and mental health therapists available. Confidential sessions are provided via secure Zoom or in-person. Sessions are free for SRJC students taking credit or non-credit classes, and some providers can converse with you in Spanish if you prefer. SHS also has on-site COVID rapid testing and vaccinations available also at no cost. To start the process for any type of physical or mental health appointment contact Student Health at 707 527-4445 or email studenthealthservices@santarosa.edu. For more information, consult Student Health Services at shs.santarosa.edu.