Exploring Classical Music: Baroque to Contemporary

Freie Universität Berlin

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Exploring Classical Music: Baroque to Contemporary

  • Host University

    Freie Universität Berlin

  • Location

    Berlin, Germany

  • Area of Study

    European Studies, History, Music

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Prerequisites

    Note: previous training in music is not a prerequisite for this course, although students with an ability to read music may find this skill advantageous from time to time.

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • Contact Hours

    45
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4
  • Overview

    Within a basic cultural studies framework, this course covers the history of European classical music, paying particular attention to German-speaking regions. Musical examples from different periods between the 18th and 20th centuries give a historical overview and introduce musically relevant topics. These are then placed, addressed, and analyzed in their relation to their broader cultural, social, political, and aesthetic contexts. The musical works have been chosen as exemplary for their musical form and genre and/or for their significance or representative significance in the development of European classical musical history. Musical terminology, notation, (historical) performance practice, musical instruments, orchestration, musical forms, prominent composers, music as a work of art, and aesthetics are among the subjects of discussion.
     
    Berlin is the ideal city to explore classical music. Three major opera houses, two world-famous concert halls, and countless smaller concert venues provide a daily, incomparable program of musical entertainment. A key aim of the course is to orient yourself in this musical landscape. Choosing a concert and writing a concert critique is one of the assignments for this course.

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or pre-requisites.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Availability of courses is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of last minute class cancellations

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