MUSC 607
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC EDUCATION

Catalog Entry

MUSC 607. History and Philosophy of Music Education
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisite: Undergraduate degree in music or permission of instructor.

This course surveys the history of American music education and explores the philosophical foundations for music education.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

I. History of Music Education

• Early European music education
  • Greek and Roman
  • Cathedral schools
  • Conservatories
• Music education in the U.S.
  • Colonial music education
    • Psalm singing
    • Singing schools
  • The nineteenth century
    • Shaped notes
    • Lowell Mason
    • Establishment of public school music
    • Teacher education
    • Early graded series
    • School orchestras
  • The twentieth century
    • Music appreciation
    • School orchestras
    • MENC
    • School bands
    • A cappella choirs
    • Government and Foundation support for music education
    • Foreign influences
      • Dalcroze
      • Orff
      • Kodaly
      • Suzuki
    • Movements and reports
      • Tanglewood Symposium
      • Comprehensive Musicianship
      • A Nation at Risk
      • National Standards
      • Vision 2020 Symposium
    • Other
      • Technology
      • Special education

II. Philosophical Foundations of Music Education

• Survey of philosophers and philosophies
  • Roots of Western civilization
    • Ancient Greeks
      • Plato
      • Aristotle
      • Early Christians: Augustine of Hippo
      • The Middle Ages
      • The Renaissance
    • The Enlightenment
      • Rationalism (idealism): Rene Descartes
      • Empiricism (realism): John Locke
    • 'Aesthetic' experience: Immanuel Kant
    • Phenomenology (pragmatism): John Dewey
  • Philosophical viewpoints and education
  • Rationale for music and the arts in schools
    • Aesthetics
    • Referentialism
    • Expressionism
    • Formalism or absolutism
  • Survey of music education philosophers and philosophies
    • James Mursell
    • Leonard Meyer
    • Susanne Langer
    • Bennett Reimer
    • David Elliott
    • Estelle Jorgensen
    • Others
  • Nonmusical values of music
    • Music as a social and political force
    • Feminist perspectives
    • Other contemporary issues

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course includes discussion and lecture. Detailed reading assignments, outlines and other information is made available on‑line.

Goals and Objectives

At the conclusion of the course, the graduate student will:

• demonstrate knowledge of early European music education.
• demonstrate knowledge of the major events in the history of music education in the U.S.
• demonstrate an understanding of major philosophical viewpoints.
• be able to offer several rationales for music and the arts in schools.
• have researched and written a paper about a specific topic relating to history or philosophy of music education
• demonstrate skills in reading, analyzing, speaking about and writing about the history and philosophy of music education

Assessment Measures

Assessment measures include participation in class discussions, exams and a term paper, presented in written and oral format.

Other Course Information

Approval and Subsequent Reviews

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
February 2001 Revised E. Fellin, Chairman