MUSCLG 7
Film and Music
Description: (Formerly numbered Music History 7.) Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. History of music and cinema, particularly ways music is used to produce meanings in conjunction with visual image. Credit for both courses 7 and 177 not allowed. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
1 of 1
Most Helpful Review
Summer 2020 - My review of this class might be biased because I do have background in music and music theory (not a lot, theory up to the intermediate level). From this standpoint, I will say that this class for me was pretty much an easy A. For someone without a music background, this class may definitely seem a little more overwhelming, but if you look past the glitz and glam of music vocabulary (which you don't even need to memorize), this class is pretty doable. I will admit, because the professor is literally a piano prodigy, he tends to focus more on the music side of things, but my TA, Patrick, balanced it by talking more about the film-side of things. This class literally requires no materials as all of them are provided by the professor on ccle. There are weekly readings that he gives, but I got away without doing any of them. From what I skimmed on the first reading and learned from the first lecture, the readings are oftentimes too in-depth and not necessarily useful for a beginning musicology class. I will admit that his lectures are sometimes a little lackluster since it's just lecture slides, going over clips of the film, or him playing the piano (which was definitely really good considering how he's a concert pianist). There are reviews saying that this class is hard for a person without any music background. I can understand to a certain extent that you may have to put in more work that someone who has a music background, but still, in all the weekly paragraphs (which were only a page double spaced) and even the final paper (<5 pages), the only music terminology I used was major and minor, which is fairly easier concept about whether the music sounds more "happy" or "sad." That said, without the music terminology, the key is to just be more descriptive with your words. What the TAs and the professor are looking for is whether you can get your point across and if you put in a decent amount of effort. I truly don't think that this class was at all horrible enough to be anything under a 4/5 in terms of difficulty. (Do note that it is the TAs grading most of the work, and since my TA was really–for lack of a better word- "chill" this class was actually pretty enjoyable). So, would I take this class again? Considering how I am a STEM major and took this class as a GE, I might have to think about it some more. If you're looking for an easy GE, just understand that "easiness" for this class really depends on interest (since there's virtually little to no work). If you're at least interested in analyzing film with some interest in music then this class will be easy for you.
Summer 2020 - My review of this class might be biased because I do have background in music and music theory (not a lot, theory up to the intermediate level). From this standpoint, I will say that this class for me was pretty much an easy A. For someone without a music background, this class may definitely seem a little more overwhelming, but if you look past the glitz and glam of music vocabulary (which you don't even need to memorize), this class is pretty doable. I will admit, because the professor is literally a piano prodigy, he tends to focus more on the music side of things, but my TA, Patrick, balanced it by talking more about the film-side of things. This class literally requires no materials as all of them are provided by the professor on ccle. There are weekly readings that he gives, but I got away without doing any of them. From what I skimmed on the first reading and learned from the first lecture, the readings are oftentimes too in-depth and not necessarily useful for a beginning musicology class. I will admit that his lectures are sometimes a little lackluster since it's just lecture slides, going over clips of the film, or him playing the piano (which was definitely really good considering how he's a concert pianist). There are reviews saying that this class is hard for a person without any music background. I can understand to a certain extent that you may have to put in more work that someone who has a music background, but still, in all the weekly paragraphs (which were only a page double spaced) and even the final paper (<5 pages), the only music terminology I used was major and minor, which is fairly easier concept about whether the music sounds more "happy" or "sad." That said, without the music terminology, the key is to just be more descriptive with your words. What the TAs and the professor are looking for is whether you can get your point across and if you put in a decent amount of effort. I truly don't think that this class was at all horrible enough to be anything under a 4/5 in terms of difficulty. (Do note that it is the TAs grading most of the work, and since my TA was really–for lack of a better word- "chill" this class was actually pretty enjoyable). So, would I take this class again? Considering how I am a STEM major and took this class as a GE, I might have to think about it some more. If you're looking for an easy GE, just understand that "easiness" for this class really depends on interest (since there's virtually little to no work). If you're at least interested in analyzing film with some interest in music then this class will be easy for you.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Spring 2019 - Fun and easy class, especially if you have some background in music. He was pretty clear on what parts of the lectures we really needed to know and he uploaded all the slides. There were three writing assignments spaced over the quarter, and each one comprised of two 500-word papers (so 1000 words total per assignment and 3000 words total over the quarter). These were really easy; for each assignment one paper was a summary and reaction to an article and the other was an analysis of a movie scene or other clip. The bulk of the work comes from memorizing the vocabulary (which is super easy if you've ever done anything musical, and they really beat the important ones into you: timbre, mise en scene, SHMRG, etc), and from watching the assigned movies, which he puts on CCLE. Most of them are worth a watch but if you're really pressed for time you can read through the plot summary and watch the important clips on youtube to get an idea of the music. The quizzes in discussion are based on the vocabulary you learn. The midterm was also in discussion (so it doesn't take more than 50 minutes) and is the same as the quiz but has an added scene analysis component. The final had the same type of vocabulary questions and he gave us seven essay prompts a week in advance, three of which were on the final. To do well in the class all you have to do is know the vocabulary and be able to use it as you describe everything you notice about a scene. If you love movies or music or both, this is a great class for you!
Spring 2019 - Fun and easy class, especially if you have some background in music. He was pretty clear on what parts of the lectures we really needed to know and he uploaded all the slides. There were three writing assignments spaced over the quarter, and each one comprised of two 500-word papers (so 1000 words total per assignment and 3000 words total over the quarter). These were really easy; for each assignment one paper was a summary and reaction to an article and the other was an analysis of a movie scene or other clip. The bulk of the work comes from memorizing the vocabulary (which is super easy if you've ever done anything musical, and they really beat the important ones into you: timbre, mise en scene, SHMRG, etc), and from watching the assigned movies, which he puts on CCLE. Most of them are worth a watch but if you're really pressed for time you can read through the plot summary and watch the important clips on youtube to get an idea of the music. The quizzes in discussion are based on the vocabulary you learn. The midterm was also in discussion (so it doesn't take more than 50 minutes) and is the same as the quiz but has an added scene analysis component. The final had the same type of vocabulary questions and he gave us seven essay prompts a week in advance, three of which were on the final. To do well in the class all you have to do is know the vocabulary and be able to use it as you describe everything you notice about a scene. If you love movies or music or both, this is a great class for you!
Most Helpful Review
Summer 2021 - I definitely love this course! The instructor cares everyone. Attending their class is such a pleasure. They believe students don't have to pay for extra material since we enrolled in this class and this university. They reply email on Sunday night and respond to my request of recording the lectures although they didn't plan to because of unstable internet. They relieve any worry you have. You can take this course with any level of musical knowledge. The content of the course is super interesting. It introduces music in animated films in Hollywood, Japan, and other parts of the world. There is only one midterm and a short final paper which are designed not to destroy anyone's confidence or curiosity. I attended the discussion at midnight, so I could barely speak. It's kind of the TA, Moore, didn't force anyone to speak. But he and the classmates in the discussion group are so funny and just listening their thoughts are inspiring for me. I was moved by the inclusiveness and freedom shown by this course. Taking this course is a precious experience for me. I would recommend it to anyone interested in film or music.
Summer 2021 - I definitely love this course! The instructor cares everyone. Attending their class is such a pleasure. They believe students don't have to pay for extra material since we enrolled in this class and this university. They reply email on Sunday night and respond to my request of recording the lectures although they didn't plan to because of unstable internet. They relieve any worry you have. You can take this course with any level of musical knowledge. The content of the course is super interesting. It introduces music in animated films in Hollywood, Japan, and other parts of the world. There is only one midterm and a short final paper which are designed not to destroy anyone's confidence or curiosity. I attended the discussion at midnight, so I could barely speak. It's kind of the TA, Moore, didn't force anyone to speak. But he and the classmates in the discussion group are so funny and just listening their thoughts are inspiring for me. I was moved by the inclusiveness and freedom shown by this course. Taking this course is a precious experience for me. I would recommend it to anyone interested in film or music.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2019 - Awesome class if you are interested in the material. The class focuses a lot on the history of sound and music in film. Assignments are watching a weekly movie, a short weekly journal, a midterm, final, and a paper on a film of your choice. I had a great time learning the material, and it definitely changed the way I view films now. Attendance in discussion was mandatory. Writing (esp. the exams) was graded pretty leniently IMO
Fall 2019 - Awesome class if you are interested in the material. The class focuses a lot on the history of sound and music in film. Assignments are watching a weekly movie, a short weekly journal, a midterm, final, and a paper on a film of your choice. I had a great time learning the material, and it definitely changed the way I view films now. Attendance in discussion was mandatory. Writing (esp. the exams) was graded pretty leniently IMO
AD
1 of 1
