FINAL EXAM ESSAY QUESTIONS Music, Art & Ideas (MUS 115)
“Identify” = artist, title, page number* or composer & title (* and edition if you are using the 4th or earlier)
Answer 1 & 2
1. Describe your favorite work covered in this class, identifying it and associating it with a style or period. What makes it an example (or counterexample) of its style or period? What ideas or historical developments are connected with it? Why do you like it?
2. Describe the period in which you feel art & music to be most closely related. Contrast that with a period in which you perceive art & music to be less related to each other. Identify and explain with specific examples of music and art.
Choose and answer 3 questions from the following:
3. Identify and describe the way the notion of Classicism (Ancient Greek or Ancient Roman ideas) recurs in different historical periods (discuss two examples). Name specific works that illustrate your point, referring to artist and title, if applicable; explain how they illustrate your point.
4. Describe a trait of Romanticism that carries on into Modernism. How is it changed or intensified? Name a Romantic work and a Modernist work to support your point.
5. Explain the difference between a Modernist and a Post-Modernist view of “the canon.” Provide short examples of a Modernist canon (a list of important works of art or music) and one that might (or might not) be made by a Post-Modernist. Explain the reasons for including each work (each list should have 3-4 works).
6. Describe two contrasting attitudes from history about the body, and describe works of art or music that reflect those contrasting attitudes.
7. Which transition between two periods seems to you to be the sharpest break? Explain your reasons for thinking so, and explain the historical factors that might be behind the change.
Avoid repeating the same examples for each answer.
20 points for each of 5 answers.
A (18-19 pts) = well-structured, clear answer to the chosen question; the question is answered in full; no irrelevant information; all information is correct and supports the points made; examples are specific and clearly identified and tied to particular ideas.
A+ (20 pts) = insightful, engaging response (in addition to all of the above)
B (16-17 pts) = generally clear answer to the chosen question; almost all of the question is addressed; information is correct and supports the points made; examples are specific and clearly identified and tied to particular ideas.
C (14-15 pts) = writing problems cloud the answer to the chosen question; the main thrust of the question is addressed; some information is incorrect and how it supports the points made is not clear; examples are not clearly identified and not tied to particular ideas.
D (12-13 pts) = only half of the question seems to be correctly answered; few examples given; writing not at college level
F (10-11) = incorrect information obscures any point being made; no examples given; writing not at college level
zero points – plagiarism. Cite your references if they are not from the textbook.
May 2009
DC Meckler