Contact: Aga Haupt
Classical compositions are meeting modern technology at a new online course being offered by Mississippi State for the first time.
A collaboration between the university's music education department and Division of Continuing Education, the class on the history and appreciation of music may be accessed directly by students at any time or location.
"Music is always a reflection of culture and in some cases, it has defined culture," said Michael R. Brown, department head and course instructor. In addition to educating, the new teaching approach is designed "to broadened students' views of the world and their understanding of the history and culture of American civilization," he added.
As in traditional music appreciation classes, students will read and write about various kinds of music and listen to excerpts which they later must identify in online quizzes. Full academic credit will be awarded as long as the course work is completed within a year.
"Students can come home at night and take quizzes and listening tests at their own speed," Brown said. "They are on their own deadlines."
Brown said class is structured for a broad audience, regardless of prior musical background. Those with a musical ability will benefit as much as those "who do not know a note from a boat," he added.
In addition to teaching and administrative duties at Mississippi State, Brown also conducts the university's Jazz Ensemble. He has performed widely across the United States and Caribbean as a conductor and trumpet soloist.
For more about the music appreciation class or continuing education's other independent study courses, visit http://www.ce.msstate.edu/is/ or telephone (622) 325-2652.
For additional information on music education programs, see http://www.msstate.edu/dept/musiced/.