Skagit Valley College

Catalog Course Search Details

 Course Title:   Music Theory I

 Title Abbreviation:   MUSIC THEORY I

 Department:    MUSC&

 Course #:    141

 Credits:    5

 Variable:     No

 IUs:    5

 CIP:    500901

 EPC:    n/a

 REV:    2018


 Course Description  

The study of notation, intervals, scales, simple melodies, and rhythms. Development of aural skills through an emphasis on sight singing, dictation, and piano skills. Required for Music majors.

 Prerequisite  

Prerequisite: Grade of 2.0 or higher in ENGL 097, or AESL 098, or appropriate test score.

Additional Course Details

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 55

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0


Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Academic Humanities  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Other Institution Equivalencies Table
Institution Course # Remarks
CWU 144
U of W X
WSU 0
WWU T

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

  1. Write all major and minor key signatures and scales, single melodies. Write chords, analyze patterns, transpose songs, and recognize primary chords.
  2. Hear melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic elements of music accurately and commit to notation. Demonstrate the major and minor scales using sol-feggio. Match and do basic identification of specific pitches.
  3. Play all major and minor scales and intervals.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.
1.5 Effectively integrate and use information ethically and legally to accomplish a specific purpose.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.
2.9 Apply and/or create problem-solving strategies to successfully adapt to unpredictable and/or changing environments.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.3 Demonstrate effective listening skills.
3.5 Recognize, comprehend, and use non-verbal behaviors appropriate to a given context.
3.6 Recognize, comprehend, and use visual communication appropriate to a given context.

4. Community & Cultural Diversity

Definition: Recognizing the value of human communities and cultures from multiple perspectives through a critical understanding of their similarities and differences.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
4.2 Understand, value and respect human differences and commonalities as they relate to issues of race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities and culture.

7. Aesthetics & Creativity

Definition: Interpreting human experience through engagement with creative processes and aesthetic principles.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
7.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the creative process.
7.2 Demonstrate knowledge of aesthetic principles.
7.4 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of arts and creative expression in societies.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

  1. Write all major and minor key signatures and scales, single melodies. Write chords, analyze patterns, transpose songs, and recognize primary chords.
  2. Musical dictation using aural skills.
  3. Interval recognition using aural skills.
  4. Music reading skills enhanced through piano playing.