Here are some answers to questions frequently asked by students in my classes.

How do I Study

Much new material is covered in the class, much more that it would be reasonable to have you remember. The exams will consist of short essay answers. A useful technique would be to attempt to grasp the broad concepts and patterns of cultural change and diffusion and then to use whatever detailed information you can remember to serve as illustrations. Thus you should remember those specific details, particular artists, genres, cultures, which will help you to make clearer your understanding of the principles in the exams.

 

What's the exam going to be like?

 

• Mid term and final will consist of three or four short essay questions for which you will be asked not to write answers which exceed the space which will be provided on the exam sheets themselves. No blue books or extra paper will be needed.

  How well you express yourselves and how well you can organize your ideas will be the primary factors in the evaluation of your work, that is, of course, if its legible.

   

How much music do I need to know?

 

• These courses are not designed for music majors or for people who have music training, although such people do sometimes take myt classes. I like to treat music as an important aspect of human cultural expression. We all listen to music and I try to help with ways to think about it as well. I frequently give one or two musical examples to hear in each exam. In such cases you will need to think about the context of the music, what were the social, political and economic factors that had an effect on its development.

   

Does it matter if I miss many classes?

 

• Don't even think about it. More than two absences will begin to be reflected by lowering of the final grade.

   

I am on a team and have to miss some classes.

 

• Provide me with a schedule of your team's out of town games or a note from the coach telling me which days you will be required to be away. That will take care of these absences.

   

last updated 1.22.04