25-04 Liturgical Music: A Historical, Musical, and Pastoral Survey

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Liturgical Music: A Historical, Musical, and Pastoral Survey examines the historical and compositional trajectory of liturgical music with an eye toward its pastoral applications, from early Christian communities to the Church of today. We will listen to repertoire illustrating the various stages within this evolution while learning to analyze and comment on it from musical, liturgical, and pastoral perspectives. We will explore the ways in which the Church has responded to the developments in liturgical music, and we will consider the impact of these responses on liturgical music ministry in parish settings today. The lectures are constructed in such a way that students of all disciplinary backgrounds will be able to engage the material. In other words, no assumptions will be made regarding previous musical, historical, or theological training.

Course Content

Unit 1: Music of the Biblical and Early Christian Communities

Unit 2: Liturgical Music of the Medieval and Early Renaissance Periods

Unit 3: Liturgical Music of the Late Renaissance, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, and the Baroque Eras

Unit 4: Liturgical Music of the Classical and Romantic Eras

Unit 5: Liturgical Music Following the Second Vatican Council

Course Format

• Six weeks in duration; first week for orientation.
• Up to 20 students in each course.
• Video lectures with text transcripts available.
• Supplemental readings are provided to encourage further exploration, internet links provided for all readings.
• Written assignments (200-250) required.
• Facilitator-moderated weekly Zoom sessions with participants.

Participation Requirements

• View or read the lecture for each unit.
• Read assigned texts; keep notes, questions, and comments for class discussions.
• Answer weekly discussion question. 
• Respond to weekly unit assignment.
• Attend weekly Zoom for each unit. If you cannot attend, you can still meet the participation requirements.
• Complete the course evaluation.

Time Expectations

3 to 5 hours per week, depending on your learning style and schedule.

Course Certificate

An electronic certificate of completion awarding 30 contact hours will be available in course when completing all course requirements.

Area: Liturgy