Music History
The UALR Music History area addresses a variety of musics and cultures, both Western and non-Western. Our Introduction to Music course (MUHL 2305) is an important part of the UALR Core required of almost all UALR students, providing breadth of knowledge and depth of experience in music and aesthetics, an introduction to the creative process and history of musical styles.
Students who wish to earn credit by examination in music history rather than taking the core course Introduction to Music should consult the information at the UALR Office of Testing Services under “Music.” Departmental Examination Program. The examination is administered by Dr. Rolf Groesbeck.
MUHL 2305 Introduction to Music
Recommended prerequisite: RHET 1311. Introduction to the creative process and history of music, vocabulary and descriptive terms used in the musical arts, and how to write about them. Attendance at arts events is required. Students will learn through writing, reading, discussing, listening, and participating in critical thinking and problem‐solving activities. Fulfills core requirement in aesthetics along with ARHA 2305 or DRTH 2305. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3322 Survey of Western Art Music
Prerequisite: MUHL 2305. A survey of the development of Western art music from antiquity to the present, and an introduction to selected non‐Western traditions, with emphasis on the study of music literature through recordings.
MUHL 3381 American Music
Prerequisite: MUHL 2305 or consent of instructor. A study of American musical traditions of the last four centuries, including classical, ragtime, jazz, blues, slave music, spirituals, gospel, musical theatre, white Protestant, popular, rock, American Indian, and country. Satisfies music literature requirement for music
majors and minors. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3370 History of the Blues
A comprehensive study of the origins and development, as well as the evolution, of blues forms from their origins to their present state. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3351 The History of Rock
A study of the evolution of rock music from its pre‐rock origins to the present. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3361 Jazz History and Styles
Prerequisite: MUHL 2305, 3341, or consent of instructor. A study of the development and styles of jazz music and its principal exponents. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3371 Non-Western Music
Prerequisite: MUHL 2305 or consent of instructor. A study of selected areas of world music outside Europe and North America through a variety of approaches: playing the music, clapping or singing, listening, studying it in its cultural context. Satisfies music literature requirement for music majors and minors. Three
credit hours.
Music History 3322, Survey of Western Art Music and Music History 3341 survey the development of music in western civilization from antiquity to present. Emphasis is placed on the study of music literature through scores and recordings.
MUHL 3331 Music History I
Prerequisites: MUHL 2305, MUTH 2381. A survey of the development of music in western civilization from antiquity to 1750, with emphasis on the study of music literature through scores and recordings. Three credit hours.
MUHL 3341 Music History II
Prerequisites: MUHL 3331, MUTH 2391. A continuation of Music History I. A survey of music in Western civilization from 1750 to the present. Three credit hours.
Please consult the undergraduate catalog under “Music Department” for a full listing of courses.