Course Description
This course will focus on the groundbreaking rock band known as the Beatles. Though there will be some discussion of historical and sociological context, the main focus will be on their music. Students will learn about the chronology of the Beatles' recorded works, the distinctions (and similarities) among the works and chronological periods in the group's life, the roles of the primary and secondary instruments used in their music, and how the individuals in the band approached these instruments. Through reading and listening to recordings, students will become familiar with the full scope of their work, while also examining their influences, their contemporaries, and the subsequent solo work of the band's members. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will gain an understanding of:
- Discuss the styles, roles and evolution of the following instruments in the Beatles’ music (including the ability to aurally identify each instrument and, where applicable, the way these instruments interact with one another):
- vocals (lead and background)
- acoustic guitar
- electric guitar
- bass
- piano
- electric and electronic keyboards
- drum set
- horns (saxophone, trumpet, etc.)
- strings
- Identify the basic structures and principles that factor into the creation and evolution of the Beatles’ music and rock in general, including:
- song form
- arrangement and orchestration
- the rhythm section
- improvisation
- reciprocal influences with other artists and other forms of music (including classical, jazz, blues, ethnic music, and so on)
- Discuss the style, historical/musical significance and primary contributions of:
- John Lennon
- Paul McCartney
- George Harrison
- Ringo Starr
- George Martin
- Discuss the lyrical style of the Beatles, including the evolution of their use of such elements as:
- word choices
- imagery
- rhyme scheme
- lyrical content and subject matter
- Cite the general significance and style of several other significant rock artists and groups whose music intersected with that of the Beatles, including the following:
- Lonnie Donnegan
- Chuck Berry
- Smokey Robinson
- Bob Dylan
- The Rolling Stones
- The Beach Boys
- The Bee Gees
- Analyze the elements in SLOs 1, 2 and 4 when writing about musical recordings.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussion Board (Weeks 1-8) | 45% |
Comparative Essays (Weeks 2, 4 & 6) | 30% |
Final Project (Week 7) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle
- Textbook: Womack, Kenneth (2007). Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles ISBN-10: 0826417469 or ISBN-13: 9780826417466
- DVD or streaming service: A Hard Day's Night, 1964
- Playlist of songs available online on Spotify.
Additional Resources
- Access to Spotify (see Additional Information below)
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Reading and Listening Assignments | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Topic: Introduction; The Beatles' Early Days and The Beatles' First Recordings
|
|
2 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Topics: The Sound Develops and Consolidating Their Identity
|
|
3 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Topic: Songwriting Takes Center Stage and Full Maturity
|
|
4 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 | Topics: The Cutting Edge and Sgt. Pepper
|
|
5 | 1,2,3,4,6 | Topics: More Experimentation, White Album and More Eclecticism
|
|
6 | 1,2,3,4,6 | Topics: White Album, Part 2 and The Beginning of the End
|
|
7 | 1,2,3,4,6 | Topics: The End, Solo Work of the Individual Beatles and The Beatles' Influence on Other Artists
|
|
8 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Topic: Discussion of Final Projects (read, comment, Q&A)
|
|
Additional Information
The listening examples you will be expected to study for class assignments can be found in a playlist on Spotify (www.spotify.com). Spotify "Premium" (which costs approximately $10/month) allows for an ad-free environment and the capacity to listen to the tracks offline without purchasing them. However, the free version of Spotify is also fully-functional for the purposes of this class if you can handle some commercials and are doing your listening from a web-connected computer (note that on a mobile device you can only listen in Shuffle Mode with the free version of Spotify, which won’t allow you to hear the tunes you need on demand). The course playlist can be found, depending on whether you have the Spotify program/app installed or are using it in a browser, at either:
https://open.spotify.com/user/noahbaerman/playlist/3pShEcmS9FPlFh0k4XXMZ4 OR spotify:playlist:3pShEcmS9FPlFh0k4XXMZ4
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.