Posted: September 13th, 2017

Discussion Post

Discussion Post

write out the discussion posts for the class this week.

A significant amount of emphasis is placed on the discussion forums. I feel this is necessary in order to simulate the kind of group discussion that occurs in a traditional classroom. For this to work in an online setting, we must have meaningful dialogue. This means providing:
• A substantial initial posting (at least two or three paragraphs) that fully answers the question(s) presented.
• Questions and/or commentary in response to at least two classmates’ postings. (These responses should add to the dialogue. In other words, a two-word response consisting of “I agree” is not sufficient.)
Completeness: The extent to which the student fully answers the relevant question(s) and provides meaningful comments on the contributions of at least two classmates.
• Insightfulness and Originality: The extent to which the student’s contribution demonstrates thoughtfulness and an individual perspective that is somewhat unique.
• Professional Rapport: The extent to which the student’s conduct in discussions is professional in nature: articulate and clear, polite and empathetic, yet engaged in scholarly debate.

Here is the discussion post;

Like their Baroque counterparts before them, Classical composers sought ways to achieve both unity and variety in their works.  This may be observed in the four Classical forms we read about this week – sonata form, theme and variations, minuet and trio, and rondo.  For each form, the ebook provides an example with an accompanying listening outline: Mozart’s  Symphony No. 40 – first movement (sonata form); Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 – second movement (theme and variations); Mozart’s EinekleineNachtmusic – third movement (minuet and trio); and Beethoven’s String Quartet in C Minor – fourth movement (rondo form).

In addition to unity and variety, Classical composers were also concerned with clarity of structure.  After completing this week’s reading and listening outlines, do you feel that these forms are clear to you?  Is it relatively easy to follow the structure of each piece?  Are some pieces easier to follow than others?  If so, why?