The students are usually at very different skill levels, and each must work to improve their writing skills against traditional standards. I teach under the firm belief that data collection alone is useless. Data must be related to artistic developmental trends. These classes require students to relate activities from one or more stylistic periods. Specifics about composers and compositions are less important than the cause and result of these individuals and their works.
Discussion dominates the lecture time.
Several short papers and a term project are used to award grades. I use email discussion groups to discuss related topics. Students are invited to dialogue with the rest of the class at their own convenience. These classes require self-motivation by the students to become active performers, technicians, or producers. There are no writing assignments.