First-Year Seminar -
The Phenomena of Genius:
The Case of Mozart

 
Course Description
Historical figures, including musical geniuses, come alive in print and on film.  This writing-intensive course examines music’s foremost genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Our discussion begins with a viewing of the 1984 Academy-Award-winning film, Amadeus.  Using Mozart’s life to initiate debate, we then move to the larger questions:  What is genius?  Are geniuses born or made?  How do composers create?  Are geniuses mad?  Drawing from the readings and Mozart’s letters, we will make thoughtful analyses of the issues as we grapple with the phenomena of genius. 

Course Objectives
First-year seminars are small, discussion-oriented courses that introduce you to the life of the mind, to what it means to think critically and write analytically.  You will have an opportunity to work closely with me and your peers as we explore and write about genius and Mozart.  To write is to think!  To write is also to find your own voice.  You will learn how to generate an idea, develop it, and support it with evidence.  In short, you will move beyond unsubstantiated opinion to thoughtful conclusions.  Your brain should hurt!

Content and Process
The course includes reading, writing, and discussion.  The pacing of the course depends on you.  It is more important for us to think, write, and talk than it is to cover a certain amount of material.  I encourage you to enjoy this flexibility.

You are expected to engage in lively discussion!  Writing assignments may result from class discussion, so listen carefully and participate.

The remainder of the course documents may be found on Blackboard and are available to Muhlenberg students only.  Access these documents here.