GENERAL COURSE INFO
While Italian opera set the standard in the Baroque era, German composer George Frederic Handel quickly gained popularity for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel’s Messiah premiered in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and remains popular to this day. Harvard’s Thomas Forrest Kelly (Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music) guides learners through Messiah’s musical highlights, while detailing Handel’s composition process, the preparations and rehearsals, and the premiere performance.
Learners in this module of First Nights need not have any prior musical experience. In this unit, you will learn the basics of musical form and analysis, the genres and styles used in Messiah, the circumstances of its first performance, and its subsequent history.
This module will be the second of five modules currently in development, but it is the first to be completed. Other modules will include Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo", Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Berlioz' "Symphonie fantastique," and Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring." The Beethoven module is targeted for early January 2016, with the other three modules following by the summer. More details will follow on these other modules.
What type of computing environment do I need for this course?
The course was tested on recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
While it is possible to access the course on tablet and other mobile devices, some parts of the course do not function, and it is recommended that you take the course on a laptop or desktop in order to have full functionality.
What is the format of the class?
The class consists of lecture videos from Thomas Forrest Kelly, with a performance by the Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Lectures are followed by text and audio assessments.
What kind of assessments are there?
There are two main types of graded assessments in this course, and several types of ungraded assessments.
Graded assessments include comprehension questions and audio-based analysis questions. Comprehension questions are either multiple-choice questions, which have one correct answer, or checkbox questions, which have one or more correct answers.
Audio-based analyses will ask you to listen closely and answer questions that follow. Some will require you to arrange tiles in order or select from dropdown lists, while others will ask you to answer multiple-choice questions.
Ungraded assessments include discussion boards. These assignments are open-ended. While these are not required, these assignments allow you to engage with other students and will be moderated by a teaching fellow.
How do I navigate the course?
Start with “Courseware.” Click to open a section. Click on the “Lesson.” Click across icons on the “ribbon” to go through the material. Complete the work on each page. Each Lesson’s work will take one to two hours. You can adjust video play speed in the video player. You can turn the captions on and off, and download the transcripts and videos.
What do the blue clocks mean?
Everything that is graded has a blue clock icon next to it. If the item also has a deadline, that is listed right below.
How do I see the right answers?
‘Check’ will submit your answer for points. If you’re stumped you can click ‘show answer’, but you will forfeit your points. If you click ‘show answer’ before clicking ‘check’, you will receive 0 points.
How does grading work?
To pass this course, you will need to attain a course average of at least 60 percent. Students who pass the course will receive a certificate of completion. These certificates will be issued a few days after the course closes. The course closes on June 15th, at 12pm (EDT), so if you want a certificate you will need to have 60% or higher by that time.
Each assessment is worth points, and there is a Unit Quiz worth 25% of the final course score. There are also many more questions appearing after videos, etc. in the Lessons.
Will the text of the lectures be available?
Yes, transcripts of the course will be made available alongside each video. You can download the transcripts (and videos) by using the "Download" buttons directly under the lecture videos.
Are there assigned readings?
No. We of course encourage you to buy Professor Kelly's book, especially if you will be taking many modules in this series. It is available here.
How much does it cost to take the course?
The course is free, and all necessary materials will be provided. An Identity Verified Certificate is also available for $29.
Will certificates be awarded?
Yes. Online learners who achieve a passing grade in a course can earn an Honor Code certificate of mastery. These certificates will indicate you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific grade. Certificates will be issued by edX. Identity Verified Certificates are also available, but you must register for ID Verified Certificates prior to December 15th and then reach 60% completion by course close.
To pass this course, you will need to attain a course average of at least 60 percent. Students who pass the course will receive a certificate of completion. The ID Verified Certificates should be requested after course close, now scheduled for June 15th, at 12pm EDT, and all work for the certificate must be completed before that time.
Are there other courses in this this series?
Yes! Additional modules are under development for Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo," Beethoven's 9th Symphonie, Berlioz "Symphonie fantastique" and Stravinski's "Rite of Spring." You can sign up for these on edX.org. Beethoven will be available for sign-up soon. We will email you when the other modules are nearing completion.
What if I still have questions?
For Edx technical questions, please contact Edx technical support.
Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.