Z401: The Music of The Beatles

Dr. Glenn Gass

Indiana University -- School of Music


An in-depth, song-by-song look at the music, lives and times of this extraordinary group and songwriting partnership. Offered at Indiana University since 1982, the course focuses on the Beatles' music and is aimed at heightening student listening skills as well as fostering a deeper appreciation for the Beatles' remarkable recordings. The music is supplemented by a multimedia course companion that provides biographical information, audio and video clips and a closer look at the Beatles' songwriting and recording process.

Fall 2009

Tues & Thurs 7:00 - 9:00 in Ballantine Hall 013


Instructor: Dr. Glenn Gass, Sycamore 139, 855-9460; Email: GASS@INDIANA.EDU

Grading Assistant: Kelsey McCardle, Email: kelmcard@indiana.edu


Required text: "The Beatles" by Bob Spitz

Recommended Text: "The Beatles" by Hunter Davies

Listening: The Beatle albums are on reserve at the School of Music Library and at the Media Center in the Main Library


COURSE GRADES will be based on four exams, all of equal weight.

No make-ups will be given without a documented and officially sanctioned excuse. Instead, students who must miss an exam will take a comprehensive makeup exam at the end of the semester, following the final exam. This option is also available to students who wish to use the makeup to take the place of a lower exam score (it cannot hurt your grade).

The course grade is determined entirely by the results of the best four scores from the five exams (including the comprehensive make-up). The grading scale is fixed and must remain so in a class this size in the interest of fairness. All requests to "round up" a score or receive extra credit will be regretfully declined. The grading scale is:


Fall 2009 test dates:


LAPTOPS, Texting, Twittering, etc. will not be allowed in class. I apologize for this but the use of laptops and online devices of any sort has proven to be too much of a distraction.

Final note: I am no happier about our late exam date than you are, but there is nothing we can do to change it. Please keep it in mind and do not make plans to leave Bloomington until after the exam(!)

Grades will be available via the "Post 'Em" link on our class Oncourse site.


  • Beatles In London: Summer IU Office of Overseas Studies course

  • Music in General Studies homepage

  • Beatle Sites in England:


    Some WWW Beatle links:


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