本課程探討音樂美學的定義和其與西方古典音樂傳統的關係。我們縱觀音樂美學的歷史、文化背景，及主要藝術家、作曲家、文人、哲學家。本課程分為三部份。我們首先細讀19世紀著名樂評Hanslick 的著作《論音樂的美》，一本常被誤解的、音樂美學史上的重要著作。我們接著討論浪漫主義、浪漫精神與音樂美學的關聯；讀本包括Schumann 及多位當代文人（如Jean Paul, ETA Hofmann）的作品。本課程結束於現代音樂：討論哲學家Adorno，與20世紀作曲家（如Debussy, Stravinsky）如何將現代音樂中前衛的元素與音樂美學的轉變相連結。

This course explores the definition of music aesthetics and its relationship with Western classical music traditions. We are accustomed to the historical and cultural background of music aesthetics, as well as major artists, composers, literati and philosophers. This course is divided into three parts. First, we read Hanslick's famous music review of the 19th century, "The Beauty of Music", an important work in the history of musical aesthetics that is often misunderstood. We then discuss the relationship between romanticism, romantic spirit and musical aesthetics; the book includes the works of Schumann and many contemporary literati such as Jean Paul, ETA Hofmann. This course ends in Modern Music: Discussing how philosopher Adorno, who connects 20th-century composers such as Debussy and Stravinsky, connects the avant-garde elements of modern music with the transformation of musical aesthetics.

Hanslick, Eduard. The Beautiful in Music. Trans. Gustav Cohen. New York: Da Capo Press, 1974.
Lesure, François. Ed. Debussy on Music. Trans. Richard Langham Smith. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1977.
Stravinsky, Igor. Poetics of Music. Trans. Arthur Knodel and Ingolf Dahl. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1970.
Strunk, Oliver. Ed. Source Readings in Music History. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.

Hanslick, Eduard. The Beautiful in Music. Trans. Gustav Cohen. New York: Da Capo Press, 1974.
Lesure, François. Ed. Debussy on Music. Trans. Richard Langham Smith. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1977.
Stravinsky, Igor. Poetics of Music. Trans. Arthur Knodel and Ingolf Dahl. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1970.
Strunk, Oliver. Ed. Source Readings in Music History. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.