Music

The Major in Music—Thirteen courses, with grades of C- or better, are required. Students may choose either the general music major or one of three specialized tracks: American popular music, ethnomusicology/world music, or musical theater.

For all music majors, the following core of courses is required:

• M USC 113 . World Music

• MUSC 201 . Diatonic Harmonic Practice

• MUSC 202 . Chromatic Harmonic Practice

• MUSC 311 . The History of Western Music I

• MUSC 312 . The History of Western Music II

• MUSC 313 . Music of the 20 th Century

• A 400-level senior exercise (senior recital, project, thesis, presentation, or seminar)

In addition, there are specialized requirements for the general music major and for each of three optional tracks.

General Music Major

• Four elective courses in music, at least one from any oneof the following categories:

• Topics in world music: MUSC 214., MUSC215., MUSC216

• Topics in popular music: MUSC 117, 218, 224, 272, 274

• Music in culture and society: MUSC 150, 224

• At least four semesters of participation in department performance courses

• MUSC 420 . Advanced Topics in Music History

American Popular Music Track

• MUSC 218 . American Popular Music

• MUSC 224 . Music of Black American Women

• MUSC 274 . Jazz: 1900 to the Present

• One American studies course, 200-level or higher, approved in advance by the student’s adviser

• At least four semesters of participation in department performance courses.

Ethnomusicology/World Music Track

• MUSC 222 . Ethnomusicological Methods

• One other course in ethnomusicology

• One course in anthropology, approved in advance by the student’s adviser

• One course in a relevant geographical or cultural area, approved in advance by the student’s adviser

• At least four semesters of participation in MUSC 111. World Music Ensemble.

• Ethnomusicology-based senior project or thesis.

Musical Theater Track

• MUSC 272 . Contemporary Musical Theater

• MUSC 218 . American Popular Music or MUSC 274. Jazz: 1900 to the Present

• One course in acting, approved in advance by the student’s adviser

• One course in dance technique, approved in advance by the student’s adviser

• Participation in one musical theater production in each of four different semesters by means of enrollment in MUSC 119.

All music majors must work closely with their adviser to arrange for a proper choice of electives and sequencing of courses. Students contemplating the major should, if possible, take MUSC 101 in the first year; MUSC 201, 202, and 311 in the sophomore year; and MUSC 312 and 313 in the junior year.

Credit for musical performance will be granted in the following courses: MUSC 102, 105, 107, 109, 111, 119, and 407. All these except the last invite repeated enrollment; simultaneous enrollment in these courses may not exceed one course credit. No more than two course credits in musical performance may be counted toward fulfillment of the credit-requirement for the major in music (MUSC 407 is not subject to this restriction).

The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled by one of the following courses:

• MUSC 222. Investigating Music and Culture

• MUSC 224. The Music of Black American Women

• MUSC 311. The History of Western Music I

• MUSC 312. The History of Western Music II

Cognate Courses—Because of the diversity inherent in the discipline, study, and practice of music, it is difficult to isolate specific courses or areas as being preferentially cognate. For example, those students interested in music’s relations to other performing arts would be directed towards courses in theater and dance; those concerned with music as a force in society might consider courses in anthropology, educational studies, or international studies; those fascinated by music’s acoustical properties or its application to computers should investigate courses in physics, mathematics, or engineering; those pursuing liturgy-related studies should seek courses in religion. Appropriate cognate courses should be determined in consultation with the adviser at the time a student decides to declare the major.

Particularly helpful to any music major’s curriculum would be an understanding of foreign languages (especially Spanish, German, French, Italian, or Latin) and a basic grounding in world history.

Honor s—Honors in music are awarded based on distinguished performance in the major, as evaluated by the entire music faculty.

The Minor in Music―The minor in music is designed to introduce students to a range of topics in music that includes the fundamentals of music theory as well as traditions in world, Western, and American popular music. Students who elect the minor in music will also perform in one of the department’s numerous ensembles for at least two semesters.

The minor consists of six courses:

• One course in music practices and musicianship (MUSC 101 or 201)

• One course in music history and literature or repertoire and listening (MUSC 121, 164, 166)

• One course in music’s intersection with culture, class, gender, or politics (MUSC 113, 150, 215, 218, 219, 223, 224, 274)

• Two elective courses in the department, approved by the chair

• Two semesters of performance activities.

Students may pursue a track in either world music or American popular music within the minor. The track in world music consists of the following courses: MUSC 101 or 201; MUSC 121, 164, or 166; MUSC 113; two among MUSC 215, 219, 221, and 222; and two semesters of performance in a world music ensemble. The track in American popular music consists of the following courses: MUSC 101 or 201;MUSC 121, 164, or 166; MUSC 218, 224, and 274; and two semesters of performance activities.