Courses

To see a complete list of courses offered and their descriptions, visit the online course catalog.

The courses listed below are provided by Student Information Services (SIS). This listing provides a snapshot of immediately available courses within this department and may not be complete. Course registration information is available on the SIS website.

Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.

Rudiments of Music Theory and Musicianship
AS.376.111 (01)

This course introduces written and aural music fundamentals including notation, scales, intervals, chords, rhythm, meter and sight-singing. Students will compose melodies and short pieces and complete listening projects. Course does not count towards the completion of the minor.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
  • Instructor: Perry, Lisa M
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Rudiments of Music Theory and Musicianship
AS.376.111 (02)

This course introduces written and aural music fundamentals including notation, scales, intervals, chords, rhythm, meter and sight-singing. Students will compose melodies and short pieces and complete listening projects. Course does not count towards the completion of the minor.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 9:00AM - 9:50AM
  • Instructor: Perry, Lisa M
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 5/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Music Theory I
AS.376.211 (01)

Introduction to basic principles of tonal music through listening, analysis and music making. Students study melody, harmony, voice leading, figured bass and dissonance treatment, and will also undertake short composition projects. Must have taken the qualifying examination or AS.376.111. Recommended to be taken concurrently with AS.376.221.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 11:00AM - 11:50AM
  • Instructor: Cornelius, Nathaniel B
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 10/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Music Theory I
AS.376.211 (02)

Introduction to basic principles of tonal music through listening, analysis and music making. Students study melody, harmony, voice leading, figured bass and dissonance treatment, and will also undertake short composition projects. Must have taken the qualifying examination or AS.376.111. Recommended to be taken concurrently with AS.376.221.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
  • Instructor: Rickelton, Michael T
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 1/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Music Theory II
AS.376.212 (01)

This course continues the aural and written work of the previous course, but focuses on chromatic harmony while continuing the study of melody, counterpoint, and figured bass. Prerequisite: Music Theory I.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MWF 12:00PM - 12:50PM
  • Instructor: Cornelius, Nathaniel B
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 7/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Musicianship I
AS.376.221 (01)

An introduction to basic musicianship skills. The course is divided into performance skills (sight singing, rhythm reading, basic piano, and improvisation) and aural skills (recognition of pitch, chords, rhythms, melodies, and other musical structures). Topics include major and minor keys and simple time signatures. Emphasis is placed on developing effective practice techniques. Pre-requisite: AS.376.111 (Rudiments of Music Theory and Musicianship) or placement exam.

  • Credits: 2.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:20PM
  • Instructor: Fishbein, Joshua H (Josh)
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 7/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Musicianship II
AS.376.222 (01)

A continuation of the skills developed Musicianship I. The course is divided into performance skills (sight singing, rhythm reading, basic piano, and improvisation) and aural skills (recognition of pitch, chords, rhythms, melodies, and other musical structures). Topics include minor keys, chromatic melody and harmony, compound time signatures, and syncopation). As in Musicianship I, emphasis is placed on developing effective practice techniques. Pre-requisite: AS.376.221 (Musicianship I) or placement exam.

  • Credits: 2.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 2:30PM - 3:20PM
  • Instructor: Fishbein, Joshua H (Josh)
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 6/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Western Classical Music
AS.376.231 (01)

This course offers an introduction to music of the Western “classical” tradition through the study of a select number of works written over the course of the last four hundred years. In examining these musical works, all of which were remarkable for their time and which many still value today, we will consider their identity both as timeless aesthetic objects and as particular moments in cultural history. We will frame our work within the historical, philosophical, and political contexts of the time, and more recent critical assessments will help us evaluate the circumstances that have shaped reception of this repertoire over the past four centuries. In addition to the works and composers treated in our textbook, we will supplement our study throughout the semester with a consideration of the lives and works of individuals whose stories are less well-known. Ultimately, we will work to understand the particular challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities related to continued engagement with so-called “classical” music in the 21st century. Close attention is given to techniques of musical listening, and to details of first performances, with a consideration of the problems involved in assembling such a picture. No previous knowledge of musical notation or terminology is required. 3 credits.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 1:00PM - 1:50PM
  • Instructor: Giarusso, Richard J
  • Room: Shaffer 202 Shriver Hall 028G
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 7/20
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Western Classical Music
AS.376.231 (02)

This course offers an introduction to music of the Western “classical” tradition through the study of a select number of works written over the course of the last four hundred years. In examining these musical works, all of which were remarkable for their time and which many still value today, we will consider their identity both as timeless aesthetic objects and as particular moments in cultural history. We will frame our work within the historical, philosophical, and political contexts of the time, and more recent critical assessments will help us evaluate the circumstances that have shaped reception of this repertoire over the past four centuries. In addition to the works and composers treated in our textbook, we will supplement our study throughout the semester with a consideration of the lives and works of individuals whose stories are less well-known. Ultimately, we will work to understand the particular challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities related to continued engagement with so-called “classical” music in the 21st century. Close attention is given to techniques of musical listening, and to details of first performances, with a consideration of the problems involved in assembling such a picture. No previous knowledge of musical notation or terminology is required. 3 credits.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 2:00PM - 2:50PM
  • Instructor: Giarusso, Richard J
  • Room: Shaffer 202 Shriver Hall 028G
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 15/20
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Electronic Music Production
AS.376.244 (01)

Students will be introduced to electronic music production techniques and software, and how both can be used to produce a wide range of genre specific results. Skills such as beat matching, intricate use of quantization, virtual instrument editing, automation, sampling, mixing, mastering, effect usage and use of plugins will be explored.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: Th 10:00AM - 12:30PM
  • Instructor: Patrick, Wendel W (Wendel)
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Electronic Music Production
AS.376.244 (02)

Students will be introduced to electronic music production techniques and software, and how both can be used to produce a wide range of genre specific results. Skills such as beat matching, intricate use of quantization, virtual instrument editing, automation, sampling, mixing, mastering, effect usage and use of plugins will be explored.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: F 10:00AM - 12:30PM
  • Instructor: Patrick, Wendel W (Wendel)
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Introduction to Sound, Audio, and Recording Arts
AS.376.245 (01)

In this course we will undertake a comprehensive survey of sound, audio and the related technology. While covering sound recording from an historical perspective, we'll touch on related material in physics, music, psychology and acoustics. In lab exercises and assignments, students will have the opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment as practical applications of the lecture material are explored. Assignments will include critical listening, in addition to basic recording, editing and mixing of audio. The course will culminate in a comprehensive final project.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AM
  • Instructor: Stella, Andrew Robert
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G Shaffer 202
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/14
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Jazz History
AS.376.252 (01)

The primary focus of this course is a survey, investigation, and study of jazz music and how it shaped American history from its origins to current times. Upon completion of this course students will be able to: discuss why jazz is important, both musically and culturally; learn the nuances of a new art form; demonstrate that jazz is a huge part of American heritage; explore parallels between jazz and both American and world history; and become a receptive and knowledgeable audience for jazz.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM
  • Instructor: Sims, Ian K
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): n/a

World Music & Cultures
AS.376.334 (01)

The general purpose of this course is to introduce students to the scholarly study of traditional, popular, and classical music from around the world through reading, discussion, close listening of recordings, and observation of ethnographic and commercial films. We will be primarily concerned with using music as a lens through which to better understand cultural concepts including diaspora, religion, colonialism, creolization, and tradition. Area case studies will include India, East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 6:00PM - 8:30PM
  • Instructor: Scally, William Donawerth
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 1/12
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Beethoven and the Transformation of Musical Style
AS.376.336 (01)

A survey course focusing on the life and music of Ludwig van Beethoven, whose compositions transformed and revolutionized music of the 19th century. Students will become acquainted with Beethoven's major works, including piano sonatas, string quartets, and symphonies. No previous musical background is necessary. NOTE: The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
  • Instructor: Ahn, Suhnne
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/16
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Powerful Women in Opera
AS.376.344 (01)

Many opera scholars have noted that opera abuses its female characters. Many operatic heroines die, whether from violent acts or chronic diseases. However, women in opera also wield great power through their voices as ambitious queens, cunning servants, magical beings, and femmes fatales. In this course we will examine how these female characters operate through explorations of the operas’ historical context, their texts and scores, and modern performance practice. Spanning from the 17th to 21st centuries, the repertoire studied in this class will provide an introduction to opera history. At the same time, we will delve deeply into different ways to do close analyses of opera through the lens of gender, reading the work of such thinkers as Carolyn Abbate, Naomi Andre, Adriana Caverero, Catherine Clément, and Wayne Koestenbaum.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 3:00PM - 5:30PM
  • Instructor: Kass, Lily T
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Open
  • Seats Available: 9/12
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Topics in Music Cognition
AS.376.372 (01)

This course explores the similarities and differences between music and language, the effects of musical training on cognitive development, and the expressive power of music, with an introduction to music and its role in film. We will read relevant research and theory on these topics from cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, musicology, and philosophical perspectives.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: M 3:00PM - 5:30PM
  • Instructor: Lopez-Gonzalez, Monica
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): COGS-COGPSY, NEUR-ST, NEUR-CG

Topics in Music Cognition
AS.376.372 (02)

This course explores the similarities and differences between music and language, the effects of musical training on cognitive development, and the expressive power of music, with an introduction to music and its role in film. We will read relevant research and theory on these topics from cognitive science, neuroscience, psychology, musicology, and philosophical perspectives.

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: T 3:00PM - 5:30PM
  • Instructor: Lopez-Gonzalez, Monica
  • Room: Shaffer 202  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/15
  • PosTag(s): COGS-COGPSY, NEUR-ST, NEUR-CG

History of Musical Instruments
AS.376.404 (01)

The history, technology, and performance of Western European musical instruments, their precursors, and their non-western counterparts, addressed by experts and explored on visits to historic collections. Recommended prerequisite: AS.376.231 "Western Classical Music".

  • Credits: 3.00
  • Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
  • Days/Times: W 11:00AM - 2:00PM
  • Instructor: Scott, Nathan William, Weiss, Susan Forscher (Susan)
  • Room: Shriver Hall 028G  
  • Status: Waitlist Only
  • Seats Available: 0/6
  • PosTag(s): n/a

Course # (Section) Title Day/Times Instructor Room PosTag(s) Info
AS.376.111 (01)Rudiments of Music Theory and MusicianshipTTh 9:00AM - 10:15AMPerry, Lisa MShaffer 202
 
AS.376.111 (02)Rudiments of Music Theory and MusicianshipMWF 9:00AM - 9:50AMPerry, Lisa MShriver Hall 028G
 
AS.376.211 (01)Music Theory IMWF 11:00AM - 11:50AMCornelius, Nathaniel BShaffer 202
 
AS.376.211 (02)Music Theory ITTh 10:30AM - 11:45AMRickelton, Michael TShaffer 202
 
AS.376.212 (01)Music Theory IIMWF 12:00PM - 12:50PMCornelius, Nathaniel BShaffer 202
 
AS.376.221 (01)Musicianship ITTh 1:30PM - 2:20PMFishbein, Joshua H (Josh)Shriver Hall 028G
 
AS.376.222 (01)Musicianship IITTh 2:30PM - 3:20PMFishbein, Joshua H (Josh)Shriver Hall 028G
 
AS.376.231 (01)Western Classical MusicMW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 1:00PM - 1:50PMGiarusso, Richard JShaffer 202
Shriver Hall 028G
AS.376.231 (02)Western Classical MusicMW 9:00AM - 9:50AM, F 2:00PM - 2:50PMGiarusso, Richard JShaffer 202
Shriver Hall 028G
AS.376.244 (01)Electronic Music ProductionTh 10:00AM - 12:30PMPatrick, Wendel W (Wendel)Shriver Hall 028G
 
AS.376.244 (02)Electronic Music ProductionF 10:00AM - 12:30PMPatrick, Wendel W (Wendel)Shriver Hall 028G
 
AS.376.245 (01)Introduction to Sound, Audio, and Recording ArtsMW 10:00AM - 10:50AM, F 10:00AM - 10:50AMStella, Andrew RobertShriver Hall 028G
Shaffer 202
AS.376.252 (01)Jazz HistoryMW 1:30PM - 2:45PMSims, Ian KShaffer 202
 
AS.376.334 (01)World Music & CulturesW 6:00PM - 8:30PMScally, William DonawerthShaffer 202
 
AS.376.336 (01)Beethoven and the Transformation of Musical StyleTTh 1:30PM - 2:45PMAhn, SuhnneShaffer 202
 
AS.376.344 (01)Powerful Women in OperaW 3:00PM - 5:30PMKass, Lily TShaffer 202
 
AS.376.372 (01)Topics in Music CognitionM 3:00PM - 5:30PMLopez-Gonzalez, MonicaShaffer 202
 		COGS-COGPSY, NEUR-ST, NEUR-CG
AS.376.372 (02)Topics in Music CognitionT 3:00PM - 5:30PMLopez-Gonzalez, MonicaShaffer 202
 		COGS-COGPSY, NEUR-ST, NEUR-CG
AS.376.404 (01)History of Musical InstrumentsW 11:00AM - 2:00PMScott, Nathan William, Weiss, Susan Forscher (Susan)Shriver Hall 028G