B.A. in Humanities: Music Theory/Musicology
See the BA in Humanities: Music Theory/Musicology Advising Worksheet.
Music theory involves the scholarly study of music from a structural perspective: the how and why of the actual notes on the page and the sounds that result. Musicology involves the scholarly study of music in terms of historical, social, and ethnographic aspects. Music theorists and musicologists do original research of music of many different styles, genres, and periods and write and publish papers and books on these subjects.
The student in enrolled in music theory or musicology as a concentration area will take four semesters of coursework in music theory and music history, perform in university ensembles, and receive two semesters of private one-on-one lessons in an instrumental area or composition with faculty. The program culminates in the research and completion of a scholarly paper. The research area and topic will be chosen in close consultation and guidance by faculty.
Degree Requirements
- You must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, of which 100 must be in the Arts and Sciences.
- You must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on 4.0 scale. A course taken to fulfill requirements of the major must be completed with a grade of C or better, and the grade point average for all courses in the major must be C (2.0) or better.
- A minimum of 36 credits must be in courses at the 300 and 400 levels.
- You must complete a minimum of 24 credits at Indiana University East, and at least 15 credits in the major must be completed at Indiana University East.
General Education (39 cr)
Composition & Communication (9)
- ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition I
- Choose one secondary Composition course:
- Choose one Communication course:
- SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
- CMCL-C 223 Business Communication
College-level Mathematics (3)
Natural Science & Mathematics (9)
- Choose one Natural Science with lab:
Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Biology, Physical Geography
- Choose enough additional Natural Science or Mathematics courses to complete 9 credits
(The course used for the College-Level Mathematics requirement above may not be used for this requirement)
Humanities & Fine Arts (9)
- Choose 9 credits from at least 2 of the following disciplines:
Fine Art, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, English, Theater, Music, Foreign Language, Telecommunications.
(Only one studio course)
Behavioral & Social Sciences (9)
- Choose 9 credits from at least 2 of the following disciplines:
Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Social Geography (G110 and higher), Criminal Justice
Additional Requirements (15-17 cr)
First-Year Seminar (0-2)
Students entering the program with less than 12 credit hours of transferable credit are required to complete the First Year Seminar (UCOL-U 101).Information Literacy (0)
- Satisfied by MUS-K 361 below.
World Languages & Cultures (12)
This requirement may be met by our World Language courses in one of the following ways:
- Four courses in sequence in a single non-English language
- Three non-English language courses (with at least two in sequence) and one culture course taught in English
- Two courses in sequence in two different non-English languages (totaling 4 courses)
- Two courses in seqeuence in one non-English language and two culture courses taught in English.
Senior Project (3)
Final Research Paper and Work Portfolio
Music Theory / Musicology Concentration (52 cr)
Core Courses: Music Theory (16)
- MUS-T 101 Introduction to Music - Remedial prerequisite if needed.
- MUS-T 113 Music Theory I
- MUS-T 114 Music Theory II
- MUS-T 115 Sight-Singing and Aural Perception I
- MUS-T 116 Sight-Singing and Aural Perception II
- MUS-T 213 Music Theory III
- MUS-T 214 Music Theory IV
- MUS-T 215 Sight-Singing and Aural Perception III
- MUS-T 216 Sight-Singing and Aural Perception IV
Core Courses: Music History & Literature (16)
- MUS-I 101 Literature and Structure I
- MUS-I 102 Literature and Structure II
- MUS-M 403 History of Music I
- MUS-M 404 History of Music II
- MUS-M 450 Music of the 20th Century I (PENDING)
- MUS-M 451 Music of the 20th Century II (PENDING)
Music Theory / Musicology Track (30)
- MUS-T 450 Post-Tonal Theory (PENDING)
- Directed Study in Theory and/or Musicology (27 credits)
Other Requirements
- MUS-P 110 Beginning Piano Class - Remedial prerequisite if needed.
- MUS-V 101 Beginning Voice Class - Remedial prerequisite if needed.
- MUS-K 361 Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music
- Music Electives (as needed, 200 level or higher)
- Applied Instrumental / Vocal or Composition Instruction (2 semesters minimum)
- Performance Class or Composition Workshop (while in applied area instruction)
- Ensemble (4 semesters minimum with at least 2 enrolled in Chorus, MUS-X 070)
- Final Research Thesis
- Capstone Project: Work Portfolio
The student must complete a minimum of two semesters of private, applied instruction in performance and/or composition at the concentration level (300 level). In addition, the student will enroll concurrently in either performance class or composition workshop as appropriate. The student must also complete at least two semesters of ensemble. Applied lesson, ensemble, and performance or composition workshop credits will not be counted in the concentration area credit total but will be counted overall toward degree completion.
As determined by the primary music advisor and director of music studies any remedial or prerequisite music theory and music history courses, noted above, must be taken before enrolling in the primary music theory and music history course sequences. Remedial or prerequisite courses will not count toward the concentration area total but will count toward overall degree completion.
MUS-K361 Introduction to MIDI and Computer Music will satisfy the computer literacy requirement and will replace CSCI-A110 within the general education framework.
Music electives will be counted toward area requirements only at the 200 level or higher. Electives will be chosen in consultation with the primary area advisor or the director of music studies.
During the final semester of the program, the student will enroll in an undergraduate readings course either in music theory or musicology. This course is an independent study where the student will research a thesis topic (or topics) chosen in close consultation with the area coordinator or director of music studies. Upon completion of all coursework in music the student will submit a capstone project consisting of a portfolio with a final research thesis paper and all completed scholarly work written while in residency.
The Director of Music studies reserves the right to replace any of the courses above on a case by case basis pending course availability.
