Music Theory (MA)
Please visit the Music Theory Graduate Program page for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Gain advanced competency in analytical methodologies for tonal and post-tonal music
- Develop academic research and writing skills to a level commensurate with scholarly publications in music theory and musicology
- Acquire knowledge of current research in the field of music theory
- Gain familiarity with one or more fields other than music theory, such as musicology or ethnomusicology.
- Develop a research specialty by producing a larger research project in that area
Music Theory Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] ((music theory pedagogy)) | 3 |
| One course in post-tonal theory selected from the following: | 3 | |
| Post-Tonal Theory I | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory II | ||
| Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | ||
| One course in tonal analysis selected from the following: | 3 | |
| Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Rhythm and Meter | ||
| One history of theory course selected from the following: | 3 | |
| History of Theory I-III | ||
| One music history survey selected from the following: | 3 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| One seminar selected from the following: | 4 | |
| Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar: Music Theory: [Topic] (Seminar Music Theory) | ||
| Menu-based electives | ||
| Two additional music theory courses selected from the following: | 6-8 | |
| Post-Tonal Theory I-II | ||
| Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Rhythm and Meter | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| History of Theory I-III | ||
| Seminar: Music Theory: [Topic] | ||
| Two additional music courses outside of music theory, selected from the following: | 6-8 | |
| Cultures of Musical Celebrity | ||
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Musical Instruments of the World | ||
| Popular Musics in the African Diaspora | ||
| Popular Music Studies | ||
| History of Electroacoustic Music | ||
| Music and Emotion | ||
| Introduction to Musicology | ||
| Notation of Medieval and Renaissance Music | ||
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | ||
| Historical Performance Practices I-III | ||
| Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] ((music history pedagogy)) | ||
| Two additional courses from either of the menus above | 6-8 | |
| Research Development Course 2 | 1-4 | |
| Thesis | ||
| MUS 503 | Thesis | 9 |
| Final Oral Examination 3 | ||
| Total Credits | 50-59 | |
- 1
Chosen in consultation with advisor.
- 2
Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. Undergraduate or graduate courses can count towards this requirement. These courses are intended to prepare students for the research and writing/creation of the final thesis.
- 3
Oral Exam reviewing thesis & degree coursework.