Popular Music (BA/BS)
https://musicanddance.uoregon.edu/popular-music
A Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with a Popular Music provides students with a comprehensive course of study focused on songwriting, music production, music performance, music theory, and popular music history and culture. It can also include preparation for music entrepreneurship through coursework in marketing, business, and law. Students choose from a variety of performance ensembles, including gospel choirs, a hip hop ensemble, and popular music combos, among others.
Students can use elective requirements to deepen their engagement with a variety of subjects, including music production, jazz, electronic music, and the history and culture of popular music. A degree in Popular Music requires approximately two years of music coursework with no audition or portfolio needed. Students can elect to take more music coursework to complete general elective requirements, and can take music courses for four years should they choose to.
Program's Admission Requirements
Please visit the program's website.
Popular Music majors may apply for admission to the Music Production concentration during their second year of study. Admission to the program is contingent upon a cumulative UO GPA of 2.7 or higher, completion of MUS 151 Popular Songwriting, MUS 131 Music Theory I, and MUS 134 Aural Skills I with grades of C- or better. Admission to the concentration is determined by the Popular Music faculty.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Have an understanding of, and skill with, musicianship, defined as the fundamental comprehension of and ability to work with the elements of music.
- Have knowledge of the history of popular music and an understanding of the historical function of the music in relation to culture.
- Compose and produce popular music.
- Understand the financial and legal practices of the music industry.
- Perform music with an instrument and/or voice.
- Perform popular music in an ensemble with a group of people.
Popular Music Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theory and Musicianship | ||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 |
| Theory and Musicianship Electives - Select courses from the following to reach at least 6 credits: | 6-8 | |
| Music Theory II | ||
| Music Theory III | ||
| Aural Skills II | ||
| Aural Skills III | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship I | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship II | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship III | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| History and Culture | ||
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 |
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| History and Culture Electives - Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elements of Electronic Music | ||
| US Popular Music 1930 to 1965 | ||
| US Popular Music 1965 to 2000 | ||
| Hip-Hop History, Culture, Aesthetics | ||
| The Beatles and Their Times | ||
| American Musical Theater | ||
| Cultures of Musical Celebrity | ||
| Popular Musics in the African Diaspora | ||
| Popular Music Studies | ||
| Music and Emotion | ||
| Songwriting and Music Production | ||
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 |
| Select courses from the following to reach at least 6 credits: | 6 | |
| Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | ||
| Digital Audio Workstation Techniques II | ||
| Digital Audio Workstation Techniques III | ||
| Audio Production Techniques I | ||
| Audio Recording Techniques II | ||
Additional Theory & Musicianship Elective courses | ||
Additional History & Culture Elective courses | ||
| Music Industry | ||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Remix Cultures | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Introduction to United States law | ||
| Introduction to Business Law | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Launching New Ventures | ||
| Music Performance | 6 | |
| Three MUP courses on one or more instruments 1 | ||
| Music Ensembles | 3-6 | |
| Select three ensembles courses, including at least one of the following: 2 | ||
| Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] ((Hip Hop Ensemble)) | ||
| Chorus: [Topic] ((Gospel Singers, University Gospel Choir, University Gospel Ensemble)) | ||
| Additional Music Coursework | 9 | |
| Select at least 9 credits of additional MUJ, MUP, and/or MUS credits from the categories above and/or from the following list, including any upper division credits necessary to reach 24 total upper division credits in music: | ||
| Jazz Theory | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I | ||
| Jazz Improvisation II | ||
| Jazz Composition 1 | ||
| Jazz Composition II | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Digital Audio and Sound Design | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Total Credits | 60-66 | |
- 1
See also, General Limitations in the Registration and Academic Policies (http://catalog.uoregon.edu/admissiontograduation/registration_policies/) section of this catalog.
- 2
Ensemble Courses: Collegium Musicum (MUS 391), Oregon Electronic Device Orchestra (MUS 393), Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] (MUS 394), Band: [Topic] (MUS 395), Orchestra: [Topic] (MUS 396), Chorus: [Topic] (MUS 397), Opera Workshop (MUS 398), Jazz Laboratory Band III (MUJ 390), Jazz Laboratory Band II (MUJ 391), Oregon Jazz Ensemble (MUJ 392), Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (MUJ 395)
Popular Music Major - Music Production Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Theory and Musicianship | ||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 |
| Select courses from the following to reach at least 6 credits: | 6-8 | |
| Music Theory II | ||
| Music Theory III | ||
| Aural Skills II | ||
| Aural Skills III | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship I | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship II | ||
| Popular Piano and Musicianship III | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| Jazz Performance Laboratory | ||
| History and Culture | ||
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 |
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Elements of Electronic Music | ||
| US Popular Music 1930 to 1965 | ||
| US Popular Music 1965 to 2000 | ||
| Hip-Hop History, Culture, Aesthetics | ||
| The Beatles and Their Times | ||
| American Musical Theater | ||
| Cultures of Musical Celebrity | ||
| Popular Musics in the African Diaspora | ||
| Popular Music Studies | ||
| Music and Emotion | ||
| Songwriting and Music Production | ||
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 |
| MUS 476 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 477 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques II | 3 |
| MUS 478 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques III | 3 |
| MUS 480 | Audio Production Techniques I | 3 |
| MUS 481 | Audio Recording Techniques II | 3 |
| MUS 482 | Audio Recording Techniques III | 3 |
| MUS 483 | Audio Effects Theory and Design | 4 |
| MUS 488 | Analog Recording Techniques | 3 |
| Music Industry | ||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Remix Cultures | ||
| Principles of Advertising | ||
| Introduction to United States law | ||
| Introduction to Business Law | ||
LAW 305 | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Launching New Ventures | ||
| Music Performance | 6 | |
| Three MUP courses on one or more instruments 1 | ||
| Music Ensembles | 3-6 | |
| Select three ensembles courses, including at least one of the following: 2 | ||
| Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] ((Hip Hop Ensemble)) | ||
| Chorus: [Topic] ((Gospel Singers, University Gospel Choir, University Gospel Ensemble)) | ||
| Additional Music Coursework | 9 | |
| Select at least 9 credits of additional MUJ, MUP, and/or MUS credits from the categories above and/or from the following list, including any upper division credits necessary to reach 24 total upper division credits in music: | ||
| Jazz Theory | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I | ||
| Jazz Improvisation II | ||
| Jazz Composition 1 | ||
| Jazz Composition II | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Digital Audio and Sound Design | ||
| Senior Project | ||
| Total Credits | 79-85 | |
- 1
See also, General Limitations in the Registration and Academic Policies (http://catalog.uoregon.edu/admissiontograduation/registration_policies/) section of this catalog.
- 2
Ensemble Courses: Collegium Musicum (MUS 391), Oregon Electronic Device Orchestra (MUS 393), Chamber Ensemble: [Topic] (MUS 394), Band: [Topic] (MUS 395), Orchestra: [Topic] (MUS 396), Chorus: [Topic] (MUS 397), Opera Workshop (MUS 398), Jazz Laboratory Band III (MUJ 390), Jazz Laboratory Band II (MUJ 391), Oregon Jazz Ensemble (MUJ 392), Small Jazz Ensemble: [Topic] (MUJ 395)
Four-Year Degree Plan
The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.
- Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music
- Bachelor of Science in Popular Music
- Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music (Music Production Concentration)
- Bachelor of Science in Popular Music (Music Production Concentration)
Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z or WR 123 |
Composition II or College Composition III |
4 | |
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| First term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 | |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 132 | Music Theory II | 2 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 1 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| First term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 476 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 480 | Audio Production Techniques I | 3 | |
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| Music history and culture course | 4 | ||
| Music industry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 | |
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||
Bachelor of Science in Popular Music
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z or WR 123 |
Composition II or College Composition III |
4 | |
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 | |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Bachelor of science MATH/CS course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| MUS 132 | Music Theory II | 2 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Bachelor of sceince MATH/CS course | 4 | ||
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Bachelor of science MATH/CS course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 5 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| MUS 476 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 480 | Audio Production Techniques I | 3 | |
| Elective course(s) | 9 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Music history and culture course | 4 | ||
| Music industry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 7 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 | |
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 7 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||
Bachelor of Arts in Popular Music (Music Production Concentration)
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z or WR 123 |
Composition II or College Composition III |
4 | |
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| First term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 | |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 132 | Music Theory II | 2 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 1 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 1st-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| First term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 476 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 480 | Audio Production Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 483 | Audio Effects Theory and Design | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Second term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 477 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques II | 3 | |
| MUS 481 | Audio Recording Techniques II | 3 | |
| MUS 488 | Analog Recording Techniques | 3 | |
| Elective course | 1 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Third term of 2nd-year second-language sequence | 5 | ||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 | |
| MUS 478 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques III | 3 | |
| MUS 482 | Audio Recording Techniques III | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||
Bachelor of Science in Popular Music (Music Production Concentration )
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Milestones | Credits | |
| WR 121Z | Composition I | 4 | |
| MUS 263 | US Popular Music 1800 to 1930 | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| WR 122Z or WR 123 |
Composition II or College Composition III |
4 | |
| MUS 151 | Popular Songwriting | 4 | |
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 358 | Music in World Cultures | 4 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| MUP 1xxx Performance Studies | 2 | ||
| Ensemble course | 2 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Bachelor of science MATH/CS course | 4 | ||
| MUS 131 | Music Theory I | 2 | |
| MUS 134 | Aural Skills I | 2 | |
| Non-music arts and letters course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Bachelor of science MATH/CS cours | 4 | ||
| MUS 132 | Music Theory II | 2 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Bachelor of science MATH/CS course | 4 | ||
| MUS 249 | Popular Music Analysis | 3 | |
| Musicianship course(s) | 3 | ||
| Music industry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 1 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| MUS 476 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 480 | Audio Production Techniques I | 3 | |
| MUS 483 | Audio Effects Theory and Design | 4 | |
| Area of inquiry course | 4 | ||
| Elective course | 1 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| MUS 477 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques II | 3 | |
| MUS 481 | Audio Recording Techniques II | 3 | |
| MUS 488 | Analog Recording Techniques | 3 | |
| Music history and culture course | 4 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 2 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| MUS 346 | Music, Money, and the Law | 4 | |
| MUS 478 | Digital Audio Workstation Techniques III | 3 | |
| MUS 482 | Audio Recording Techniques III | 3 | |
| Elective course(s) | 5 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Winter | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Spring | |||
| Music elective course(s) | 3 | ||
| Area of inquiry courses | 8 | ||
| Elective course(s) | 4 | ||
| Credits | 15 | ||
| Total Credits | 180 | ||