Music History and Cultures, BA
Contact
Wayne Franits, Chair
308 Bowne Hall
315-443-4184
Theo Cateforis, Director of Undergraduate Studies
308 Bowne Hall
315-443-4184
Faculty
Theo Cateforis, Ellen Hebden, Cary Peñate, Serena Wang
The major in Music History and Cultures is designed for students who wish to study music in its historical, social and cultural contexts and in relation to other arts. Although majors are encouraged to develop performance skills, the focus of the degree is on the study of musical cultures and styles in a liberal arts environment.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Explain the diverse functions and cultural meanings that music has had in both Western and non-Western societies
- Distinguish among stylistic differences in music of different eras and from different cultures
- Explain historical changes in music of different eras and from different cultures
- Apply central issues and methods of scholarship in our fields
- Express ideas clearly through writing
- Demonstrate proficiency in musical skills
- Demonstrate proficiency in musical performance
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division Requirements | ||
| Musical Skills | ||
| Students are required to demonstrate competency in basic musical skills by successfully completing the first-year theory sequence (MTC 145 and MTC 146) and the corresponding first-year ear training sequence (MTC 147 and MTC 148). | 8 | |
| Theory and Musicianship I | ||
| Theory and Musicianship II | ||
| Ear Training I | ||
| Ear Training II | ||
| Introduction to Music History and Culture | ||
| Students are required to complete two courses from the following list. One of these two courses must be from these 200-level music history sequences (HOM 267, HOM 268,HOM 285). | 6 | |
| Understanding Music I | ||
| Understanding Music II | ||
| American Popular Music | ||
| Performance Live | ||
| European Music before 1800 | ||
| European and American Music Since 1800 | ||
| Introduction to World Music | ||
| MHL 185, 267 and 268 may substitute for HOM 285, 267 and 268 by petition. | ||
| Upper Division Requirements | ||
| Core Requirement | ||
| One upper elective Global Perspectives Course (HOM 313, HOM 325, HOM 326, HOM 386, HOM 482, HOM 492) | 9 | |
| One upper elective course at the HOM 400 level | ||
| HOM 396 "Junior Seminar: Writing About Music". This course, required of all Music History and Cultures majors, will normally be offered each spring semester. The specific content of the course will vary from year to year, but its purpose will remain the same: to stimulate critical through about music and to hone our students' research and writing skills. | ||
| Major Electives | ||
| Students must take at least 9 additional upper-division credits. 3 of these credits may be earned in non-music HOA courses (i.e. art history or history of architecture). Candidates for departmental honors (see below) may use HOM 496 (3 credits) to count toward the fulfillment of this requirement. | 9 | |
| Distinction in Music History and Cultures | ||
| (3 credits, required only for students earning a degree with distinction). Majors who have earned a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7 will be invited to earn a degree with distinction. In order to earn this honor, students are required to enroll in HOM 496. These students will work independently, under the supervision of a faculty member, to complete a large-scale project in some aspect of music history or cultures. Students will determine the topic for their Distinction Project in consultation with a thesis advisor, whom they will choose from among the Music History and Cultures faculty (in exceptional cases other faculty may serve in this capacity). The thesis will also be evaluated by a second reader, chosen by the thesis advisor (in consultation with the student) from other faculty in Music History and Cultures or related disciplines. In most cases, the project will take the form of a formal essay approximately 6000 words in length. Alternative types of projects are also possible, provided that they meet with the approval of the Music History and Cultures faculty. Regardless of the topic, the project should constitute original work, serving as a persuasive demonstration of the student’s skills and talents as well as a vivid component of the student’s credentials. | ||
| Distinction Project in Music History and Cultures | ||
| Performance Requirements | ||
| In addition to the course requirements listed above, students in the B. A. in Music History and Cultures program are required to complete at least four semesters of individual studio lessons. Students are also required to participate in a Syracuse University performing ensemble for at least four semesters. These requirements may be fulfilled at any point in the degree program. | 8 | |
| Extracurricular performing experience may be accepted by petition, but the student must register for HOM experience credit and have a designated music history and cultures faculty advisor. | ||
| Students may petition to have up to 6 credits of appropriate courses in music history taken outside the department (non-HOM courses) count toward the Music History and Cultures major. | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
College of Arts and Sciences Requirements
For all Arts and Sciences|Maxwell students, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in this major requires a minimum of 120 credits, 96 of which must be Arts and Sciences|Maxwell credits, completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, and the requirements for this major (30 credits) that are listed above.
Dual Enrollments:
Students dually enrolled in Newhouse* and Arts and Sciences|Maxwell will complete a minimum of 122 credits, with at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences|Maxwell coursework and an Arts and Sciences|Maxwell major.
*Students dually enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences|Maxwell as first year students must complete the Liberal Arts Core. Students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.
Undergraduate University Requirements
The following requirements and experiences apply to all Syracuse University Undergraduate matriculated degree programs.