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 |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction (9 credits) | ||
| At this level students are introduced to the fundamentals of music study, and the basic concepts of music history and cultures. | ||
| Choose one course from among the following music theory options: | 3 | |
| Introductory Music Theory I | ||
| Introductory Music Theory II | ||
| Theory and Musicianship I | ||
| Theory and Musicianship II | ||
| Choose two courses from among the following music history options (at least one must be from the 200-level) | 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 | ||
| Inquiry | 9 | |
| At this level students delve into more specific music historical areas, periods, genres, styles, and performing traditions. Choose any three HOM courses at the 300 level from among the following: | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| Film Music | ||
| Music Videos From MTV to Today | ||
| Music in Latin America | ||
| Music in the Caribbean | ||
| Worlds of Dance | ||
| Topics in European Music | ||
| Symphonic Music | ||
| Opera in Society | ||
| The London Classical Musical Scene | ||
| Topics in American Music | ||
| Music in Multicultural America | ||
| History of Musical Theater | ||
| The Beatles and British Culture | ||
| American Music | ||
| Hip-Hop Studies | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| Rock Music | ||
| Indie Music | ||
| International Course | ||
| Topics in Ethnomusicology | ||
| Music and Dance of India | ||
| Structure and Meaning in World Music | ||
| Sounds of the Silk Road | ||
| Music and Sports | ||
| Investigation | 9 | |
| At this level students pursue coursework that includes more critical methodologies and produces substantial research projects. | ||
| 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. | ||
| Choose any two courses at the HOM 400 level from among the following: | ||
| Selected Topics | ||
| History of Recorded Sound | ||
| Music and Media | ||
| Dance in American Culture | ||
| Music and Shakespeare | ||
| Popular Music Studies | ||
| Women, Rap and Hip-Hop Feminism | ||
| International Course | ||
| Global Popular Music | ||
| Contemporary Indigenous Soundscapes | ||
| Music, Space and Place | ||
| Music and Identity | ||
| Music and Gender | ||
| Music and Politics | ||
| Intersections in Popular and Classical Music | ||
Candidates for departmental honors (see below) may use HOM 496 (3 credits) to count toward the fulfillment of this requirement. | ||
| Global Perspectives | 3 | |
| All majors are required to take a course with a global perspective focus. Choose one course from among the following: | ||
| Film Music | ||
| Music in Latin America | ||
| Music in the Caribbean | ||
| Worlds of Dance | ||
| Music in Multicultural America | ||
| Music and Dance of India | ||
| Structure and Meaning in World Music | ||
| Sounds of the Silk Road | ||
| Global Popular Music | ||
| Contemporary Indigenous Soundscapes | ||
| Any course the student chooses to fulfill this requirement can only count toward Global Perspectives (i.e. it cannot also count towards an Inquiry or Investigation requirement) | ||
| Performance Requirements | 2 | |
| Students are required to take two credits of studio lessons and/or performing ensembles through the Syracuse University Setnor School of Music at any level, from beginner to advanced, as suits their background. | ||
| 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. | ||
| Distinction in Music History and Cultures | ||
| Distinction Project 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 chose 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. | ||
| Students may petition to have up to 6 credits of appropriate courses in music history or analysis taken outside the department (non-HOM courses) count toward the Music History and Cultures major. | ||
| Students may petition to have up to 3 credits of non-music HOA courses (art and architectural history) count towards the Music History and Cultures major. | ||
| Total Credits | 32 | |
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.