MUS 180 A-Z - Special Topics in MusicSemester Hours: 1-3
Fall, January, Spring, Summer
Each semester, the department offers special topics courses focusing on music. These courses deal with the historical, theoretical, and analytical study of music as well as actual performance practice.
Current Special Topics
MUS 180S - Modern Band
This class teaches students how to play, perform, compose, and improvise using popular music. Students will use guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, drum set, and voice to learn and perform music of their choice using a pedagogy of learning by ear. Students will also be challenged to participate in public performances and understand the pedagogy behind this approach to music learning.
MUS 180T - I Want My MTV: The Intersectional Relationship Between Music & the Moving Image
Kenyatta Beasley, Music, and Kelcey Edwards, Radio, Television, Film
This class will examine the intersectional relationship of music and video production from the musical score as an integral element of cinema to the contemporary practice of filming and editing live music performances through music documentaries, live studio productions, and music videos. Through readings, screenings, and the analysis of works by classic and contemporary composers, students will explore the symbiotic relationship of film and music from historical, technological, and theoretical perspectives. Students will have the opportunity to work with the same leading digital tools that have accelerated the revolution in independent music publishing and video production as they explore the narrative functions of music through hands-on audiovisual projects. Students will become familiar with the techniques and collaborative workflows of music composers and filmmakers in practical and creative ways. Projects include scored film projects and on-camera performances of original scores for music students, and music videos, short music documentaries, and live-to-tape broadcasts for film/television students. Through these projects students will gain familiarity and confidence in the collaborations involved in the cinematic interpretation of live and pre-recorded music as they develop their unique creative styles and approaches. Final evaluations will be based on technical and creative mastery as well as each student’s contributions to highly collaborative group work.
Crosslisted as: RTVF 181B , MUSB 150B
This course is a featured interdisciplinary course for Fall 2025. For more information, visit our Interdisciplinary Courses Webpage.
Prerequisite(s)/Course Notes:
MUS 061 or 061A and 069 or 069A or permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Specific titles and course descriptions for special topics courses are available in the online class schedule. May not be taken on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis.
View Course Offering(s):
Summer I 2025
Summer II 2025
Summer III 2025
Fall 2025
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