Music History and Music Theory
 

Courses for Non-Majors     Core Theory Courses for Majors     Core History Classes for Majors     
Other Theory Courses for Majors     Other History Courses for Majors
 

Minnesota State University Moorhead offers a full range of undergraduate and graduate music history and music theory courses in Western art music, popular music, and non-Western musics for music majors and non-majors. Music history and music theory courses at MSU Moorhead are intended to develop students' theoretical and analytical skills, to bring them into contact with a wide variety of repertoires, and to stimulate the development of their listening and interpretive skills. This approach is intended to ensure that music history and music theory remain a meaningful, relevant, and enjoyable aspect of the music experience at MSU Moorhead.

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Laurie Blunsom at blunsom@mnstate.edu

Current Offerings in Music History/Music Theory

For Non-Majors:

MUS 110: Musicianship for Non-Majors (2)
Fundamentals of music notation, music reading, and theory. Creative application through composition and performance. Assumes minimal previous musical experience.
 

MUS 111: The Art of Listening (3)
An introduction to music appreciation. Introduces the main elements of music, such as melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, and form. Students will develop a vocabulary to discuss their experience of music. Students will listen to a broad repertory of music examples.

 

MUS 210: Survey of Western Music (3)
A historical approach to music literature. The study of composers and musical styles of Western music from 1600 to present.

 

MUS 215: History of Jazz (3)
A survey of the development of jazz from its roots through the contemporary period. Emphasis will be placed on stylistic changes.

 

MUS 216: World Music Survey (3)
An introduction to the music repertories of the world. Similarities to and differences from Western musical culture will be noted, as well as cross-influences between the repertories.

 

MUS 217: Pop/Rock Music for Non-majors (2)
Survey of pop/rock music from 1956 to the present. Emphasis placed on identifying styles and songwriting techniques of various musicians.

 

MUS 218: Electronica: The Influence of Music and Technology (2)
A historical survey of music, primarily of the 20th Century (and beyond), as driven by technological developments. Topics include music created for experimental instruments such as the Theremin and voltage-controlled synthesizers as well as commercial products such as the electric guitar, the multi-track recording studio, digital samplers, and so forth. The aim is to provide a wider perspective by which cross-influences can be seen between innovators such as Varese or Stockhausen and artists such as The Beatles, Aphex Twin, or Radiohead. Listening strategies will be introduced, and production techniques will be discussed and demonstrated.

 

MUS 240: American Music (2)
Historical survey of music in the United States.
 

Core Curriculum Theory Courses for Majors:

MUS 107: Foundations for Music Majors (3)
Focus is on fundamental materials and skills necessary for success as a music major.  Includes the development of basic listening and ear training skills, introductions to various categories of music literature, and information on music careers.

 

MUS 108: Theory & Ear Training I (3)
This course will focus on ear-training, sight-singing, diatonic harmony, melodic writing, and part-writing.

 

MUS 207: Theory & Ear Training II (3)
This course will focus on ear-training, sight-singing, diatonic harmony, beginning chromatic harmony, part-writing, and form and analysis.

 

MUS 208: Theory & Ear Training III (3)
This course will focus on ear-training, sight-singing, chromatic harmony, part-writing, and form and analysis.

 

MUS 307: Theory & Ear Training IV (3)
This course will focus on set theory, 12 tone/serial music, centric strategies, parametric analysis, and perceptual analysis.
 

Core Curriculum History Courses for Majors:

MUS 303: Western Traditions to 1750 (3)
Historical survey of European music of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods with focus on styles, genres and historical context.  To be taken concurrently with Theory II.

 

MUS 304: Western Traditions 1750-1900 (3)
Historical survey of European and American art music from 1750-1900, encompassing the Classical and Romantic periods in Europe and American music from Billings to Beach.  Focus will be on styles, genres and historical context. To be taken concurrently with Theory III.

 

MUS 305: Western Traditions since 1900 (3)
Historical survey of European and American music from 1900 to the present with focus on styles, genres, and historical context.  To be taken concurrently with Theory IV.

 

MUS 209: Survey of Non-Western Music (2)
An introduction to musics outside of Western European tradition. Selected reading and listening materials from these areas/cultures are surveyed: African, Indian, the Far East, Indonesian, American Indian, Latin American, Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Sutdy focuses on the similarities and differences in musical style and cross influences between the various repertoires.
 

Other Theory Courses for Majors

MUS 278: Jazz Theory (2)
A study of the fundamental elements of jazz harmony, melody, and rhythm. Written assignments and ear training.

 

MUS 474: Advanced Theory & Analysis (2)
Continuation of the study of music through the use of advanced theoretical and analytical techniques. Maybe repeated for credit.
 

Other History Courses for Majors

MUS 240: American Music (2)
Historical survey of music in the United States.

 

MUS 342: History of Rock/Pop Music (2)
Historical survey of rock and popular music from 1956 to the present.

 

MUS 343: Jazz History (2)
Historical survey of American jazz.