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Course Syllabus

MUSC 3560 Songwriting I

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Music
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: MUSC 2120
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2019
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
  • End Semester: Fall 2024
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 15

Course Description

This course teaches the fundamentals of the songwriting process. It is required for all students who are completing the Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial Music degree.

Justification

This course is a core requirement in the Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial Music degree program.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of common popular song forms.
  2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of harmonic materials and techniques related to popular song.
  3. Students will construct melodies stylistically appropriate for the songs they are writing, including the use of melodic hooks.
  4. Students will develop and use a vocabulary of rhythmic foundations appropriate for use in popular song.
  5. Students will improve their ability to write lyrics appropriate for popular song.
  6. Students will register at least one song on the electronic copyright office website.

Course Content

This course functions as an introduction to the songwriting process. Students will study songwriting through the following lenses:

1. Song Form
2. Harmony, including diatonic, chromatic, modal, and quartal materials, and common tone and tritone substitution techniques.
3. Melody
4. Rhythm and Groove
5. Copyright Law
6. Recording and Digital Distribution.