A number of electives in Music Theory are offered on a regular basis. They include:
MUSI 1111: Musical Pitch and Time
Professor Ian Quinn
The fundamentals of musical language (notation, rhythm, scales, keys, melodies, and chords), including writing, analysis, singing, and dictation.
MUSI 207: Pop Music Theory
Professor Nathaniel Adam
An introduction to music-theory analysis of commercial and popular song (with a focus on American and British music of the past 50 years, across multiple genres).
MUSI 2110: Counterpoint, Harmony, and Form: 1500–1800
A concentrated investigation of basic principles and techniques of period musical composition through study of strict polyphonic voice leading, figuration, harmonic progression, phrase rhythm, and small musical forms.
MUSI 2111: Aural Skills for Tonal Music
Professor Nathaniel Adam
Tonal music theory topics with an emphasis on sight-sightreading, rhythm, melodic and harmonic dictation, and aural analysis.
MUSI 2490: Introduction to Sound Studies
Professor Brian Kane
A broad introduction to sound studies, an emerging field that analyzes both the technologies and the cultural techniques involved in the production, reception, and meaning of sound and listening.
MUSI 4470: Noise
Professor Brian Kane
A study of noise from musical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives. Reading and discussion of theoretical, political, ecological, and avant-garde writings on noise; critical study of musical repertoire involving noise, sound art, and recorded sound; introduction to current debates in sound studies and auditory culture; hands-on work with electronic noise.