Graduate Course Offerings

In this doctoral-level course, students will be introduced to the principles, methods, and practices of scholarly research in music. Topics include a broad spectrum of paradigmatic approaches, including historical, philosophical, quantitative, and qualitative methodologies. Students will evaluate existing literature across diverse musical disciplines and develop skills in scholarly writing and research design. Emphasis is placed on formulating research questions, constructing effective arguments, and understanding the ethical considerations of music scholarship. This course serves as a vital bridge between musical artistry and academic inquiry, equipping students with the tools necessary to contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of music research.

An introduction to the history of film music. We start the semester with a brief introduction to various theoretical approaches to film music and film sound, learning important terminology along the way. We then launch a historical survey, beginning with the accompaniment of silent film in the early twentieth century and concluding with an examination of present-day film music. An important goal of this course is to acquaint students with the study of primary sources. This includes the direct analysis of film production materials (shot-by-shot diagrams, recording logs, cue sheets) and the interpretation of composer interviews, notes, and essays. Secondary sources will be assigned to provide students with a general introduction to the current state and scope of film music scholarship.

Course description coming soon.

Study and application of significant contemporary methods of music analysis for both tonal and post-tonal repertoire. Prepares students for additional graduate courses in music theory; as such, it should be taken in the student’s first year of study. Required of all DMA candidates.