Undergraduate Course Descriptions
MUS 122 University Band (1 credit)
Participation in the University Band provides performance experience in a variety of styles
and in many different situations, including concerts, ODU ceremonies, commencements, and
sporting events. Music making will take place all year.
MUS 123 University Chorus (1 credit)
Ensemble experience dependent on enrollment and interest. Variety of musical styles
performed and basic vocal techniques addressed. Performance at the end of each semester.
MUS 124 Individual Lessons (1 credit)
Private instruction in (a) piano, (b) voice, or (c) instrument. One lesson per week.
Student minimum/maximum enrollment pending instructor availability. Possible credit given
for off-campus approved instruction. Fee.
MUS 126 Guitar Class (1 credit)
This course will serve as an introduction to playing the guitar, allowing the student to develop technical skills in playing the guitar as well as in reading music and chord charts. Students will be able to accompany themselves while singing and learn how to create music for both the guitar.
MUS 128 Voice Class (2 credits)
This course is an introduction to singing, focusing on developing sound vocal techniques. The student will learn anatomy as related to singing, posture, breathing and breath support, resonance, and diction. A variety of songs will be learned including folk songs, rounds, songs from other countries, musical theatre, and classical art songs, including songs in Italian. The student will learn the International Phonetic Alphabet as it relates to diction in singing. The student will also learn to read music, and sing in tune with correct rhythm. It is open to all levels of singers and does not require prior music knowledge or singing ability.
MUS 181 Music of the World (4 credits)
This course is an introduction to the musics of the people of the World by examining the
place of music in distilling culture and its importance in the way of life of the people
of that culture. This course fosters a lifelong curiosity and a desire to experience and
appreciate music in all its forms. The student will study the culture, instruments, musical
elements, dominant attitude to music creation and performance of each culture, while
identifying the musical differences as well as the similarities between cultures. This
course includes the study of music from Africa, Japan, India, Indonesia, and Native America.
This course partially fulfills the Arts and Ideas requirement. This course fulfulls the diversity, global and multicultural requirement.
MUS 183 Music Appreciation (4 credits)
An introduction to the aural analysis and appreciation of music literature. A survey of the
musical elements through medium, genre, style, composer, and music of world cultures. This
course partially fulfills Fine Arts & Ideas requirement.
MUS 184 Popular Music in America (4 credits)
This course is an introduction to the roots and history of popular music in America from
the 1830's to the present, and will include an examination of such popular styles as Jazz,
Swing, Minstrelsy, Tin Pan Alley, Rock, Country, Latin, Rap and Hip Hop. The student will gain
an increased awareness of the heritage of popular music, an appreciation of its diversity,
perceive the underlying kinship of its many diverse styles and influences, and become
aware of its evolutionary momentum to becoming the dominant world-wide musical style of
the twenty-first century. This course partially fulfills the Arts & Ideas requirement. This course fulfills the diversity, global and multicultural requirement.
MUS 205 Cantoring: Singing and Accompanying (1 credit)
This course is an introduction to singing and learning the parts of the Catholic Mass, in preparation to lead such parts as a cantor and/or keyboardist. Part of the course will include practical experience in cantoring several Catholic Masses at Ohio Dominican University, and the nursing home at Saint Mary of the Springs. Arrangements for such will be made through Campus Ministry. This course can be used for part of the elective portion of the music minor. Pre-requisite: Singing and/or accompanying skills.
MUS 230 Music and Dance (2 credits)
This course will examine the close connection between music and dance, not only in the ways in which music for dance has shaped the development of music in many cultures, but how both dance and style are a reflection of the very culture that they represent. Western and non-Western dance styles will be examined, including modern informal dancing, ball-room dancing, and ceremonial dancing.
MUS 241 Music for Teachers (2 credits)
A survey of the methods, models, and materials of early childhood classroom music including
music reading, singing, playing instruments, creating music, drama, dance and listening
concepts. Curricular adaptations for children with special needs will be addressed.
MUS 243 Great Works of Western Music: History and Style I (4 credits)
This course offers the student the unique opportunity to study great works of the Western
musical tradition as an artistic whole. The student will develop historically integrated
skills in theory, musicianship, and aural perception through carefully directed study of
music from the Middle Ages to the Baroque (including works by Bach, Purcell, and Aquinas),
while understanding the cultural vitality that produced such towering examples of human
creativity. his course partially fulfills the Arts & Ideas requirement.
MUS 244 Great Works of Western Music: History and Style II (4 credits)
This course offers the student the unique opportunity to study great works of the Western
musical tradition as an artistic whole. The student will develop historically integrated
skills in theory, musicianship, and aural perception through carefully directed study of
music from the classical era to the present day (including works by Mozart, Beethoven,
and Berlioz), while understanding the cultural vitality that produced such towering examples
of human creativity. his course partially fulfills the Arts & Ideas requirement.
MUS 250 Women in Music (2 credits)
This course will serve as an introductory survey investigating some of the multiple ways in which women have participated in the art form that is referred to as music. This course will focus specifically on the issues of women as composers and women as performers. A great variety of styles will be covered from contemporary popular, rock, folk, classical, and non-Western. This course can fulfill the music requirement of the new curriculum, and will also be an elective for the Music Minor. his course partially fulfills the Arts & Ideas requirement.
MUS 348 Thematic Studies: Music History (4 credits)
A study of the major periods in music history from Ancient to Modern. In addition to the
traditional music of Western culture, all aspects of music are included such as musical
theatre, dance, instrumental music, vocal forms, folk songs, religious music, popular
music, music in media. Pre-requisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111. his course partially fulfills the Arts & Ideas requirement.
MUS 1/2/3/485 Special Topics (1-4 credits)
A study of topics in music of special interest to a specific group of students.
Pre-requisite: Consent of instructor.
MUS 2/3/486 Independent Study (1-4 credits)
Intensive individual work in an area of music. Pre-requisites: Consent of instructor,
academic advisor, division chairperson.
