Course Syllabus
Course: MUSC 3560
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Songwriting I
Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Fall 2024
Catalog 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.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: MUSC 2120
Justification: This course is a core requirement in the Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Commercial Music degree program.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of common popular song forms. Students will demonstrate mastery of this outcome through written analysis assignments and weekly song assignment performances.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of harmonic materials and techniques related to popular song. Students will demonstrate mastery of this outcome through written assignments and weekly songwriting assignment performances.
Students will construct melodies stylistically appropriate for the songs they are writing, including the use of melodic hooks. Students will demonstrate mastery of this outcome through written assignments and through weekly songwriting assignment performances.
Students will develop and use a vocabulary of rhythmic foundations appropriate for use in popular song. Students will demonstrate mastery of this outcome through written assignments and through weekly songwriting assessment assignments.
Students will improve their ability to write lyrics appropriate for popular song. Students will demonstrate mastery of this outcome through written assignments, and through weekly songwriting assignment performances.
Students will register at least one song on the electronic copyright office website. Students will present a ECO case number.
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.
Key Performance Indicators:
Written Assignments 20 to 30%
Weekly Songs 20 to 30%
ECO Assignment 10 to 20%
Final Performance 30 to 40%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Materials as provided by the instructor.
Pedagogy Statement:
This course is taught via a combination of direct instruction, student performance and evaluation, discussion, and modeling.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 12
