Course Syllabus

Course: MUSC 3570

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Music
Title: Songwriting II

Semester Approved: Spring 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2024
End Semester: Fall 2024

Catalog Description: This course continues with the concepts learned in MUSC 3560 (Songwriting I), and introduces the concept of writing on demand (jingles, TV, film, event music, etc.) Students will also work on creating an individual songwriting "voice." This class is required for all students completing the songwriting/composition advisement track of the bachelor of music degree.

Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0

Prerequisites: MUSC 3560

Justification: This course develops student's commercial writing competencies, and prepares them for the demands of the increasingly competitive music industry.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate an ability to write on demand.  This outcome is assessed through written assignments and weekly songwriting assignment performances.

Student will demonstrate an ability to create accurate lead sheets for their songs.  This outcome is assessed via submission of lead sheets created using notational software.

Students will define and refine what they consider to be the attributes and characteristics of their voice as a songwriter.  This outcome is assessed through class performance, and student evaluation.


Content:
Students will complete one song per week during the semester. Assignments will be balanced between writing on demand for advertising, TV, film, and special events, and assignments focused on nurturing each student's individual voice as a songwriter.

Key Performance Indicators:
Written Assignments 30 to 40%

Lead Sheet Submissions 30 to 40%

Weekly Song Assignments 30 to 40%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Materials as provided by the instructor.


Pedagogy Statement:
This course is delivered via a combination of direct instruction, discussion, student evaluation, analysis, and modeling.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture

Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 12