Students will study the written and aural foundations of music, including the fundamentals of musical notation, harmony, and form. This course assumes no prior knowledge or experience in music. Students will study aspects of music from a variety of genres and complete creative projects in composition and analysis.
Athena Title
Music Theory for Non-Majors
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in MUSI 1100 or MUSI 1110
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will notate music in multiple clefs using correct rhythms.
Students will identify and write scales, keys, modes, and triads.
Students will analyze aspects of a musical work, including meter, modal ideas, harmonic construction, and form, in a variety of genres.
Students will critically discuss music using appropriate theoretical terminology.
Students will compose music at a rudimentary level.
Topical Outline
Unit 1: General Notation and Visualization
Unit 1: Rhythm and Meter
Unit 1: Major and Minor Scales and Keys
Unit 1: Modes
Unit 2: Intro to Harmony (Triads)
Unit 2: 7th Chords and Other Common Chords
Unit 3: Harmonic Functions in Western Art Music
Unit 3: Harmonic Functions in Popular Music
Unit 3: Harmonic Functions in Film and Media Music
Unit 4: Texture, Timbre, and Interaction
Unit 4: Small Forms
Unit 4: Form in Popular Music
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
