Music 406

I. Course Title: Psychology of Music

II. Course Number: MUSC 406

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: Music major or permission of instructor.

V. Course Description: 

This lecture-based course includes an examination of physical and psychological aspects of music and its influence on human behavior. Topics include music perception and cognition, musical development, emotional response to music, and psychological foundations of various types of music experiences.

Note(s): Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

1. Acoustics and psychoacoustics

2. Anatomy of hearing

• Outer, middle, inner ear, auditory nerve structures and functions   

3. Music and the brain/perception of music structure/function of the brain

4. Hemisphericity

5. Brain structures and functions

6. Speech and language functions/dysfunction (e.g., aphasia)

7. Motor function/dysfunction (e.g., cerebral palsy, stroke) structure/function of the nervous system

8. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and function

9. Functional relation to other physiological systems

10. Additional major physiological systems of the human body

• Immune
• Endocrine
• Cardio-pulmonary

11. Evolution of western music/scale systems 

12. Psychological effects of music elements including nature of consonance and dissonance

13. Aesthetics and affect 

14. Creativity 

15. Ability and aptitude 

16. Learning theory with emphasis to music learning

Review and Approval

March 01, 2021