MUSC 485:486
PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC

Catalog Entry

MUSC 485:486. Psychology of Music
Three hours lecture (3:3).

Prerequisites: Senior standing, BIOL322 and upper level standing as a Music Therapy major.

Science of sound and music including acoustics, the hearing anatomy, aesthetics, perception, evaluation and measurement of musical ability and achievement, research and statistical method in music. Required of all Music Therapy Majors and open to students in other curricula.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

Psychology of Music (485) will emphasize the objective and scientific components of sound and music with their subsequent physiological, psychological, intellectual/cognitive, and social effects on the listener. The course will attempt to broaden one's view of music, both esoteric and concrete.

In Mus 485 the following topics will be discussed in sequence:

• acoustics and psychoacoustics
• hearing anatomy
• music and the brain/perception of music
• evolution of organized music
• effects of music on physiology
• psychological effects of music elements
• psychological theories related to music and the arts
• aesthetics and affect.

MUSC485, also serves as a preparation for MUSC486 in which the student will be required to investigate effects of music in controlled settings.

MUSC486 is designed to establish an understanding of applications of research methodology in music therapy, music education, and performance. Emphasis will be placed upon the problems of measurement, evaluation, and determination of effects of musical behavior. Students will investigate effects of music in a controlled setting, collect and analyze the data, and draw inferential conclusions on the basis of the data.

The remainder of the course will discuss special topics to include, learning theory and music, creativity, music and the brain, music and medicine.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The class will be primarily lecture in format. However, by virtue of a major research project required of each student, significant class time will be devoted to discussion, question and answer, and group "trouble-shooting" when discussing research concerns.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The Goals and Objectives for MUSC485 are:

1. To gain an elementary, but working knowledge of acoustics and psycho acoustics.
2. To gain functional knowledge an the hearing anatomy.
3. To stimulate thinking about music and brain function/perception of music.
To increase understanding of efffect of music on physiology and function.
5. To gain practical knowledge of the psychological effects of the elements of music.
6. To become conversant with psychological theories related to music and the arts.
7. To investigate the nature of aesthetics and affect.

Students registered for graduate credit are expected to write a review of research literature on a topic contained in one of the Objectives of the course. A one-half hour class presentation of the principle points of the paper will also be required.

The Goals and Objectives for MUSC486 are:

1. To stimulate thinking concerning research into the various effects of music on human behavior and learning
2. To have a working knowledge of selected statistical tests suitable for experimental research in music
3. To gain practical experience in observation, evaluation, and reliability computation
4. To produce a formal research project as would be found in the professional research journals relating to the fields of music, education, therapy, and psychology
5. To study the nature, measurement, and evaluation of music ability and aptitude
6. To examine various learning theories with application to music
7. To examine the nature of creativity

Assessment Measures

MUSC485:

• Three examinations at 25% each 75%
• Numerous short writing and reporting
• assignments, class participation 25%

100%

MUSC485 (for Graduate credit):

• Three examinations at 20% each 60%
• Numerous short writing and reporting
• assignments, class participation 20%
• Review of Literature paper and presentation 20%

100%

MUSC486:

• Three exams on class lecture and reading
• assignments at 20% each 60%
• Formal Research Project 30%
• Class participation, promptness of components of research project 10%

100%

Other Course Information

Due to the intensive nature of the research requirement in MUSC486, advising meetings outside of class may be necessary.

Approval and Subsequent Reviews

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
May 2006 Reviewed E. Fellin, Chairman