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ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2017-2018
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MU 127 Social Identity in Popular Music (1)
An examination of the history of popular music since the 1940s and its role in shaping
personal identity, especially in regards to race and gender roles.
MU 128 History of Jazz and Blues I (1)
A study of the origins of jazz and blues and their development to the present day.
Emphasis will be placed on how these genres of music have helped to shape American
music, the American South, the Civil Rights Movement, and various facets of American
identity.
MU 149 Class Guitar (½)
An introductory course to playing guitar in which students learn to read standard
notation, chord charts, and tablature in a variety of styles. The course is taught in a group
setting in which students learn how to play solo as well as within an ensemble.
MU 150 Fundamentals of Music (1)
A course in the rudiments of music designed for the non-music major and for majors who
wish to develop basic skills. Spring.
MU 151 Theory and Musicianship I (1)
Harmonic and contrapuntal structures in diatonic tonal music, analysis of these structures,
and musical composition in four-voice chorale style. Topics include harmonic
progression, triads and their inversions, cadences, and two-voice first-, second-, and
fourth-species counterpoint. Three 50-minute lecture classes and two 80-minute lab
sessions per week focusing on appropriate elementary aural, keyboard-harmony, and
rhythmic skills. Fall.
MU 152 Theory and Musicianship II (1)
Continuation of harmonic and contrapuntal principles in basic chromatic music, musical
analysis of these structures, and musical composition in a variety of simple textures.
Topics include seventh chords, secondary functions, common-chord modulation,
embellishment, reduction, two-voice imitative counterpoint, and two-voice third- and
fifth-species counterpoint. Three 50-minute lecture classes and two 80-minute lab
sessions per week focusing on intermediate aural, keyboard-harmony, and rhythmic
skills. Prerequisite: MU 151. Spring.
MU 154 Introduction to Electronic Music (1)
A survey of electronic music in the academy and beyond. Topics include the history,
aesthetics, basic techniques, and composition of electronic music. Intended for non-
majors.
MU 158 Music Technology (1)
An introduction to music technology for students intending to major in music that
includes a variety of basic competencies utilizing contemporary technology. Fall.