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
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
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