USC
University of Southern California
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Undergraduate Degrees

Minors in Music

Minor in Music Recording

A minor in music recording is offered for undergraduate students to provide them with the background necessary to enter the field of recording engineering and to familiarize them with the design needs of recording equipment. The minor is not available to music industry majors.

Prerequisite
Acceptance into the program might require a personal interview by the Thornton School of Music to assure that the student has sufficient musical background and skill.

Students admitted to this minor will be expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and to maintain that average with no grade lower than a “C” for all courses taken in the minor.

Required CoursesUnits
MUIN 275abRecording Arts Workshop4-4
MUIN 286Record Production Management2
MUIN 287The Business and Economics of the Recording Industry2
MUIN 446aComputer Assisted Recording and Editing2

Select 10 units from the following courses:
MUIN 389Digital Equipment and Recording2
MUIN 392aAcoustics and Speaker Design2
MUIN 446bComputer Assisted Recording and Editing2
MUIN 477Remote Recording Techniques2
MUIN 478Advanced Multichannel Remix2
MUIN 479Audio Mastering2
MUIN 493Audio Signal Processing Equipment2
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Minor in Music Industry

A minor in the music industry is offered for undergraduate students to provide them with the background necessary to enter varied fields in the music business and to familiarize them with standard practices and procedures. A minimum of 20 units is required for completion of this minor. The minor is not available to music industry majors.

Prerequisite
Acceptance into the program might require a personal interview by the Thornton School of Music.

Students admitted to this minor will be expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and to maintain that average with no grade lower than a “C” for all courses taken in the minor.

Required CoursesUnits
MUIN 277xIntroduction to Music Technology4
MUIN 372abxBusiness and Legal Aspects of the Music Industry4-4

One course from the following:
MUHL 315xMusic and Culture4
MUSC 444American Roots Music: History and Culture4
MUSC 450The Music of Black Americans4
MUSC 460Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present4
MUSC 465Music, Television and American Culture4

Select 4 units from the following:
MUIN 370Distribution of Recorded Music and Music Publishing4
MUIN 385Radio in the Music Industry4
MUIN 425Live Music Production and Promotion4
MUIN 430Artist Management and Development4
MUIN 435Manufacture and Distribution of Musical Products4
MUIN 443The Business of Music for Visual Media4
MUIN 446abComputer Assisted Recording and Editing2-2
MUIN 495Music Industry, Broadcast and the Internet4
20

Minor in Jazz Studies

This 20-unit minor program in jazz studies incorporates course work in individual instruction, the history of jazz masters, techniques of jazz improvisation and jazz theory for improvisers. The minor is not available to B.M. jazz studies majors.

Requirements for admission are: GPA per university regulations and an audition.

Required CoursesUnits
MUCO 130aBasics of Music Theory3
MUEN 329Jazz Ensemble (1, max 8), or
MUEN 332Jazz Chamber (1, max 8)4
MUJZ 150xBeginning Jazz Improvisation2
MUJZ 301Individual Instruction4
MUJZ 419The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture, or
MUSC 450The Music of Black Americans4
MUJZ 450Intermediate Jazz Improvisation2
Music courses numbered 300-4992
Total units21

Minor in Musical Theatre

The minor in musical theatre, interdisciplinary in nature, is a 27-unit program incorporating the study of acting, dance or movement, vocal arts and related musical subjects. Admission to the minor requires an audition for music but not for theatre.

For students majoring in theatre or another non-music discipline:

Required CoursesUnits
MUSC 400The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences4
MPGU 125Beginning Fingerstyle/ Chord Guitar, and
MPGU 126Easy Fingerstyle Beatles, or
MPKS 150abBeginning Piano, or
MUED 330xFundamentals of Music4
MPVA 301Individual Instruction (6), or
MPVA 141Class Voice (2), or
MPVA 241Intermediate Class Voice (2), and
MPVA 301Individual Instruction (4)6
MPVA 402*Musical Theatre Workshop8

2 units to be selected from:
THTR 181-189, or
THTR 216Movement for Actors, or
THTR 316Advanced Movement for Actors2
THTR 343Musical Theatre Audition3
Total units27

*2 units of MPVA 402 may be satisfied by taking THTR 397 Theatre Practicum I.

For students majoring in music performance (vocal arts):

Required CoursesUnits
MPVA 402*Musical Theatre Workshop8
MUSC 400The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences4
THTR 101Introduction to Acting4
THTR 343Musical Theatre Audition3

2 units to be selected from:
THTR 181-189, or
THTR 216Movement for Actors, or
THTR 316Advanced Movement for Actors2

6 units to be selected from:
THTR 252abIntermediate Acting I, or
THTR 352abIntermediate Acting II6
Total units27

*2 units of MPVA 402 may be satisfied by taking THTR 397 Theatre Practicum.

For students majoring in music (non-vocal arts performance):

Required CoursesUnits
MPVA 301Individual Instruction4
MPVA 402*Musical Theatre Workshop8
MUSC 400The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences4
THTR 101Introduction to Acting4
THTR 343Musical Theatre Audition3

2 units to be selected from:
THTR 181-189, or
THTR 216Movement for Actors, or
THTR 316Advanced Movement for Actors2

2 units to be selected from:
THTR 252abIntermediate Acting I, or
THTR 352abIntermediate Acting II2
Total units27

*2 units of MPVA 402 may be satisfied by taking THTR 397 Theatre Practicum I.

Minor in Musical Studies

This 26-unit program in musical studies, with an emphasis in performance, incorporates the study of music theory, music history, performance, ensembles and electives. Students may enter the program in their freshman year. An audition is required for this minor, which is not available to music majors.

Required CoursesUnits
MUEN 300-4992
MUHL 315xMusic and Culture4
MPKS 250aKeyboard Instruction I2
Individual Instruction at the 301 level6
MUCO 130abxBasics of Music Theory6
Music electives *6
Total26

*Must include 4 upper division units.

Minor in Popular Music Studies

This minor consists of four upper division courses, to be chosen from courses that examine different aspects of popular music. The minor focuses on the study of the repertories and their cultural and social context. Students must be in good academic standing to be admitted. No previous musical experience is required.

COURSE REQUIREMENTSUNITS
Choose four courses (16 units) from the following:
MUSC 400The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences4
MUSC 420Hip-Hop Music and Culture4
MUSC 422The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times4
MUSC 444American Roots Music: History and Culture4
MUSC 450The Music of Black Americans4
MUSC 460Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present4
MUSC 465Music, Television and American Culture4
MUJZ 419The Jazz Experience: Myths and Culture4

Minor in Songwriting

The minor in songwriting incorporates practical instruction in the craft of songwriting and in performance skills, instruction in the technology relevant to songwriting, and critical studies in the relevant repertories.

Requirements for admission: Successful completion of MUSC 255 Songwriting I and an interview with the admission coordinator.

Required CoursesUnits
MUCO 130abxBasics of Music Theory3-3
MUSC 255Songwriting I2
MUSC 355Songwriting II2
MUSC 455Songwriting III: The Performing Songwriter2
MUSC 310Computer Recording for the Performing Musician2
MUSC 311MIDI Techniques for the Performing Musician2

Choose one of the following courses:
COMM 306The Communication Revolution, Entertainment and the Arts4
COMM 307Sound Clash: Popular Music and American Culture4
COMM 384Interpreting Popular Culture4
COMM 440Music as Communication4

Choose one of the following courses:
MUSC 400The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity, Issues, and Experiences4
MUSC 420Hip-Hop Music and Culture4
MUSC 422The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times4
MUSC 444American Roots Music: History and Culture4
MUSC 450The Music of Black Americans4
MUSC 460Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to Present4
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Minor in Performing Arts Studies

The minor in Performing Arts provides an interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature and aesthetics of the performing arts. It combines the disciplines of cinematic arts, dance, music and theatre. The minor is a unique course of study that looks at how the performing arts contribute to a culturally literate society. See the School of Theatre section of this catalogue.