Undergraduate Courses

Note: This page is currently being updated.

2026-27 course descriptions will be added as they become available.

PLEASE NOTE:

Times and locations of courses are published in the Public Class Schedule.
Official Calendar Course Descriptions are available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Calendars.
Official Course Outlines will be distributed at the first class of the term.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

A complete schedule of offerings for the current academic year can be found here. If you would like information about a course that is not listed below, please contact the instructor directly.

1. Fall 2026-Winter 2027

1.1 First Year

1.2 Second Year

1.3 Third Year

1.4 Fourth Year

2. Previous years:

Fall 2026-Winter 2027

First Year

MUSI 1711A: Applied Rhythmic Training I – Fall Term

INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Armstrong
DESCRIPTION: This applied rhythm course will immerse students in hands on activities that are designed to build facility with Western and non-Western rhythmic concepts and their practical applications. Through use of the rhythmic solfege system Takadimi, students will learn to recognize rhythmic patterns and groupings in both written and aural forms. A fundamental element of the course will be participation in traditional music-making practices from West Africa.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Skills tests, written and online assignments, group playing assignments, and attendance
READINGS: Required Text: Hoffman, Richard (2009). The Rhythm Book (2nd ed.). Franklin, Tennessee: Harpeth River Publishing

Second Year

MUSI 2203A: Music in Canada – Fall Term

INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Waterman
DESCRIPTION: This course explores how music operates in the nation state currently known as Canada through three broad themes: histories, institutions, and identities. Tracing different histories provides a context for the social influences that have shaped music cultures in Canada from colonialism and Indigenous resurgence to regional and linguistic influences. Institutions, such as professional societies, arts councils, unions, legal frameworks, libraries, and broadcasters shape the ways that the music industry operates in Canada. In our pluralistic and multicultural society, music is an important expression of identity. We will explore this theme by examining the relationship between music and nation, gender/sexuality, and diversity.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Three short assignments (30%), participation (20%), group project (25%), final exam (25%)
READINGS: All course readings will be available online
CROSS-LISTED WITH: CDNS 2210A

MUSI 2607A: Digital Music Literacy – Winter Term

INSTRUCTOR: Jack Hui Litster
DESCRIPTION: MUSI 2607 will have three areas of study: 1. Digital music concepts and history pertaining to microphones, synthesizers, MIDI, digital audio workstations, and artificial intelligence; 2. Application of music production techniques; 3. Music production ear training
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Weekly Journal (10%); Participation (10%); 3 Quizzes (30%); Recording Project 1 (10%); Recording Project 2 (15%); Recording project 3 (20%); Sound library contribution (5%)
READINGS: Online Readings

MUSI 2701A: Jazz and Popular Music Theory – Winter Term

INSTRUCTOR: James McGowan
DESCRIPTION: Popular Music Practice is designed to give students fundamental knowledge in music theory and practical skills in the field of popular music and jazz. The course explores melody, harmony, rhythm, and formal structures as they function in various pop, jazz, blues, and related genres. This course is intended as an introduction to jazz and popular music practices, where they will develop basic skills in analyzing, notating, composing, arranging, improvising, transcribing, and ear training, as well as abilities in communication skills, peer collaboration, and critical assessment of resources.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Three assignments in harmonic theory, composition/song-writing, analysis, and ear training (45%), Brightspace and/or in-class quizzes (20%), midterm test (10%), final exam (20%), and participation in class (5%).
READINGS: All course readings and media resources will be available online. Students are expected to use music notation software (e.g. MuseScore) to complete some assignments.

MUSI 2711A: Applied Rhythmic Training II – WinterTerm

INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Armstrong
DESCRIPTION: A continuation of 1711, this applied rhythm course will immerse students in hands on activities that are designed to build facility with Western and non-Western rhythmic concepts and their practical applications. Through the continued use of the rhythmic solfege system Takadimi, students will learn to recognize and write rhythmic patterns and groupings, and compare different notation systems. A fundamental element of the course will be participation in traditional music-making practices from West Africa.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Skills tests, written and online assignments, group playing assignments, and attendance.
READINGS: Hoffman, Richard (2009). The Rhythm Book (2nd ed.). Franklin, Tennessee: Harpeth River Publishing

Third Year

MUSI 3201A Digital Media Production for Emerging Arts Professionals – Fall Term

INSTRUCTOR: Paul Jasen
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed for emerging arts (and design) professionals in any field. Our focus is on developing fundamental skills in digital media production that will be of use to students planning careers in the arts sector or related industries. Through lessons, case studies, workshopping and collaborative production sessions, students will gain experience in the following areas: website design and development, image editing, audio recording and podcasting, digital photography, streaming video, designing for print, social media integration and writing for the web. Students will leave this course having developed a multi-faceted portfolio project related to their field, as well as confidence and demonstrated proficiency using current media production tools and platforms.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: In-class workshopping activities; small skills-building assignments; production of a multi-part media project on a topic related to your field or creative practice.
READINGS: TBA
CROSS-LISTED WITH: FILM 3901A/ARTH 3501A

MUSI 3303A Principles and Practice of Music Therapy – Fall Term

INSTRUCTOR: Rebecca Worden
DESCRIPTION: This course introduces students to three elements of music therapy – literature, practice and theory. This course will survey several areas of practice for people with varied abilities and interests who benefit from music therapy. We will be looking at the use of music therapy with children and adults with special needs, people in long term care, people with neurological disorders, in palliative care and those seeking mental health care. Some examples of intervention that students will be introduced to are instrumental improvisation, vocal improvisation, lyric improvisation, therapeutic song writing and receptive music therapy. This course is for anyone considering studying music therapy as a career choice or for those who will find information about this field useful in their research and study. It is important to know that this course will not prepare the student to practice in the field of music therapy.
Prerequisites:  There is no course prerequisite.
METHOD OF EVALUATION: TBA
READINGS: TBA

MUSI 3304A Principles and Practices of Music Pedagogy – Winter Term

INSTRUCTOR: James McGowan
DESCRIPTION: This course develops three connected goals: 1) acquire skills in playing a new instrument well enough to be able to teach it; 2) develop pedagogical foundations and practical skills of teaching private music lessons and public school music; 3) understand the benefits of teaching and learning music in different contexts and develop effective advocacy for music education
METHOD OF EVALUATION: Documentation of your achievement in learning a new instrument (30%), private music teaching assignment (15%), annotated bibliography for music education advocacy (15%), observation of music teaching and developing a lesson plan (15%), Brightspace and/or in-class quizzes (20%) participation in class (5%). No exam or term paper.
READINGS: All course readings will be available online

Fourth Year

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