MUHL 5878 - Selected Topics in Music History
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41534,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Joseph Louth
Email: jplouth@ysu.edu
Course Description
5878. Selected Topics in Music History. A study of a specific topic to be announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated once with different topic. Prereq.: MUTC 2632, MUHL 3771, MUHL 3772, MUHL 3773, and MUHL 3774. 3 s.h.
This course is a slightly modified version of MUHL 6960, Research in Music. It is an introduction to the various research methods used in different disciplines of music study, and to the scholarship associated with those disciplines. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No readings |
All course materials are fully integrated into Blackboard modules.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Module 1 | Introduction to Music Research; research vs. opinion; crucial issues facing music research today; overview of major research methods | Discussion contribution Introduce yourself (for 3% bonus) |
| 8/31 | Module 2 | Historical Research: Traditional | Discussion contribution Written Assignment 1 |
| 9/7 | Module 3 | Historical Research: Postmodernist / Feminist / Critical | Discussion contribution Written Assignment 2 |
| 9/14 | Module 4 | Performance-Based Research | Discussion contribution Written Assignment 3 |
| 9/21 | Module 5 | Music Analysis as Research (generating/testing versus using music theories) | Discussion contribution Written Assignment 4 |
| 9/28 | Module 6 | Philosophical / Theoretical Research, Part 1 | Discussion contribution |
| 10/5 | Module 7 | Philosophical / Theoretical Research, Part 2 | Written Assignment 5 |
| 10/12 | Module 8 | Qualitative Research, Part 1 (ethnography / narrative research, etc.) | Discussion contribution |
| 10/19 | Module 9 | Qualitative Research, Part 2 (ethnography / narrative research, etc.) | Written Assignment 6 |
| 10/26 | Module 10 | Brief Overview of Quantitative Research (study designs, basic types, aims) | Discussion Contribution Written Assignment 7 |
| 11/2 | Module 11 | Review of All Major Research Methods (Quiz and Portfolio check) | Idea for final project / paper |
| 11/9 | Module 12 | Doing Secondary Research: Online / Library Resources | Quiz must be taken by Thursday before midnight Research Portfolio due |
| 11/16 | Module 13 | Bibliography and Style | |
| 11/23 | Module 14 | Video Presentations of Research Projects | Video presentation due Feedback on 3 other video presentations via discussion post |
| 11/30 | Module 15 | Work on Final Paper | Research Paper Due (no exceptions) |
| 12/7 | No exam in this course. |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.