MUHL 6960 - Research in Music
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 42860,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Joseph Louth
Email: jplouth@ysu.edu
Course Description
6960. Research in Music. This course serves as an introduction to research methods in music, provides an overview of music scholarship, and develops research and writing skills appropriate to graduate level study. the final project lays the foundation for the capstone project in the Master's in Music Education degree or serves as the research requirement for the Master's in Music Performance degree. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No readings |
All course materials are fully integrated into Blackboard.
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: Postmodern, Feminist, and 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 and 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 people's videos as discussion posts |
| 11/30 | Module 15 | Work on final research 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.