Psychology of Music I

Spring 1999

Instructor:Nora Lee García

Office: FA 116

Office Tele: 823-3696

Email: Ngarcia@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu

Office Hours: T-TH 2-4 or by appointment

Radocy, R. E., & Boyle, J.D. (1988). Psychological foundations of musical behavior (2nd ed.).

Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas

The basic premise of the course is that music is human behavior. Human interactions with tonal structures are varied and complex. An understanding of the psychological processes involved is useful to anyone who interacts with others in a musical en vironment, whether as a teacher, performer, listener, or therapist.

The course is organized into four instructional units:

Unit objectives and required readings will be distributed at the initial class meeting for each unit.

Students will be evaluated and graded on the basis of unit test (50%), a Research paper (20%), three one-page article reviews (10%), Internet Assignments (5%), and class attendance and participation (15%).

The research paper must related directly to one of the instructional units and reflect the following: (a) a clear statement of the topic and how it relates to understanding musical behavior, (b) a review of the relevant research and professional opinio n, and (c) a synthesis of the research and its implications for understanding human interactions with music. The paper must follow a clearly discernible style (APA, Luper & Helm, or Turibian) and include 9 to 12 pages of text and an appropriate biblio graphy or reference list. Each paper should review a minimum of eight research-based studies, and the review of each should indicate the study's purpose and the results and conclusions that are relevant to the paper. Evaluation of the paper will be in terms of the scope and relevance of the research reviewed, the quality, style, and format of the writing, and particularly the insights reflected in the research synthesis.

100-90 A (Excellent Work)

89-80 B (Above Average work)

79-70 C(Average Work)

69-60 D(Below Average work)

59-0 F (Failing)

In calculating averages, the only rounding will be up from 0.5 below the graded required. For example, 89.5 will earn a "A", 79.5 will earn a "B", and so on.

Attendance in this class, although not mandatory, is strongly encourage. Therefore, the instructor will take attendance at each class period. While attendance is not used to calculate your final course grade(other than three optional points availab le), it will be used to determine borderline grades. If you intend on passing this class, you must plan attend class regularly.

Jan 18 1 I Course Overview and Requirements

20 2 I Music, Man, Culture

25 3 I Music, Man, Culture

27 4 I Psychoacoustics

Feb 1 5 I Psychoacoustics

3 6 I Unit I Exam

8 7 II Rhythmic Structure

15 9 II Melodic Structure; Art. Rev. No. 1

17 10 II Tonality, Scales

22 11 II Melodic, Harmonic Processing

24 12 II Melodic, Harmonic, Processing

Mar 1 13 II Unit II Exam

3 14 III Affective Response: Approaches

Art. Rev. No. 2

8 15 III Affective Response: Adjective Des.

10 16 III Affective Response: Phil. Inquiry

Topic proposal for paper due

22 17 III Affective Rep: Psyc. Aesthetics

24 18 III Musical Preference

29 19 III Functional Music

31 20 III Unit III Exam

Apr 5 21 IV Musical Ability

7 22 IV Musical Ability

12 23 IV Future Directions

14 24 Share research papers

19 25 Share research papers

21 26 Review Final

26 Final