Music History

Music has been a major component of the liberal arts curriculum since the Middle Ages, when it was part of the Quadrivium. It embodies the ideals and essence of every culture that produces it. It is woven into the social and historical milieu of every age. Music is the only one of the three great arts – literature, the visual arts, and music - that is primarily aural and abstract in nature.  In listening attentively to music, we not only sharpen our powers of hearing and analysis, but we also experience and have mirrored the deepest feelings of our beings, the depths of our souls.  Music is both an intellectual and sensual art. At Suffolk University we examine composers and their music within their social and cultural context, and study the grammar and rhetoric of music, in order to experience it to the fullest. When we engage with great music at the deepest level, it changes us, forever.  It fills our lives with beauty and joy. It deepens our understanding of what it means to be human.  Suffolk offers three choices for the academic study of music: the BA in Humanities - Music History track, alone or as a double major with, for example, Business or English; a Music History Minor combined with another major of the student’s choice; or elective music courses in the student’s area of interest. Courses cover the range from medieval to contemporary, and from World Music to Mozart. Opportunities to perform music are offered in the University Vocal Ensemble, in jazz and a cappella groups sponsored by the Performing Arts Office, and thorough the Department of Theatre.

Music History (MUH) courses fulfill the Humanities and History component of the Core requirements.

MUH 221, 223, 227, 231, and 233 can count toward the Cultural Diversity component of the Core requirement.

Humanities Major – Music History Track

Foundation courses:

• MUH 101 and MUH 102:  History of Music 1 and 2

Advanced Courses (6-8 courses)

Chosen from the following:

• MUH 210 - Music of the Twentieth Century
• MUH 211 - Music of the United States
• MUH 221 - History of Women in Music
• MUH 223 - World Music
• MUH 225 - Music Around Boston
• MUH 227 - Jazz
• MUH 229 - Opera
• MUH 231 - Music of Africa
• MUH 233 - The Blues
• MUH 335 - Music of Mozart
• MUH 337 - Music of Beethoven
• MUH 501 - Independent Study in Music History
• MUH 502 - Honors Thesis in Music History

Related Options:

A maximum of 2 courses may be chosen from the following:

• MUH 110 - Introduction to Music History and Theory
• Any HUM (Humanities) or ARH (Art History) course offering at level 200 or above

Notes:

• AP Credit: not applicable
• A maximum of 3 courses taken at other institutions or as part of a study abroad program may apply toward the major.
• Departmental Honors: Candidates must register for HUM 502 in the fall semester of the senior year and complete a senior thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. HUM 502 counts toward completion of the major.

Humanities Minor – Music History Track

Foundation courses:

• MUH 101 and MUH 102:  History of Music 1 and 2

3-4 Music Courses chosen from the following:

• MUH 210 - Music of the 20th Century
• MUH 211 - Music of the United States
• MUH 221 - History of Women in Music
• MUH 223 - World Music
• MUH 225 - Music Around Boston
• MUH 227 - Jazz
• MUH 229 - Music History:  Opera
• MUH 231 - Music of Africa
• MUH 233 - The Blues
• MUH 335 - Music of Mozart
• MUH 337 - Music of Beethoven

Related Options

A maximum of 1 course may be chosen from the following:

• MUH 110 - Introduction to Music History and Theory
• Any HUM (Humanities) or ARH (Art History) course offering at level 200 or above

Notes

• AP Credit: not applicable
• A maximum of 2 courses taken at other institutions of as part of a study abroad program may apply toward the minor.
• Any Seminar for Freshman with a strong music component (50% or more of course content) may count toward the major or minor programs.
• Independent Study (MUH 501) may be taken only once (permission required).