Music, BA
The music major is founded on a balance in the core training between the fields of music history, ethnomusicology, theory, and composition. Through a series of requirements, you will acquire a foundation that introduces you to the sheer range of musical traditions available for study and to a series of specialist skills and tools that facilitate and deepen that study.
The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33.0. Double majors may entail more course units.
For more information: http://www.sas.upenn.edu/music/
For information about the General Education requirements, please visit the College of Arts & Sciences Curriculum page.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| College General Education Requirements and Free Electives | ||
| Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives | 20 | |
| Music History Core Courses | ||
| MUSC 2301 | Introduction to Musicology | 1 |
| MUSC 2400 | Introduction to the Music Life in America | 1 |
| MUSC 2500 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 1 |
| Music Theory Core Courses | ||
| MUSC 2701 | Theory, Composition & Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUSC 2711 | Theory, Composition & Musicianship II | 1 |
| Major Electives | ||
| Select 4 course units: | 4 | |
| Marian Anderson Performance Program and Marian Anderson Performance Program | ||
| Historical Eras and Topics: Earlier Periods | ||
| Historical Eras and Topics: Later Periods | ||
| Themes in Music History | ||
| Performers: Music, Rhetoric, Performance | ||
| Performers: Dancers and Musicians | ||
| Performers: The Singer ca. 800-1400 | ||
| Performers: Celebrity | ||
| Studies in African-American Music | ||
| Performance, Analysis, History | ||
| Music, Religion, Ritual in South and Southeast Asia. | ||
| Accordions of the New World | ||
| Music and Performance of Africa | ||
| Caribbean Music and Diaspora | ||
| Latin American Music | ||
| Theory and Musicianship III | ||
| Composition I: Historical Practices | ||
| Composition II: Contemporary Practices | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Modular Electronic Music Systems & Performance | ||
| Recording Music: Theory & Methods | ||
| Composition for Musicians | ||
| Capstone Seminars | ||
| Select 2 course units: | 2 | |
| Seminar in Music History | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology | ||
| Seminar in Theory & Composition | ||
Any Graduate course MUSC 5080 and above | ||
| Ensemble Requirement | ||
| Participation in four semesters MUSC 0070 (.5 CU each) | 2 | |
| Ensemble Performance | ||
| Total Course Units | 33 | |
- 1
You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement. For Exceptions, check the Policy Statement.
Honors
Applicants must have completed one Guided Reading course, have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher, and complete a research paper.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Guided Reading Courses | ||
| MUSC 4097 | Honors Thesis (sem1/.5 c.u.) | 0.5 |
| MUSC 4098 | Honor's Thesis (Sem2/.5 c.u.) | 0.5 |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.