Courses offered by the Music Theory Department are listed below. Please check the iGPS Course Search page for course offerings each semester and consult individual course entries in this schedule for information on course prerequisites and corequisites.
Undergraduate Courses
MUS T109 – Rudiments of Music I
Fundamentals of notation, ear training, and music reading. Melody and beginning harmony. A grade of C or higher is required.
MUS T132 – Musical Skills I
It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with T152 Music Theory and Literature II. Diatonic melody and harmony; two-part counterpoint. Aural skills, music reading, and keyboard. A grade of C or higher is required.
MUS T151 – Music Theory and Literature I
Introduction to the literature and analysis of music. Introduction to diatonic harmony.
MUS T152 – Music Theory and Literature II
Diatonic harmony continued, and introduction to chromatic harmony. Two-voice counterpoint and study of small forms.
MUS T231 – Musical Skills II
It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with T251 Music Theory and Literature III. Melody, harmony, and counterpoint continued; some chromaticism. Aural skills, music reading, and keyboard. A grade of C or higher is required.
MUS T232 – Musical Skills III
It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with T252 Music Theory and Literature IV. Chromatic melody and harmony. Aural skills, music reading, and keyboard. A grade of C or higher is required.
MUS T251 – Music Theory and Literature III
Study of music from the late sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, with an emphasis on counterpoint, harmony, and form.
MUS T252 – Music Theory and Literature IV
Study of music of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with an emphasis on advanced harmonic procedures and analysis of larger forms.
MUS T261 – Music Theory and Literature III
Honors equivalent of T251. Study of music from the late sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, with an emphasis on counterpoint, harmony, and form.
MUS T262 – Music Theory and Literature IV
Honors equivalent of T252. Study of music of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with an emphasis on advanced harmonic procedures and analysis of larger forms.
MUS T331 – Musical Skills IV
It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with T351 Music Theory and Literature V. Twentieth-century materials. A grade of C or higher is required.
MUS T351 – Music Theory and Literature V
Study of music from the early twentieth century to the present; new compositional and analytical procedures.
MUS T361 – Music Theory and Literature V
Honors equivalent of T351. Study of music from the early twentieth century to the present; new compositional and analytical procedures.
MUS T400 – Undergraduate Readings in Music Theory
Independent study on a topic approved by the music theory department prior to enrollment in the course. To apply, complete the T400/T619 Independent Study Application and submit to mustheor@indiana.edu.
MUS T410 – Topics in Music Theory
Study of selected compositions of a particular composer, historical period, or genre. Emphasis on music and its relation to theoretical and compositional ideas. May be repeated for different topics.
MUS T418 – Music and Ideas
An introduction to the philosophy of music and the history and problems of musical aesthetics.
Graduate Courses
MUS T508 – Written Music Theory Review for Graduate Students
Part writing, form, and harmonization. Meets the proficiency requirement with a grade of C or higher. If T511 Aural Music Theory Review for Graduate Students is also required, T508 Written Music Theory Review for Graduate Students should be taken first.
MUS T509 – Sight-Singing Review for Graduate Students
Music reading involving intervals, scales, chord outlines, and rhythm patterns through sight singing and performance of prepared melodies in solo and ensemble settings. Meets the proficiency requirement with a grade of C or higher.
MUS T511 – Aural Music Theory Review for Graduate Students
Dictation of musical examples including rhythms, intervals, chords and chord proressions, melodies, two-voice contrapuntal examples, and contextual listening examples. Meets the proficiency requirement with a grade of C or higher. If T508 Written Music Theory Review for Graduate Students is also required, it should be taken before T511 Aural Music Theory Review for Graduate Students.
MUS T545 – Introductory Analysis of Music Literature
Basic techniques of analysis applied to a selection of music literature emphasizing works from the seventeenth century through the early twentieth century.
MUS T550 – Readings in Music Theory
Introduction to the discipline of music theory: objectives, issues, trends, methods, resources, and literature.
MUS T551 – Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music
In-depth analysis of common-practice repertoire through multiple techniques, including the study both of pitch and of rhythm.
MUS T555 – Schenkerian Analysis
Develops skill in applying Heinrich Schenker’s analytic method for tonal music of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
MUS T556 – Analysis of Music Since 1900
Analytical techniques for music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
MUS T561 – Music Theory: Variable Topics
Masters-level seminar in music theory, exploring various topics outside of or supplemental to those offered in the core curriculum. May be repeated for different topics.
MUS T565 – Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics
Analysis of, and composition in, the contrapuntal style of a given period, e.g., J. S. Bach and his contemporaries, the sixteenth-century sacred style, the Romantic period. May be repeated for different topics.
MUS T591 – Music Theory Pedagogy
Comparative analysis of teaching techniques, procedures, and materials, with practical application.
MUS T599 – Master’s Degree Comprehensive Review
Review of a portfolio assembled from master’s coursework. Taken in the final semester of study. This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.
MUS T619 – Projects and Problems in Music Theory
Investigation and research in the field of music theory designed to meet individual needs of graduate students. To apply, complete the T400/T619 Independent Study Application and submit to mustheor@indiana.edu.
MUS T623 – History of Music Theory I
Musical systems of antiquity; modal, rhythmic, and contrapuntal music theory to 1600.
MUS T624 – History of Music Theory II
Music theory from 1600 through the mid-twentieth century.
MUS T650 – Dissertation Topic Workshop
This workshop, normally to be taken during the last semester of coursework, is aimed at developing the dissertation topic and writing the topic prospectus. Students will meet under faculty supervision to discuss ideas, critique each other’s analyses and writing samples, suggest readings, and so forth.
MUS T658 – Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics
Doctoral-level seminar in music theory, exploring various topics outside of or supplemental to those offered in the core curriculum. Typically culminates in an extended research-based or analytical project. May be repeated for different topics.
MUS T659 – Public Lecture
Formal presentation to the public of a research paper. This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.
MUS T700 – Dissertation in Music Theory
This course is eligible for deferred (R) grading.