College Catalog: 2015-2016
School of Contemporary Arts (CA): Music (B.A.)
Website: School of Contemporary Arts
Concentrations: Music Industry, Music Performance,
Music Production, Music Studies.
The Music Program at Ramapo College, with its distinctly contemporary orientation, emphasizes creativity and experiential learning in a liberal arts framework. The program focuses on many forms of contemporary music and digital-music technologies, while cultivating an appreciation for Western art music, Western popular music, American music, and musical traditions from around the world. The major begins with foundational studies in three areas: musicianship, music history and culture, and musical technologies and media. Students select one of four concentrations – Music Industry, Music Performance, Music Production or Music Studies – all of which offer opportunities for internships, independent projects, and performance. These flexible and interconnected concentrations allow students to develop their interests, talents, and skills in individual ways.
- Music Industry focuses on the rapidly changing dynamics of the music business and the relationship of music, business, and technology in the digital media landscape.
- Music Performance is particularly experiential in developing musical skills and communication, and also provides a foundation for students seeking to pursue K-12 teaching.
- Music Production develops skills in original composition, production and recording techniques, scoring for visual media, and electronic performance.
- Music Studies includes the more interpretive disciplines of music, the craft of writing about music, and preparation for graduate studies.
Students completing this program will receive a B.A. degree. A minor in Music is available.
Outcome 1: Explore and explain how technology has impacted the field of music.
Outcome 2: Examine and interpret ways that music expresses culture and identity in diverse settings.
Outcome 3: Understand and describe the development of Western art music and a selection of popular genres, African American music, and non-Western musical traditions.
Outcome 4: Develop and apply competence in music notation, aural skills, and technical analysis.
Outcome 5: Demonstrate abilities to research, synthesize, and articulate music-related topics in written and verbal communication.
Outcome 6: Produce creative work or a performance that demonstrates skills relevant to the student’s concentration.
Outcome 7: Employ current technologies relevant to the student’s concentration.
- Transfer students who have 48 or more credits accepted at the time of transfer are waived from the courses marked with a (W) below. Waivers only apply to General Education Requirements NOT School Core or Major Requirements.
- Double counting between General Education, School Core, and Major may be possible. Check with your advisor to see if any apply.
- Writing Intensive Requirement (six courses): three writing intensive courses in the general education curriculum are required: First Year Seminar, Critical Reading and Writing, and Readings in the Humanities; the other three courses are taken in the major.
- All music majors must take the online Musicianship Placement Test upon entering the program and no later than one week after the beginning of their first term.
- Students should begin the Musicianship course sequence in their first semester as music students. Based on the results of the Music Placement Test, the sequence will either begin with Musicianship I or require the preceding course, Music Fundamentals. Exceptional test scores may provide the option to enroll in Musicianship II, subject to evaluation by musicianship faculty.
- Not all courses are offered each semester. Please check the current Schedule of Classes for semester course offerings.
MUSIC MAJOR
- Subject & Course # – Title & Course Description
- GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- SELECT ONE – (W) BADM 115 - PERSPECTIVES OF BUSINESS AND SOCIETY OR
- (W) SOSC 101 - SOCIAL ISSUES
- CRWT 102 - CRITICAL READING AND WRITING II
- AIID 201 - READINGS IN THE HUMANITIES (W)
- SELECT ONE – (W) GE-HISTORY CATEGORY: HIST 101-110
- SELECT ONE – GE-MATHEMATICS CATEGORY: MATH 101-121
- SELECT ONE – GE-SCIENCE WITH EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT CATEGORY
- SELECT ONE – GE-INTERCULTURAL NORTH AMERICA CATEGORY
- SELECT ONE – GE-INTERNATIONAL ISSUES CATEGORY
- SELECT ONE – (W) GE-TOPICS SOCIAL SCIENCE CATEGORY
- SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY ARTS REQUIREMENTS
- CNTP 101 - FIRST YEAR TOPICS (W) (satisfies first year seminar requirement)
- CA INTERDISCIPLINARY COURSES: SELECT ONE (MUST be discipline OTHER THAN major)
- AMER 311 - AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY AND VISUAL CULTURE
- AMER 322 - AMERICAN ART I: CONTACT TO 1865
- ARHT 305 - AFRICA AND CINEMA (formerly 405)
- ARHT 311 - AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHY AND VISUAL CULTURE
- ARHT 322 - AMERICAN ART I:CONTACT TO 1865
- ARHT 325 - AMERICAN ART: 1865-1945
- ARHT 337 - PHOTOGRAPHY AND AFRICA
- ARHT 338 - EUROPEAN AVANT- GARDE ART & DESIGN
- ARHT 340 - PERFORMANCE AND ART
- ARHT 341 - IMPRESSIONISM AND AFTER
- ARTS 331 - ART AS THERAPY
- COMM 302 - CONTEMPORARY CRITICISM: FILM (formerly CNTP-312)
- COMM 310 - APOCALYPTIC VISIONS IN ANIME, FILM & MEDIA
- COMM 317 - MEDIA AND PERSUASION
- COMM 334 - BEYOND THE EDITING ROOM: HISTORY AND AESTHETICS OF FILM EDITING
- COMM 341 - TV NOIR AND AMERICAN CULTURE
- COMM 343 - CINEMA OF THE OTHER
- COMM 355 - NEW HOLLYWOOD CINEMA: 1968-1980 AND THE STUDIO SYSTEM
- COMM 359 - DIGITAL CULTURE
- COMM 360 - GOOD & EVIL IN DESIGN FILM & VISUAL MEDIA (formerly CNTP-328)
- COMM 363 - MEDIA & CULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA (formerly CNTP-363)
- COMM 367 - AMERICAN INDEPENDENT CINEMA
- COMM 377 - GLOBAL MULTICULTURAL MEDIA ISSUES (formerly CNTP-327)
- MUSI 309 - MUSIC AND GENDER
- MUSI 313 - MUSIC ONLINE
- MUSI 325 - WRITING ABOUT MUSIC
- MUSI 335 - AVANT GARDE AND EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC
- MUSI 365 - CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON MUSIC
- THEA 321 - BLACK EXPERIENCE THROUGH THEATER
- THEA 328 - CONTEMPORARY WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS
- THEA 331 - THEATER & SOCIETY 1950-1960
- THEA 334 - THEATER & SOCIETY 1960-1975
- THEA 341 - FASHION AND POLITICS
- MUSIC MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
- THERE ARE FOUR CONCENTRATIONS IN THE MUSIC MAJOR:
1. MUSIC INDUSTRY
2. MUSIC PERFORMANCE
3. MUSIC PRODUCTION
4. MUSIC STUDIES - REQUIRED OF ALL MUSIC MAJORS
- MUSI 123 - MUSICIANSHIP I
- MUSI 316 - MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA
- MUSI 255 - MUSIC, HISTORY AND CULTURE
- MUSIC AND CULTURE 200 LEVEL: SELECT ONE
- MUSI 201 - MUSIC IN OUR TIME
- MUSI 202 - THE BLACK EXPERIENCE THROUGH MUSIC
- MUSI 203 - MUSIC IN LATIN AMERICA
- MUSI 204 - MUSIC AND DANCE IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
- MUSI 205 - MUSIC AND DANCE IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: NORTH AMERICA
- MUSI 222 - MUSIC IN THE THEATER
- MUSI 224 - FILM MUSIC
- MUSI 232 - HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL
- MUSI 233 - HISTORY OF HIP-HOP AND RAP MUSIC
- MUSI 237 - HISTORY OF JAZZ
- MUSI 240 - MUSIC IN ASIA
- MUSI 245 - MUSIC IN AFRICA
- MUSI 249 - AMERICAN MUSICAL TRADITIONS
- MUSIC AND CULTURE UPPER LEVEL: SELECT ONE
- MUSI 305 - SHINE ON: THE MUSIC OF PINK FLOYD
- MUSI 309 - MUSIC AND GENDER
- MUSI 313 - MUSIC ONLINE (Only for Music Performance, Music Production, and Music Studies Concentrations)
- MUSI 325 - WRITING ABOUT MUSIC
- MUSI 328 - SOUNDTRACKS
- MUSI 330 - CLASSICAL MUSIC
- MUSI 335 - AVANT GARDE AND EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC
- MUSI 345 - DJ CULTURE
- MUSI 355 - MUSIC AND THE MIND
- MUSI 365 - CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES ON MUSIC
- MUSI 390 - SPECIAL TOPICS:
- MUSI 462 -
- CO-OP/INTERNSHIP COURSE REQUIREMENT: SELECT ONE
- CNTP 388 - CO-OP/INTERNSHIP CONTEMPORARY ARTS
- MUSI 400 - INDEPENDENT STUDY: MUSIC
- CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT FOR ALL MUSIC MAJORS:
- MUSI 450 - CAPSTONE SEMINAR IN MUSIC
- ADDITIONAL MUSICIANSHIP COURSES (not required for all students):
- MUSI 121 - MUSIC FUNDAMENTALS
- MUSI 209 - AURAL SKILLS
- MUSI 360 - MUSICIANSHIP III
- MUSIC INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION
- REQUIRED:
- MUSI 209 - AURAL SKILLS OR
- MUSI 210 - MUSICIANSHIP II
- MUSI 263 - BUSINESS OF MUSIC
- MUSI 301 - ADVANCED BUSINESS OF MUSIC
- MUSI 313 - MUSIC ONLINE
- MUSI 350 - MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
- SELECT TWO :
- COMM 202 - FUNDAMENTALS OF INTERACTIVE MEDIA
- INFO 224 - PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
- MUSI 120 - MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (formerly 220)
- MUSI 223 - ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER MUSIC I (formerly 322)
- MUSI 261 - RECORDING ARTS I (formerly 361)
- MGMT 302 - MANAGING ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
- MGMT 303 - ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AND MEDIA MANAGEMENT
- MKTG 290 - MARKETING PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
- MKTG 350 - INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
- MUSIC PERFORMANCE CONCENTRATION
- REQUIRED:
- MUSI 210 - MUSICIANSHIP II
- SELECT TWO :
- MUSI 120 - MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (formerly 220)
- MUSI 251 - SONG WRITING
- MUSI 263 - BUSINESS OF MUSIC
- MUSI 360 - MUSICIANSHIP III
- PERFORMANCE: SELECT 16 CREDITS
- MUSI 126 - RAMAPO CHORALE (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times)
- MUSI 130 - APPLIED MUSIC I (1 credit) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 206 - TECHNIQUE FOR SINGERS I (4 credits) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 207 - TECHNIQUE FOR SINGERS II (4 credits) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 227 - GOSPEL CHORUS (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times)
- MUSI 230 - APPLIED MUSIC II (1 credits)
- MUSI 234 - TECHNIQUE FOR KEYBOARD (4 credits)
- MUSI 235 - TECHNIQUE FOR GUITAR (4 credits)
- MUSI 253 - MUSIC PERFORMANCE (4 credits) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 320 - MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP (4 credits) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 327 - MUSICAL IMPROVISATION (4 credits)
- MUSI 340 - APPLIED MUSIC III (1 credit)
- MUSI 364 - INTERMEDIATE PERFORMING ENSEMBLE (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times for credit)
- MUSIC PRODUCTION CONCENTRATION
- REQUIRED:
- MUSI 120 - MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (formerly 220)
- MUSI 210 - MUSICIANSHIP II
- MUSI 223 - ELECTRONIC & COMPUTER MUSIC I (formerly 322)
- MUSI 261 - RECORDING ARTS I (formerly 361)
- PRODUCTION: SELECT TWO
- COMM 338 - SOUND DESIGN FOR DIGITAL MEDIA
- MUSI 323 - ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER MUSIC II
- MUSI 362 - LIVE AUDIO ENGINEERING & RECORDING
- MUSI 366 - DIGITAL MUSIC PERFORMANCE
- MUSI 424 - ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER MUSIC III (formerly 324)
- ELECTIVES: SELECT ONE
- MUSI 233 - HISTORY OF HIP-HOP AND RAP MUSIC
- MUSI 251 - SONG WRITING
- MUSI 263 - BUSINESS OF MUSIC
- MUSI 313 - MUSIC ONLINE
- MUSI 327 - MUSICAL IMPROVISATION
- MUSI 345 - DJ CULTURE
- MUSI 360 - MUSICIANSHIP III
- MUSIC STUDIES CONCENTRATION
- REQUIRED:
- MUSI 210 - MUSICIANSHIP II
- SELECT ONE :
- MUSI 120 - MUSIC PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY (formerly 220)
- MUSI 251 - SONG WRITING
- MUSI 263 - BUSINESS OF MUSIC
- MUSI 360 - MUSICIANSHIP III
- PERFORMANCE: 4 CREDITS REQUIRED
- MUSI 126 - RAMAPO CHORALE (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times)
- MUSI 130 - APPLIED MUSIC I (1 credit) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 206 - TECHNIQUE FOR SINGERS I (4 credits) (can be taken twice for credit)
- MUSI 227 - GOSPEL CHORUS (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times)
- MUSI 230 - APPLIED MUSIC II (1 credits)
- MUSI 234 - TECHNIQUE FOR KEYBOARD (4 credits)
- MUSI 235 - TECHNIQUE FOR GUITAR (4 credits)
- MUSI 253 - MUSIC PERFORMANCE (4 credits) (can be taken 2 times)
- MUSI 320 - MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP (4 credits) (can be taken 2 times)
- MUSI 327 - MUSICAL IMPROVISATION (4 credits)
- MUSI 340 - APPLIED MUSIC III (1 credit)
- MUSI 364 - INTERMEDIATE PERFORMING ENSEMBLE (2 credits) (can be taken 4 times for credit)
- MUSIC ELECTIVES 100/200 LEVEL: SELECT TWO
- MUSIC ELECTIVES 300/400 LEVEL: SELECT TWO
Note: A 2.0 GPA in the major is required for graduation.
- At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.
MUSIC MINOR
- Subject & Course # – Title & Course Description
- Required Courses:
- MUSI 123 - MUSICIANSHIP I
- MUSIC AND CULTURE: SELECT TWO COURSES FROM THE FOLLOWING (8 credits):
- MUSI 201 - MUSIC IN OUR TIME
- MUSI 202 - THE BLACK EXPERIENCE THROUGH MUSIC
- MUSI 203 - MUSIC IN LATIN AMERICA
- MUSI 204 - MUSIC AND DANCE IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
- MUSI 205 - MUSIC AND DANCE IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: NORTH AMERICA
- MUSI 222 - MUSIC IN THE THEATER
- MUSI 224 - FILM MUSIC
- MUSI 232 - HISTORY OF ROCK 'N' ROLL
- MUSI 233 - HISTORY OF HIP-HOP AND RAP MUSIC
- MUSI 237 - HISTORY OF JAZZ
- MUSI 240 - MUSIC IN ASIA
- MUSI 245 - MUSIC IN AFRICA
- MUSI 249 - AMERICAN MUSICAL TRADITIONS
- MUSI 255 - MUSIC, HISTORY AND CULTURE
- MUSI 316 - MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA
- MUSIC ELECTIVES: SELECT TWO (AT LEAST ONE AT THE 300/400 LEVEL = 8 credits)
General Education Requirements
Four Year Plan
Graduation Requirements
The Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts
School of Contemporary Arts Website
Faculty Profiles