Oct 03, 2024  
Course Catalog 2023-2024 
    
Course Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music and Cognition Minor


The minor consists of a minimum of 5 full courses (or the equivalent) and a learning portfolio.

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the minor.


The interdisciplinary study of music and cognition is a rapidly growing field, with important contributions from music theory, psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and anthropology.

The minor in music and cognition is intended to give students the opportunity to engage with cutting-edge issues in the cognitive science of musical experience, understood broadly to encompass both music production and appreciation. In addition to courses directly concerned with musical cognition and emotion, the minor requires courses which provide background necessary for in-depth understanding of music and cognition, including classes in cognitive science, music theory, music history, and music production. Students will learn about the scholarly methods and goals of research in both music theory and the cognitive sciences, and will take at least one course that addresses the cross-disciplinary dialogue between the two fields.

arrow Visit the minor’s web page for more information.

Note(s) on Requirements


  • Students must obtain prior approval from the minor chair(s) for any substitution.
  • If a student wishes to count a course that is not listed below toward the minor, they can petition the minor chair(s) for approval to apply the completed or in-progress course toward their minor.
  • In planning their schedules, students should be aware that some of the courses listed below have prerequisites.

Declaring the Minor


Students wishing to complete the music and cognition minor should consult with their academic advisor or one of the minor co-chairs and complete the interdivisional or Arts and Sciences minor declaration/change form. The form requires the signature of one of the co-chairs.

Co-Chairs
Leslie Kwakye (Neuroscience)
Rebecca Leydon (Music Theory)

Detailed Minor Requirements


Music and Cognition Minor Course Lists


Learning Portfolio


Return to the summary of requirements.

In addition to the above requirements, students will also develop a learning portfolio with substantive pieces of work from each of the classes taken to fulfill the minor. The learning  portfolio must also include a reflection piece that explicitly connects the learning outcomes in the different courses. This reflection will be shared with the advisor (faculty liaison) and Conservatory and College Interdivisional Curricular Committee for the purpose of assessing student learning.