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Mar 18, 2026
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[DRAFT] Course Catalog 2026-2027 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Music Major
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The major consists of a minimum of 10 full courses (or the equivalent).
Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.
 View the catalog page for the music program.
The music major is designed for College of Arts and Sciences students with serious preparation for and interest in the study of music within a liberal arts context. The major emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and communications skills grounded in practical musical experience. Students in the major build musical foundations in applied study, musicianship skills, and music history, and continue more advanced work in the major with a selection of courses chosen to contextualize their consideration of music.
Note: Students interested in intensive pre-professional training are advised to apply for the Bachelor of Music program in the Conservatory of Music.
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Note(s) on Requirements
- All APST, MUTH, and PVST courses must be taken at Oberlin. Additionally, the courses counting to the following requirements must be taken at Oberlin:
Transfer of Credit Toward the Major
The music program will accept up to the equivalent of three full courses of transfer credit to count toward the music major requirements. Two types of approval are needed. (1) Approval from the Office of the Registrar that the transfer course meets Oberlin’s transfer-of-credit eligibility standards and (2) approval from the department/program chair that the course(s) may count to the major. Current students taking post-matriculation credit must secure this approval before registering for course(s). Students who enter Oberlin as transfer students will have their pre-matriculation credit evaluated by the Office of the Registrar for elective credit, and they can later seek approval from the department/program for applying coursework to major requirements. Course of Study
Students interested in pursuing graduate work in music are advised to take additional courses beyond the minimum major requirements and to pursue the honors program. Honors in Music
Students may apply for the Honors Program in Music in the second semester of the junior year. Entry to the honors program is contingent on approval of the honors proposal by both the student’s honors advisor and the music committee. Detailed application information is available from the co-chairs of the committee. See more information about the Honors Program in Music and submission deadlines. Detailed Major Requirements
Musicology (CD) Courses
Return to the summary of requirements. Note: The required musicology (CD) course must be taken at Oberlin. - AAST 171 - Introduction to African American Music I ⇒ cross-listed with JAZZ 290, MUSY 290
- AAST 172 - Introduction to African American Music II ⇒ cross-listed with JAZZ 291, MUSY 291
- ANTH 217 - Music and the Environment in Northeast Asia
- CAST 106 - The History of Rock: Race, Class, Gender, Place
- CAST 226 - Music of the Americas
- CAST 277 - Rap the Disco, Punk the Queen: Music of the 1970s
- JAZZ 290 - Introduction to African American Music I ⇒ cross-listed with AAST 171, MUSY 290
- JAZZ 291 - Introduction to African American Music II ⇒ cross-listed with AAST 172, MUSY 291
- MUSY 100 - Introduction to Ethnomusicology
- MUSY 103 - Music as Social Life
- MUSY 104 - A Playlist for Indigenous Survival
- MUSY 191 - AfroClassical Music Forum and Practicum
- MUSY 201 - Doing Musical Ethnography
- MUSY 206 - Decolonizing Ethnomusicology
- MUSY 212 - Music and Ecology
- MUSY 223 - Hip-Hop History and Analysis
- MUSY 261 - A Thematic History of Jazz through The Neumann Collection
- MUSY 290 - Introduction to African American Music I ⇒ cross-listed with AAST 171, JAZZ 290
- MUSY 291 - Introduction to African American Music II ⇒ cross-listed with AAST 172, JAZZ 291
- MUSY 304 - Musical Thought: Analysis of World Music
- MUSY 333 - The Racial Politics of Classical Music
- MUSY 360 - Jazz and Media Studies Through the Neumann Archive
Ensemble Courses
Return to the summary of requirements. Qualified students in the College of Arts and Sciences may be accepted for membership in various ensembles under the direction of members of the Conservatory faculty. Ensembles are offered as half courses (for two credits per semester) and may be repeated for credit. For further details consult the Conservatory of Music section of this catalog. Note: The required ensemble courses must be taken at Oberlin. 200-Level Conservatory or Music-Focused Courses
Return to the summary of requirements. Any 200-level Conservatory course or a 200-level Arts and Sciences course with substantial musical content. Arts and Sciences courses must be approved by the program director.
The following courses may be of particular interest for students pursuing this major: 300- and 400-Level Conservatory or Music-Focused Courses
Return to the summary of requirements. Any 300- or 400-level Conservatory course or a 300-level Arts and Sciences course with substantial musical content. Arts and Sciences courses must be approved by the program director. Note: The required 300- or 400- level Conservatory or music-focused course must be taken at Oberlin.
The following courses may be of particular interest for students pursuing this major: Music Major Elective Courses
Return to the summary of requirements. Students can take elective courses in musicology (with the CD attribute or without the CD attribute), up to four credits of private studies (PVST) courses, up to four credits of APST lesson courses, and/or courses from the areas listed below, including COMP, JAZZ, MUTH, PACE, RAPR, TECH, and more. |
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View more information about Secondary Lessons here.