Academic Catalog

Popular Music Studies, Bachelor of Arts

The Popular Music Studies program at USC Upstate provides students with the skills to adapt and thrive in today’s rapidly changing music industry. Our curriculum prepares students for careers in performance, songwriting, composing and arranging, recording and producing, music instruction, worship music, music publishing, artist management, event promotion, musical theatre, or music journalism. Students develop core skills in performance, musicianship and theory, music history, digital production technology, and music business. Students also gain ample performing experience with our five musical ensembles, take private lessons and learn the music business from working professionals, and get hands-on experience with industry-standard music technology. A minor in Popular Music Studies is also available. 

General Education Courses
I. Communication
English:
Select two of the following:6
Composition I
Composition II
Speech:
SPCH U201Foundations in Oral Communication3
II. Mathematics, Logic & Natural Sciences
Mathematics:
Select one of the following:3
Probability and Statistics
Elementary Statistics
College Mathematics
College Algebra
Calculus for Management and Social Sciences
Natural Science (w/ lab):
Select one of the following:4
Descriptive Astronomy
and Descriptive Astronomy Laboratory
Introductory Biology I
and Introductory Biology I Lab
Introductory Biology II
and Introductory Biology II Lab
General Biology
and General Biology Lab
Botany and Society
and Botany and Society Laboratory
Human Anatomy and Physiology II
and Human Anatomy and Physiology II Lab
Chemistry and Society
and Chemistry and Society Lab
Chemistry of Living Things
and Chemistry of Living Things Lab
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Lab
General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
and General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis Lab
Physical Geology
and Physical Geology Lab
Historical Geology
and Historical Geology Lab
Environmental Geology
and Environmental Geology Lab
Introduction to Physical Science
and Introduction to Physical Science Laboratory
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
Math, Logic and/ or Natural Science:
Select any course in Mathematics or Natural Sciences listed above or:3-4
Foundations of Human Physiology
and Foundations of Human Physiology Laboratory
Introduction to Logic and Rhetoric
Deductive Logic
Psychological Statistics
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
III. Information Technology
Information Technology:
MUSC U162Intro to Music Technology 13
IV. Fine Arts, Humanities & History
Fine Arts:
MUSC U110Introduction to Music 13
MUSC U140History of American Popular Music 13
History:
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to World History I
Introduction to World History II
History of the United States to 1877
History of the United States from 1865
V. Foreign Language & Culture
Foreign Language:
Select one of the following: 23
American Sign Language I
Introductory French I
Introductory German I
Introductory Spanish I
VI. Social & Behavioral Sciences
Social & Behavioral Science:
Select two of the following:6
Understanding Other Cultures
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Geography
American National Government
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Interpersonal Communication
Leadership Development I
Introduction to Women's & Gender Studies
VII. General Education Electives
General Ed. Electives:
Select any course from any section above or:3
African American Culture
American Studies, 17th - 19th Century
American Studies, 20th Century
Introduction to Art
History of Western Art: Prehistory - Middle Ages
History of Western Art: Renaissance - Modern
American Sign Language II
Introduction to Computer Technology
Introduction to Computer Science
Understanding English Grammar
Masterpieces of World Literature
Survey of American Literature I
Survey of American Literature II
Survey of British Literature I
Survey of British Literature II
African American Literature
Introduction to Film
Introductory French II
Introductory German II
Survey of Information Technology
Strategies for Information Discovery
Introduction to Philosophy
Contemporary Moral Issues
Comparative Religion
Introductory Spanish II
Introduction to Theatre Art
Fundamentals in Acting
Major Requirements 1
Music Core:
MUSC U100Recital Attendance (four semesters)4
MUSC U111 or MUSC U311 (Applied Music four semesters)4
MUSC U115
U115L
Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills I
and Commercial Musicianship I Laboratory 3
4
MUSC U116
U116L
Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills II
and Commercial Musicianship II Laboratory
4
Performing Ensembles (four semesters)
Select one of the following:4
Jazz Combo
and Jazz Combo
Upstate Vocal Ensemble
and Upstate Vocal Ensemble
Commercial Music Combo
and Commercial Music Combo
MUSC U155Group Piano I1
MUSC U215
U215L
Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills III
and Commercial Musicianship III Laboratory
4
MUSC U303Music History Remixed3
MUSC U361Music Business3
Composition / Arranging
Select one of the following:3-4
Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills IV
and Commercial Musicianship IV Laboratory
Songwriting
Composition
Arranging for Ensembles
MUSC U490Senior Seminar in Commercial Music3
Popular Music Emphasis:
Students will choose their additional music emphasis courses from the list below with advisor's approval:21
MUSC U111 Applied Music (must be different instrument(s) than used for core)
100- or 300-level ensembles (1-4 Credit Hours)
Jazz Combo
and Jazz Combo
Upstate Vocal Ensemble
and Upstate Vocal Ensemble
Commercial Music Combo
and Commercial Music Combo
Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills IV
and Commercial Musicianship IV Laboratory
Writing About Music (1-3 credit hours)
Black Music: Jazz to Hip-Hop
Music, Gender, and Sexuality
MUSC U311: Applied Music (choose instrument) 1-3 Credit Hours
Analysis of Popular Music
Jazz Theory
Jazz Improvisation
Music Technology
Music Entrepreneurship
Songwriting
Composition
Arranging for Ensembles
Selected Topics in Music
Music for Elementary and Middle Schools
Approved Business / Communication Courses:
Select one of the following:
Intro to Digital Studies
Grant Writing
Innovation, Creativity, and Change
Fundamentals of Public Relations
TV Studio Production
Video Editing
Social and Emerging Media
Social Media Strategy
Principles of Organizational Management
Financial Concepts and Applications for New Ventures
Principles of Marketing
Fund Raising for Nonprofit Organizations
Interviewing
Introduction to Organizational Communication
Internship in Commercial Music (3 Credit Hours Required)
Electives
Select 17-19 credit hrs17-19
Total Hours120
1

A minimum grade of C is required in all major courses.

2

Prerequisites for MUSC U115 Commercial Music Theory and Aural Skills I include successful completion of the Music Theory and Aural Skills placement exam or MUSC U101 Fundamentals of Music Theory and/or MUSC U101L Fundamentals of Musicianship Laboratory.