Psychology and Music

CRN

23964

Course Number

378

Credits

4

Course Description

Music is so ubiquitous that we often overlook the powerful influence it has on various aspects of our lives. This course is meant to challenge us to think through the ways in which our lives are impacted by music, within and outside of our awareness. Topics that we will cover include: reasons and motivations as to why people listen to music; investigate how music can influence our emotions; examine the correlations between music, personality, identity, and behavior; learn how our music preferences communicate information to others; and understand how music facilitates attraction and social belonging.

Required Texts

Readings will be posted on Canvas and will primarily be empirical readings from the music psychology, musicology, and social cognition literatures.

Credit/Evaluation

Regular attendance (i.e., no more than 3 absences); active and engaged participation in class discussions and debate; one visual representation of music profile; a music and the self paper; a music (sub)genre origins snapshot project; and one group podcast on a topic related to music.

Term

Spring 2023

Course Subject

FAIR