GLI Freshman Seminar Proposal
Instructor: James Randall, Associate Professor, School of Music
Course Title: The Power of Music: Meaning and Manipulation
Although we are inundated with music in our everyday lives—through iPods, radio,
advertising, the soundtracks of television and film—most of us never learn the
critical listening skills necessary to understand how music influences our beliefs and
behaviors. Music is used to sell us products, political candidates, and systems of
thought in sophisticated ways, yet most are oblivious to music’s role in this process.
Key to becoming an informed and responsible citizen in the 21st century is an
understanding of how music is used to shape our understanding of the world
around us, particular in an age of media saturation. Consequently, this course is an
experiential investigation into how advertisers, filmmakers, politicians, and
religious leaders use music to shape what we think, what we buy, and the groups to
which we belong. Essentially, the big questions are: “how does music communicate
meaning?” and “why should we care?” We’ll take an interdisciplinary approach
toward answering these questions. Primary course readings will be drawn from the
disciplines of musicology, neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, musicology,
communications and film studies. Guest speakers from the disciplines above will
share their ideas and research in our weekly seminars.
Assignments will include written analyses of music’s role in media, politics, and
advertising, as well as creative projects in which students use music (original or precomposed) to craft their own messages in the form of mock advertisements, short
film collaborations, and other creative works. No prior musical experience is
required.
Units
Music: A Universal Language?
Music and Advertising
Music in Social and Religious Movements
Music and Film
Music and Political Campaigns
Music and the Social Construction of Gender
Music and the Brain
Learning Goals
1) Students will develop an understanding of how and why music is used in politics,
religion, advertising, and art to shape our beliefs and behaviors.
2) Students will become better critical listeners, understanding music’s role in
media and social movements to influence and persuade.
Outcomes
1) Students will be introduced to ethical issues related to the use of music in politics,
advertising, and social movements.
2) Students will write essays analyzing music’s effectiveness in film, advertising and
political campaigns.
3) Students will create soundtracks to pre-existing political ads, commercials, and
short film clips to understand and evaluate how music affects our perception of
visual media.
4) Students will read the latest theories and research on music and meaning in a
variety of disciplines, including neuroscience, musicology, and communications.