Course information
Syllabus
Course description
MUH 2051 — Enjoyment of Music. An introduction to musical aesthetics and analysis for honors students. We examine how music produces meaning — through its formal elements, its relationship to narrative, and its function in human experience. The course culminates in a sustained argumentative essay analyzing the role of music in a narrative medium of the student's choosing: film, video game, musical theatre, or music video. This course satisfies the UCF State Writing Requirement (SWR).
Learning objectives
- Identify and describe musical elements — pitch, melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, texture, and form — with precision
- Analyze how music produces aesthetic meaning and emotional response
- Apply ethnographic observation skills to live music performance contexts
- Understand the relationship between music and narrative across multiple media
- Write analytically and argumentatively about music at an advanced level
- Develop and revise a sustained argumentative essay through multiple drafts
Grading breakdown
| Component | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Song Analysis SWR | 500–700 words. Draft → peer review → revised final. First major writing cycle. | 20% |
| Concert Report #1 SWR | 2–3 pages. Ethnographic + analytical. Due end of Week 8. | 10% |
| Concert Report #2 SWR | 2–3 pages. Same format; different genre or venue. Due end of Week 12. | 10% |
| Capstone Essay SWR | 6–8 pages. Argumentative essay analyzing music in a narrative medium. Developed Weeks 13–15. | 30% |
| Peer Review | Written feedback on classmates' Song Analysis and Capstone drafts. Graded on quality. | 10% |
| Attendance & Participation | Listening labs, workshops, in-class discussions, 2-minute share-outs. | 20% |
Writing-graded components (Song Analysis + 2× Concert Report + Capstone) total 70% of the final grade, satisfying UCF's 60% SWR minimum. The course includes 4 writing assignments, 2 revision cycles, and 1 multi-page assignment.
Required texts
- Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context — Esther M. Morgan-Ellis, ed. (University of North Georgia Press). Free PDF available via the course page.
- Grasso, Julianne — article on video game music (distributed Week 10)
- Additional short readings distributed via Canvas as needed
Course policies
- Attendance & Participation: Taken via sign-in sheet most classes. This is a small honors seminar — your presence and preparation matter. More than two unexcused absences will affect your participation grade.
- Concert reports: You must attend two live music events this semester. Any ticketed or free performance qualifies — on campus or off. Each event should last at least 30 minutes. You may not report on a recital by a current classmate.
- Peer review: Peer review days are mandatory. Missing a peer review day without prior notice, and excused documentation, will result in a zero for the peer review grade for that cycle.
- AI policy: AI tools may assist with brainstorming and basic copyediting, but you may not submit AI-generated text for any written assignment. Analytical writing is the core skill this course develops — there are no shortcuts. See Canvas for the full policy.
- Accessibility: Students requiring accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services and notify the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester.
15 weeks · T/Th
Course Schedule
Materials & readings
Weekly Pages
Each week has its own page with slide decks, listening examples, reading notes, and in-class activity guides. Pages unlock one week before the relevant sessions.
Unit 1 — Foundations (Weeks 1–3)
Unit 2 — How Music Means (Weeks 4–7)
Unit 3 — Music & Narrative (Weeks 8–10)
Unit 4 — Music in Context (Weeks 11–12)
Deadlines & submissions
Assignments
Oct
3
Song Analysis — Draft
500–700 words. Submit on Canvas before class on Oct 5 so your peer reviewer has time to read it. Bring a printed copy to class for the peer review session.
Draft · 0 pts (required for peer review)
Oct
5
Song Analysis — Peer Review (in class, Monday)
Written feedback on your assigned classmate's draft. At least 200 words using the provided rubric. Collected at the end of class. Missing peer review day without prior notice results in a zero for this component.
Peer Review · counts toward 10% peer review grade
Oct
9
Song Analysis — Revised Final
500–700 words. Revised in response to peer and instructor feedback. Submit on Canvas by 11:59 PM.
Writing Assignment · 20% of final grade
Oct
16
Concert Report #1
2–3 pages. Ethnographic + analytical write-up of a live music event attended before this date. You must attend the event before submitting. See the Concert Report guidelines on Canvas for the expected format.
Writing Assignment · 10% of final grade
Oct
28
Capstone Topic Proposal
One paragraph (150–200 words) identifying your chosen medium (film, video game, musical theatre, or music video) and the specific work you plan to analyze. Include a one-sentence preview of your argument. Submit on Canvas by end of class.
Proposal · graded for completion
Nov
13
Concert Report #2
2–3 pages. Same format as Report #1. Must attend a different genre or venue than your first concert. Submit on Canvas by 11:59 PM.
Writing Assignment · 10% of final grade
Nov
22
Capstone Essay — Full Draft
6–8 pages. Submit on Canvas before class on Nov 23 (Monday) for peer review. Bring a printed copy of your introduction and one body section to class.
Draft · 0 pts (required for peer review)
Nov
23
Capstone Essay — Peer Review (in class, Monday)
Written feedback on two classmates' drafts (groups of three). At least 200 words per essay using the capstone rubric. Submitted digitally by Nov 24 at midnight. Note: Wednesday Nov 25 is Thanksgiving break — no class.
Peer Review · counts toward 10% peer review grade
Dec
2
Capstone Essay — Final Submission
6–8 pages. Revised in response to peer and instructor feedback. Submit on Canvas by 11:59 PM on the last day of classes. This is the major writing assignment for the course — begin early.
Major Assignment · 30% of final grade
Getting help
Office Hours
Dr. Melissa J. Scott
Instructor of Record
T/Th 12:30–2:00 PM
Location posted on Canvas
WebCourses message only
Please use Canvas/WebCourses messages rather than UCF email — there is another Melissa Scott on campus and messages may not reach me otherwise.
Appointments outside office hours
Office hours are drop-in — no appointment needed. To meet outside regular hours, send a Canvas message at least 48 hours in advance with two or three available times. For feedback on writing in progress, please send your draft along with your message.