Courses

Posted here are syllabi for the courses I have taught/am teaching at Indiana University. Click on the title for each course to access a pdf of the syllabus. Please feel free to use the information. However, if you do, please let me know. Thanks.

Learning processes in music (Spring 2023)

The central purpose of this course is to challenge students to consider how learning theories may be applicable to their work in music education. The course will begin with a survey of several foundational theories that have had a strong influence upon contemporary approaches to educational design: information processing theory, social cognitive theory, and constructivist theories. The intersection between music pedagogy and popular concepts pertaining to culturally responsive pedagogy, motivation, and creativity will also be explored. The students will work to integrate music education research into their understanding and application of each topic. The assignments in this course are designed to (a) engage students in reflective thinking, (b) foster basic scholarly skills (i.e., searching, understanding, applying, synthesizing), and (c) provide opportunities for applying ideas to their own teaching settings.

(Doctoral) Seminar in music education (Fall 2022)

The process of systematic inquiry is essential to the development and refinement of knowledge and is arguably the sine qui non of doctoral work at most institutions of higher learning. Moreover, for those who aspire to a career in higher education, the ability to understand, analyze, evaluate, apply, and engage in research is either central or at the very least critically important to their effectiveness as faculty. In this course, we will focus on the cultivation of knowledge, dispositions, and skills necessary to preparing for a career in music education that integrates teaching and research. A series of assignments will lead you to present, discuss and evaluate research, both in written and oral form. Additionally, this course will provide you with an opportunity to write (a) a publishable review of literature and (b) a defendable dissertation topic prospectus. A secondary goal of this seminar is to help prepare you for doctoral qualifying examinations.

Advanced instrumental methods (Summer 2022 – Online)

This course is a survey of topics relevant to the fundamental pedagogical challenges of instrumental music teaching. The course emphasizes pedagogical processes (teaching/learning issues) as well as philosophical and curricular issues in instrumental music education. Topics of note include: sound-to-symbol pedagogy; planning, implementing, and reflecting on large ensemble rehearsals; incorporating elements of comprehensive musicianship, improvisation, and composition into ensemble contexts; and teaching students to practice. The assignments of this course are designed so as to encourage students to reflect on their own teaching practices and focus their work on areas of interest that are directly related to their personal professional growth.

Measurement, evaluation, and guidance in music (Spring 2021)

The course will begin with a unit dealing with foundational issues of measurement, evaluation, and guidance as related to current accountability policy trends, educational frameworks, and basic issues of curricular design. This will be followed by a presentation of fundamental approaches to interpreting quantitative data that are typical of educational measurements and traditional conceptions of reliability and validity. The third section of the course will deal with approaches for assessing students’ musical learning. Lastly, approaches for grading and common standardized measures will be discussed. Assignments for this course are designed with three primary goals in mind: (a) to engage the students in thinking how measurement, evaluation, and guidance could be applicable to curricular thinking, (b) to provide opportunities to acquire fundamental skills of measurement through practice, and (c) to provide students with an opportunity to cater the course materials to their personal goals.

Reading and writing research in music education (Spring 2021)

This course provides an overview of research in music education. We will discuss the fundamental aspects of each of the four primary paradigmatic approaches to conducting music education research: Historical, Philosophical, Quantitative, and Qualitative methods. Most of the assignments in this course are designed to help students become comfortable reading, synthesizing, and critiquing research articles. The culminating project for the course is a proposal for a master’s thesis or practicum project.

Psychology of music (Fall 2022)

This course is a survey of selected psychological perspectives on musical experience and learning. The most substantial unit in the course will deal with the cognitive components of music performance. We will also explore the neurological bases of musical. This will be followed by an introduction to basic acoustical principles and physiological processes for experiencing sound as well as traditional topics of music perception and cognition. Finally, we will briefly consider the evolutionary bases for musicality, the emerging concept of embodied cognition, and the nature of peak experiences in music.

Advanced quantitative research in music education (Spring 2022)

This course is an exploration of principles and methods of quantitative research in music education. The first component of the course includes with a brief review and extension of fundamental considerations when conducting quantitative research. The second component of the course deals with the introduction and application of intermediate and advanced statistical analysis methods necessary for more complex research designs: (a) extensions of ANOVA, (b) regression approaches, (c) factor analysis, and (d) structural equation modeling. Students will be challenged to critique existing research, pose hypothetical designs, and analyze and create reports with hypothetical data sets. Students will also complete an abbreviated original empirical study, perhaps as pilot work leading to their dissertation research.

Freshman colloquium in music education (Fall 2018)

This course will provide an introduction to the basic principles and practices of music education (e.g., history, philosophy, types of school programs, organization and implementation of instruction). The assignments in this course have been designed to provide opportunities for students to develop pedagogical skills and critically consider and reflect upon issues related to their personal development as music teachers.

Introduction to music learning and teaching (Fall 2018)

This course will provide an introduction to principles and practices fundamental to music learning and teaching. The class will include topics dealing with philosophical bases for teaching music, psychological foundations of musical learning, effective approaches to pedagogy, and musician health and well-being. The assignments in this course have been designed to provide opportunities for students to develop pedagogical skills and critically consider and reflect upon issues related to their personal development as music teacher-performers.

Quantitative research in music education (Fall 2017)

This course will provide an introduction to foundational principles and methods of quantitative research in music education. The course will begin with a discussion of the nature of scientific inquiry and its application to music education scholarship. This will be followed by units that cover general guidelines for basic descriptive, correlational, and experimental research designs. An introduction to statistical analysis tools applicable to each design category will be provided as appropriate. Students will be challenged to critique existing research, pose hypothetical designs, analyze data, and create reports with actual data sets. Students will also complete proposal sketches for two original empirical studies, preferably as pilot work that could contribute in some way to their long-term research goals (e.g., public lecture, dissertation, presentation, publication).

College music teaching (Spring 2017)

In this class we will examine several aspects of higher education including pedagogical practices, professional responsibilities, and life as a college professor. We will discuss, observe, and practice teaching strategies that are common in higher education musical contexts (i.e., studio, rehearsal, lecture, classroom). We will also participate in discussions organized around readings, presentations by guest discussants in specialized areas within music, peer teaching, and reflective observations.

Methods and materials for teaching instrumental music (Fall 2016)

This course provides students with a survey of skills, strategies, content knowledge and resources necessary for effective music instruction as a school band or orchestra director. The course focuses on pedagogical processes (teaching/learning) and on philosophical and curricular issues in instrumental music education. Topics of emphasis include: sight to sound pedagogy; rhythm and intonation pedagogy; teaching students to practice; planning, implementing, and reflecting on large ensemble rehearsals; and incorporating elements of comprehensive musicianship, improvisation, and composition into ensemble contexts. Additionally, a significant portion of the course will be devoted to students’ areas of personal interest and goals for professional growth. Course activities and concepts will be supplemented by the corequisite field experience.

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