PSCL 343/443: Music Cognition

Why do you like the music you like? How does one learn music without direct instruction? How are music and language processing both similar and different? What about music's predictability makes it euphoric? Music operates as a tangled web of biological, cognitive, behavioral, and sociocultural processes that have captivated philosophers, scientists, and artists for centuries. This interdisciplinary course presents a survey and critical review of scholarly literature and methodologies related to the multiple ways of "knowing" music. Specific topics will include: neuroanatomical reactions related to music perception, cognitive organization and processing of music, psychological measures in music research, and enculturated effects on musical interactions. Students will become familiar with multiple bodies of literature in order to explore their own interests in musical processing and produce theories to help solve musical problems based on those interests and develop potential research strategies for future inquiries. Offered as COGS 343 and COGS 443 and MUED 343 and MUED 443 and PSCL 343 and PSCL 443. Counts as a Disciplinary Communication course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course.