Doctoral Music Research (540-0-1)
Instructors
David J Hoek
djhoek@northwestern.edu
Meeting Info
RCMA 1-172: Mon, Wed 8:30AM - 9:20AM
Overview of class
Doctoral Music Research is a practical survey of resources and methods used commonly for finding music and information about music. Through a series of progressive learning activities and individualized research and writing exercises, this course is designed to ensure that all students beginning in the Doctor of Musical Arts and Ph.D. in Composition programs have the necessary research skills for advanced study in music at the graduate level. For those whose previous studies included research methods, this course serves as a review and an opportunity to enhance skills and develop deeper domain expertise. For those whose previous studies focused less on research, this course establishes a baseline of proficiency for further academic coursework and professional growth.
Registration Requirements
Must be in DMA or Ph.D. in Composition programs
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Use library catalogs and databases to find information about music in books, articles, and other scholarly sources
Use library catalogs and databases to find music in notated and recorded formats
Interpret, compare, and contrast scholarly writings on music
Recognize scholarly publications and understand the peer-review process
Formulate bibliographic citations according to the Chicago Manual of Style
Identify Northwestern campus services that provide academic and career support
Develop a foundational set of resources and preliminary strategies for pursuing continued research and scholarship on a specialized topic in music
Teaching Method
This course is organized as a series of topical units with a cumulative final project. Each unit introduces new information and resources through in-person lectures and discussions along with related activities to be completed independently before or after each class, such as reading assigned texts or exploring particular research tools. Most units include one or more assignments to be submitted and graded.
Evaluation Method
Progress will be advanced & assessed by: Evaluating a traditional scholarly reference source against a collaborative website; Responding to a scholarly text and relating it to personal knowledge and experience as a musician; Summarizing and comparing peer-reviewed journal articles on a related topic; Applying knowledge of research tools and methods to prepare a substantive bibliography and literature review on a topic suitable for further study at the doctoral level.
Class Materials (Required)
None.
Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for Doctor of Music Students and PhD Composition students.