Music the Brain

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

In the course Music & the Brain, we will explore the field of music neuroscience from various scientific perspectives, including evolutionary, developmental, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and therapeutic fields. We will address major thematic questions, such as, Why did humans evolve to be musical? How do musical skills develop in infancy? What factors influence music perception and performance? Where in the brain do we process music? How does music improve attention, self-control, and even empathy? What can go wrong in the musical brain? And why does music heal? Students will read and critique scientific articles and work in groups to present a science-art project they choose. At the end of the course, students will be able to explain what it means to take a scientific approach to studying the musical brain and how that approach can inform and support the performing arts, music education, and music arts in therapeutic settings.