All USC Thornton minors require a separate admission application for current students. Please refer to the Minors Page for requirements.
Jazz Studies
This minor requires 21 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MUCO 130ax | Basics of Music Theory | 3 |
MUJZ 150 | Beginning Jazz Improvisation | 2 |
MUJZ 301 | Individual Instruction | 4 |
MUJZ 450 | Intermediate Jazz Improvisation | 2 |
Any Music elective courses numbered 300-499 | 2 | |
MUSC 450m | The Music of Black Americans | 4 |
Select 4 units from the following: | Units | |
MUEN 329 | Jazz Ensemble | 1-1-1-1 |
MUEN 332 | Jazz Chamber Music | 1-1-1-1 |
MUEN 326 | Guitar Ensemble | 1-1-1-1 |
MUEN 305 | Vocal Jazz Ensemble | 1-1-1-1 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor and audition on the instrument of their choice. Admission is primarily based on performance ability in the jazz idiom. Those who want to prepare for this audition and make progress in the minor may take individual lessons on their instrument (MUJZ 300x). If admitted into the minor, these lessons will not count toward the Jazz Studies minor requirements. Students who are confident about the audition and wish to begin taking minor requirements may take MUSC 250gmw and upper division elective courses in music. Those students who have substantial background in jazz improvisation may also be permitted to take MUJZ 150.
Music Industry
This minor requires 20 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MUIN 272x | Basics of the Music Industry | 4 |
Select 4 units from the following: | Units | |
MUSC 115gp | Western Music as Sounding History | 4 |
MUSC 210g | Electronic Music and Dance Culture | 4 |
MUSC 320gmw | Hip-Hop Music and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 422 | The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times | 4 |
MUSC 423 | Classic Rock: Popular Music of the Sixties and Seventies | 2 |
MUSC 424 | Iconic Figures of Popular Music | 2 |
MUSC 444 | American Roots Music: History and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 250gmw | The Music of Black Americans | 4 |
MUSC 460 | Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present | 4 |
MUSC 465 | Music, Television and American Culture | 4 |
Select 12 units from the following: | Units | |
MTEC 245 | Introduction to MIDI Sequencing | 1 |
MTEC 246 | Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing | 1 |
MTEC 277x | Introduction to Music Technology | 4 |
MTEC 446ab | Computer Assisted Recording and Editing | 2-2 |
MUIN 280 | Communications in the Music Industry | 4 |
MUIN 370 | Music Publishing and Licensing | 2 |
MUIN 372 | Business and Legal Aspects of the Music Industry | 4 |
MUIN 410 | Marketing, Branding and Strategic Alliances in Music | 2 |
MUIN 420 | DIY Music Marketing | 2 |
MUIN 425 | Live Music Production and Promotion | 4 |
MUIN 430 | Artist Management and Development | 4 |
MUIN 443 | The Business of Music for Visual Media | 4 |
MUIN 444 | Music Supervision | 4 |
MUIN 460 | Streaming Economy in the Music Industry | 2 |
MUIN 461 | Music Festival Design and Management | 2 |
MUIN 462 | Technology, Big Data and Marketing in the Music Industry | 2 |
MUIN 464 | Public Assembly Venue Management | 2 |
MUIN 495 | Web Design for the Music Industry | 4 |
MUIN 497 | Current Topics, Case Studies and Analysis | 2 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses
Prior musical experience is not required. Students must apply for this minor, and admission consideration is generally based on class standing and GPA at the time of application. Students must have sophomore standing (32+ units earned) and a GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. Prior to admission, students may take MUIN 272x, or any of the music history and culture courses listed above (e.g., MUSC 460).
Music Production
This minor requires 19 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MTEC 245 | Introduction to MIDI Sequencing | 1 |
MTEC 246 | Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing | 1 |
MTEC 277x* | Introduction to Music Technology | 4 |
MUCO 130a | Basics of Music Theory | 3 |
MUSC 255 | Songwriting I | 2 |
Select 8 units from the following: | Units | |
MTEC 378 | Introduction to Mixing and Mastering | 2 |
MTEC 443 | Desktop Music Production | 2 |
MTEC 444 | Non-Linear MIDI Sequencing | 2 |
MTEC 445 | Advanced Desktop Music Production | 2 |
MTEC 446ab | Computer Assisted Recording and Editing | 2-2 |
MTEC 474ab | Electronic Synthesizer Techniques | 2-2 |
MTEC 478 | Advanced Multichannel Remix | 2 |
MUSC 355 | Songwriting II | 2 |
MUCO 338x | Elementary Orchestration | 2 |
SCOR 403** | Introduction to Scoring Movies and Television | 2 |
SCOR 405** | Introduction to Scoring Video Games | 2 |
*Music Industry majors can substitute MTEC 175 and MTEC 176 for MTEC 277x.
**Course has prerequisites that cannot be applied toward the Music Production Minor.
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses
Students must apply for this minor, and admission consideration is based in part on work completed in both MUSC 255: Songwriting I and MUCO 130ax: Basics of Music Theory. Students must have completed and/or be enrolled in both courses to apply. Students admitted to this minor will be expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 with no grade lower than a “C” for all courses taken in the minor.
Music Recording
This minor requires 18 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MTEC 277x* | Introduction to Music Technology | 4 |
MTEC 275 | Fundamentals of Audio Engineering | 4 |
MTEC 446a | Computer Assisted Recording and Editing | 2 |
Select 8 units from the following: | Units | |
MTEC 378 | Introduction to Mixing and Mastering | 2 |
MTEC 389 | Digital Equipment and Recording | 2 |
MTEC 392a | Acoustics and Speaker Design | 2 |
MTEC 430 | Advanced Instrumental Recording | 2 |
MTEC 446b | Computer Assisted Recording and Editing | 2 |
MTEC 477 | Remote Recording Techniques | 2 |
MTEC 478 | Advanced Multichannel Remix | 2 |
MTEC 479 | Audio Mastering | 2 |
MTEC 491 | The Recording Console | 4 |
MTEC 493 | Audio Signal Processing Equipment | 2 |
MUIN 340 | Introduction to Sound Reinforcement | 4 |
*Music Industry majors can substitute MTEC 175 and MTEC 176 for MTEC 277x.
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor, and admission is based on successful completion of MTEC 277x: Introduction to Music Technology. Generally, students who earn a B or better in this course and have a GPA of 2.0 or higher are admitted.
Musical Studies
This minor requires 18 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MUEN 300-499 | Music Ensemble Electives | 2 |
MUSC 115gp | Western Music as Sounding History | 4 |
Individual Instruction at the 301 level | 6 | |
MUCO 130abx | Basics of Music Theory | 3-3 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor and audition on the instrument of their choice. Admission is primarily based on performance ability. Students who want to prepare for this audition and make progress in the minor should take individual lessons on their instrument. If admitted into the minor, these lessons will not count toward the Musical Studies minor requirements. Students who are confident about the audition but wish to begin taking minor requirements before being admitted to the minor may take MUSC 115gp or music ensembles.
Musical Theatre
This minor requires 21 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MPVA 402 | Musical Theatre Workshop I | 3 |
MPVA 412 | Musical Theatre Workshop II | 3 |
MUSC 200gmw | The Broadway Musical: Reflections of American Diversity | 4 |
THTR 343 | Musical Theatre Audition | 3 |
8 units from the following: | Units | |
DANC 175 | Choreography for the Screen | 2 |
DANC 181-189 | Dance courses | 2 |
MPVA 301 | Individual Instruction | 1 or 2 |
THTR 101 | Introduction to Acting | 4 |
THTR 216 | Movement for Actors | 2 |
THTR 252a | Intermediate Acting I | 4 |
THTR 252b | Intermediate Acting I | 4 |
THTR 316 | Advanced Movement for Actors | 2 |
THTR 352a | Intermediate Acting II | 4 |
THTR 352b | Intermediate Acting II | 4 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor and perform an audition of two musical theatre songs from the standard repertoire (one ballad and one up-tempo number). Admission is based primarily on performance ability. No separate acting or dance audition is required. Students who wish to prepare for this audition enroll in individual instruction in voice (MPVA 300/301) or MUSC 200gmw: The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity.
Popular Music Studies
This minor requires 16 units for completion, as detailed below:
Select 16 units from the following: | Units | |
---|---|---|
MUSC 102gw | World Music | 4 |
MUSC 200gmw | The Broadway Musical: Reflection of American Diversity | 4 |
MUSC 210g | Electronic Music and Dance Culture | 4 |
MUSC 320gmw | Hip-Hop Music and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 422 | The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times | 4 |
MUSC 423 | Classic Rock: Popular Music of the Sixties and Seventies | 2 |
MUSC 424 | Iconic Figures of Popular Music | 2 |
MUSC 444 | American Roots Music: History and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 250gmw | The Music of Black Americans | 4 |
MUSC 460 | Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present | 4 |
MUSC 465 | Music, Television and American Culture | 4 |
MUSC 373g | Writing About Popular Music | 4 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor, but virtually any student with a 2.0 GPA or higher will be admitted. All of the courses in this minor are open to any student at USC. Therefore, any course listed above may serve as the gateway.
Songwriting
This minor requires 20 units for completion, as detailed below:
Required Courses | Units | |
---|---|---|
MUCO 130abx | Basics of Music Theory | 3-3 |
MUSC 255 | Songwriting I | 2 |
MUSC 355 | Songwriting II | 2 |
MUSC 455 | Songwriting III: The Performing Songwriter | 2 |
MTEC 245 | Introduction to MIDI Sequencing | 1 |
MTEC 246 | Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing | 1 |
MTEC 443 or MTEC 446a |
Desktop Music Production or Computer Assisted Recording and Editing | 2 |
Select 4 units from the following: | Units | |
COMM 306 | Innovation, Entertainment, and the Arts | 4 |
COMM 307 | Sound Clash: Popular Music and American Culture | 4 |
COMM 384 | Interpreting Popular Culture | 4 |
COMM 440 | Music as Communication | 4 |
MUSC 200gmw | The Broadway Musical: Reflections of American Diversity | 4 |
MUSC 210g | Electronic Music and Dance Culture | 4 |
MUSC 320gmw | Hip-Hop Music and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 422 | The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times | 4 |
MUSC 423 | Classic Rock: Popular Music of the Sixties and Seventies | 2 |
MUSC 424 | Iconic Figures of Popular Music | 2 |
MUSC 444 | American Roots Music: History and Culture | 4 |
MUSC 250gmw | The Music of Black Americans | 4 |
MUSC 372g | Music, Turmoil and Nationalism | 4 |
MUSC 371g | Musical Genre Bending | 4 |
MUSC 460 | Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to Present | 4 |
MUSC 465 | Music, Television and American Culture | 4 |
MUSC 373g | Writing About Popular Music | 4 |
MUSC 102gw | World Music | 4 |
MUSC 115gp | Western Music as Sounding History | 4 |
Admission Requirements and Gateway Courses:
Students must apply for this minor. Admission to this minor requires enrollment in MUSC-255 (Songwriting I) and will be based on songwriting ability and potential as determined by the Songwriting faculty. Any of the COMM and MUSC courses may also be taken prior to admission to the minor.
For more information about these minors, including admission deadlines and audition dates, visit the Minors Page.