Courses of Interest
The courses listed in this section have been chosen by the designated departments as having special interest for students who are not majoring in that particular subject but who might find courses in that discipline both enjoyable and beneficial. For more information, contact the department directly.
- Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism (JOUR, PR)
- USC Thornton School of Music (MUCO, MUJZ, MUEN, MUHL, MUIN, MTEC, MPGU, MPKS, MPPM, MPST, MPVA, MSCR, MUSC)
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
JOURNALISM
JOUR 200w The Power and Responsibility of the Press (4 units)
Description: Explores the role of journalism and social media in society – its influence on government, technology, business, national security, sports, science and entertainment.
Professor: Geoffrey Cowan
JOUR 201 Culture of Journalism: Past, Present and Future (4 units)
Description: Understanding key moments, debates and ideas that have shaped journalism in the United States from the Revolutionary War period through today. Examination of the social, cultural, political and technological aspects of journalism and its impact on the profession and public service.
Professor: Joe Saltzman
JOUR 300 Journalism and Society (4 units)
Description: Examination of media and society by applying concepts on power, ideology, discourse and representation to specific case studies from the field and practice of journalism.
Professor: Ben Carrington
JOUR 330 Photojournalism (4 units)
Description: Emphasis on fundamental skills necessary for photojournalism including camera techniques, story ideas and digital darkroom.
Professor: Myra Turner
JOUR 350 Introduction to Sports Media (4 units)
Description: Highlight norms, routines of content, including print, broadcast, video. Focus on opportunities, constraints posed by roles of reporters, fans, players, publicists, agents, leagues, teams.
JOUR 380 Sports, Business and Media in Today’s Society (4 units)
Description: An inside look at the important stories, topical issues, trends and historical developments related to the growing influence of business and media on college and professional sports; identifying the key components and meeting the influencers in class that help shape the business side of sports, while recognizing the role the media plays in providing daily coverage across multiple platforms.
Professor: Jeff Fellenzer
JOUR 404 Produce and Host Sports Content in Studio A (2 units)
Description: Interview, present and design sports segments for television/video in Studio A.
JOUR 407 The World of Podcasting (4 units)
Description: Concentrates on practical, hands-on skills for the production and distribution of a non-fiction podcast.
JOUR 441 Sports Reporting (2 units)
Description: News and feature coverage of sporting events, including social and economic factors influencing sports in America.
JOUR 446 Entertainment Reporting (2 units)
Description: Techniques of reporting and writing about the entertainment business, economics and finances. Analysis of the skills and background needed for reporters specializing in this area of the news.
Professor: Mary Murphy
JOUR 458 Media, Food and Culture (4 units)
Description: Analyzes the ways media tell the story of our food and examines the critical issues surrounding what we eat.
JOUR 461 Spanish Language News Media Production (2 units)
Description: Create news content and stories with an emphasis on Spanish language journalism for broadcast, streaming and other platforms.
JOUR 468 The American Press and Issues of Sexual Diversity (4 units)
Description: Examines how news media reflect and affect perception of gay/lesbian issues; provides historical-contemporary context; arms students to bypass rhetoric and knowledgeably evaluate facts.
JOUR 469 Money, Markets and Media (4 units)
Description: Practical approach to understanding and writing about economic concepts through current events, case studies and historical examples.
JOUR 478 Politics of Sports Writing (4 units)
Description: Critical examination of different styles of sports writing. Focus on the social context of sports writing and the relationship between sports and politics.
JOUR 488 Data-Driven Storytelling About Los Angeles (4 units)
Description: Students work with a decades worth of data about Los Angeles to develop probing news narratives about the city around us.
JOUR 489 Hands-on Disruption: Experimenting with Emerging Technology (2 units)
Description: Exploration and experimentation of emerging technologies through the lens of journalism and hands-on prototyping.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
PR 340 Introduction to Advertising (4 units)
Description: History and development of advertising; basic advertising campaigns showing relationships of marketing, creative, print and electronic media.
PR 432 Concepting: Advertising Strategy and Creative Development (4 units)
Description: Learn how to develop an idea and transform that idea to create advertisements that cut through the clutter and communicate persuasively.
PR 444 Lifestyle Public Relations (4 units)
Description: An extensive overview of the Lifestyle Public Relations category with special emphasis on social media, non-traditional influencers and audience segmentation.
PR 445 Fundamentals of Food Communication (4 units)
Description: Examines the role of food, food-related communication and media in our daily lives, our various cultures and our local, national and global economy.
PR 452 Public Relations in Entertainment (4 units)
Description: Public relations in the design, promotion, and presentation of popular entertainment, including films, broadcasting, music, expositions, amusement parks, resorts and arenas.
PR 453 Public Relations Strategies for Working with Athletes (4 units)
Description: Sports Public Relations isn’t only getting press for a team or player; it’s managing communications among influencers.
Complements overview course giving students advanced look at practitioners’ role with professional athletes.
PR 454 Sports Public Relations (2 units)
Description: Introduction to the field of sports information and promotion, including lectures, media assignments, role-playing, and presentations by sports professionals.
PR 455 Public Relations for Non-Profit Organizations (4 units)
Description: Introduction to the specialized field of public relations for non-profit and non-governmental organizations; emphasis on case studies, strategic and critical thinking, and campaign development.
PR 478 Social Media Analytics: Data and Content Creation for Real-time Public Relations (4 units)
Description: Application of monitoring tools to become social media analysts and real-time content creators; interpretation of large data sets drawn from the social web; understanding of how to present data visually for optimal impact.
PR 486 Multimedia PR Content: Introduction to Digital Design Tools (2 units)
Description: Hands-on lab; producing multimedia content; basic principles of design; tools and techniques to create digital images and layouts.
PR 487 Multimedia PR Content: Introduction to Audio/Video Tools (2 units)
Description: Hands-on lab; audio/video tools for conceiving, shooting, editing, delivering and archiving compelling stories for online audiences; personal brand building; digital storytelling trends and applications.
PR 488 Multimedia PR Content: Visual Communication of Information (2 units)
Description: Overview of tools and techniques available to convey messages and experiences; exploration into graphic design, visual branding, design methods and processes.
Thornton School of Music
COMPOSITION
MUCO 101x Fundamentals of Music Theory (2 units)
Description: An introductory course in music theory required for those majors in need of remedial training, and available to the general student who wishes to develop music writing skills. Not available for credit to B.M. and B.A. music majors. Recommended preparation: ability to read music.
JAZZ STUDIES
MUJZ 150 Beginning Jazz Improvisation (2 units)
Description:Development of beginning improvisational skills including underlying principles of theory, harmony, jazz ear training, and jazz style.
MUJZ 218a Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments (2 units)
Description:Instruction in the performance of percussion instruments associated with African, South American, and Caribbean music traditions, with special emphasis on adaptation to jazz music.
MUJZ 218b Afro-Latin Percussion Instruments (2 units)
Description:Instruction in the performance of percussion instruments associated with African, South American, and Caribbean music traditions, with special emphasis on adaptation to jazz music. Prerequisite: MUJZ 218a
MUJZ 450 Intermediate Jazz Improvisation (2 units)
Description: Development of intermediate improvisational skills including underlying principles of theory, harmony, jazz ear training, and jazz style. Recommended preparation: MUJZ 150.
MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUEN 222 Trojan Marching Band (1 unit)
Description: Rehearsal and participation in performances for athletic and other university functions. Open to all students by audition. Graded CR/NC.
MUEN 305 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (1 unit)
Description: Study and performance of vocal ensemble literature from the Jazz idiom, with emphasis on improvisational techniques. Open to all students by audition. Graded CR/NC.
MUEN 307 University Chorus (1 unit, max 8)
Description: Rehearsal and performance of choral literature from all periods of music history. Open to all students. Graded CR/NC.
MUEN 308 USC Apollo Chorus (1 unit)
Description: The USC Apollo Chorus, a choir open to all students, faculty, and staff of any gender, performs tenor/bass repertoire.
Professor: Cristian Grases
MUEN 311 USC Oriana Choir (1 unit)
Description: The USC Oriana Choir, a choir open to all students, faculty, and staff of any gender, performs treble repertoire.
MUEN 322 Trojan Marching Band (1 unit)
Description: Continuation of MUEN 222. Graded CR/NC.
MUEN 505 Vocal Jazz Ensemble (1 unit)
Description: Study and performance of vocal ensemble literature from the Jazz idiom, with emphasis on improvisational techniques. Open to all graduate students by audition. (Duplicates credit in MUEN 405.)
MUEN 507 University Chorus (1 unit)
Description: Rehearsal and performance of choral literature from all periods of music history. Open to all graduate students.
MUEN 508 USC Apollo Chorus (1 unit)
Description: The USC Apollo Chorus, a choir open to all students, faculty, and staff of any gender, performs tenor/bass repertoire.
MUEN 511 USC Oriana Choir (1 unit)
Description: The USC Oriana Choir, a choir open to all students, faculty, and staff of any gender, performs treble repertoire.
MUSIC INDUSTRY
MUIN 272x Basics of the Music Industry (4 units)
Description: Introductory survey of the music business. Topics include: copyright, record companies, contracts, music publishing, performance rights societies, managers, agents, and other artist team/income considerations. Not for major credit for music industry majors. (Duplicates credit in former MUIN 372ax.)
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
MTEC 277x Introduction to Music Technology (4 units)
Description: A survey of the technology used to create, prepare, perform, and distribute music, with an emphasis on recording, MIDI, music production, mastering and Internet technologies. Not available for major credit to BM and BS, Music Industry majors. (Duplicates credit in former MUIN 277.)
PERFORMANCE (GUITAR)
MPGU 120a Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar (2 units)
Description: Introduction to the performance technique of pop/rock guitar as well as music theory fundamentals, exploring repertoire by artists such as The Beatles and Dave Matthews.
MPGU 120b Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar (2 units)
Description: Introduction to the performance technique of pop/rock guitar as well as music theory fundamentals, exploring repertoire by artists such as The Beatles and Dave Matthews. Prerequisite: MPGU 120a or MUPF 120a
MPGU 121 Intensive Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar (4 units)
Description: Introduction to the performance technique of pop/rock guitar as well as music theory fundamentals, exploring repertoire by artists such as The Beatles and Dave Matthews.
MPGU 125 Beginning Fingerstyle/Chord Guitar (2 units)
Description: Basic fingerstyle guitar, learned through the study of such pieces as “Greensleeves,” “Malaguena,” and “Minuet” (Bach); song accompaniment patterns and music notation for the beginner.
MPGU 126 Easy Fingerstyle Beatles (2 units)
Description: Techniques of classical guitar applied to the study of five to eight Beatles songs, from “Hey Jude” to “Blackbird.” No guitar or music background required.
MPGU 127 Easy Fingerstyle Brazilian Rhythms (2 units)
Description: Learn basic Brazilian rhythms and famous classics with classical guitar fingerstyle techniques.
PERFORMANCE (KEYBOARD STUDIES)
MPKS 150a Beginning Piano (2 units)
Description: Techniques of performance, note reading, and basic musicianship. Not open to music majors.
MPKS 150b Beginning Piano (2 units)
Description: Techniques of performance, note reading, and basic musicianship. Not open to music majors. Prerequisite: MPKS 150a.
MPKS 150c Beginning Piano (2 units)
Description: Techniques of performance, note reading, and basic musicianship. Not open to music majors. Prerequisite: MPKS 150b or MUPF 150b.
PERFORMANCE (POPULAR MUSIC)
MPPM 120 Popular Music Performance I (2 units)
Description: Study of musical elements appropriate to the performance of popular music in a collaborative, interactive environment.
MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician (2 units)
Description: Beginning and elementary instruction in drum set techniques.
PERFORMANCE (STRINGS)
MPST 163 Class Harp (2 units, max 4)
Description: Basic instruction in the fundamentals of solo harp playing, note reading, and basic musicianship. Open to music and non-music majors.
PERFORMANCE (VOCAL ARTS)
MPVA 141 Class Voice (2 units)
Description: Introduction to the fundamental principles of singing: breath control, tone production, diction, and the use of appropriate song material.
MPVA 402 Musical Theatre Workshop (3 units)
Description: Study of the acting, musical and movement elements involved in the performance of the Broadway musical repertoire.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
MUSC 102gw World Music (4 units)
Description: Exploration of music and cultures of the world. Engagement with international musicians, global issues, field work and musical diasporas in Los Angeles.
MUSC 115gp Western Music as Sounding History (4 units)
Description: An introduction to Western art music and culture from the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras through reading, listening, analyzing and writing about music.
MUSC 200mgw The Broadway Musical: Reflections of American Diversity (4 units)
Description: A uniquely American genre, the Broadway musical serves as a catalyst for inquiry into human diversity, cross-culturalism, and significant social and political issues.
MUSC 210g Electronic Music and Dance Culture (4 units)
Description: The origins and development of EDM and its relatives such as disco, house, techno, rave and electronica, focusing on cultural and technological influences.
MUSC 250mgw The Music of Black Americans (4 units)
Description: A chronicle of the musical contribution of Africans and African Americans to American society and to the foundations of musical genres and styles throughout the world.
Professor: Ron McCurdy
MUSC 320mgw Hip-hop Music and Culture (4 units)
Description: A history of hip-hop music from its inception to the present: its musical processes and styles, as well as attendant social, political and cultural issues.
MUSC 372g Music, Turmoil and Nationalism (4 units)
Description: An exploration of musical practices and styles which reflect and shape national identities and which focus on those created in response to political turmoil in many forms. Satisfies New General Education in Category A: The Arts
MUSC 373g Writing About Popular Music (4 units)
Description: Immerses students in criticism, scholarship, and creative writing dealing with popular music. Students participate in that discourse through developing their own authorial voices. Satisfies New General Education in Category A: The Arts
MUSC 374g Beatles, Stones, Bowie: Empire and Masculinity (4 units)
Description: Historical survey of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and David Bowie that explores their contributions to contemporary notions of “masculinity,” “Empire,” and “classic rock.”
MUSC 460 Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present (4 units)
Description: A survey of the art and craft of film music as practiced by outstanding composers in motion pictures.