U-M Students from Other Units

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance offers seven different minors to current U-M students, as well as a Graduate Certificates through the Rackham Graduate School Please visit the following minor pages for more information.

Minor in Dance
Minor in Global Theatre and Ethnic Studies
Minor in Music
Minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship
Minor in Playwriting
Minor in Popular Music Studies
Minor in Theatre Design and Production

Graduate Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship & Leadership
Graduate Certificate in World Performance Studies
Certificate Program in Musicology
Certificate Program in Music Theory Pedagogy

Current U-M students from other units who wish to pursue a degree within the School of Music, Theatre & Dance should visit the SMTD Office of Admissions Transfer Admissions page for more information.

Course Offerings: Many departments in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance offer courses to students from across U-M’s campus. Some courses may require auditions, applications, prerequisite courses, or instructor permission to enroll. Not all SMTD courses will be listed on the LSA Course Guide, so students should check Wolverine Access for meeting times and availability in a given term.

Dance

• DANCE 100: Introduction to Dance (1 credit)
  Introductory studio dance courses provide instruction in technical and creative aspects of a variety of dance genres. Each section under this course listing is devoted to a different dance genre. Section/genres include: contemporary/modern dance; ballet; jazz; hip hop; and special topics such as dance improvisation. IN each of these sections, principles of alignment, rhythmic and spatial awareness, dynamic, flexibility, and strength are investigated as foundations for freedom of expression. Very brief reading and writing assignments, as well as performance and video viewing and analysis, inform the work in the studio. Courses culminate in the sharing of technical accomplishments and creative work. Non-Dance majors only; offered Fall, Winter, and Spring

Theatre

• THTREMUS 101: Introduction to Acting I (3 credits)
  Basic principles of acting for nonperformance majors. The class introduces the fundamentals of acting to help the student “discover” him/herself through improvisation and other exercises. Grounds the student in basic acting theory. Instructor permission required; primarily for non-majors; offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 102: Introduction to Acting II (3 credits)
  Continuation of 101 with attention to scene study. Instructs how to analyze and approach the written text and embody character. Instructor permission required; primarily for non-majors; offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 110: Introduction to Acting for the Camera (3 credits)
  Introduces students to the basic techniques of acting for the camera through the use of video. Sound foundation acting principles will be presented with an emphasis on exercise, scene and monologue work, and closing with scene orchestration via a basic two-camera with switcher recording, utilizing a mix of selected dramatic material and/or existing film scripts. Prerequisite: Instructor permission required; typically offered Winter
• THTREMUS 211: Introduction to Drama (3 credits)
  Introduces the student to as many basic elements of the theatre, practical and theoretical, as time allows. It also presents a number of key plays from various periods, and examines them from the point of view of their dramatic qualities, theatrical strengths, social and political contexts, their performance history, and their relevance today. This course is geared toward students who do not have extensive experience attending or participating in the theatre. Offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 233: Studio: Modern Rituals/Traditional Practices (3 credits)
  Trains students in performance techniques grounded in various cultural traditions: choral singing, masking, poetry, vocal call and responses, dance, martial arts, and mimicry. Embodied studio practice emphasizes aesthetics of diverse cultural communities. Guest artists and instructors interact with students in the instructional space. Students learn how practice emerges from culturally specific contexts, how to embody culturally specific aesthetics and practices, and they train in the vocal, physical and theatrical expression skills. Instructor permission required
• THTREMUS 251: Production Practicum (1 credit)
  Laboratory in theatre production. Students work in stagecraft, scenic painting, lighting, props, costuming for mainstage productions. Offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 321: History of Theatre I (3 credits)
  The history of theatre from Greeks to Shakespeare, reading selected plays and tracing the history of theatre into dramatic texts generated at particular times and places. Offered Fall
• THTREMUS 322: History of Theatre II (3 credits)
  The history of theatre from Western Europe and the U.S. from the end of the 17th century to present, focusing on the production of theatre in its historical, social and ideological contexts. Class studies representative plays. Offered Winter
• THTREMUS 323: American Theatre and Drama (3 credits)
  The study of the American heritage as theatre artists and what has influenced us; principal American dramatists and principal events and issues in the American theatre, mainly in the 20th century. Offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 324: Global Community Practicum (3 credits)
  Engages students in research and development of performance projects at a local, community organization or at an international site. The class participates in fieldwork experiences and each individual submits a final project report or thesis at the end of their fieldwork. The Capstone course is collaborative and interdisciplinary and multiple faculty members can supervise and approve student work. Prerequisite: THEATRE 222
• THTREMUS 326: Intercultural Drama (3 credits)
  Examines how international dramatic literature in translation comments on global lives and lifestyles. Class reads, analyzes and discusses intercultural plays in cultural context. Written assignments and in-class presentations investigate the political, social, ad cultural impact meaning of intercultural dramatic works. Students learn to analyze themes, structures, characters, and language of intercultural/international plays through the lens of cultural studies. Instructor permission required; offered Winter
• THTREMUS 327: Playwriting II (3 credits)
  Students write the first act of a full-length play. They read from their plays in class and the work is discussed. They also read plays, see performances, keep a journal. At the end of the semester, students give a staged reading of their work for an informal audience. Instructor permission required; prerequisite: THEATRE 222; offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 385: Performing Arts Management (3 credits)
  An overall look at the administrative aspects of the performing arts, using a Theatre company as the standard model, but with a look at orchestras, dance, and opera. Exploration of theatre development, profit vs. non-profit companies, role of board of directors, unions, budgeting, marketing, public relations, and fundraising. Instructor permission required; prerequisite: THEATRE 250; offered Winter
• THTREMUS 399: Topics in Drama (1 – 4 credits)
  Covers specialized topics in theatre and drama, which vary from semester to semester. The purpose is to explore in depth aspects of theatre that cannot be covered in existing courses, such as a play or special subject. Offered Fall and Winter depending on available content
• THTREMUS 426: Fundraising in the Arts (2 credits)
  A review and analysis of philanthropy and development in America’s cultural life, and the role of both the public and private sectors. Offered Winter
• THTREMUS 429: Playwriting Toward Production (3 credits)
  Student must have written an original play. Class is a collaboration between student designers, actors, producers, and playwrights; analyzes the evolution of a script from its writing to its production. Students rewrite and workshop their plays and present them before an audience at the end of the semester. Instructor permission required; students must have written a script; offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 435: Producing in the American Theatre (3 credits)
  A history of American theatre emphasizing the development of producing techniques coupled with significant productions in the American theatre of the 20th Century. Prerequisites: THEATRE 385, THEATRE 386 and Junior or Senior standing; offered Fall and Winter
• THTREMUS 440: Special Topics in Global/Ethnic Theatre (3 credits)
  This is an in-depth research and performance course that examines African American Theatre. The class investigates history, biography, international or contemporary aspects of African descendent theatre. Offered Winter depending on available content
  

Music

• ARTSADMN 406/506: Special Topics (1 – 4 credits)
  Content varies. Offered Fall and Winter depending on available content
• ARTSADMN 410/510: Arts Entrepreneurship Forum (1 – 2 credits)
  This seminar series invites provocative, pioneering, influential, and accomplished musicians, actors, dancers, arts entrepreneurs, and leaders to speak with students about their personal experiences developing, financing, and managing their artistic practice, projects, and ventures. Participants will learn about artistic curation, production, fundraising, marketing, management, fan development, audience experience, intellectual property, mentoring, and career survival skills, among other topics keyed to the visitor’s expertise. Following a lecture and discussion, students will be able to meet the guest speaker and network with members of the arts entrepreneurial community. Offered Fall and Winter
• ARTSADMN 422/522: Writing About Your Art; Bios, Blogs, and Websites (1 credit)
  Artists must be advocates for their creative vision. Writing well about your art can help identify your creative voice and inspire others to support your work. In this course, students will explore how to write about their art through blogs, websites, program notes, and social media, culminating in an advocacy plan targeting their goals. Offered Fall and Winter
• ARTSADMN 423/523: Grant Writing and Fundraising Basics (1 credit)
  Fundraising is critical in the arts and even individual artists have many avenues available to raise money. This course covers how to argue the importance of artistic work, budgeting, and writing successful proposals. Students will be exposed to grant, donation, and crowd-funding opportunities, and will complete a fundraising plan for a project. Offered Fall and Winter
• ARTSADMN 426/526: Fundraising and the Arts (2 credits)
  A review and analysis of philanthropy and development in America’s cultural life and the role of both the public and private sectors. Offered Winter
• ARTSADMN 428/528: Arts Leadership (1 credit) 
  This course explores the theory and practice of leadership in the non- and for-profit arts sector. Students will learn the history and structure of non-profits, especially board leadership and fiduciary oversight. They’ll explore executive leadership, including strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational renewal. Course participants will actively engage with leaders in the field. Offered Fall and Winter
  
• ARTSADMN 432/532: The Recording Industry; Selling Your Music to the World (1 credit)
  Musicians face many questions when considering how to release the music they’ve created. This class focuses on the real-world application of the entrepreneurial, legal, business, and artistic considerations required to sell music today. Students will learn about the entire recording process, including bringing music to market, and current industry trends and future opportunities. Offered Fall and Winter
• ARTSADMN/PAT 472/572: Business of Music (3 credits)
  A survey of professional opportunities in performing arts management, the recording industry and arts entrepreneurship, with a focus on building business skills for the personal development of a career in music. Students will learn basic skills that may serve any of the Business of Music areas of concentration: leadership, planning, budgeting, financial analysis, marketing, fund-raising and development (and/or seeking investors). Assignments will include: analysis of case studies, writing a grant proposal, and working in teams to create a model arts enterprise that will need a business plan and marketing materials. The course also features a number of guests from various businesses and music disciplines. Qualifies for Upper Level Writing Requirement. Offered Winter
• ARTSADMN 477/577: Creating Social Value through the Arts (3 credits)
  This course posits that the purpose of art making is to create a better society. Students will explore the social role of the arts historically and how arts organizations create value today. Teams will research a target audience, execute and arts experience, and measure the event’s impact. Participants will refine skills in idea generation, public speaking, and data assessment to enhance social impact. Offered Fall and Winter
• COMP 221: Introduction to Elementary Composition (2 – 3 credits)
  Study in Elementary Composition. Non-SMTD students only; offered Fall
• COMP 222: Composition (2 – 3 credits)
  Study in Elementary Composition. Non-SMTD students only; prerequisites: COMP 221; offered Winter
• COMP 233/433: Special Topics (2 credits)
  Periodic offerings on topics of special interest. Offered Fall depending on available content
• COMP 415/516: Introduction to Electronic Music (2 credits)
  Study in Electronic Music. Offered Fall
• COMP 416/516: Seminar in Electronic Music (2 credits)
  Study in Electronic Music. Prerequisite: COMP 415; offered Winter
• GUITAR 111: Performance (2 credits)
  Class instruction in Guitar. This course is for beginners with no previous experience playing guitar. The purpose of GUITAR 111 is to help students develop their guitar skills, with a primary focus on using the guitar as an accompaniment instrument. Right Hand skills covered will include finger picking, flat picking, and a variety of strumming patterns. Left Hand skills will include open chords, barre chords, melody chords and basic scale patterns. Introduction to reading of standard music notation, guitar tablature, and chord symbols will be covered. Other topics that will be presented include improvisation, playing by ear, and using the capo for transposition. Instructor permission required; offered Fall and Winter
  
• GUITAR 112: Performance (2 credits)
  Class instruction in Guitar. This course is for intermediate level guitarists – who have played guitar previously. GUITAR 112 will continue developing the skills introduced in GUITAR 111. Right Hand skills covered will include finger picking, flat picking, and a variety of strumming patterns. Left Hand skills will include open chords, barre chords, melody chords, pentatonic, blues, major, and minor scale patterns. Reading of standard music notation, guitar tablature, and chord symbols will be included . Other topics that will be covered include improvisation, playing by ear, and using the capo for transposition. Instructor permission required; typically offered Fall, Winter
• JAZZ 450/550: Contemplative Practice Seminar (2 credits)
  Explores contemplative disciplines through historical, theoretical perspectives, and through direct experience. Instructor permission required; offered Fall, Winter, Spring
• JAZZ 454.002/554.002: Special Topics (1 – 4 credits)
  The course considers various issues in aesthetics, pedagogy and cognition as related to jazz and contemporary improvised music. Offered Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
• JAZZ 455/555: Creativity and Consciousness (2 credits)
  This course explores the idea that heightened consciousness may be a central aspect to creative activity in diverse fields. Instructor permission required; offered Winter and Spring
• MUSED 210: Special Topics (1 – 4 credits)
  Offered Fall and Winter depending on available content
• MUSICOL 121: Introduction to the Art of Music (4 credits)
  Introduces western music for the listener in overview from the baroque era to the present. Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• MUSICOL 122: Introduction to World Music (3 credits)
  Introduces the musical cultures of a few selected areas of the world (such as the Caribbeans, West Africa, India, China, and Japan). Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• MUSICOL 123: Introduction to Popular Music (4 credits)
  This course offers a broad survey of 20th-century popular music, exploring a diverse set of genres and musical artists from the Tin Pan Alley era to the present. The course places the musical conventions, key performers, and aesthetic shifts that mark the history of popular music in social, cultural, technological, and musical context. Designed to develop listening and analytical skills, the course aims to help students to understand, describe, interpret, and write about popular music. Non-SMTD students only; offered Fall
• MUSICOL 130: Opera! (3 credits)
  This is an introductory-level course in music and theatre, open to everyone; opera fans as well as those for whom opera is a completely new experience. Although our primary focus is the music of opera, the course does not require musical literacy or the ability to read music. Students are taught to look at a vocal score of opera without fear, but not training in music theory is presumed. Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• MUSICOL 343: Music and Islam (3 credits)
  This course focuses on the unity and diversity of musical customs from the Muslim cultures of the Middle East, Central Asia, north India and Indonesia. We will investigate musical systems in terms of instruments, repertoire, modal and rhythmic structures and the effect of religious constraints, cultural policy and social history on musical life. Non-SMTD students only; offered Fall
• MUSICOL 345: History of Music (3 credits)
  History of European music form the Middle Ages through the Baroque. Non-SMTD students only; offered Fall
• MUSICOL 346: History of Music (3 credits)
  Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• MUSPERF 200.001-004: Engaging Performance (3 credits)
  This course connects undergraduate students directly to the touring, world-class artists who perform music, theater, and dance on the U-M campus. Students will attend live performances, talk with the artists and the arts administrators who help get them here, and explore how the performing arts are an integral part of our lives and the world at large. Class will include lectures (including some by guests and visiting artists), weekly discussion sections, required attendance at evening performances, interactive classroom activities, weekly readings, reaction papers about the performances, and group presentations and/or performances from students in class. Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• MUSPERF 412: Yoga For Performers (1 credit)
  Permission of Instructor. Not repeatable for credit. Balancing body, mind and spirit for optimal performance. Provides a balance of physical and mental conditioning that best suits the special needs of performers. Offered Fall and Winter
  
• PAT 200/PAT 500: Introduction to Electronic Music (3 credits)
  This course is for students not majoring in Performing Arts Technology who are interested in developing a contextually-informed artistic practice in the area of electronic music composition, production, and performance. Through a series of composition exercises, students build skills in sequencing, audio and MIDI recording and editing, mixing, sound synthesis, sampling, effects processing, and live electronic music performance with real-time controllers. Non-PAT majors only; registration by waitlist only; Offered Fall and Winter
• PAT 204: Creative Coding for Music (3 credits )
  An introduction to principles and practices of computer programming for musical applications. Students learn visual, procedural, and object-oriented programming in general-purpose and music-specific languages. Projects address important musical programming concepts including algorithmic composition, real-time interaction, and audio buffer processing. Emphasis is on creative and artistic uses of code. Registration by waitlist only; Offered Fall and Winter
• PAT 305/MUSPERF 300: Video Game Music (2 credits)
  This course surveys game music from the first synthesized “bleeps” and “bloops” to modern orchestral compositions. Techniques are learned to aurally analyze game music. Students will create compositions using computer software as a final project. Course is designed for students of any major; the ability to read standard music notation is not needed. Offered Fall and Winter
  
• PAT 313: The Art of Electronic Music (3 credits)
  This course integrates historical, technological, and musical approaches to the study of electronic music. Students learn the techniques and aesthetics underlying a spectrum of recording and production techniques in order to investigate the dialogue between technological and creative innovations in a wide variety of electronic genres. Offered Fall
• PAT 314: Electronic Music & Social Justice (3 credits)
  This course investigates artistic responses to and interventions in struggles for social justice made by electronic musicians from the 1970s to the present day. Students learn specific artistic and technological techniques which inform music concerned with representation, protest, and activism, and develop critical perspectives on this repertoire. Offered Winter
• PIANO 110: Performance (2 credits)
  Remedial class piano for beginners. Instructor permission required; Sections 004-017 are open to non-SMTD majors. Sections 001-003 are reserved for SMTD majors only.
• THEORY 137: Introduction to Music Theory (3 credits)
  Non-SMTD majors only; offered Fall
• THEORY 238: Introduction to Musical Analysis (3 credits)
  Emphasizes conceptual aspects of theory with some rigorous practice of aural and writing skills. Prerequisite: THEORY 137. Non-SMTD students only; offered Winter
• VOICE 111.002: Performance (1-2 credits) Instructor permission required; Section 001 is reserved for Theatre majors only; typically offered Fall, Winter

Performing Ensembles: A variety of performing ensembles are available to students from other U-M units. Placement in some ensembles may require an audition. For details about performing ensembles, as well as audition information, please see the Non Music-Major Ensembles page.

• ENS 351: Arts Chorale (1 credit)
  Offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 405/406: Beginning Javanese Gamelan (1 credit)
  Open to SMTD and non-SMTD students. No audition required; offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 407: Javanese Gamelan Ensemble (1 credit)
  Open to SMTD and non-SMTD students. No audition required; offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 346: University/Campus Bands (1 credit)
  Offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 360: Campus Jazz Ensemble (1 credit)
  Offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 348: Marching/Basketball/Hockey Bands (1-2 credits)
  Offered Fall (Marching Band) and Winter (Basketball/Hockey Bands)
• ENS 353/553: Men’s Glee Club (1 credit)
  Offered Fall and Winter
• ENS 344: Campus Philharmonia/Symphony Orchestras (1 credit)
  Offered Fall & Winter
• ENS 356/556: Women’s Glee Club (1 credit)
  Offered Fall and Winter

Private Instrumental or Vocal Lessons: Private lessons are available to U-M students by application. Studio space is limited. If placed, lessons for non-Majors will be 2 credits per term— equating to a 30 minute lesson per week— and will be assessed a $250 course fee for the term. For more information please see the Private Studio Instruction Application page.

• “Performance” 150 (2 credits)
  Private instrumental or vocal lessons. Non-SMTD students only, instructor consent required, apply using Private Studio Instruction Application; offered Fall and Winter