FYW-1319 Music and the Mysteries of the Universe

GER: FYW (First Year Writing Seminar)
This course examines the function of music in numerous esoteric cultural and intellectual traditions (i.e., worldviews that value hidden knowledge) throughout history. Using literary fiction, philosophical writings, sacred practices, and works of music as source material, we explore ways of knowing that invoke music as an agent for the transfer of experience and understanding. Students will write in a variety of genres (autobiographical reflection, compare-and-contrast, reviews, response papers, and argument) and will develop critical thinking skills by considering the role of music in numerous historical and modern traditions that reserve knowledge for a select group of people. 4 credits.