Post on 27-Dec-2015
Why We Don’t See Music Majors in the
Writing CenterWriting 300 Conference
Spring 2012Zoe Kumagai
Overview
Issues
Possible Solutions
Short report on Writing in Music
What’s the matter?
Interdisciplinary knowledge
“To learn what is good writing within a discipline seems to require knowledge of that discipline; to learn what is good writing across the disciplines may have to begin within each of those disciplines.” –from Knowin’ nothin’ about history: The challenge of tutoring in a multi-disciplinary writing lab by Howard Tinberg and Greg Cupples
“The Short Guide Series” edited by Sylvan Barnet and Marcia Stubbs
About: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Film, History, Literature, Music, Science, Social Sciences
Different Learning Styles
Non-directive approach a turn off?Shamoon and Burns’s- Master-Class: Directive
Studio lesson: Non directive
Solution: a combination of Non-directive and directive
“Gerk’s Guide to Getting Good Grades”
Keep in mind the big ideas
Pre-existing Attitudes
IssuesThe “should-be-shedding” mentalityThe “need-to-write-to-graduate” mentality“Music has no subject beyond the combinations of notes we hear, for music speaks not only by means of sounds, it speaks nothing but sound.” — Eduard Hanslick
SolutionsMake appearances at individual schools freshman orientationin-class workshopsVolunteer-run WC within the SMTD
Low Expectations
Contradictory writing standard held by the School of Music
Universal writing requirement
Low credits for Musicology
SolutionsMake music majors write more
Practice incorporate analysis into writing
Listening journals
Establish a relationship between individual schools and the Writing Center
A Short Report on Writing about Music
Writing is important in studying music
Typical collegiate writing assignmentsReaction to a concert or cd
Compare and Contrast
Examples of issuesUniversity of Iowa handout
In Conclusion
Addressing these issues could bring about increased attendance in writing centers and give purpose to music majors as writers.