Dec 08, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Jazz Studies (BM)


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Overview

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies consists of course work in the major, core music studies (theory, aural skills, music history, ensemble) and USC's general education and writing program.

Entrance Requirements

Admission to Thornton programs is granted through the USC admission process. Applicants are screened by appropriate faculty selection committees. Specific entrance requirements are reviewed on an annual basis and published online at music.usc.edu.

General Education Requirements

USC's General Education program, revised in fall 2015, provides a coherent, integrated approach to the study of the liberal arts, with the goal of nurturing habits of thought that are essential for professional success, personal development, and meaningful lifelong learning. Eight courses are required in six Core Literacies, in addition to two courses in Global Perspectives, two courses in Writing, and one General Education Seminar taken during the first year at USC. With careful planning, certain courses (including courses required for the music major) can fulfill more than one of these general education requirements. Academic advisers in the Thornton School carefully guide Thornton students in making their course choices. This typically will result in Thornton students taking a total of eight courses (including two writing courses) in order to fulfill all of the USC general education requirements.

Capstone Project

A senior recital or senior project must be completed under approved faculty supervision and guidance. The faculty of the department of the student's major program determines the detailed requirements of the recital or project, including content, length, format and/or other specifications. Note that senior projects must first be approved by the Jazz faculty. In cases in which a performance venue is required in order to present the recital, reservations must be made according to the current guidelines of the Music Operations office.

Curriculum Requirements for Non-Guitar


General Education *


Core Literacies


GE-A: The Arts (one course)

GE-B: Humanistic Inquiry (two courses)

GE-C: Social Analysis (two courses)

GE-D: Life Sciences (one course)

GE-E: Physical Sciences (one course)

GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning (one course)

Global Perspectives


GE-G: Citizenship in a Global Era (one course)

GE-H: Traditions and Historical Foundations (one course)

Program Specific Courses (58 units)


Individual Instruction (16 units)


Ensembles (14 units)**


Select 14 units from the following as directed by the department:

Program Intensive Courses (28 units)


Electives (18 units)


Capstone Project


Senior Recital or Senior Project: 0 units

Total required for degree: 132


* With correct planning, only 32 units (6 GE and 2 Writing courses) will be needed outside of your major requirements.



Curriculum Requirements for Guitar


General Education *


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Core Literacies


GE-A: The Arts (one course)

GE-B: Humanistic Inquiry (two courses)

GE-C: Social Analysis (two courses)

GE-D: Life Sciences (one course)

GE-E: Physical Sciences (one course)

GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning (one course)

Global Perspectives


GE-G: Citizenship in a Global Era (one course)

GE-H: Traditions and Historical Foundations (one course)

Program Specific Courses (58 units)


Individual Instruction (16 units)


Ensembles (6 units)


Electives (18 units)


Capstone Project


Senior Recital or Senior Project: 0 units

Total required for degree: 132


* With correct planning, only 32 units (6 GE and 2 Writing courses) will be needed outside of your major requirements.

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