Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - EDUC 869 G001

Music Education as Thinking in Sound (5)

Class Number: 1789

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Wed, 4:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

This course presents the theory and practice of music education based on theories of auditory perception, musical theory, and various cross-cultural perspectives on musical behavior.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is oriented around creating a space for students to explore this foundational idea: “you are a sounding being, immersed within sounding events, within a broader sounding environment” (Campbell & Hoeller, 2024). What this means more specifically is that we will be exploring the phenomenon of sound, the perception of sound as music, and the ways phenomena and perception combine or clash. In more concrete terms, and in more concrete ways, we will explore what this means for our personal, collective, pedagogical, curricular, and overall educational experiences and aims.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For students to come to deeper understandings about sound, music, and education, that they can draw into their lives, teaching practices, and interactions with others.

Grading

  • In-class Sound exercises 25%
  • In-class Individual Presentation 25%
  • In-class Group Presentation 25%
  • End of Term Summative Project 25%

NOTES:

Attendance, Participation in all class activities, and completion of all assignments.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

There are no required texts for the course. Readings, Viewings, Listenings will be drawn from open online sources, and/or through the SFU Online Library.


RECOMMENDED READING:

To be shared in class.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Graduate Studies Notes:

Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.