Course Synopsis: Students will study current songs, compose and perform original songs, and mentor classmates in a hands-on, supportive, collaborative, on-line environment. Goal: For each class member to develop and refine the ability to express himself/herself through songwriting Objectives: Students will demonstrate - ? an understanding of songwriting fundamentals ? songwriting skill development ? positive mentoring interactions

? Creation and performance of at least 5 new songs (via YouTube) (At least 1 as a collaborative song ? using Skype) ? Read and discuss assignments in course texts (via Discussion Board for Gillette, Blog for Zollo) ? Weekly song-study discussion (via Wiki) ? Weekly mentoring entries (via YouTube) ? Two 5-page critical review papers ? (Analysis and discussion of musical and lyrical content of self-selected songs) (Email to professor) ? Songwriters journal (To use as basis for the final paper) ? Perform two best-work songs at coffee-house event (via YouTube) ? Final paper ? (5-page reflection of your development as a songwriter) (Email to professor) Required Texts: Gillette, S. (1995). Songwriting and the Creative Process. Mitchell, K. (1996). Essential Songwriter?s Rhyming Dictionary. Zollo, P. (2003). Songwriters on Songwriting.

30% - Creation and video performance of songs (via YouTube) 10% - Coffeehouse performance (via YouTube) 10% - Mentoring participation (via YouTube) 10% - Class participation (discussion of reading and song study assignments ? via Discussion Board, Blog, Wiki) 20% - Critical review papers (emailed to professor) 20% - Songwriters journal and Final paper (emailed to professor)