Syllabus: “Exploring Complex Identity”  

Student will explore complex identity via music through the lens of the “Imperfect Palindrome”:  a potentially useful compositional/literary device that encourages complex understanding of individual identity.  The concept has resonances in literature, theology, and science (specifically the study of the human genome) and may be used as a synthesizing agent in service of deeper understanding. This course will require diverse reading and interview across disciplines to gather a deep understanding of the “Imperfect Palindrome”.  The student will work to compose a song cycle of music and lyrics that relate to the theme – exploring compositional strategies for music and lyric creation that relate to the central device with guidance from the instructor.    

Schedule of meetings with Instructor:

Instructor and Student will meet weekly for 1 hour each session for the duration of the semester. 

Reading materials:

Nathan: Old Testament Prophet - and related literary 

Bodner, K. (2001). Nathan: Prophet, Politician and Novelist? Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 26(1), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/030908920102600103

Jones, G. (1990). The Nathan narratives. Sheffield : JSOT Press


Scientific Language : “feed-back loop” and the “imperfect palindrome” in our DNA

Hu, L. (1993). Glucocorticoid receptors in ATP-depleted WCL2 cells: Dephosphorylation, loss of hormone binding, nuclear unextractability and dissociation from Hsp90 (Order No. 9328464).  Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global.  (304028880). Retrieved from https://libproxy.wlu.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.wlu.ca/docview/304028880?accountid=15090


Music: 

Ilias Chrissochoidis; An emblem of modern music: temporal symmetry in the prologue of L’Orfeo(1607), Early Music, Volume 39, Issue 4, 1 November 2011, Pages 519–530, https://doi-org.libproxy.wlu.ca/10.1093/em/car082

Trivers, J. B. (2004). Directed motion in stravinsky's “Mass” (Order No. 3146712). Available from  ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (305166926). Retrieved from https://libproxy.wlu.ca/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.wlu.ca/docview/305166926?accountid=15090

Requirement for Evaluation

  • Literature review (25%)

  • Discussion and critique of articles (25%)

  • Progressive Compositions (50%)