JOUR 2226 Writing About Popular Music
Note to Journalism minors: this course satisfies the requirement for an elective with a craft" orientation." Reporting on popular music is a keenly effective way to take a snapshot of culture as it's happening. In this discussion-intensive class, students will get hands-on tips on how to write about music effectively, hone their critical thinking skills, and examine the ways that the business struggles experienced by both music and publishing have affected the way pop writing is disseminated and consumed. Guest speakers from the music writing world will provide further insights on their career paths, their views on where music is now, and the artists and songs that stoke their passion.
Course overview
- Department
- Journalism
- School
- MCAS
- Credits
- 3
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Offered
- Every Spring
Course evaluations
- Course rating
- 4.43 / 5 · Very Good
- Instructor rating
- 4.55 / 5 · Excellent
- Terms evaluated
- 12
| Term | Instructor | Course overall | Instructor overall | Well organized | Clear learning objectives | Intellectually challenging | Helpful assignments | Applicable beyond course | Attendance necessary | Weekly effort | Responses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | Maura Johnston | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4–6 hrs/week | 11 of 16 |
| Fall 2025 | Maura Johnston | 4.5 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 15 |
| Summer 2025 | Maura Johnston | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 7–9 hrs/week | 3 of 3 |
| Spring 2025 | Maura Johnston | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 18 of 20 |
| Fall 2024 | Maura Johnston | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 1–3 hrs/week | 15 of 18 |
| Summer 2024 | Maura Johnston | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.3 | — | 6 of 8 |
| Spring 2024 | Maura Johnston | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 1–3 hrs/week | 16 of 20 |
| Fall 2023 | Maura Johnston | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17 of 20 |
| Spring 2023 | Maura Johnston | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 14 of 19 |
| Fall 2022 | Maura Johnston | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 13 of 19 |
| Spring 2022 | Maura Johnston | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 22 |
| Fall 2021 | Maura Johnston | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 1–3 hrs/week | 9 of 17 |