Course Syllabus

New Course Draft: Music Creativity, and Wellbeing

Course Description

What is it about music that speaks so powerfully to our inner lives? This hands-on elective explores connections between music, creativity, and wellbeing through listening, singing, songwriting, and creative music-making. Designed for students from all academic majors, the course welcomes both experienced musicians and those discovering their musical side for the first time.

Sweden is one of the world’s leading music exporters and has a strong culture of singing. Drawing on guest lectures and research perspectives, we explore how music can support emotion, memory, wellbeing, and social connection. A major highlight is a collaborative project with students at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, located on the same campus as DIS, where you explore digital music creation and production alongside Swedish music students and meet Swedish musicians and songwriters.

Learning Objectives 

• Develop songwriting techniques and creative skills through hands-on music-making.
• Develop musical skills, confidence, and personal expression through singing, songwriting, and performing.
• Explore connections between music, creativity, emotion, memory, stress, social connection and well-being.
• Aanalyze and reflect on musical experiences and lyrics and creative processes.
• Explore Swedish music culture, singing traditions, and the Swedish music industry.
• Collaborate creatively with others and reflect on the role of music in wellbeing, connection, and community.

Faculty

Maria Carlsson, MA in Music, Royal College of Music, Stockholm, 2017. 2-year Artist/Vocalist education at the Swedish folkhögskola Kulturama. Professional Swedish singer, performing regularly in solo, band, and vocal group concerts. Vocal teacher and teacher in music and ensemble.

Readings

The course combines practical music-making with selected readings, listening assignments, and other course materials. Materials will introduce perspectives on music, creativity, the brain, emotion, memory, stress, social connection, well-being, and Swedish music culture. See the Course Calendar for details.

Field Studies

Field studies provide opportunities to explore music as a cultural, social, and creative phenomenon in Stockholm. Visits may include concerts, festivals, music venues, cultural institutions, and participatory music activities. Students will experience and reflect on how music can create connection, community, creativity, and wellbeing, while considering the different roles music plays in Swedish society.

Field studies may also introduce students to Swedish initiatives connecting music, creativity, and mental health, particularly among young people. Through visits and discussions, students will consider how music can function not only as entertainment and artistic expression, but also as a means of communication, community-building, and support for wellbeing.

Specific visits will be announced during the semester as programs and opportunities become available.

Guest Lecturers / Musicians

Throughout the semester, students will meet Swedish songwriters, musicians, and other professionals who will share their creative processes, experiences, and perspectives on the Swedish music industry. Guest lectures may also include researchers and experts in areas such as music psychology, neuroscience, creativity, and wellbeing, offering different perspectives on how music affects the brain, emotions, behavior, and social connection.

Approach to Teaching & Expectations of the Students

This is a hands-on and experiential course combining practical workshops, singing, songwriting, listening, discussion, reflection, and collaborative music-making. Students will work at their own level and are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and explore new forms of musical expression.

Students are expected to come prepared, complete assignments on time, participate actively in class and field studies, and contribute respectfully to the creative work of others. As the course includes a masterclass-style approach, students will be invited to share their musical ideas, lyrics, and creative work with the group and to give and receive constructive feedback. A supportive and respectful classroom environment is essential, particularly as students will share creative work and personal experiences.

Students should expect approximately three hours of work outside class each week.

Evaluation & Grading

Students are evaluated on their individual engagement, creative development, creative work, collaboration, and reflection rather than on previous musical experience or technical musical ability.

Participation & Engagement — 30%
Active participation in workshops, discussions, collaborative activities, and field studies.

Creative & Short Assignments — 25%
Short assignments in songwriting, musical expression, listening, collaboration, and creative thinking.

Reflection Journal — 20%
Throughout the course, students will keep a reflection journal in which they reflect on their experiences and development in music and creativity. Reflections will connect personal experiences, field studies, guest lectures, course activities, and relevant readings to themes related to music, creativity, and wellbeing. At the end of the semester, students will submit a summary of their reflections.

Collaborative Music Project — 10%
Participation in collaborative music-making, including the project with students at KMH.

Final Creative Project — 15%
A final creative project demonstrating the student’s creative development and engagement with course themes.

In order to receive a passing grade, students must complete all required assignments and demonstrate consistent participation throughout the semester.

Concluding Concert

The semester will conclude with a concert where students will have the opportunity to perform songs they have created during the course or present their own interpretations of existing music. The concert celebrates the students’ creative development and the collaborative experience of making music together.