The Art and Business of Songwriting is an elective course which teaches the art of musical composition with an emphasis on the genre of contemporary song. It is designed for the student with some knowledge of or background in the basics of music who wishes to apply that knowledge to the creation of music in contemporary popular genres. Students will explore the various musical forms employed by songwriters and apply them to their own compositional projects. The course provides an overview of the historical development of the art of popular song in Western culture, exploring in particular the significant contributions made by America's immigrant and African-American populations. Students will also examine the business of songwriting and its place in the overall music industry.