MUSIC 140Popular Music and Culture
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Music
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
An examination of the styles, forms, and development of 20th century popular music. The social, commercial, and technological aspects of popular music are considered.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4441 | 180 / 250 | T 19:00–21:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4319 | 0 / 250 | T 19:00–21:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1728 | 157 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
94% liked it87% easy60% useful
From 249 ratings and 74 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
If you take this course and regret it, email me at [email protected] and I will personally e-transfer you $100, that's how confident I am that you will not regret taking this course
Nov 2020 · liked it · 7 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
First term under the online format - still an interesting and fun course.
Exams were pretty easy, all multiple choice, each covering a quarter of the course.
Lectures were posted once a week, and were anywhere from 2 to 4 audio recordings, with lengths ranging from 30 mins to over an hour. Basically like listening to a weekly podcast.Aug 2020 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I dropped the course and still went to every single lecture.
Apr 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Legend
Jan 2023 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
The course itself is easy, but the tests are hard
Nov 2014 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
231 posts and comments in 192 threads mention MUSIC 140, May 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Fall 2024
Easy course where I'll genuinely learn something - Winter 2025 17 points, 17 comments
“Hi, I'll be in 4B ECE and I've mapped out all my degree req's. I have one empty course slot. Anything you'd recommend? I want to be amazed, or learn something I didn't think of. …”
u/Seekndestroyyy: “MUSIC 140, birdy + super interesting if you’re into music. Great prof.”
MUSIC 140 TEST 2 28 points, 6 comments
u/chocodrizzz: “that was not reallll, prayers up for that dude”
MUSIC140 Discord 1 point, 0 comments
u/Odd_Revenue6368: “Hello! I was wondering if anybody was able to provide me a link to the MUSIC140 discord server ? Or any sort of class chat to discuss class material/notes. Thanks ! 😊”
Spring 2024
Anyone taking AMATH 351, STAT 337 or MUSIC 140? 2 points, 5 comments
u/jokerwithnojokes: “dm me if you wanna go over these courses together!”
How hard is CHEM120? 8 points, 8 comments
u/get_in_the_bin_: “… I want to save easy non-math courses for my harder terms (Clas104, MUSIC140, etc). …”
CLAS 104 or MUSIC 140 2 points, 1 comment
u/Plane_Flan_9675: “I’m trying to take one elective and I’m trying to find a bird course. I need something I can survive with and not want to kms while trying to get through it lol! Let me know”
Best Profs for 1A CS Term 1 point, 4 comments
u/Aarav3341: “I am an incoming first-year international student in the CS Honours programme. PLs recommend me the best profs for the courses I am enrolled in. Will be of great help :) MATH 135 MATH 137 CS 135 COMMST 100 MUSIC 140”
How to enjoy coming here?? 14 points, 19 comments
“I posted earlier about kinda being forced to go here. In turn with that, how do I enjoy this school? Every time I think about coming here I start crying (which I’m doing as I type this :’o ). …”
u/Jarydo: “… I’ve taken MUSIC140 (pop music), ENGL108A (superheroes), VCULT100 (world cinema), and more. …”
Fall 2023
Equity request for access to beer 11 points, 2 comments
u/PM_ME_YOUR_SUBARU: “Drink beer from an opaque canteen, literally nobody will know or care. Source: evening lectures and st paddys day mornings. Seemed on-brand for MUSIC 140 and 240.”
Spring 2023
Can anyone share their MUSIC140 notes for money? 1 point, 1 comment
u/Legal-Conflict-7201: “I am a dumbass. I just skipped all classes for MUSIC140 and need notes to pass the finals. I will paypal $5 to whoever sends some high quality notes. Thanks.”
What's a course that you think everyone should take? 50 points, 41 comments
“Just curious about people's experiences, and why they think everyone should take it. also i'm looking for first year electives and open to any ideas lol”
u/Comfortable_Ad1309: “MUSIC 140”
Fall 2022
CS 448 vs. CS 451 3 points, 6 comments
u/Fall_2021_throwaway: “… MUSIC 140) / Pretty light (e.g. CS 370) / Pretty heavy (e.g. …”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them