MUSIC 246Soundtracks: Music in Film
- 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 techniques, styles, and functions of music in film, and how music interacts with image and narrative to create meanings. Weekly screenings of films selected from the 1930s to the present.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4470 | 69 / 250 | Th 19:00–21:50 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4308 | 0 / 250 | Th 19:00–21:50 |
| LEC 701 | 1710 | 64 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
89% liked it85% easy54% useful
From 138 ratings and 43 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
Can be a bird course if you want it to be. But it was my lowest grade only because I barely did anything so no remorse there. The content is pretty interesting especially if you actually watch the movies. Simon Wood is pretty awesome and very funny. Only 2 or 3 (can't remember) tests that are all multiple choice. Saw a couple of people get 100%. They're just questions regarding movie, soundtrack, and movie people facts. If you pay attention throughout the lectures and movies, there's no need to study too much.
Jun 2021 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
2 midterms 1 final, all multiple choice. The tests are tricky but the course requires very little effort. It's pretty fun if you take it with your friends because you can gather and watch movies every week. Interesting concepts, deep analysis on film music.
Apr 2013 · liked it · 3 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I literally would never shut the fuck up about this course while I took it (in a good way).
Jan 2025 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
This was undoubtedly the best course I have taken throughout my entire degree. Simon Wood lived up to the excellent reputation he has earned, and it is very clear that he loves teaching this course - the audio lectures were interesting and fun to listen to, in a way that it really didn't seem like you were in a class. During the winter 2021 term we had 4 quizzes, 30 multiple choice questions each. Studying for them was straightforward if you took decent notes from the audio lectures and if you read the sections Simon told us to read in the textbook (which were short - less than 30 minutes of reading per quiz). If you pay attention in the class (which is easy to do) and study for the…
Apr 2021 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
History based, quite a bit of content, but it's all related and interesting as film develops through the 1900s. I really wish there was more focus on modern day films. There's a "viewing list" where the prof expects you to watch films before class, as he discusses particular scenes in class (thus spoilers), but otherwise just 2 midterms and a final, very light course.
Apr 2018 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
81 posts and comments in 73 threads mention MUSIC 246, August 2012 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
MUSIC 246 1 point, 2 comments
u/anonymouswombat26: “is the syllabus for the final exam only the content covered after quiz 2 or is it cumulative of everything done from week 1?”
Spring 2024
Bird Courses, Fall 2024 13 points, 21 comments
“Anything really that would help boost my CAV, preferably a 200 serieis course would be sick, but anything you know that is offered this term. I will be taking, thanks. Thank you<3”
u/markleestan: “Clas 201 if someone wants to give me their seat ;(”
u/ImaRandomIdiot: “Is MUSIC 246? Really that bird?? Cuz if so I will be taking. Thanks for the list, <3”
Winter 2024
Trade MUSIC 246 For CLAS 104 4 points, 0 comments
u/kevinl33: “Dm me if you are up for this swap. I need more online classes”
Fall 2023
Any non-math courses recommended? 1 point, 4 comments
“So I was told by my advisor that I still need 5.5 non-math courses in order to graduate. However, I don't want to spend my money like (6k) per course, is there any non-math courses recommended? …”
u/Roma_Solo: “Highly suggest MUSIC 246, Simon Wood is a great prof and I cant recommend him enough!”
Spring 2023
MUSIC246 Notes? 1 point, 0 comments
Fall 2022
Anyone willing to swap HEALTH 105 with me for MUSIC 140/246? 1 point, 5 comments
Anyone willing to swop HEALTH 105 for MUSIC 140/246? 1 point, 1 comment
Spring 2022
How to Graduate from the University of Waterloo's Computer Science Program with the Least Amount of Effort 1,487 points, 156 comments
u/ConradIsMyDaddy: “… take MUSIC 246. fuck it, if you like Harry Potter you can even take ENGL 108P. there are a million ways you can complete this part of your degree. just make extra sure that while you pick your electives, that you are mindful of your breadth and depth requirements. …”
2A Stat course load advice :) 4 points, 20 comments
u/cherrycirce: “… I don’t want to dig my own grave so I was wondering if these together were manageable: MATH 235 MATH 237 STAT 230 MUSIC 246 (+ CS 245 but debating if it’s overkill since CS 136 leeched the life outta me 🥲 If it is, what should I fill it with?) This also leaves me balancing MATH …”
CS students, what courses have you taken each term 9 points, 21 comments
“Inspired by https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/v3b8nj/can\any\current\mathcs\students\let\me\know\their/ but recognizing that one term is a very narrow view, What courses have you taken each …”
u/BubblesfromSunnyvale: “… ECON 371, CO 487 3B: CO 250, MUSIC 140, CS 360, CS 458, CS 370 4A: CS 444, CS 462, CO 331, MUSIC 246 4B: CS 486, CO 342, CO 380, GEOG 181 In 4B now, would be happy to talk about courses with anyone interested.”
u/WinniePooh888: “… STAT 230 2a CS 245 CS 246 CS 240 CS 241 CS 251 MATH 239 STAT 231 2b CS 341 CS 350 ECON 371 MUSIC 246 SCI 206 MATH 235 coop 1 CS 370 coop 2 CS 458 3b (22fall) CS 492 CS 449 MUSIC 140 EMLS 101R CS 346”
to the rat bastards who said CLAS104 was 4x25% Quizzes 103 points, 26 comments
“fuck you motherf”
u/kingkong427: “Whats music 140 like?”
u/Frozen5147: “If it's anything like MUSIC 246 last term (same lecturer) then it's probably going to have an in-person final, along with in-person quizzes.”
Bird Courses for Spring 2022 10 points, 10 comments
“Looking for bird courses, preferably fully online. Drop recommends below!!”
u/Frozen5147: “… However, I've taken Simon Wood's other course (MUSIC 246, Music in Film, unfortunately not offered in the Spring), and that one was both really fun and a cakewalk - I would imagine this one is also easy as long as you can memorize some stuff. …”
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