Dr. Joseph Salem

Associate Professor

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Biography

Joseph Salem is an Associate Professor at the University of Victoria, specializing in Music History, Musicology, and Music Theory. He has extensive expertise in music theory, performance, and musicology, with research interests encompassing a wide spectrum of topics, including musical semiotics, sketch studies, intertextuality in music, critical exegesis of composers' writings, sociology of music, and analysis of non-notated music. Salem has published extensively on the works of Pierre Boulez and has conducted research in opera studies focusing on composers such as Cavalli, Rameau, and Verdi. He is currently working under a SSHRC Insight Grant on an archival project involving the Paul Sacher Stiftung collection. His teaching covers graduate-level music courses, including advanced research forums and topics spanning from historical practices to modern sound studies. He has advised many graduate students, some of whom have gone on to pursue PhDs at prestigious institutions. Salem's educational background includes a BMus from the University of Texas at Austin, and multiple degrees from Yale University, which he attended on a Fulbright scholarship. He also enjoys cooking and maintaining social connections with his graduate students.

Research Interests

Courses

MUS 534, Advanced Research Forum: Musicology MUS 533, Graduate Forum Musicology MUS 531/2, Old New: Intertextuality Musical Reference Modern Era MUS 532, History Opera: Practice Performance MUS 532, Sound Studies and History Electronic Music MUS 531, Serialism Style, Technique, Aesthetic MUS 503, Introduction Music Bibliography Methodology MUS 502, Musical Aesthetics Theory Criticism (History Music Theory) MUS 499, Graduating Projects Music History MUS 323/391, Forms Genres Music: Twentieth Century String Quartet MUS 323/391/532, Modes Listening Intersection Sound Studies and Music MUS 301B, Language Music (Music Theory VI), 1945-Present MUS 220B, Music History IV, 1900-Present MUS 220A, Music History III, 1750-1900

Requirements for University of Victoria

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
GRE General
Verbal
Required:130
Quantitative
Required:130
Analytical Writing
Required:0
Overall
Required:0
Prerequisites
BSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering or equivalent Background in Mathematics with emphasis on Computer Science
Application Checklist
  • Statement of Intent
  • Professional CV
  • Two assessment reports
  • Unofficial transcripts
Specialization Notes

Department: Department of Computer Science. GRE is highly recommended for international students.