Final feature outline

For my final feature, I want to do a story similar to one that Dan posted on his blog. A NYT reporter wrote a story about what subway riders are listening to and why. I'm going to do one about what types of music students are listening to on campus and why. Nearly everyone riding the buses, walking through the oval, or waiting for a class to start has wires coming out of their ears. I want to investigate the diversity of music that comes wth the diversity of students, and analyze what those types of music mean. Besides the obvious reason of listening to music for pleasure, I want to see some of the others reasons. Are students trying to block out noise from attractions and eachother, pump themselves up, calm themselves down etc. What someone listens to and say a lot about the kind of person they are and the mood they're in. I've asked David Huron, a professor from Ohio State's school of music to speak to me about these aspects. He is eaching Music 829D : Music and Emotion. The description listed online says "This course will provide a comprehensive survey of general theories of emotion, review experimental literatures relating sound and emotion, and discuss a broad spectrum of theoretical ideas concerning music and emotional life. The course will address emotions from physiological, evolutionary, cognitive, historical and cultural perspectives. " As well as an interview with him, I will interview many campus pedestrians this Thursday afternoon, and instead of focusing only on a few subjects, will showcase the diversity on campus, and hopefully give others an insight as to why everyone always has their mp3 player glued to them.

During class today, I found a study online that focuses on 7 reasons people listen to music.
Entertainment - At the most fundamental level music provides stimulation. It lifts the mood before going out, it passes the time while doing the washing up, it accompanies travelling, reading and surfing the web.
Revival - Music revitalises in the morning and calms in the evening.
Strong sensation - Music can provide deep, thrilling emotional experiences, particularly while performing.
Diversion - Music distracts the mind from unpleasant thoughts which can easily fill the silence.
Discharge - Music matching deep moods can release emotions: purging and cleansing.
Mental work - Music encourages daydreaming, sliding into old memories, exploring the past.
Solace - Shared emotion, shared experience, a connection to someone lost.

I also received an email from Dr. Huron referring me to two of his doctorate students instead. I've emailed both of them and am awaiting a response.