Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module MUSI1181: READINGS IN MUSICOLOGY

Department: Music

MUSI1181: READINGS IN MUSICOLOGY

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to W300, QRV0

Prerequisites

  • A-level Music.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enhance and augment reading-based knowledge of key issues arising from musicology, ethnomusicology, analysis, performance and composition.
  • To integrate this knowledge critically into the wider framework of relevant disciplinary work.
  • To stimulate personal intellectual development and critical interpretative skills.
  • To create a solid foundation for further, more advanced study.

Content

  • The module will comprise 22 seminars (four groups approx.
  • 10 students/lecturer).
  • Tutorials will revolve around tutor-led group discussion based on directed reading collated and organised centrally by the course convenor(s).
  • The module will introduce foundations of good research practice and essay-writing skills through a combination of directed readings.
  • in-class discussion and formative assignments (book reports, literature reviews and orally presented papers).
  • The module will augment and supplement reading from other modules of the course, and introduce new issues as appropriate.
  • Areas of discussion include historical topics.
  • historiography.
  • analysis.
  • criticism.
  • ethnomusicology and cultural studies.
  • performance- and/or composition-related issues.
  • and interdisciplinary research.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Developing a critical understanding of key musicological texts through essays, literature reviews and orally presented papers.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • To understand research techniques, including those involving electronic resourcing, bibliographical searching and where appropriate archival work.
Key Skills:
  • To develop informed critical views, through intensive, directed reading and in-class discussion.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching methods will comprise weekly seminars and tutorial groups over the span of three terms.
  • Teaching will involve tutor-led group discussion of directed readings, as well as the presentation and discussion, as appropriate, of one or more of the formative assignments under point 2 below.
  • Students will be required (1) to prepare readings on a weekly basis.
  • (2) to supply formative work (book reports, literature reviews and orally presented papers) on an ongoing basis.
  • and (3) to participate in in-class discussion.
  • Summative work will formalise the assessment in points 2 and 3 above, as described in the Summative Assessment section.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Tutorials 3 1 Hour 3
Seminars 22 1 Per Week 1 Hour 22
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Book Report Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
3000 word book report 100%
Component: Literature Review Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
3000 word literature review 100%

Formative Assessment:

Students will be required to give oral presentations of draft work in seminars and tutorial groups. In-class participation will also be reviewed in the middle, and at the end, of each full term of teaching.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University